Chaplain Joseph Kim delivers invocation to Georgia House recalling deployment experience

Chaplain Captain Joseph Kim, chaplain of the day and stationed at Moody Air Force Base, delivered the invocation to the Georgia House of Representatives in the chamber in Atlanta, recounting his deployment to a remote outpost in Jordan on Jan. 28, 2024 following a drone attack that killed three Georgia-based service members.

Kim said he was on site within hours to comfort service members and escort the bodies of the fallen. “The fire sergeant began the roll call, and he called out the names, and they responded, ‘Here, Sarge,’ ” Kim said. He described the silence when one fallen airman’s name drew no response and said friends and colleagues wept as they realized their comrades were gone. Kim quoted John 15:13 and urged lawmakers to emulate sacrifice and service in their public duties.

Representative [not specified] introduced Kim and said he first connected with the chaplain after the Tower 22 attack in Jordan. The introducer noted Kim first joined the service in 2017 and said Kim was nearby the site of the attack. The introducer also referenced Kim’s family by name and said he had kept them in his prayers.

In closing, Kim prayed for the Legislature, asking for wisdom and “strength to uphold justice and compassion” and lifted up the needs of military families. The invocation concluded with “Amen.”