“Chaplain in Shades,” the new book by Rev. Bill Minson, serves as a heartfelt tribute to the men and women of America’s law enforcement, fire service, emergency response, and military communities.
Revered nationwide as a Spiritual Responder, Minson said the project was inspired by the attempted assassination of President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a text message that made him realize how often the public overlooks the immense pressure and sacrifice that define these professions.
“A friend criticized the Secret Service, and it moved me to reflect on how little most people understand about those who work in what amounts to a zero-sum business—one mistake away from catastrophe, yet rarely thanked when they succeed,” Minson explained. The book became his answer: a sweeping, decades-long homage to those who run toward danger without hesitation, often for people they have never met.
Drawing from his experiences as Chaplain for the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army after 9/11, as well as his work with victims’ families in tragedies from Oklahoma City to Parkland, Minson weaves together stories of bravery, grief, and resilience. He highlights the ripple effects of 9/11 on a generation of young Americans who joined the military or entered law enforcement because they felt called to serve. He also recounts witnessing families confront the killers of their loved ones, including a Parkland mother addressing her son’s murderer in court.
The book’s title comes from his nickname at the 9/11 Family Assistance Center, where responders referred to him as “the chaplain with the shades.” Minson wears them due to lingering effects from eye issues, but the name stuck and ultimately shaped the book’s identity.
With a foreword by country music icon Wynonna Judd, Minson hopes his writing uplifts morale across all service professions and inspires Americans to value character, mentorship, and community. “We have a lot of work to do,” he said. “But if we stay positive and speak positive, we can prepare a better future for our children.”
Check out his work at www.chaplaininshades.com