The Rev. Robert Certain, who retired as rector of St. Margaret’s Church in Palm Desert, Calif., earlier this year, has been nominated to the federal Defense Health Board. In January, Fr. Certain preached at the funeral of President Gerald R. Ford, who was a parishioner at St. Margaret’s.
 
The board was formed last year to provide assistance to the Department of Defense on military health issues.
 
Col. Roger Gibson, executive secretary for the board, confirmed Fr. Certain’s nomination to the Desert Sun, a daily newspaper based in Palm Springs. Col. Gibson was unable to say when Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates might make the appointment official, however.
 
Fr. Certain will be focusing on broadening community health care options for troops returning from the Middle East, according to the Desert Sun.
 
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