Makin Island Chaplains Provide Passover Meals to Deployed Sailors & Marines

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kristopher Haley | INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 24, 2020) – U.S. Navy Chaplain Lt. David Arnott, assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), lights a candle during a Christmas Eve service in the forecastle of the ship. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher S. Haley)  

INDIAN OCEAN

04.05.2021

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ethan Morrow 

USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

INDIAN OCEAN – The chaplain department aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) provided Jewish U.S. Sailors and Marines on deployment.
Seder is a ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover, observed from March 27-April 4 this year. It is traditionally celebrated on the first night of the week-long observance, which commemorates the exodus of Jews in slavery from Egypt.
“It’s something we normally try to do,” said Lt. David Arnott, a chaplain aboard Makin Island, who ordered the Seder meals. “It’s our responsibility to support all religious practices of Sailors and Marines on the ship.”
The Seder kits consisted of items, each with a symbolic meaning. Matzah represents the bread of affliction that was eaten as the Jews rushed out of Egypt. Bitter herbs signify the bitterness of life as a slave. The sweetness of Haroset characterizes freedom and the appearance resembles the mortar Jewish slaves were forced to make for the pharaohs. The egg epitomizes the circle of life. Shank bone embodies the lamb that Jews sacrificed as the special Passover offering when the temple stood in Jerusalem. Salt water symbolizes the tears of the slaves. Finally, greens denote the initial flourishing of the Israelites during the first years in Egypt, and then the coming of Spring.
“Enjoying my Seder repast truly helped me enjoy the sentiment of liberation, in keeping with Passover,” said Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Bjorn Thornberg, a Sailor with Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3.
Jewish Sailors and Marines appreciated the availability of Seder meal kits during a challenging deployment.
“We had a number of people ask about them,” said Arnott. “I know faith is important to me, so to be able to provide for someone else’s faith is an important thing. I love doing it.”
The chaplains also provided a Haggadah to those in need. The Haggadah is a prayer book used during Passover. The text is read or recited at the Seder meal on the first two nights of the observance.
The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th MEU are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled deployment to the region. As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.

• Date Taken: 04.05.2021
• Date Posted: 04.28.2021 20:50
• Story ID: 395071
• Location: INDIAN OCEAN