SYRACUSE - The First Annual Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Prayer Breakfast was held Thursday at Oakwood Inn. The Syracuse-Wawasee Ministerial Association collaborated with the chamber to sponsor the event, which was planned to recognize the National Day of Prayer.

The master of ceremonies was Dr. Daniel Haifley, pastor of Grace Bible Baptist Church, Syracuse. Others participating in the program were: Syracuse Police Chief Tom Perzanowski; Randy Webb, Christian Motorcycle Association; Dr. Richard Brungardt, president of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Lorne McCune, president of the Syracuse-Wawasee Ministerial Association; the Rev. Harlan Steffan; and Dr. Mark Stock, superintendent of Wawasee Schools.

The Wawasee High School Show Choir opened the event with the "Star Spangled Banner," and closed with "Let There Be Peace on Earth." During the program they presented a rendition of "America, the Beautiful" that included narration by Stock, "Do Lord" and the song the group sang at Ground Zero, "Sound of Hope."

The keynote speaker was James W. Duncan, currently the chief of the Program Coordination Branch for the Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response (formerly the Federal Emergency Management Agency), division 5 in Chicago. FEMA became the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of Homeland Security March 1. Duncan joined FEMA in 1992, has held a variety of positions and has disaster response and recovery experience as a deputy federal coordinating officer on many disasters. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Duncan opened by asking the question, "Is the nation safer? The answer is 'yes.' We need to continue to improve training and equipment required to do the everyday jobs in local fire and law enforcement and work with them to strengthen homeland security. The emergency management system's integration of local, state and national is very effective." Starting from the local and state levels, the governor may ask for federal assistance to support local and state efforts from the bottom to the top.

Duncan said, "We need to get back on our feet and use mitigation to recover and be disaster-resistant."

The Department of Homeland Security brings 170,000 federal employees into one organization to respond to a number of needs. Organizations within the department include Border and Transportation Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, Science and Technology, Management, Coast Guard, Secret Service, Citizenship and Immigration Services, State and Local Government Coordination and Private Sector Liaison.

On a daily basis, the department oversees 1.6 million air travelers and more than 95,000 miles of coastline and screens 2.4 million pieces of luggage in 420 commercial airports. More than $18 million has been given to Indiana so far this fiscal year, which started Oct. 1. The goal of the Emergency Preparedness and Response organization is to prepare the nation for disaster and support efforts required after a disaster occurs. For more information, visit dhs.gov or fema.gov

Duncan said, "The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our national heritage and life. The Day of Prayer proclamation was signed in 1779. The effect of what's happened in the last few years would be worse if we lose sight of God and His power.

"I was a successful businessman on the outside, but miserable inside. I felt I was not good enough for God. Through prayer, I sought God for change in my life. When I look at the National Day of Prayer and the Prayer Breakfast, I ask, 'How should we pray and what for?' In Tom Brokaw's interview with President Bush, Brokaw asked, 'What about political and national security versus faith?' Bush replied, 'I ask God for guidance.'

"Ask God to give local, state and national leaders wisdom. And it's not enough to pray for leaders; I also offer honest prayer for myself. We need to honestly pray for ourselves. Each day we make choices; choices make us who we are. Invest time and energy in prayer." He closed by reciting a verse from "Abide With Me."

Duncan visits the Syracuse area to see his son and his family However, he said, "Lately, I haven't been here as much as I would like."

The Syracuse-Wawasee National Day of Prayer Breakfast is to become an annual event.

There is a national Prayer Breakfast Network, with headquarters in Placentia, Calif.; Kermit Sutherland is the president. For more information, write to Prayer Breakfast Network, P.O. Box 1030 Placentia, CA 92871-1030, call 714-528-7840, visit www.pbnet.org, or e-mail [email protected] [[In-content Ad]]