The United States Naval Academy (USNA) chaplains celebrated the 240th birthday of the U.S. Navy during the weekend's worship services in Annapolis, Oct. 9 and 11.

The worship services reflected several religious traditions and included an interfaith Shabbat dinner attended by Jewish, Christian and Muslim midshipmen and officers. The dinner was followed by a Sabbath service in the Levy Center with welcome remarks from Deputy Chief of Navy Chaplains/Chaplain of the Marine Corps Rear Adm. Brent W. Scott.

"Our Navy and the Naval Academy place great importance on the spiritual development of our Sailors and Marines," said Scott. "It is a priority well placed. Warfighters cannot be defined in terms of physical readiness alone. Officers of Sailors and Marines must also be ready mentally, morally, socially and spiritually."

The Catholic and Protestant services included remarks from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael Stevens on the Navy heritage and the importance of faith to the warfighter.

Richardson described the "icons of our Navy's strength and history" as depicted in the chapel's stained glass windows "to remind us of our naval heritage, of the great leaders who have gone before us and fought and won our nation's wars," he said.

"The chapel, this one and those like it, is a place where we traditionally have drawn strength from our faith. As we turn once again to the seas, we can draw strength from these places and practices of faith, which will guide and ground us in the principles of character and integrity and commitment," Richardson added.

"The Navy's interest in the spiritual well-being of its sailors dates back to before the American revolution," said Stevens.

"This has allowed members of our all-volunteer service the opportunity to focus on maintaining maritime warfighting capabilities and encourage an environment where they can take a moment to pray before launching an aircraft, read scripture in their rack, or bless their food on the mess decks," he added.

The worship services also paid homage to the Navy's rich legacy of service and sacrifice.

"We have had great leaders who have gone before us, providing a symbol of hope and promise. Pioneers like Master Chief Phillip Brashear, the Navy's first African American deep sea diver, whose refusal to quit despite racism and grueling physical trauma inspired and encouraged our nation during some very challenging times in our Navy," Stevens shared.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio from the Archdiocese for the Military Services was the guest celebrant for the Catholic Mass and Chief of Navy Chaplains Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben was the guest preacher for the Protestant service.

"Even as we celebrate this 240th anniversary of the Navy, we are painfully reminded of the multitude of shipmates whose hopes of a life well and long-lived were abbreviated," said Kibben. "We come to the Cathedral of the Navy this day to recharge and reflect and recommit to that which called us to the Naval Service: the cause of freedom and love of country and to reframe what we do as Sailors, as family members, as Americans."

For more information on the Navy Chaplain Corps, visit www.navy.mil/local/crb, chaplaincorps.navylive.dodlive.mil, and www.facebook.com/chiefofnavychaplains

For more news from U.S. Naval Academy, visit www.navy.mil/.