Retired Air Force General John A. Shaud of Springfield, Va., has been chosen to receive the Silver St. Martin of Tours medal in recognition of exceptionally meritorious service to the nation and the church.
The medal, to be presented during next summer’s LCMS convention in St. Louis, is conferred by the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces Committee and its Board for Mission Services. The recipient is traditionally announced on Nov. 11, Veterans Day and St. Martin of Tours Day.
“General Shaud is a natural selection for this award,” said Chaplain Rodger Venzke, director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces. “His years of dedication to both his country and his church reflect the characteristics of a true servant-leader.”
Shaud achieved four-star rank during his 35-year career in the Air Force that included such command and staff positions as commander of the Air Training Command and Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
Following his military retirement, General Shaud served four years as the director of the Air Force Aid Society. From 1995 until recently, he was the executive director of the 140,000-member Air Force Association.
Shaud has served in voluntary roles in various LCMS congregations and with the national church body. Since November 1993, he has been the chairman of the Ministry to the Armed Forces Committee, the agency through which the Synod selects and endorses clergy to serve as military and VA chaplains and provides a “Ministry-by-Mail” program for LCMS members serving in the military.
Shaud and his wife, Janelle, are members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield, Va.
January 2004
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