Wing Chaplain prays in Washington D.C. Published March 13, 2008 By Mary H. Allen 445th Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- The speaker for the House of Representatives announces, "The house will be in order; the prayer will be led by the guest chaplain, Chaplain Maj. William Dickens, 445th Airlift Wing Chaplain." After being selected as the Reserve Officer Association (ROA) Chaplain of the Year, Chaplain Dickens obtains another high honor, to lead the invocation at the regular session for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2008, while attending the ROA Conference. "I was the first ROA Chaplain of the Year to open Congress in prayer," Chaplain Dickens said. "They are hoping it will be a yearly tradition now." Before each session, The House Chaplain or a guest chaplain opens the sessions in prayer. The House Chaplain contacted him and sent guidelines to limit his prayer to 150 words. "After writing the prayer, I had 181 words. I felt strongly, as a military chaplain, I needed to pray for the military and their families," Chaplain Dickens said. When he contacted the House Chaplain about his dilemma, they were very gracious in allowing him the extra words. As a guest chaplain at the Capital Building, Chaplain Dickens had an opportunity not many obtain. "I was given tours of places the normal tourist does not get to see," Chaplain Dickens said. As a guest he toured the Speaker's Reception Room, where dignitaries are greeted and where the President stays before the State of the Union address. He visited the House of Representatives' Chapel; this is where President George W. Bush prayed prior to his inauguration, and the old Speaker's office where John Quincy Adams died. "It was a wonderful trip, certainly one of the highlights of my military career," Chaplain Dickens said. "Father, for this great nation I pray...."