Tag Archives: mecca

Pope Blesses US Sailors and Marines

Sailors and Marines from the USS Whidbey Island were able to visit Rome in January and received a blessing from Pope Benedict XVI while there.

The group traveled from Naples to Rome to attend Pope Benedict’s weekly Wednesday general audience at Vatican City.

The pope welcomed groups from all over the world and then specifically mentioned the U.S. service members. “I also greet the group of Sailors and Marines from the United States and accord to you and your families God’s abundant blessings.”

Not all of the troops were Catholic, but Read more

US Marines Experience Buddhism in Japan

Frequent articles have noted the unique experiences to which US military members have access as they travel the world at their nation’s call.  They may be able to visit the home lands of Abraham; they may be able to travel to Mecca at the government’s expense.  In Japan, they may be able to join a military-based tour group on a “spiritual journey” to a local Buddhist monastery.

As noted in an official Marine article, Marines based at Iwakuni went on a “spiritual journey” to a local temple hosted by Tadahisa Teshima:  Read more