It’s one of the hottest tickets in Washington, and late last week took on special, historical significance when the U.S. Marine Corps honored Navy chaplains at the Marine Barracks Friday evening parade.
It was the first time the chaplains were featured, and it included the first-ever Jewish Shabbat minyan featuring a rabbi and Navy combat veteran.
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“I salute the #USMC, especially the commandant, for honoring Navy #chaplains — men and women who serve Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard personnel. Especially proud to be personally part of this initiative,” tweeted Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff.
Others honored at the event were Rear Adm. Carey Cash, the Rev. Dianna Pohlman Bell, and Chaplain Thomas Parham Jr.
The Marines made special accommodations for Resnicoff so he could observe the Sabbath and attend the parade. They set aside the top-floor rooms at Center House, the officer’s club at the Barracks, for the rabbi and his daughter and for the Sabbath prayer service.
Resnicoff and his guests held a Kabbalat Shabbat service, kindled the Sabbath lights, and said Kiddush and Motzi, as well as singing songs to welcome the Sabbath.
Among his guests was C-SPAN spokesman Howard Mortman, author of the book When Rabbis Bless Congress. In it, he wrote that Resnicoff has delivered more opening prayers in Congress than any other rabbi.
Many members of the Jewish community have enjoyed the distinction of “Guest of Honor” at the evening parade, including two weeks ago when filmmaker Steven Spielberg was given the honor, but Resnicoff was the first rabbi.
The parade commemorates the partnership between the Navy and Marines and is a must-get ticket for Washingtonians and tourists. It dates back to 1957 but is part of the Barracks’s legacy of military reviews and ceremonies traced to its establishment in 1801.
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The Marines noted the accomplishments of the four in a statement:
- Rear Admiral Carey H. Cash, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, was recognized as a seasoned chaplain with extensive operational and shore assignments. He provided spiritual guidance to Marines during critical operations, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, and served aboard various naval vessels. Rear Admiral Cash assumed the role of the 21st Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains in May 2022.
- Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff, an esteemed Navy chaplain, was recognized for his distinguished 25-year career, which included notable assignments such as his service as the command chaplain for the U.S. European Command. His dedication and commitment to providing spiritual support to Marines and sailors were evident during his presence at the tragic Beirut Bombing in 1983.
- Rev. Dianna Pohlman-Bell, the first woman military chaplain in the Department of Defense, was honored for her exemplary service from 1973 to 1976 at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, Florida. Her exceptional ability to motivate, guide, and support new recruits during their military training made a lasting impact.
- Retired Navy Captain Mae Pouget and Dr. Thomas Parham III, daughter and son of the late Chaplain Thomas Parham, Jr., the first African American promoted to the captain in the Navy in 1966, were in attendance to honor the enduring impact of their father’s contributions.
