Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class August Clawson | Gayle Holmes places a wedding band on retired U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas R. Atkins during...... read more read more
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NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND (July 29, 2024) – Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) welcomed former George Washington chaplain retired U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas R. Atkins and his bride Gayle Holmes for their wedding aboard the ship while moored at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, July 29, 2024.
Atkins started his extensive armed forces career in the Army as a field artilleryman, serving in Vietnam and Germany. After serving in the Army, Atkins made a switch in career choices and pursued ministry, but he was far from finished with the military.
“After my ordination as a Presbyterian pastor, I was accepted into the Navy chaplaincy in 1979,” said Atkins. “I served until my retirement in 2003.”
During his career, Atkins fathered three daughters with his late wife Alice Atkins, and all three served as Department of Defense Education Activity teachers, serving the government as their father did before them. After 50 years of marriage, Atkins was widowed.
In the years following, Gayle Holmes entered the picture. “I met Gayle Holmes, no kidding, on eHarmony,” said Atkins. EHarmony is an online dating website.
What brought them together was their love for cruises.
“Cruising has been a favorite vacation venue for me for years, including the six cruises I embarked on in one year, after I retired,” said Atkins. “In 2019, I noticed on Holmes’ profile that she, too, loved cruises.”
Atkins proposed to Holmes after five years of courtship.
“In the five years of being together, our love of cruising, family, and sports continued to enhance our relationship,” said Atkins.
Atkins and Holmes have visited George Washington several times. They came aboard during a plank owner reunion in Norfolk, Virginia, and again when George Washington visited Mayport, Florida.
“The moment Tom read that George Washington was in Mayport, we scurried to hop in the truck and go visit,” said Holmes. “The smile and the happiness that was reflected on his face while seeing George Washington, was beyond words. It was such a fabulous trip.
“We are very excited to have our marriage ceremony onboard,” said Holmes. “We are thankful for that great and meaningful privilege.”
Atkins and his bride were bound in matrimony by Cdr. Marlin Williams, George Washington’s command chaplain.
“Witnessing their love was a beautiful expression of life and a reminder of the enduring power of love,” said Williams. “It was a deeply touching and meaningful event for us all.”
Atkins and Holmes currently reside in Jacksonville, Florida, and plan to move into the fleet landing community in that area.
| Date Taken: | 07.29.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2024 13:56 |
| Story ID: | 477495 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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