VERY REVEREND LT. COLONEL ADAM YONTICH RETIRES!
October 26, 2004 was a special day in the life of Very Reverend Lt. Colonel Adam Yontich. Protopresbyter Adam retired from the United States Air Force.
Proto Adam was assigned to the 9018th Air Reserve Personnel Center and was attached to the 90th Space Wing. The retirement ceremony was held at High Plains Chapel, Frances E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.
Proto Adam was commissioned in 1982 as a First Lieutenant Serbian Orthodox Chaplain. He has had assignments at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebreska; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and Frances E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.
Proto Adam's career in the Air Force which included extensive active and reserve duty was marked with major awards and decorations. He is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusters, Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusters, Outstanding Unit Medal, National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Longevity Service Ribbon with oak leaf clusters and Air Force Training Ribbon.
Proto Adam was promoted to Captain in 1985, to Major in 1997 and to Lieutenant Colonel in 2000.
Married to wife Roberta, they are the parents of twins Damian and Mira.
Proto Adam is a graduate of St. Tikhon's Russian Orthodox Seminary and has a Master's Degree in Religious Education from Marywood College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
At the retirement ceremony, Proto Adam was presented with the Presidential Certificate of Appreciation and awards from the Chief of Chaplains.
A dedicated member of the United States Air Force and committed Serbian Orthodox Priest, Proto Adam was the first Air Force Chaplain from the Eastern American Diocese.
While all of Proto Adam's service was of importance, a particularly significant segment was during the Dayton peace talks when he was specially chosen to minister to the delegates and Secret Service personnel.
Proto Adam currently is serving as the parish priest of Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood, Pennsylvania. Prior to entering full time service in the United States Air Force, he was the parish priest of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Carmichaels, Pennsylvania.
In addition to his formal acedemic education, Proto Adam participated in on-going seminars and training as part of military life. His rich experience as an Air Force Chaplain is of direct benefit in continous service to the Serbian Orthodox Church. May God grant Proto Adam Yontich many, many years of good health, peace and furtherance in all good things.
V. Rev. Rodney Torbic