Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. -- Fourth Recruit Training Battalion’s prayer room used to be a square room with beige-colored walls. However, that’s no longer the case.
The room got a new look over the holidays, but it wasn’t just a new layer of paint. It now boasts a mural that inspires peace, serenity and a sense of calmness to all who see it.
“It was kind of a dry room before and one of my staff members asked if we could do something to the room and make it a place of serenity,” said Navy Lt. Deann Coleman, the 4th Recruit Training Battalion chaplain. “So I started wondering how we could accomplish this.”
Coleman had the idea of doing a mural, and she ran with it.
“I brought the idea up to the battalion commanding officer, and she liked it. So we got some recruits together, and I told them I wanted to see what they could do,” Coleman explained. “The recruits drew some pictures, the commanding officer, battalion sergeant major and I decided which ones to use.”
The choices were easily made.
“There was a photo of a sunset, a tree, a female Marine and the Marines’ Prayer,” Coleman said. “We got those recruits and told them we wanted a mural of what they drew.”
The recruits didn’t hesitate in putting their skills to good use.
Coleman didn’t care how the recruits painted the room, Coleman explained. Her only request was that the female Marine be facing the Marines’ Prayer.
Their work got the chaplains’ attention.
“I was excited,” Coleman confessed. “I just couldn’t believe they came in here and just did it. They used their own creativity and expanded on everything. They wanted to bring the walls together for the mural. They did a great job.”
The mural also fulfilled the chaplain’s goals for the room.
“I wanted to create a room that was inviting, comfortable and a place of serenity for our drill instructors and permanent personell here,” Coleman said. “It’s a way for them to find a place where they can come and pray or sit and meditate.”
4th Recruit Training Battalion’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. Karla Jessup, and sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Laura Brown are also excited about the prayer room’s new look.
“I like it,” Brown said. “It’s a great place for drill instructors to go and meditate.”
However, one image has special meaning to Brown.
“My favorite picture is the big-gnarled tree,” Brown said. “It looked heavily- burdened and full of wisdom. It was still standing even though burdened and reminded me of strength.”
Jessup also found significance in the tree’s image.
“I liked the tree, too,” Jessup said. “Even when they were sketching it out, I could see the notches in the tree and its heavy burden, and it made sense to me. I think it represents who we are as Marines.”
Regardless of faith, any Marine will be able to find solace in the room and its comforting images, Coleman said.