USS George Washington Chaplains Reach Out To New Fathers At Sea
By MC3 Devon Dow, USS George Washington Public Affairs


CS2 Christopher Coe, from Carrier Air Wing 5 VFA-115 squadron, looks at a picture of his newborn daughter Azaeleia Naomi Coe Sept. 14. Coe is one of three Sailors aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) who became a father of a newborn child all within a three-week period.
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Jared Hill

Within a recent three-week period, USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) experienced a baby boom. Averaging a baby each week, three Sailors have become proud fathers of newborns.

One of the Sailors, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Coe and his wife Katrina, welcomed the arrival of their daughter Azaeleia Naomi Coe Aug. 25.

“Azaeleia is our second child and this is the first time that I have been underway when my child was born,” Coe said. “It has been difficult at times for my wife and I being apart during her pregnancy, but she has a lot of support and is well taken care of. I could not be more proud of her.”

One measure to help ease the strain of the deployed life of new parents aboard GW is a unique service provided by the Chaplain’s Office. During evening prayer, which is given over the ship’s intercom system, the chaplain will announce the birth of a GW Sailor’s child upon the request of the Sailor or the Sailor’s command.

Coe, who works nights in the GW forward galley, said he was working the night when he and the rest of the crew heard the remarks from the chaplain.
 
“It was very surprising to me to hear my name and my daughter’s name during the evening prayer,” he said. “It turns out it was my command who put in the request for me. It made me feel great to know that I had so much support from them. I will never forget it.”

All requests for this service can be directed to the Chaplains Office. According to Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Nino Miranda, GW chaplains are always ready to assist Sailors whether in port or during deployments when Sailors are distant from their family and loved ones.

“This service is one of the important things GW chaplains do and they are honored whenever the opportunity arises,” he said.“GW chaplains realize how important this day is for a Sailor and his loved ones. Chaplains are more than counselors; they are also ‘that someone’ who cares for people, especially a Sailor who is anxious to hear news across thousand of miles.”

Coe said he is now counting the day until the GW returns to its homeport of Yokosuka, Japan.

“I would like to thank my wife and my [three-year-old] son, Raidon, for all that they are doing while I am underway,” Coe said. “They are both real troopers who are doing an excellent job taking care of our new family addition. I cannot wait to return to them.”