Chaplain (U.S. Navy Capt.-Ret.) Rev. Dr. Mark J. Schreiber of Palm Coast, Fla., former director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF), has been named by the MAF committee to receive the Silver St. Martin of Tours Medal.
The award, which will be presented to Schreiber next summer, was announced Nov. 11 (observed by Christians as St. Martin of Tours Day).
The announcement from the MAF notes the award is given “for exceptionally meritorious sustained service in support of the Ministry to the Armed Forces,” and that only one silver award may be awarded in a single year. It is the highest award from the MAF, which also bestows the Bronze St. Martin of Tours Medal.
The silver award is being given to Schreiber, the announcement continues, “in recognition of outstanding service to God and country, for 25 years of distinguished service as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy (active and reserve) and as [LCMS] director of Ministry to the Armed Forces from September 2004 until May 2014,” when he retired from the MAF post.
Also from the announcement, the award is going to Schreiber “in appreciation for his leadership, for his compassionate Christ-centered guidance for all our chaplains and their families, especially during the many years of combat and challenges to religious freedom, and for bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully and ceaselessly to the men and women of our United States Armed Forces.”
Schreiber served on active and Reserve military duty for 25 years. He was commissioned as a naval officer in 1980. His first active-duty stints were as group chaplain at the Marine Corps Air Station in Jacksonville, N.C., from 1982 to 1985, and then aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (1986-88). He also served in the Reserves in a variety of Marine Corps posts. He was recalled to active duty (2000-04) as district chaplain for the 8th Marine Corps Recruiting Division, New Orleans, ministering to 900 Marine recruiters and their families in a 10-state area.
A 2003 graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, he was promoted to captain that same year. He retired from military service in 2005.
Schreiber is a 1977 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. He holds an earned Doctor of Ministry degree in Theology and Ministry in 1996 from Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, Tacoma, Wash.
He and his wife, Connie Ann, have three daughters and four grandchildren.
Posted Nov. 11, 2014
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