Every night before it was lights out, while underway, we would have either the Chaplin or a crew member give am evening prayer. The military is very sensitive to the spiritual health of its members. We only carried a Chaplin while underway, but the base did offer services while in port.

Attending services was one sure fire way to get out of standing watch. Oddly enough this was not abused by people. While at sea our Chaplin would pretty much talk to everyone on the crew at one time or another each week. Then he would start all over again the next week. He wanted to make sure we were all doing fine and that everything in our personal lives was fine as well.

So every night just before lights out a prayer was said for us, our families, our ship, and our country. Some crew members were non-religious and others were very religious. No matter who you were you stopped and bowed your head and listened to the prayer. Then afterward, it was lights out and we hit our racks.

It is true what they say, there are no atheists in foxholes, or in the air over enemy territory, or sitting off the coast of the enemy.