Former President Carter Tours Namesake Sub
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050222-01
Release Date: 2/22/2005 10:35:00 AM
By Journalist 2nd Class Barrie Barber, Commander, Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Former President Jimmy Carter toured the U.S. Navy submarine named after him at Naval Submarine Base New London Feb. 18.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner and former submarine officer said having the world's most advanced fast-attack submarine named in his honor ranked among the highest tributes in his storied life.
"I don't think I've ever had one that was more emotionally gratifying to me than to have this named after me," he said.
The president, ship's sponsor Rosalynn Carter, and members of their family, met with the crew and dined in the wardroom aboard Jimmy Carter (SSN 23). The former commander in chief presided over a reenlistment ceremony and pinned newly earned "dolphins," a designation of qualification in submarines, on a ship's officer.
The crew eagerly awaited the former president's visit just before the Navy commissioned the Seawolf-class vessel Feb. 19, said Lt. j.g. Julian Bradley, the ship's supply officer.
"It's a lot of fun because he's one of America's renowned figures," said the Lookout Mountain, Ga., native. "We worked so hard. It means a lot that he can come down and spend some time with us."
"A lot of people are excited," said crew member Electronics Technician 2nd Class Frank Kotlarsic Jr., of Parma, Ohio. "They've never met a former president."
Lt. j.g. Andrew Spencer, who received his dolphins from the submarine's namesake, felt a kinship with the former commander in chief. Like Carter, Spencer graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
"I got to shake President Bush's hand at graduation, so this is a really neat add-on to that," said the West Valley, N.Y., native.
Carter administered the reenlistment oath to Senior Chief Storekeeper Travis Tovar, a Port Washington, Wis., native.
"Incredible," said Tovar, a Sailor for 18 years. "It was probably one of the best things I've ever done in the Navy."
Carter has made it a habit to write personal letters to each crewman when the Sailor has reached a professional or personal milestone, such as advancement in rate or the birth of a child. Submariners share a bond of mutual dependence that draws them together, the former president explained.
President Carter has "taken a keen interest in the ship," said Lt. Cmdr. Todd Cloutier, executive officer and a Scottsdale, Ariz., native. "It's quite an honor."
As the ship's sponsor and as a former Navy wife, Rosalyn Carter told a gathering later she feels the same "close kinship" with the crew as her husband does.
"They are enthusiastic and dedicated to their country, and we're very proud of them," she said.
President Carter and the former First Lady will stay in contact with the sub's crew, he said.
"We feel emotionally and physically attached to this ship," the former president said.
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