George Washington observes Ash Wednesday in Japan

YOKOSUKA, JAPAN

02.22.2015

Courtesy Story

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class J.C.J. Stokes

YOKOSUKA, Japan – “Remember you are dust and to the dust you shall return,” said Cmdr. Joseph Coffey, command chaplain of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), during Ash Wednesday service in the ship’s chapel, Feb. 18.

Coffey held two services to allow believers an opportunity to practice their faith, to provide Sailors the opportunity to observe Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Season of Lent, and celebrate the special day marking forty days before Easter.

"Lent symbolizes penance, alms giving and fasting," said Coffey. "It also represents the repenting of sins for believers and more specifically for us as Sailors to donate our time to mentor and help those in need."

This was Coffey’s fourth time presiding over an Ash Wednesday service aboard George Washington, having served previously aboard the ship from 2002-2005 as the Religious Ministries division officer.

"I am glad I was provided the opportunity to celebrate Ash Wednesday," said Ensign Josie Lynne Lenny, George Washington’s hazmat officer and senior Ensign. “It is extremely important for me to be able to attend this service because I attended Ash Wednesday every year in the [U.S.] and now I am continuing it here in Japan.”

The service was held during lunch hours and was open to any Sailor that wanted to participate or observe the service, regardless of their religious beliefs. It was also held during this time to accommodate Sailors on duty who are not able to leave the ship and celebrate Ash Wednesday in their regular churches.

"Although, I am not home in the [U.S.] with my family during this time, I am happy I am be able to spend it with my new family aboardGeorge Washington," said Lenny. "I am extremely grateful to the chaplains for holding services and making this a welcoming environment for me and all Sailors."

Ash Wednesday's name derived from tradition of placing ashes, which are blessed during the service, on the forehead of Christians. The act echoes the ancient Near East region tradition of throwing ashes over one's head to signify repentance before God. The practice of marking foreheads with ashes is common among Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans and Episcopalians.

"Being able to provide the Ash Wednesday service to our Sailors is a reminder to all of us of our freedoms, especially the freedom to practice religion while serving in the military,” said Coffey. "There are some countries who do not allow their service members or their citizens to openly practice their faiths. As I put the ashes over my forehead, I do so in solidarity with all the Christians around the world who face prosecution. I also stand in solidarity with those who are not Christian, who fight for the freedom of others whose faiths are different from their own."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 02.22.2015
• Date Posted: 02.22.2015 19:14
• Story ID: 155114
• Location: YOKOSUKA, JP