Strangely Warmed

Sixteen chaplains were killed during the Vietnam War. One was Methodist: Chaplain (Major) Ambrosio Salazar Grandea. Ambrosio Grandea was born on Corregidor in the Philippines on August 22, 1932. He was the second of seven children born to Primitiva Salazar Grandea and Andres Gallenero Grandea Sr. His father served 30 years with the U.S. Army and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Grandea received his bachelor’s degree from Western Maryland College, where he was on the school boxing team. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at Boston University and was a clergy member of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of Methodist Church. During his training, he served student pastorates in Cleveland and in Charleston, New Hampshire. He was married to Jacinta “Jaya” Martinez, who was born March 9, 1934 to Angel Martinez and Maria Tamondong in Manila, Philippines.  Jacinta was raised in the Philippines and moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1956. She received her bachelor’s degree in nu...

Rapid Demobilization The war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945, and war in the Pacific on September 2, 1945. With end of the war, hundreds of Methodist chaplains were quickly released from active duty, often without advance notice. Methodist chaplains released from active duty in the middle of the conference year found themselves without employment. The church had adapted itself to their absence, and there was not an open pulpit waiting for all of them. The church owed these chaplains a measure of support during their transition back to congregational ministry.  Prior to the end of the conflict, the Methodist Commission on Chaplains conducted a survey to see what chaplains wanted to do after the war. Post-War Desire Approximate Percentage Return immediately to congregational ministry 60% Enroll in school for additional education 20% Remain on active duty 10% Become a chaplain in another setting (Veterans Administration, hospital, etc.) 10% The commission set aside $150,00...