[On October 13, 1775 the Continental Congress established the Continental Navy. November 10 the Marines were established within the Department of the Navy. Eighteen days later the Congress established regulations to govern the new Continental Navy. Included in these regulations, ship captains were directed to provide for religious services aboard their ships. This date is considered the birthday for the Navy Chaplain Corps. The first chaplain is believed to be Reverend Benjamin Balch, who reported to the frigate Boston on October 28, 1778. Because of his presence during active sea battles, he became known as "the Fightin' Parson." Reverend Balch's son William was commissioned as the first chaplain of the US Navy on October 30, 1799. Even though the Marines are now a separate branch of the military, Navy chaplains still serve the religious needs of the Marines. Rabbi David Goldberg was commissioned as the first Jewish chaplain during World War I. Chaplains have been awarded the Purple Heart, Distinguished Cross, and the Medal of Honor. The Chaplain's Medal for Heroism was created in honor of four chaplains who gave their lives in service. It is also called the Four Chaplains medal.]
The 223rd Chaplain Corps Birthday Ball
Well, that's what they call it, but it was more of a formal dinner party. The ball was at NCTAMS Chiefs' Club. NCTAMS is a communications base. There was baby sitting, so we brought Jesse. He hadn't napped during the day, and was very cranky when we arrived and woke him from his sleep on the ride. Baby sitting was at the chapel (Christian only here). We said no religious stories and no Burger King. There was food, milk, and juice in a cooler we brought.
We left the chapel and drove over to the club. What a difference from the Navy Birthday Ball. This certainly was not the Hilton. No place cards, the pool table was set up with cocktails, plastic cups for drinks, and the band played rather sporadically. Our food was totally screwed up. We were to have dinner salads, but the person in charge delegated to another who made the salad with real bacon bits leading to a quick scramble for new salads- lots and lots of iceberg lettuce. Actually, when they came the salads were nicely presented and filling. The only thing to drink was beer (we made a toast to Rabbi Lebeau). There was no juice, certainly no kosher wine (there's only lousy stuff on the island anyway). There was no photographer, but I had our camera, and we can get some pics from the Hawaii Navy News. On top of everything, I'm was shivering because I was seated directly under a ceiling fan.
Our speaker came down with the flu, so another filled in. A toast was made to the chaplains' wives. I wonder if the husband of the chaplain hosting is used to that. I'm sure he is, but it must chafe. Entertainment was a base choral group. The conductor said, "We wanted to sing some spirituals, and get up ready for Christmas!" Yeah for us. Boy oh boy do we have some educating to do.
Sean, as the youngest chaplain on active duty on the island was one of the cake cutters (using a borrowed sword since chaplains are non-combatants), and couldn't side-step taking a bite. He also gave the closing benediction, the first blessing of Birkat Hamazon in English and Hebrew plus two Harachamans for the US military and all present. He added a final refuah shleima to Admiral Prouer who was ill (our speaker). People were very impressed. The Hebrew does that.
What's interesting are the people who realize the issues with the food or entertainment who apologize profusely even though they had nothing to do with it. Then, of course, there are those for whom we are an inconvenience, like the chaplain who complained that Sean couldn't stand watch on Shabbat, as if standing watch on Christmas would be no big deal for him. Luckily they're not so common. [Actually the halakhot dealing with military service allow for great leeway with Shabbat and Yom Tov. Military needs are seen as a case of pikuakh nefesh, and much is allowed as long as it is mission necessary.]
Even with the problems, it was a nice evening. Most of our colleagues are wonderful, and we've settled in nicely here.
When we went to pick up Jesse he refused to leave. Amazing since he cried so hard he threw up just two hours earlier. Thanks to Angela, the sitter, and the Admiral who loaned us his cell phone so we could check in. I also appreciated the New York Marine Colonel who was so happy to talk to fellow New Yorkers (what an accent- it fit him!), and a special thanks to Edguardo and Wanda Rivera for fixing our food problems and making us really feel at home.
