A Navy Rabbi's Story: June 2021

The Next Generation

While in Okinawa, I made some of my closest friends.

Bruce used to be a Marine.

His first child joined the Coast Guard.

His second child decided to join the Marine Corps.

I was surprised, and proud to be with him on this journey, as we prayed together at MCRD's Jewish chapel during his time at boot camp.

It was amazing to watch him transition from civilian to Marine.

I got to see him begin to wear the mantle of Marine, and made it his own.

Akira, I am so proud of you!

Self Care... and the Zoo

The San Diego zoo is free for active duty personnel.

So, I had the day off, met up with friends who were stationed in Okinawa with me, and we toured the zoo.

I did not take it very seriously.

A lesson to everyone. When you invite me to go with you to the zoo, I will find the most ridiculous pictures to take. You have been warned.

He was sleeping.

No, seriously. He was just sleeping, using a rock as a pillow. That does NOT look comfortable.

Did they name him Jacob?

Sleeping, or drunk. Not sure. If drunk, he may become dehydrated. That headache is going to hurt.

The largest ROUS (rodents of unusual size) I have ever seen!

Mmm-hmm. I am just going to turn around now, and go back from whence I came.

Everyone is sleeping!!!!!!!

They're so lazy!!!!!

USS Midway

I lived in NY for a combined 26 years.

I visited the Intrepid, and remember walking around, not connecting to where I was or what I saw.

I decided to visit the Midway.

I have run or walked passed it for two years, and figured it was time to go in.

And it's free for the military.

www.midway.org

After living on a ship for two years (small by, not a carrier), I laughed at how much has not changed since the 1990s - regardless of ship platform.

Allow me to show you.

This is just cool. And he named his airplane after his wife.

We have those same letters painted on our ship, except that we earned the Green "H". Guess they didn't care about their health program!

ADM Halsey fought in the Battle for Guadalcanal (1942–1943) and all the way up the Solomon chain (1942–1945)

We still use this same document for inspecting spaces!!!

I hope my ICs and ETs have an updated handbook.

View from the hanger bay of the famous statue of the sailor kissing a nurse.

Our POD (plan of the day) looks a little different, but it's not too far off.

Yup! We have that sign, AND the enlisted do swab the deck in "O Country (officer country)".

We didn't have that sign hanging out outside our Wardroom.

Farewell Captain

We had a retired Captain who was the case manager for many of our injured team members.

She treated every case with care, and was so supportive in her role.

She passed away from an illness, and as a sign of honor for her service to NSW, some team members free jumped with a flag that was then presented to her family.

Rest in Peace, Captain.

Mt Soledad National Veterans Memorial

There are lots of military memorials all over the world, but this one is different.

The plaques are of people who served - not only those who died.

I looked for the most interesting ones I could find.

soledadmemorial.org

Winston Churchill was given honorary US citizenship by Congress.

I did not take pictures of every Jewish veteran plaque I found... yes I did.

She outranked him. Hoo-yah!

Author of "First to Fight"

Hopi Indian woman who served.

For all that Bob Hope did to take care of the troops, he was made an honorary veteran.

Thank you for your service, Bob.

At least one of the 11 got it right. Hoo-yah Navy!

Another Jew, but with the most amazing call sign!!!!

This is just too cool!

Easter Sunday

The team worships at the house of pain, i.e., the gym. There are few who define themselves as religious.

At the house of pain, they pray there about twice a day, and are devout.

But come Easter Sunday, and it was nice to see the fellowship between three sailors from three different denominations, joining together on their holy day.

And that is what successful facilitating as chaplain looks like.