USS Truman's chaplain looks for 'sparkle' in sailors' eyes

Mar 25, 2003
SARA HORN
Baptist Press

A naval aviator lands his fighter jet onto the USS Harry S. Truman after completing a mission. BP Photo by Jim Veneman

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ABOARD USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, EAST MEDITERANNEAN (BP)-The atmosphere tingles with anticipation. Ordnance crews on the flight deck of the USS Harry S. Truman work quickly and efficiently to load guided munitions into dozens of aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornets and F-14 Tomcats. Hours from now, under cover of darkness, fighter pilots will carry them to final destinations - targets located somewhere in western Iraq. The drills and practice sessions are over. Operation Iraqi Freedom has begun.

Below the flight deck, it looks much different than what is happening above. Sailors walk quickly through the various passages and hatches of the ship, tending to the specific jobs and duties they've been trained to do. Along the way, many of them greet a familiar and often comforting figure aboard ship, Commander Doyle W. Dunn, command chaplain for the aircraft carrier.

Dunn, a Southern Baptist and graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, oversees a staff of three junior chaplains and 15 lay leaders through the ship's religious ministries department for the 5,000 sailors and Marines on board. It is his responsibility to develop religious services and programs for more than two dozen different recognized religions. Deployed with a unit of Marines during Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the early 1990s, Dunn admits that it is quite different today in his role on the Truman, a position he has held for just six weeks.

"The jobs we do on ship are what we do every time this ship moves anywhere," Dunn said. "Cooks cook, supply folks fulfill their responsibilities. With the exception of aviators, when combat starts, it's the same job."

One of the Navy's aviators listens to the chaplain's message during the early morning liturgical service held aboard the USS Harry S. Truman. BP Photo by Jim Veneman

Ministry opportunities on board are as varied as the denominations and religions represented. Numerous church services, Bible studies and even choir practices are available throughout the week. Sunday, in particular, is reserved for worship and rest.

The chaplains on board take their calling seriously. Each has various departments they serve, offering encouragement and keeping a pulse on the morale of sailors.

"I see so many 18 and 19-year-old young men and women who come from broken homes and tough life experiences," Dunn reflected. "They join the military looking for a sense of purpose. This opens the door to share Jesus Christ with them. Every time I get a chance to see a sparkle of recognition in their eyes - well, that's what I live for."

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