Dean Hollerith Offers Prayers After the Death of Secretary Togo West

Statement of the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith
Dean of Washington National Cathedral

Our hearts are heavy after the loss of our dear friend, the Hon. Togo West. Secretary West and his wife, Gail, have been longtime friends and partners to this Cathedral, particularly in our work with America’s veterans.

As Secretary of the Army and as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Togo was deeply involved in meeting the physical needs our men and women in uniform. Here at the Cathedral, he was equally focused on finding ways to meet their spiritual needs as the chairman of our Advisory Committee on Veterans & Military Ministries.

Togo has preached twice at the Cathedral, and served on the Cathedral Chapter and chaired the search committee that called Dean Nathan Baxter to the Cathedral. His wife, Gail, is a member of the Cathedral’s Dean’s Council and a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation.

His life and career were shaped by a soldier’s courage, devotion and sacrifice. He was a patriot, public servant and devoted family man. Our nation was blessed by his leadership, and this Cathedral was blessed by his decades of work with us, particularly on behalf of America’s military men and women.

With Gail and their daughters Tiffany and Hilary, we look forward to a celebration of his life here at the Cathedral, and with all the angels in glory we pray:

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Togo. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.