USS George H.W. Bush Celebrates First Easter at Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman J. Scott St. Clair, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

April 5, 2010 - USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Sailors celebrated the aircraft carrier's first Easter holiday underway with an Easter Sunrise Service on the flight deck April 4.

The service, which was sponsored by the Command Religious Ministries Department (CRMD), began moments before sunrise and featured Scripture readings, songs performed by the ship's choir, a sermon by Lt. Sunny Mitchell, a chaplain, a communion service and refreshments at the conclusion.

While it can be difficult for Sailors to be separated from their families and friends, especially during a holiday, many of those present for the service expressed extreme gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate the holiday.

"It's really hard to be away from my family, but this was a really great experience, it eases the transition, gives you time to relax and think about things, and it makes you more comfortable with your environment," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Edward I. Ramos.

"It was an outstanding service," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman (AW) Luis M. Diaz, "it was a really good opportunity to celebrate while being underway, which is great because it makes me feel closer to home."

Cmdr. Patrick J. McLaughlin, command chaplain, noted that celebrating Easter together as a crew helped to put things into perspective.

"It makes it easier out here, when we gather as a group," he said. "It helps us realize that we're all in it together. It's the people and the stories about friends that we'll remember. Today was a chance to gather together and make our crew a little tighter."

Although McLaughlin acknowledged the difficulty of being out to sea for the holidays, he also encouraged Sailors to recognize the significance of the situation.

"It's times like these that I realize the seriousness of what we do," he said. "Other ships are forward-deployed in war zones, and that's what we're preparing to do. We will be the ones deployed next Easter and we're lucky to have that role, even if it means making the sacrifice of being away from our families," he said.

McLaughlin also pointed out the tradition that goes along with being out to sea for Easter.



"It's one of those traditions that connects you to every Sailor that has stood on the deck of a ship on Easter for more than 230 years," he said. "When this aircraft carrier is still out to sea for Easter 50 years from now, we'll be able to look back and say we were here for the first one."

McLaughlin said that providing the celebration for the command was an endeavor that CRMD was happy to take on.

"CRMD exists and works for the Sailors," he said. "We serve the crew, that should be our hallmark," he said.

He also recognized that the service could not have been a success without the constant support of the command.

"We're dependent on other departments," he said. "I'm so thankful to the Navigation, Supply, and Air departments for providing us a position with perfect wind, the food and drinks, and allowing us to use the flight deck."