Yongsan chaplain likes his job, music, Korea

Father Eric Albertson is a chaplain on the Yongsan U.S. Army base. / Courtesy of USFK

By John Redmond

When performing on the live open mic circuit around Yongsan, one meets musicians from diverse backgrounds. There are students from Africa through to Eastern Europe, those serving in the military and even a British ex-stockbroker.

So when a musician introduced himself as Father Eric, most thought it a unique stage name. It is in fact his title and he’s a chaplain on the Yongsan U.S. Army base.

Father Eric Albertson is a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Arlington, Va. who completed an undergraduate degree in business from West Virginia University in 1981.

That same year he entered Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and was ordained in 1986 and served in two parish assignments before his bishop released him for active duty to the U.S. Army in 1993.

He has completed three tours to Korea as well as deployments to Haiti, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Korea Times spoke with Father Eric about his choice of career and his views on Korea.

Q: Why did you decide to become a chaplain?

A:

It was very much like my calling to the priesthood, like a calling within a calling. My father was a career Army officer, so I had some exposure to the Army while growing up. I had originally planned on going into the Army, but changed those plans when I felt the calling to the priesthood.

Not long after ordination, I felt the call to return to the Army as a priest, and so I began to petition my bishop to release me for this special apostolate. Seven years later, after multiple requests, he released me for a three-year tour of duty.

It was a good fit, so after the three years was completed, he accepted my petition to remain on active duty. I think it takes a special kind of person to work within the military as a chaplain.

It is a religiously pluralistic environment, there are non-religious staff responsibilities required as an officer, it is physically demanding, and there are the associated risks when deployed.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Administering the sacraments, celebration of mass, but providing this sacramental care and being there for the troops when they are deployed is by far the most rewarding.

Yet it is a mixed reward in that these are the times when chaplains are needed most, making the pastoral care very rewarding. But at the same time, it is the most painful emotionally when caring for the wounded and honoring the dead.

Ministry in the military is different in that we are immersed in the world of the troops. We are often out among them and working alongside them, so when there are casualties we experience the grief on a very deep level because we are very close to them.

Q: How does your work vary from country to country?

Every assignment is different, but many of the fundamental duties remain the same. The Chaplain Corps has an old saying: “There is no such thing as a bad assignment, because every assignment will have troops and those troops will have pastoral needs.”

Q: What type of songs do you write and what influences you?

Most of my material has a folk/country flavor, but I have also been influenced by bluegrass, having spent four years at West Virginia University. I would have to say John Denver was an inspiration to me, and I was always impressed with his music and style.

Q: Have you ever released any music?

I worked with my first band Emmaus and we self-produced an original album of Christian music. We had a few performances and the album sold out successfully, and we raised over $20,000 for the poor, which was the intent behind the project. However, the frequency of deployment and moves in my career prevented me from additional promotions.

Q: Where will you go after Korea?

It is too early to tell. As a senior chaplain, it is likely I will be assigned to the Pentagon to help support the Army Chief of Chaplains Office.

Q: Is there anywhere you’d like to return to?

Actually, the one place I have continuously requested is Korea. All my assignments have been rewarding, but I have always felt a special connection to the Korean people and culture.