USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
April 3, 2012 Issue
Enterprise Lay Leaders, Faith is Their Mission Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Randy J. Savarese
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is able to offer a wide variety religious services on a daily basis thanks in large part to its lay leaders. A lay leader is a service member who is designated to lead religious services in order to accommodate the practices of a particular faith’s followers. “Religious lay leaders are important when a need is identified within a command to provide for a particular faith group not represented by a chaplain or civilian ministry professional,” said Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Pricilla Vasquez. These representatives provide many important services and are vital to improving the morale of the ship. Their duties often include things such as organizing fellowship meetings, religious and bible studies, and religious services. “Without lay leaders aboard, it would be impossible to take care of all of the faith groups,” said Lt. Cmdr. Fred Holcombe, principal assistant for Religious Ministries department. “I appreciate them FAITH continued on page 2
With the assistance of the lay leaders, command chaplains like Lt. Daniel J. Fullerton (above), are able to perform their jobs more efficiently.
Official: Take Time to Honor Military Kids’ Service By Elaine Sanchez, AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
WASHINGTON, March 30, 2012 – Children of U.S. service members around the world will be honored throughout April for their contributions to their families’ well-being and sacrifices on behalf of the nation, a Defense Department official said. Each April, Americans pause to recognize the nation’s 1.8 million military children during the Month of the Military Child. “It’s really important to recognize that military children also serve,” Barbara Thompson, director of military community and family policy, children
and youth, told the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service. It’s also important, Thompson said, to take time to let military children “know how proud we are as Americans that they … are supporting mom or dad in uniform, who is making great sacrifices for this country.” While frequent moves and school transitions can be challenging, Thompson said she believes the most challenging endeavor a military child has to endure is a parental separation due to deployment. “While we’ve made great strides with technology and Skype … it’s not the
same as having your mom or dad at your baseball game or high school graduation or one of your birthday parties,” she said. These separations can have a “serious impact” on military families’ wellbeing, Thompson noted, particularly on the children. Younger children may experience separation and attachment issues, while older children may engage in risky behaviors, she explained. Thompson noted a specific concern for children from Guard and Reserve families. These children, living in every community around the nation, may be lacking nearby support. A military child KIDS continued on page 3