ELCA NEWS SERVICE June 28, 2005 ELCA Chaplain Helps Win National Award For Radio Station 05-109-KB* CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Eric W. Olsen, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) chaplain serving in the New York Army National Guard and who was deployed to Iraq, recorded audio tapes of his experiences while in Iraq for use on WSLU-FM (North Country Public Radio [NCPR]), Canton, N.Y. Olsen's continuing coverage on the Iraq war helped the radio station win the national Edward R. Murrow Award in the category for Continuing Coverage, Radio Small Market, from the Radio- Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). In January 2005 Olsen, 47, Saranac Lake, N.Y., returned home from a 10-month deployment to Camp Orion, north of Baghdad. While there he recorded audio tapes of his and other soldiers' experiences. Olsen said the audio diaries "helped get the voices of the soldiers to the people at home . and my voice back home, too." Olsen said he has never worked with radio before. A friend from NCPR and Olsen came up with the "joint idea" and "said we'd give it a try," with the unexpected results coming out "pretty well," Olsen explained. The feedback on the audio diaries "was great," Olsen said. "People are very thankful" for the opportunity to hear their family members' voices on the radio and feel some sort of connection with them. The Edward R. Murrow Award was announced in June by the RTNDA and was an "exciting moment," Olsen said. This "meant the voices were important to other people too," he added. The RTNDA is a professional organization serving the electronic news profession which encourages excellence in the electronic journalism industry. In honor of the 2005 award winners there will be an RTNDA Awards Dinner in New York in October. Olsen, who was recently promoted to lieutenant colonel, has been a chaplain in the Army National Guard for 20 years and on active duty for more than eight years, Olsen said. He is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Saranac Lake, where he resides with his wife, Susan, and two sons, Garth and Evan. Olsen is the chaplain at Adirondack Correctional Facility, Ray Brook, N.Y. Olsen said it is likely he will be deployed again soon. He is currently building a new house for his family and wants to "get to know [his] kids." Writing a book about his experience in Iraq is something he is considering, Olsen said. WSLU-FM has recognized Olsen as the NCPR Volunteer of the Year for his contribution of the audio diaries. --- Chaplain Olsen's audio diary can be heard at www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/iraqdiary.html on the Web. * Kirsten H. Boettner is a senior communication major at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news