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Kearsarge Crew Visits Namesake Mountain During Port Visit

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060707-27
Release Date: 7/7/2006 2:59:00 PM

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Dave Nagle, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

BOSTON (NNS) -- Ten officers and Sailors from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) celebrated Independence Day with a visit to the home of their ship’s namesake.

During a port visit to Boston for the city’s annual Harborfest celebration, the group from Kearsarge drove to Warner, N.H., home of Kearsarge Mountain, and spent the day exploring the town and meeting the residents, July 4.

“Since we were going to Boston for Harborfest, we thought this would be a great opportunity to reconnect the crew with the town and people of Warner,” said Command Master Chief, CMDCM (SW) Ken Delaruelle. “We got in touch with the local American Legion Post [Post 39] in Warner, whose members are very active in promoting the town’s history, and they extended the invitation to come visit.”

After treating the Sailors to a hearty pancake breakfast, the post members led the group to the summit of Kearsarge Mountain for a panoramic view of central New Hampshire.

The group also received a tour of the town that included a museum with a section dedicated to Kearsarge memorabilia. In addition, some of the Sailors were given the honor to fire a ceremonial cannon that the town fires every Independence Day.

“My favorite part of the trip was the view from the top of the mountain and seeing the local town that is rich in historical traditions,” said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW) Christopher Cornett. “It was wonderful to see how they are preserving their heritage, and how all the ships named Kearsarge are part of that tradition. I felt honored and privileged to be able to climb Mount Kearsarge and meet the local residents, who are proud to have a small town mountain that a huge ship is named after.”

“The hospitality of the entire town, from the men of the American Legion to the curator of the museums was beyond what any of us could have ever expected,” added Lt. Michael Lucrezio.

Members of the American Legion post, as well as other residents of Warner, also drove to Boston to visit the ship. The group from Warner received a tour of the ship and interacted with the ship’s officers and crew.

The amphibious assault ship Kearsarge is the fourth ship in U.S. Navy history named for the New Hampshire mountain. The first Kearsarge was a Civil War-era sloop of war, noted for its victory at sea against the Confederate naval ship CSS Alabama. Other ships include an early 20th century battleship and an aircraft carrier during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

The Kearsarge crew members who visited Warner and Kearsarge Mountain agreed that it was a unique experience they will remember for a long time.

“The people of Warner have a lot of pride in their history and heritage,” remarked Electronics Technician 2nd Class Melissa Gribbins. “The opportunity to visit the place that our ship was named after was incredible. It gave me a good sense of pride. The town’s people were so excited to have us there, not only because our ship is named after their home, but because of their patriotism.”

“It was a wonderful opportunity and experience that I will never forget,” said Cornett. “I am proud to be a part of the Navy and the USS Kearsarge, and it was wonderful to see where our ship's name and history comes from firsthand. I intend to go back someday to that mountain.”

For related news, visit the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd3/.