Following wave of suicides on aircraft carrier, US Navy Chaplain says sailors need Jesus
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Following a string of recent suicides aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, a US Navy chaplain has said it is vital for young sailors serving in isolated and difficult circumstances to know Jesus, CBN News reports.
The US Navy is currently investigating six confirmed suicides (three in April) and one possible suicide, on the carrier over the last two years, CBN reports. In a statement, the Navy said: “The circumstances surrounding these incidents vary and it is premature to make assumptions, as some incidents remain under investigation.”
Speaking to CBN, Navy Chaplain Louis Lee said young sailors can easily become depressed due to their exceedingly challenging work: accordingly, it is important for Christians to share the Gospel with them. “There’s chaplains,” Lee said. “But more so, there are good Christian sailors who can share the gospel or maybe somebody, a family member, a grandmother, who prays for them or every now and then when they talk to them, they encourage them to trust in the Lord and read the Bible and whatever it may be.”
“I would say the hope that we can give is the gospel message,” Lee attested. “It’s Christ.”
In any event, sailors serving on the USS George Washington are being offered mental health services and are being allowed to live in Navy barracks on land rather than have to remain on the carrier during what has been nearly five years of overhaul. Many are also now being allowed to live off the carrier such as in Navy barracks at nearby Naval Station Norfolk, rather than being confined to the carrier during a lengthy overhaul that has been going on for almost five years.
Six, possibly seven sailors committed suicide in the last two years while the carrier was dry docked for maintenance. The Navy said the cause of one death is still undetermined Three of the suicides happened in April.
The U.S. Navy issued a statement saying, “The circumstances surrounding these incidents vary and it is premature to make assumptions, as some incidents remain under investigation.”
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