Four Chaplains Center offers alcohol-free social environment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Harris
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Nov. 9 marked the grand opening of the Four Chaplains Center, a place where single Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers can go to socialize in an environment other than bars and clubs.

"We're preparing people for the serious business of deploying," said Chaplain (Capt.) Matthew Boarts, 35th Fighter Wing Chaplain. "This isn't a crazy college atmosphere because we are training to be war fighters."

The Four Chaplains Center began as a single Airman center run by Herman Williams, Single Adult Ministries Coordinator, at his house and the houses of some of the base chaplains. As it grew, a more permanent location was acquired and it officially became the Four Chaplains Center.

"It's like a garden when it's full and flourished, the way it's all coming together," said Airman 1st Class Caley Hayes from the 301st Intelligence Squadron.

The center gets its name from the Four Chaplains of the USS Dorchester, a United States Army troopship that was hit by a torpedo from a U-223 submarine 100 miles off the coast of Greenland on Feb. 3, 1943. As the ship was sinking, the Four Chaplains were on deck calming the men as they handed out life jackets, even handing out their own when they ran out, paying no regard for race or religious preference. They were last seen by witnesses on the hull of the ship praying arm-in-arm for the safety of the men. Throughout the voyage, the Four Chaplains demonstrated interfaith compassion with the crew and passengers aboard the Dorchester. The Four Chaplains Center strives to create a similar environment.

"It helps develop the potential of Sailors and Airmen that come," said Airman 1st Class Jonathan Burg from the 35th Maintenance Squadron. "To find something like this in the middle of the workweek is refreshing."

The center is located in Building 674 and open for single adult residents of Misawa Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Popcorn and coffee machines are available as well as a DVD player and computers for internet use. There is a Thanksgiving meal planned on Thanksgiving day for dorm dwellers starting at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel, as well as a chili cook-off on Dec. 1 also at the chapel.