Rev. Alvin Sonny Moore III

Moore is a member of the Southern Baptist Church and served as a civilian pastor for 16 years before coming on active duty in 1982. He also served in the Mississippi National Guard and Army Reserve for eight years.

Moore retired last year after serving 34 years in uniform and recently moved back to the Wiregrass. He is the program manager for workforce development and community relations for Army Fleet Support at Fort Rucker. He serves as chaplain for Chapter 94 of the Disabled American Veterans and as a board member for the Dale County United Way. He is also a member of the Military Officers Association of America and Army Aviation Association of America.

Moore's military career has included service as the command chaplain at U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Ga., the U.S. Army Aviation Center Chaplain at Fort Rucker, the Protestant Chaplain at the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., the Cadet Chaplain at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., the Division Chaplain at the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C, the Brigade Chaplain for the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., the Battalion Chaplain for the 9th Engineer Battalion in Aschaffenburg, Germany, and as the Battalion Chaplain for the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Moore is a graduate of Northwest Mississippi Junior College, Delta State College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. In 2009 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pa..

Married for almost 40 years to the woman he calls his "fourth grade sweetheart," Moore said "Martha went to Heaven on July 4, 2005. A memorial garden has been dedicated in her memory at Fort. Rucker. The couple was also honored by establishment of the Army War College Sonny and Martha Moore Lectureship which is an annual series on leadership and ethics. Moore is the father of three children and seven grandchildren.

His military awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Liberation of Kuwait Medal with three combat campaigns, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Humanitarian Service Medal, Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge. He has also been recognized by Army Aviation with the Order of St. Michael Bronze Medal and by the Army Field Artillery with the Saint Barbara Medal.

FFCM shared in the anniversary of Senior Pastor Dr. Alvin Moore at 7:00 PM.

Pastor, Rev. Alvin Moore amoorepreacher@embarqmail.com

Carlisle Barracks Chaplain Alvin Sonny Moore told worshipers Sunday that God can use committed people..

Speaking at the barracks' 100th Anniversary Historic Church Service at Indian Field , Moore told the crowd about Gideon , who assembled an army of 32 , 000 men to save Israel from the Midianites.

The story of Gideon's plight is appropriate for this Veterans Day , Moore noted , as Americans deal with the uncertain threat of terrorism.

He invoked his brother-in-law , telling the crowd of a man who has vowed to take trips , go to the mall and otherwise live his life undeterred by the threat of terrorism.

He concluded his story by returning to the faceless enemy Americans face - with threats of suicide bombers and Anthrax contamination through the mail.

This is no time for carelessness , he said.We need vigilance in our schools , on our jobs and in our homes..

Moore spoke as part of an hour-long re-creation of field services , which have been conducted for centuries during military campaigns.He was joined by Grover DeVault , a retired chaplain and Vietnam veteran from Lancaster , as well as three Army War College students in uniforms from different eras.

The 9 a.m. field services attracted a healthy crowd of about 250 , who negotiated the tight security on the barracks with relative ease.A shuttle bus took passengers from Claremont Road to Indian Field.

During an hour break , visitors viewed displays and presentations from re-enactors from eight past American conflicts.

As at tribute to a great Soldier, instead of "farewell," I prefer to emphasize, "until we meet again," as Chaplain (COL) Alvin "Sonny" Moore departs Fort Rucker to serve as the U.S. Army Forces Command Staff Chaplain at Fort McPherson, Ga.

The guest speaker for the occasion is Dr. Alvin Moore, who is currently serving as pastor at the Mount Gilboa Missionary Baptist Church in Bartow, Fla.He is also the pastor-elect of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church.

Moore is a firm believer in the educational process, and that continual learning is a lifelong requirement.He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas; his master of Divinity from the interdenominational Theological Center Morehouse School of Religion in Atlanta, Ga., and his Doctor of Ministry from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Moore has more than 30 years of experience as a seated pastor and he welcomes the opportunity to come and share God's word.

The Post Theatre neared capacity Sunday as friends and family gathered to give their heart-felt goodbyes to Chaplain (Col.) Alvin "Sonny" Moore during his last service at Fort Rucker.

"Today is a day to rest, a day to rejoice and, for me, a day of reflection," said Moore."As I remember all the wondrous experiences and a chapel community that has wrapped their lives around me and my dear wife, it's almost more than I can stand.If I had experienced two days at once, I probably would have had a heart attack."

Members from the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Protestant services as well as choirs from each service and the Wings Praise Band joined together to hear the final sermon by Moore, which would not have been complete without his trademark "Three Points."

In his farewell, Moore utilized the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9, to recap both the difficult and joyous times during his time at Fort Rucker.

"I want to talk to you about mountaintop experiences," said Moore, "because I think I've had a mountaintop experience for the last two and a half years in Alabama."

He recalled evenings and sermons that left him elated and relationships that he continues to treasure, but in the same chapter, the story turned from mountaintop to valley.

Moore found himself faced with hardships, as well, shared by a community who put their efforts towards a memorial prayer garden, constructed in memory of his late wife, Martha.

From these events, Moore fashioned his final three points for the chapel attendees.

"Number one," said Moore," is that no one should be on the mountaintop if they're not willing to go into the valley.

"Number two is that you can't do much good in the valley without having first been on the mountaintop.

"And, finally, I believe that God wants people in the valley who have a mountaintop in their hearts," said Moore.

That mountaintop is what Moore tries to carry with him every day and what he plans to bring with him to his following assignment.
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A plaque engraved with a scripture passage from Isiah and a pair of golf shoes were presented to Moore on behalf of the 8 a.m. service.

"There's two times that Moore never misses," said Johnny Buchanan, a member of the 8 a.m. service.
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Moore will start his new position as FORSCOM Staff Chaplain At Fort McPherson, Ga., after two and a half years of service here at the Post Chapel.

Alvin M. "Sonny" Moore, U.S. Armed Forces Command Chaplain at Fort McPherson, Ga., will speak.Moore previously was command chaplain at Fort Rucker.