EDITOR'S NOTE: For a complete story on Chaplain Subler, see the Dec. 31, 2009 issue of the Fort Lewis Ranger newspaper.

I have been spending some time with Chaplain (Capt.) Carl Subler, 5^th Brigade's Roman Catholic priest. 

A singularly fascinating man, he can talk about anything with anybody at anytime and relate it all back to what he is about - talking about faith and the Lord.

In other words, the man lives his faith.

Here is an insight.

Saying that his greatest challenge is getting air movement in order to visit the various FOBs to meet with soldiers, Father Subler is not afraid to raise a fuss.

"I make myself a problem, and people love to get rid of problems, so they put me on a helicopter and send me out," he said with a big smile.

For a man whose educational background includes having spent time studying in Rome, the simplicity of the idea is amazing.

Nor have I met anyone who has anything but the highest respect and admiration for him.

"Father Subler gets out on the ground with the soldiers," said Lt. Col. Steve Allen, the 402^nd's commander.

"He has been in the thick of it."

Which reminds me of this story.

Father Subler told me about the time he conducted a Mass for a sniper team preparing to go out on a mission.

After Mass, one soldier came up to him, expressed his fears about the mission, and asked to become a Roman Catholic.

"I baptized him, confirmed him and gave his communion," said Father Subler.

The small rite over, the soldier then turned and said to Father Subler, "The Taliban had better beware; now I am fearless."

Or as Father Subler put it, "The soldier knew that eternal life was his.  What else is left to fear?"

Absolutely nothing.