By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman L. A. Preston
USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN - Being away from loved ones for an extended period of time can be stressful for Sailors.
One of the many ways Sailors can relieve that stress is through spiritual expression.
Fortunately for Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), there are opportunities and services available to help relieve them of their stressors.
Chaplains through Truman's Command Religious Ministries Department (CRMD) offer spiritual guidance, counseling, resources and personal needs to accommodate specific religious requests.
CRMD also has lay-leaders who lead services in prayer or help organize events for observance of religious holidays.
Any Sailor interested in becoming a lay-leader must complete a personnel qualification standard form and be designated by the commanding officer.
"For most Sailors who are active in their faith, religion plays a major role in their lives and drives them to stay motivated," said Lt. R. Whitfield, command chaplain for Carrier Air Wing 7.
Lt. j.g. A. Soberman, assigned to the "Nightdippers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, requested resources to assist in observance of the most recent Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, which occurred during September.
Yom Kippur means "The Day of Atonement" and begins the Jewish New Year. Soberman said that everyone has their own family traditions and interpretations of how they recognize this holiday. One of the most common practices is fasting, which begins the evening before Yom Kippur and ends after nightfall on the day of.
"This holiday is significant because of what it represents and what is means to me," said Soberman. "I was able to request a small dinner in observance of Rosh Hashana and a culinary specialist on board made challah bread which was really nice."
Other religious services on board Truman include: Anglican Divine Liturgy, Roman Catholic Mass, combined Protestant Worship, Latter Day Saints, Zen Buddhist Meditation, Muslim Jumaat Prayer, Muslim morning and evening prayer, and Gospel Service. There is also Gospel Choir practice, Wiccan studies, Protestant Bible study, Men's Bible study and Women's Bible study.
Sailors can find the schedule for religious services outside the entrance to the chapel, the green sheet and the library.
"There is so much stress that comes from being away from family members for an extended period of time," said Lt. Cmdr. K. Cain, ship's principle assistant chaplain. "We want to always be available to give Sailors assurance that someone cares for them and will be there to help them with whatever they need."
For more information about CRMD and the services they offer, contact the ship's chaplain at J-Dial 5433 or the Air Wing chaplain at J-Dial 7906.
For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/.