.....Father Schiavone explained to me that in order for me to be baptized aboard the Indy, he would have to send to my home church - St. Patrick’s Church in Newry, PA - for the appropriate paperwork. Father Schiavone sent for the paperwork and two weeks later I heard my name called over the ship’s intercom. I was to report to the Chaplain’s Office. So I did.

.....When I got to the Chaplain’s Office, Father Schiavone said that he had gotten permission for me to be baptized. We went through with the baptismal ceremony immediately. Then Father Schiavone said that he knew the priest in Genoa, Italy - a town we were very near - and that he could arrange to have a Confirmation ceremony for me there. There was just one minor problem. I needed a sponsor - someone of the Catholic faith that would agree to stand for me during the ceremony. Since I didn’t know anyone that would fit the bill, Father Schiavone said that he would take care of all the arrangements. And he did.

.....Father Schiavone found a young man by the name of Larry Kephart to be my sponsor. After the Confirmation ceremony, Larry and I were standing outside that little Italian church and I asked him where he was from. He said he was from Pennsylvania. I told him I was too. I then asked him what part of Pennsylvania he was from and his answer nearly floored me. He said, “I’m from Altoona”. I said, “So am I!!” We were so surprised by the coincidence. What are the odds that out of 5000 sailors, two strangers from the same small city would meet halfway around the world and end up participating in such a special ceremony?

.....I thought the story was unique enough to share with you, I hope you enjoyed it.