WEBVTT

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Happy birthday chaplains and RPs . As

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we celebrate the 249th anniversary of

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the founding of the Navy Chaplain Corps ,

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we reflect not only on its history but

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also on our enduring mission to provide

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care for our service members , their

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families , and our nation . This

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milestone invites us to honor the

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principles of faith , family , friends ,

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and the meaningful work we take on each

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day . Our core has been a pillar of

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support for nearly 2.5 centuries ,

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providing spiritual care and guidance

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through countless challenges faced by

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our service members . The history of

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the US Navy Chaplain Corps , which

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mirrors that of the Navy itself , began

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with the Continental Navy . And

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continues to the present day . In times

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of joy , celebration , stress , doubt

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or loss , we are ready to offer a

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listening ear , wise counsel , a

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compassionate heart , and most

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importantly , a connection to the

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divine . Our commitment to our service

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members and their families is a

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testament to our core values and our

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dedication to fostering a sense of

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community . As chaplains ,

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we focus on the flock entrusted to us .

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Each sailor , marine and Coast

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Guardsman represents a unique journey

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complete with personal struggles ,

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goals , and accomplishments . We

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remember that visiting a chaplain isn't

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simply a one-time event . It's part of

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an ongoing conversation and a journey

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of mentorship . It is our great

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privilege to walk alongside our service

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members respecting their individual

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paths while providing the guidance and

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support they need to thrive . Through

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regular engagement , we can build trust

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and rapport , reinforcing that we're

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there for them no matter the

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circumstance . Recent initiatives

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within our cores have demonstrated the

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significant impact we can make . One of

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those successes has been the strategic

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addition of chaplains to our destroyers .

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Reports show that this has contributed

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to a notable reduction in destructive

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behaviors among our sailors . By

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embedding chaplains , we not only

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enhance spiritual support , but also

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foster the continuum of care for

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our crews . As we reflect on our

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contributions . Our thoughts should

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always be on the bigger mission we

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share . The well-being and spiritual

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readiness of our flock . They aren't

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just members of the navy , but also

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people who care deeply about their

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shipmates , their families . And our

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nation . These sailors ,

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marines , sentinels , and their

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families represent the spirit of

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service and sacrifice , and I could not

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be prouder of these heroes of our

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generation . Our commitment to their

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well-being changes lives as their

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spiritual readiness directly impacts

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overall mission readiness .

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This is also a great opportunity for us

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to express gratitude for our team . In

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1979 , Chief of Chaplains O'Connor

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founded the religious program

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Specialist Rate , and we have been

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grateful for their partnership ever

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since . Our gratitude for our

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partnership drives us to consider how

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we as leaders can promote happiness and

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a sense of belonging within our teams .

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We achieve this through open

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communication , encouraging a culture

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of respect and understanding , and

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promoting a work environment where

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everyone feels valued and heard . By

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prioritizing these elements , we can

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cultivate resilience and a sense of

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purpose among our team , enabling them

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to perform at their best , both

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personally . And professionally . On

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this anniversary , I want to borrow

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from the Marines their motto Semper

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fidelis . I don't think they'll mind .

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And renew our commitment to our faith

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and to keep faith with one another . We

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cherish the bonds we share with our

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families and our friends , recognizing

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that they too are essential to our

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mission . Our work impacts people today

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and for eternity , and together we can

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ensure that the Navy Chaplain Corps and

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religious ministry teams continue to be

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a source of hope , strength , and

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guidance for all who serve . As we look

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forward to the future . We carry the

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legacy of those who have come before us

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and build upon it with our actions and

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our hearts . May we strive to inspire

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and uplift our flock , always reminding

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them that they are not alone in their

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journeys . Together we can create a

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lasting impact , serving as beacons of

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light in the lives of those we are

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honored to serve . We are

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Boati adservitium . Called

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to serve . Happy birthday , chef mates .