By: Kriscia J. Palacios
2/17/2005

Bob Epperly describes his job in Iraq in two words he once heard from someone — “agony and ecstasy.”

Epperly, whose regular job is director of assessment for CAPS at Friends University, has left the Friends family to report for duty in Iraq as a chaplain.

He said he deals with different situations day by day. The soldiers may have a crisis with their families back home, they might be encountering psychological problems caused by the loss of fellow soldiers, or they just simply have a hard time adjusting.

Epperly feels the “agony” and the level of difficulty the soldiers are going through, and once the problem has been talked through and the emotion has subsided, there is a spiritual connection with God.

“It is a feeling of ecstasy,” Epperly said.

 Kathy Whalen, a co-worker and friend of Epperly’s, describes him as a man of strong character and high morals who also likes to laugh.

“He is a very impressive man, very nice and easy going,” Whalen said.

Epperly is stationed at the Al Asad airbase, the main Air base for western Iraq, only 100 miles west of Baghdad. He is serving there as a chaplain, conducting two chapel services every Sunday at the base and Bible study classes for soldiers. He also does a lot of counseling.

He is “well-known around the University and very well-respected,” Whalen said.

Sunday was an exciting day for the Iraqis as well as for the soldiers at Al Asad.  Iraqis were out waving flags and cheering when results of the Jan. 30 election were announced. There was no violence surrounding the base, and the atmosphere was positive, Epperly said.

“Being here just feels like a really long camping trip,” Epperly said.

The most difficult experiences he has encountered are those regarding essential needs and aspects of living.

“It is hard to get adjusted to wearing a uniform 24 hours a day. There is an inconsistency of water, power and communication. Some days the pipelines will be cut, and we won’t have water or electricity, and it gets frustrating,” Epperly said. 

The military services try to accommodate the soldiers and make them feel at home, but there are some inconveniences.  The soldiers are allowed three minutes to shower and most of the time it’s with cold water. They only have outside bathrooms, and they have a gym, but no television. They do have a Subway and a Pizza Hut to eat at.

Epperly said his unit is in charge of working with other contractors in the renovation and future planning of the base.

“Right now we are working on constructing an Internet café and a dining resort, and  I am in charge of building two new chapels,” he said.

About 2 ½ years ago, Epperly suffered an accident that caused him to be unconscious for four days, and later relied on both a walker and a wheelchair.  He was on his way home from work and fixing a flat tire on his car when a driver ran over his legs. The driver ran off and was caught the next day by the police.

“I have a lot to be thankful for,” said Epperly, who agrees that although it is tough wearing heavy bullet proof vests, he is holding up fine.

“My legs have actually gotten stronger,” he said. The walks and the workouts at the gym are helpful.

Epperly said the times he feels most scared are when he’s flying in helicopters from place to place.

The soldiers are more vulnerable and could be shot at any minute. Because chaplains don’t carry weapons, he has a bodyguard with him the majority of the time.

“I have a good relationship with my bodyguard,” Epperly said, adding that it is his faith in God that keeps the negative thoughts from becoming bigger than him. 

Now that the Iraqi elections are over, most Americans are asking themselves if the troops will finally come back home, but it seems the fight for Iraqi freedom has yet to be over.

Right now, there are about 6,000 to 7,000 Marines, and before long, the base will be doubling up with Marines as new forces come in to relieve those who will be sent home.

“For three weeks we will have about 12,000 Marines at the base,” he said. So the phone lines are going to be demanding, and he anticipates his work load to double.

“Already the 6,000 soldiers wait about 1 ½ hours in line to eat, and about two hours in line to get a haircut,” he said.

Epperly believes that he, along with the rest of the soldiers, are in Iraq for a purpose.

“We are making a difference.  We are helping a country and making it possible for people to have freedom and self-determination,” he said. “We don’t like being here, but we know what we are doing is worthwhile and meaningful.”

He hopes to return to Wichita around Thanksgiving and plans to resume his position as the director of assessment for CAPS.
 
“I am looking forward to coming back to Friends,” Epperly said.

When asked what he will do first when he returns to Wichita he responded: “Go out to eat at a restaurant, walk to and from carpeted rooms and take a long and hot shower.”