The White Falcon - 26.11.1965, Blaðsíða 3

Friday, November 26, 1965
WHITE FALCON
3
Navy Clergymen Fete 190 Years
On Nov. 28, the Navy’s Chaplain Corps will celebrate its 190th
year of service. From the appointment of Chaplain Benjamin Balch
in the Continental Navy in 1775, through wars and peaceful years,
clergymen of all faiths have served on ship and shore around the
world. Chaplains have made some notable contributions to the welfare
of all hands.
1804 The first Academy for midshipmen was conducted by Chaplain
Robert Thompson.
1830 The first printed protest against flogging was made by Chaplain
Edward McLaughlin.
1842 The first coffee mess was set up by Chaplain George Jones
to take the place of “grog.”
1898 The first physical drill was introduced by Chaplain Wesley C.
Holway.
1899 The first Navy YMCA was fostered by Chaplains David H. Tribou
and Robert E. Steele.
1903 The first motion picture was shown aboard ship by Chaplain
B. R. Patrick.
MAIN CHAPEL—The newly painted Main Chapel, done by the Chaplain’s staff and volunteer help
under the direction of Chaplain Robert E. Blade, was originally built by the Air Force in 1954. (Photo
by Lang, PH3)
SERVING THE SITES—An im-
portant job of the Navy Chaplains
at U. S. Naval Station, Keflavik,
Iceland, is serving the spiritual
needs of the men stationed at the
five outlying sites in Iceland. Here
at Grindavik LCdr Robert E.
Blade conducts Protestant worship
services. (Photo by Chambers,
PHAN)
gions.
ICELANDIC-AMERICAN — Ser-
ving the Icelandic parishoners at
Keflavik Airport, Iceland is Luthe-
ran minister Bragi Fridriksson
(left) with Iceland Defense Force
Staff Chaplain, Cdr Alfred R.
Saeger (right). (Photo by Nolan,
AN)
Chaplains have made many other contributions to the welfare of
men in military service, but the most important contribution is the
providing of opportunities for the worship of God. Even today in
Viet-Nam, chaplains like Hugh F. Lecky have been wounded in combat
as they have sought to bring God to men and men to God. Today
some 983 chaplains are serving in the Navy according to their
motto, “Cooperation without Compromise.”
Chaplains have been in Iceland for quite a while. The first Navy
chaplain to come to Iceland was Chaplain Merrill G. Tennyson, an
Episcopalian. Chaplain Tennyson accompanied the First Marine Bri-
gade to Iceland in July 1941. The Brigade set up camp a few miles
outside of Reykjavik at Baldurshagi. Chaplain Tennyson arranged
for the first Protestant services to be held in the National Cathedral
in Reykjavik, for Navy and Marine personnel.
Chaplain Herbert P. McNally, Roman Catholic, reported to Iceland
in September 1941 and was made Regimental Chaplain of the Sixth
Marines. Later Father McNally was transferred to Keflavik where
he obtained a Quonset hut and converted it into a Chapel. Father
McNally holds the distinction of being the first of many chaplains
to use a Quonset hut for church services.
THE ELEVATION OF WINE—
Offering up of the wine during the
Consecration of the Mass is part
of the Catholic worship of the
Mass.
MAIN ALTAR—This is the main altar at the Station’s main chapel
which is used by Protestant and Catholic services. (Photo by Lang,
PH3)
CHAPLAIN AND WIFE—Chaplain
Robert G. Brown and his wife,
Donna, conduct the Protestant
worship services to Air Force and
Navy personnel attached the Rock-
ville Site (H-l). (Photo by Weese,
AN)
CHAPLAINS’ INSIGNIA — The
Navy Chaplain’s insignia represents
the three faiths; Protestant,
Roman Catholic and Jewish reli-
American troops left Iceland after World War II. In 1951 a de-
fense treaty was signed by Iceland and the United States and
American military personnel, Air Force and Navy, were sent to
Iceland. Here in Keflavik there were Air Force chaplains. These
chaplains established a complete religious program which we are
continuing today. In 1954 they built the Chapel which we worship
in. The Navy assumed command in July 1961, and Navy chaplains
arrived to take over the religious program so ably begun by the Air
Force.
At present there are four chaplains in Iceland. The senior chap-
lain is assigned to the Iceland Defense Force Staff. Three other
chaplains are assigned to the Naval Station. The chaplains minister
to the Keflavik community and to the five outlying sites: Rockville,
Grindavik, Whale Bay, H-2 and H-3.
Catholic and Protestant services are held in the Chapel and Polar
Club. Lay services are conducted in the Chapel Annex. Religious
instruction and Sunday School classes meet in the High School.
Presently there are no scheduled Jewish services though services
are often held on the high holy days.
HOLY COMMUNION—Catholic
Chaplain John W. Wishard ad-
ministers the Sacrament of Holy
Communion to a communicant at
the 5:30 p.m. weekday Mass in the
Blessed Sacrament Chapel, located
in the Main Chapel.
The following persons are serving at the Chaplain’s Office:
Cdr A. R. Saeger, Jr., CHC, USN, IDF Staff Chaplain
LCdr R. E. Blade, CHC, USNR, Naval Station Senior Chaplain
Lt R. G. Brown, CHC, USN, Protestant Chaplain
Ltjg J. W. Wishard, CHC, USNR, Catholic Chaplain
E. J. Sabic, Sr., YN2, USN, Chaplain’s Clerk
N. C. Channon, PN3, USN, Chaplain’s Clerk
L. W. Reddinger, Jr., AN, USN, Chaplain’s Clerk