No Atheists In Foxholes

“Praise for I take great pleasure in heartily endorsing No Atheists in Foxholes by Chaplain Patrick McLaughlin. It is timely, heartfelt, and the perfect book for these troublesome times. From the calm and rustic Presidential retreat of Camp David to the hot, gritty sandscape of war-battered Iraq, Chaplain McLaughlin has been in a unique position to observe some of the greatest events of the past decade. With this book, juxtaposing prayer with commentary, Chaplain McLaughlin has created a handbook and a guide for not only our troops in harm’s way but for all of us who seek to understand the world in which we live. If you really want to understand the core of America’s greatness which is solidly based on faith, you must read this book.”

Homer Hickam

“in Foxholes, is full of reflections and prayers that are both insightful and profound. As he shares his journey from Camp David to Iraq, he presents us with a fascinating dialectic between his lived experiences and the reflective prayers that flow from them. The insights that emerge come from his looking at what is happening to him and those around him through the eyes of Faith. His insights almost inadvertently challenge and expand the minds and hearts of those who read them. McLaughlin has a way of connecting us together and reminding us that none of us are alone on our individual journeys. We are always a family who journey together and who are fathered and guided by God himself.”

Most Rev. Joseph W. Estabrook

“Pat McLaughlin’s prayers and observations are as singular as the man himself. Nowhere else will you find what this book offers—a spiritual journey from the Bush Presidential retreat to the war in Iraq. Nowhere else will you find such astonishing insight, prayers, and sermons. Pat McLaughlin and this book embody all that is noble, pure and profound about America.”

Lynne Bundesen

“Chaps McLaughlin is the quintessential Navy Chaplain. When we served together in USS Princeton (CG 59) in the mid-nineties I came to know and value his extraordinary gifts for bringing our crew closer to God and vice versa. He kept morale high, and that translated directly to high combat readiness. His keen wit, amiable personality, and his deep and abiding faith made those long days at sea more bearable for all of us. We all looked forward to the evening prayer—even the sailors who were not much inclined to pray found themselves drawn into Padre Pat’s nightly connection with the Almighty. It was always so . . . relevant. No Atheists in Foxholes is Chaps McLaughlin’s gift to all will read it. For those who have served in uniform, No Atheists will remind of the truth that we all pray when scared. For those not privileged to have served in uniform, No Atheists will bring a clearer understanding of the great compassion and commitment of our men and women who sacrifice so much to keep our great nation and others free—Padre Pat McLaughlin among them. And perhaps it will bring us all just a bit closer to the Lord as we pray with Chaps while reading his words.”

Gerard M. Farrell

“I have known, served with, and admired Chaplain Pat McLaughlin since we sailed together on his first Navy deployment back in the early 1990’s. He is a truly spiritual man who nevertheless knows how to have a good laugh, to take pleasure in the wonder of daily living life among America’s warriors. Serving in USS PRINCETON (CG-59), he was called “Chaps” by the crew who learned from, frequently leaned on, and genuinely loved him. No Atheists in Foxholes is eloquent in its honesty and clarity. It reflects Chaps McLaughlin’s ability see beyond the chaos of life centered on and in combat to the spiritual heart of the American warrior ethos. He captures this essence untainted by dogma or doctrine, to let it shine through truthfully, sorrowfully, joyously, humanly. This book is a must-experience for anyone interested in looking beyond mere reporting of combat to glimpse the souls of the human experience that is combat.”

E. J. Quinn