Milton, Vermont - November 14, 2004
Sunday morning mass in Milton was a somber one.
"Friday, we leave for Mississippi," said Father John Feltz at his last mass.
"He's done a lot for this parish and a lot for the people in it," said Cindy Beaudoin-Valyou of Milton.
On Friday, Father Feltz and 600 Vermont guardsmen and women of the 86th brigade will leave for the middle east.
"I think the reality is going to hit in when you drive off on Friday," said Father Feltz.
The 58-year-old will serve as a chaplain to the troops. His main mission is to provide spiritual therapy to the men and women serving overseas.
"I think they're very lucky to get him and that he will be a good counselor to them and help them they way he's helped the people in this parish," said Beaudoin-Valyou.
This is Feltz's first deployment in his 9 years as a guard member and it is hitting home for some folks in his parish.
He may be a priest to the parish, but he is also considered a friend to the community.
"It's a sad event," said Beaudoin-Valyou. "He's really earned the love and respect of everyone here and a lot of people are really going to miss him."
"It's a loss for the parish, but obviously it's a gain for the troops over there," said Tom Hemestad, a parishioner.
Feltz did go through the same basic training, but he will not carry a weapon while serving overseas. The military considers chaplains people of peace. He will be assigned to a full-time body guard.
Reverend Lawrence Ridgley, a pastor in Fairfax, is going to take over for Father Feltz next weekend