ROCHELLE—The Archdiocese of the Military doesn’t just work on regular military bases or overseas.

 

They recently deployed Father Ryan L. McDaniel, a chaplain and captain in the Illinois National Guard, to support  troops at a warehouse for emergency supplies in the middle of the Rockford Diocese. 

 

Father McDaniel is a priest of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, which, like other Eastern Catholic Churches, exists in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. 

 

Father McDaniel’s COVID-19 deployment began on May 18 and will end near the end of July. He serves with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.

 

Both Father McDaniel and his Religious Affairs Specialist Bryan Neice, were commended for their service to troops supporting multi-agency operations at a 330-thousand-square-foot warehouse in Rochelle.

 

First Sergeant Erik Royer, 1644th  Transportation Company, ILARNG, non-commissioned officer in charge of Team Rochelle, wrote, “I have been in the service for 30 years and it is very rare to see the chaplain mingle with the troops, play some games, and administer services in the work place on a weekly basis. ... Without that bonding you won’t reach near as many soldiers nor have their trust.”