MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- As the sun was rising on Sunday morning, a congregation of about 50 people gathered for an outdoor Easter Sunrise Service at Covella Pond, here.
The Easter Sunrise Service was hosted by Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Base Chapel with the purpose of creating a traditional service for those individuals who could not be with their families.
“As a military base we have people from all over who are stationed here who are not at home with their families,” said Navy Lt. Kenneth Miller, base chaplain, MCLB Albany. “We try to provide for them and give them a semblance of home by putting on this Easter Sunrise Service.”
Of course, service members were not the only ones in attendance. Civilian-Marines, retirees and others were also in attendance.
“It was fantastic; just so peaceful,” said Sara Duren, a local resident of Albany, Ga. “It was almost like a little piece of heaven.”
The nondenominational morning service consisted of the base choir and those in attendance singing hymns. During the ceremony, Miller gave a message of hope and renewal.
“It’s always good to get up early in the morning and worship God in this time of spring where everything is new and blossoming,” Miller said. “I was telling them about renewal and rejoicing. There is so much stuff that happens in our lives and it’s good to know things can get better, that they will get better.”
He added the audience seemed to be very receptive to the service.
Those in attendance sat in the amphitheater adjacent a large white cross with a purple drape brought in for just the occasion. The Base Chapel traditionally hosts this type of ceremony on Easter Sunday as well as a corresponding Good Friday service. The ceremony was followed by a breakfast, also hosted by the Base Chapel, at the Base Conference Center.