Maury (AGS 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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Chaplain L. I. Somers avy ha lain l A I Visits ussla by Chaplain Lester I. Somers There was an air of enthusiasm and expectancy when the official message arrived stating that USS Maury QAGS l6l. ahydrographic survey ship would visit Odessa, Russiat It was almost like a drearng but it was true that we soon would be on our way to spend a week-end at a port in the Soviet Union located on the westward shore of the Black Sea. .. Q During the next few days the officers and crew were engaged in learning Russian expressions and words. We wanted to be able to greet the people in their own lan- guage. All kinds of Russian enunciations were heard throughout the ship. For all personnel, the approaching visit to Odessa was the most exciting assignment ever presented to USS Maury. To this end everyone would have a definite role in the visit. Finally. the big day arrived. On the cloudy, rainy morning of Z5 SePtembe1' 1959, USS Maury, under the command of Captain Roger W. Luther, USN p roudly steamed into the harbor of Odessa. The dbwnpour of rain prevented us from seeing the beautiful panorariqig 9kY1iHe of thisUkranian city. After the lines were heaved over and properly secured to the bollards, we realized e World, where no other that we were now in a port of th United States Naval ship had ever been Numerous questions ran through our minds as liber , - ty call wouldbe sounded in a couple ofhours. Such ques- tions as these were heard around th h- 1 . ' we do? Where shall we gO?ll ..1:o:N15i11 ':vV:ag1 E ceived? we're familiar words among the Crew . Buses provided by Intourist, the Soviet 0 controlled travel agency, arrived and took tievilgi and men on a guided excursion of the city. Ourfi was at the Defense Museum where our attention :Is rected upon the power and might of the Soviet Ar a its ability through the ages, andparticularly durinni War II, to liberate the nation from her enemies, vi t ak e n t o the op e r a houses, theaters, museu schools. The statues of great leaders such agnf Stalin, Dostoyevsky and Pushkin were given consid recognition and praise e Friendly People The people of the street appeared to be very fr: toward us. They were curious as they gathered 3 us to inquire about the American's way of life. walked the streets and visited stores, we were cons surrounded by large groups of people. They asked tions about America and they wanted to get a dc view of an American. The outside world of freedo peared to be a complete mystery to the Russian P It was evident in many ways that the average persc completely uninformed about life and activitiesl the realm of the Soviet Union. Theyhave no idea gf standards or conditions other thantheir own. The, asked many questions about America. They appea be interested in learning about American automc television sets, radios and other items of comfo enjoyment. T h e rig i d, governrnent controlled papers and radios are the only sources of infon available for the people. They acted surpriseda learned something about ourliberties andfreedom press. . Being the Chaplain of the ship, I was extremely ested in the churches and religious life of Odessa people asked questions about God and religion. knowledge ofGod and the Church appeared to be li Naturally, there were those who called themselves ists . We found people who thought every America compelled to attend religious services. We we' minded frequently that, only a few of the older in Russia believed in God and attend religious serw Occasionally, I conversefd with people who spoke oi peace in terms of Christianity. The Russian Or Faith is the recognized religion ofthe Soviet Union. young men are in training for the priesthood at th sian Orthodox Theological Seminary of Odessa. Y outh T aught Cornmunismp being taught to believe in God and religion. Ins was an unusual experience to witness the bright ligent looking, young boys and girls who werem of the Atheistic Youth andPioneerGroups. Th served as host to two childrens' parties and the were exemplary in every manner. These grou sponsored by the government, and each member oughly trained in the fundamentalideologies of nism. From these groups of young people will C future leaders of Russia. There was no indication that the young peopl 1 e c i C I The visit to Russia left some definite imp! upon us. Our concept of liberty and freedom sh: come more meaningful and precious as we evalu: 1 1 h in comparison with those of the Soviet system rather discouraging to think that a nation and it can continue to live without God. The basic free speech, religion, and press should now be a lxvl ity for all of us. It is believed that many oft personnel have had the opportunity to do some thinking about our visit to Russia. These peQP1' now have a greater appreciation ofthe AmC!'1C3 sophy and way of life. II ....,e..-af.4.al - ,L

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In Y ? , ,fn as Heads bowed during Chaplains invocation at the Change of Command Athens, Greece 'W 's ?!la if W fin IW I SI 'ai 1 Y e an ,V I 0 h C ,ff W , C V 'iff A 4 fur- - 8' d ' F 'C , f 4' M, ,pls -ff -25: Captain Luther and Chaplain with Russian Children 23 3-1-qi-f