CaringBridge.org The night Fr. Tim arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in early June 2004, the Most Reverend Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, was there to meet him. Archbishop O’Brien told Fr. Tim, “You are still a priest. This bed is now your altar and this is where you are now called to serve as a priest.” Father Tim is now being seen by Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists. Tim continues to be stable. His medical team has seen some improvement in consistency in his responses and he is tracking objects better. He is in a month-long test to see if improvements can be made. His progress will be reviewed every two weeks. He tires after about ten minutes. Please pray for Tim to continue to show consistency in his responses, to find a reliable means of communication, to have an increase in physical endurance, maintain stable blood pressure when he is on the tilt table, and balance in his GI track. A dentist recently visited Fr. Tim. His teeth look pretty good. Nothing more needs to be done now. The dentist, with the assistance of a tongue depressor, was able to get into Tim’s mouth without having to sedate him. This is good news as it indicates he getting better at getting his mouth open. You can mail cards, letters, and other words of encouragement to Fr. Tim at this address: Chaplain (Major) Henry T. Vakoc, Retired
Chaplain (Major) Henry T. Vakoc, Retired, a Roman Catholic Priest, was stationed in Iraq when he was wounded Saturday, May 29, the 12th anniversary of his ordination. He was returning from presiding at a Mass for the soldiers when his humvee was struck by an IED (improvised explosive device). Father Tim was transported through Germany to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC on 2 June. He has sustained a severe brain injury. On Wednesday, July 14 Fr. Tim received a Purple Heart.
Minnesota Veterans Medical Center
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417
Additional information about Father Vakoc:
- Chaplain Vakoc, War HeroDuring a previous deployment in Bosnia , Father Tim had this to say about risk, explaining to his sister what he was up to and why: “The safest place for me to be is in the center of God’s will, and if that is in the line of fire, that is where I will be.”
Men like Father Tim Vakoc are most certainly not the oxymorons pacifists imagine them to be. Neither are they the on-site moral theologians some intellectuals think they ought to be - every senior officer’s personal just-war consultant, so to speak. These men are pastors. Their work honors the priesthood. We should honor them for it.
- PRIEST HEROES
- Fort Lewis chaplain struggles to survive
Table of contents for Military Chaplains
- Jesus Walks the Battlefield
- Father Martin C. Hoehn
- Church: Chaplains are heroes, too.
- Chaplain Gave All-Chaplain (Major) Henry T. Vakoc
- Father Vincent Capodanno
- Father Elmer Heindl
- Father Heindl Saved America
- Father Leo - Saving Souls in Iraq
- Father (Capt.) Emil Kapaun
- Priest Called to Serve - in the Army
- Former Stunt Man Makes Leap to Airborne Ministry
