Vocational Visit

Want to get to know your fellow Rotarians better? Visit them at their place of business.

On Saturday, Oct 20, my husband Greg and I got to visit Chaplain John's place of business--the USS Hornet in its berth in Alameda, CA. Seeing where he conducts services in the context of this museum of war time Naval history puts his service and the regard in which he is held there in a new light.

Not built for comfort or safety this aircraft carrier was built for war and contributed greatly to the US efforts during WWII and Vietnam. Our docent told us that 18 and 19 year old "boys", away from home for the first time spent up to 18 months aboard ship often confined for long periods below decks because only the flight crew were allowed on the flight deck during operations. What comfort some of these guys must have found in the Navy Chaplains aboard ship -- in the small space reserved for the chapel/library -- a place of "normalcy" between boredom and fear.

Navy Chaplian LTjg John W. Berger 1953	Hornet Chaplain John Berger USN (Ret)