Archdiocesan bishop for military services visits D-M

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Bishop Joseph W. Estabrook, D.D., one of the Archdiocesan bishops for military services visited D-M June 5 to meet with members of the Desert Lightning Team during an annual trip that included many military installations west of the Mississippi River.

"We travel to all these installations and basically meet with the people, we have focus groups and listen to what their needs are and what's going on in their life and see if there are any challenges they are facing that we can help them with," said Bishop Estabrook.

Bishop Estabrook also talked about the different programs the Archdioceses offer and emphasized the importance of supporting the military youth.

"We are very focused on youth groups," he said. "There are probably no other young people who are asked more of than our kids. At any given time they can be pulled out of school, they are separated from friends, and they are very sacrificial in the way they live their lives, and we can't do enough for them. That's my view."

Bishop Estabrook spent 27 years in the Navy before retiring as a captain in 2004 and becoming a bishop for the Archdiocese military services.

"I really enjoyed serving on ships and found the Navy to be very exciting," he said. "I find military people to be extremely dedicated, and generally they have very strong characteristics."

Bishop Estabrook finished his Naval service earning the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Navy Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters.