ATLANTIC Ocean (March 27, 2016) - Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) held an Easter sunrise church service on the ship’s flight deck, March 27.
Ship's company and crew members assigned to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 gathered for the service led by Lt. Douglas Holmes, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 chaplain.
About two dozen service members attended the service.
“A lot of people showed up, and this is an opportunity for us to keep some normalness for the day,” Holmes said. “We are all missing our families. We go through a lot of different situations in life and difficult times, and our faith gets us through. I am glad we could come together and worship as a family.”
During the Easter sunrise, they sang hymns and read scriptures. The service was a way to enjoy a small piece of home while away during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
“It is a very special day, especially because we are out to sea, and we are a Navy family here,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Selly Attila. “It is very important that we come together as a family. For us to be productive and successful in the mission; we must come together and have that camaraderie and support each other.”
For some crew members, the Easter service is a welcome relief from the challenges at sea. Commanded by Kennerdell, Pennsylvania native Cmdr. Paul Kaylor, Nitze is underway conducting COMPTUEX with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG) in preparation for a future deployment.
Along with Nitze, the IKE CSG is comprised of CSG-10 staff, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, the guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61).and the DESRON 26 ships: the guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87), USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80).
Join the conversation about Nitze on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/USSNitze.
For more news from Nitze, visit www.navy.mil/local/DDG94/.