PG-13 | 1h 15m | War, Faith, Documentary | 2025
Today, Memorial Day, I recommend watching the new documentary “Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey.”
Actor Chris Pratt has played many Navy SEAL characters during his career, following his stint on “Parks & Recreation” as well as the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise. Most notable among these is the character of ex-SEAL James Reece in the TV series “The Terminal List.” Pratt has executive produced this fine documentary for Paulist Productions.
It’s about the military chaplains who wear the uniform but don’t bear arms into battle. Nothing sums up a military chaplain’s job better than the John Gospel: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
The film chronicles the journey of former military chaplain Justin Roberts. Suffering from PTSD after years of tending to soldiers in battle, he learns that the remains of Father Emil Kapaun, a renowned Korean War chaplain and POW, have been discovered after 70 years. Roberts makes a pilgrimage to Father Kapaun’s funeral in Kansas, with the intent to divest himself of his own pain and hopefully find renewal.
Chaplain Tales
“Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey” proceeds to relate stories of other chaplains, both men and women from all faiths who currently serve, as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
As mentioned, combat chaplains are not there to kill the enemy and therefore bear no arms. Among the many talking-head interviews, one interviewee in the film states, “You have to be fearless to do that.”
It’s a calling, not a job, and a chaplain’s weapon against fear is faith. They believe there is no other life choice for them, but to go into battle to help soldiers carry their heavy load, ease their pain, and make clear the path that will lead the fallen back to the Almighty, regardless of which faith.
Father Struecker
In 1993, Jeff Struecker served as a U.S. Army major in the infamous Somalian “Battle of Mogadishu,” recounted in the movie “Black Hawk Down.” Struecker was in charge of a three-vehicle convoy tasked with the mission to rescue a stranded and wounded Army Ranger, under heavy fire. Struecker says of the experience: “I remembered what my faith really means. It means I can go home to my family in Georgia, or I can go home to my Father in heaven. I have nothing to fear.”Upon completion of his service, Struecker went to seminary, and then returned to the military as a chaplain in what American fighting forces call “The Sandbox”: Iraq and Afghanistan. He now sees his mission as helping soldiers prepare for battle and also to prepare for heaven, should their paths lead to the beyond.
The Four Chaplains
The most powerful story is about a group of World War II chaplains, known as the Four Chaplains. Similar to the final hours of the Titanic tragedy, they ministered to soldiers aboard the torpedoed and rapidly sinking transport ship, the Dorchester.The Takeaway
The world is currently awash in selfishness. Where does the resolve, the incredible generosity, and the absolute selflessness come from to do something like the Four Chaplains did?One of the battles that combat chaplains continually face is ministering to U.S. military personnel considering suicide. Suicide rates are up globally. It’s a faith pandemic. The world needs military chaplains more than ever. Today, we’re lucky to be able to honor this Memorial Day by watching those heroic U.S. military combat chaplains.
