It's a room displaying a sharp contrast to the rest of the ship's dull grays and hard metals. The ship's chapel aboard aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) holds many meaningful ceremonies, and at times, those events are literally etched into the ship's history. On Feb. 24, a small group of people stood around the ship's glistening gold bell in front of a colorfully decorated stain-glass window connected through their faith and service.

Capt. Brian Stamm, a Navy chaplain assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Surface Force Atlantic, conducted a baptismal christening in the ship's chapel for a crew member's infant son.

Parents Amanda and Lt. Joey Zerra baptized three-month-old Leo Zerra in the ship's ceremonial bell during his christening ceremony.

"I heard about being able to have this ceremony done on the ship and getting his name etched in the bell," said Zerra, referring to his son. "It's a unique opportunity to become a part of the history of the George Washington."

The custom of being baptized using the ship's bell started in the British Royal navy hundreds of years ago.

"Being baptized on a ship holds extraordinary significance," said Stamm. "The inside of the church is called a nave because it looks like a ship turned upside down, and the church is the ship that carries us from a life outside of God into a life with God."

It has been nearly 25 years since the first baptism was performed aboard George Washington, July 5, 1992, one day after the ship's commissioning.

"When the ship gets decommissioned after another 25 years, that bell will still be somewhere with his name," said Zerra.

Ships' bells are permanent property of the Department of the Navy and are maintained by the Naval History and Heritage Command after a ship has been decommissioned.

Young Leo is likely the final person to have his name etched into the bell until the ship comes out of refueling complex overhaul maintenance.

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