My introduction to Archbishop Sheen came about in the last year of his life. At that time I was serving in the United States Army and had just been sent to serve a one year tour in Turkey at a small military outpost there. Upon my arrival I went to the Chaplain's Office and inquired if he might have any Catholic reading material. He replied that he did not but that the previous Chaplain who happened to have been a Catholic priest had left behind a set of tapes. I was free to have them he if I wanted them.

The tapes were recordings of a retreat that Archbishop Sheen had given to priests. Bored at the time, I figured that I would give them a hearing. I could never have imagined the effect that they would have on me. From the very first talk I found myself won over. Here was a Catholic who knew the Scriptures and preached with authority. Here was a man of God!