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Secretary of the Navy Visits Naval Station Everett

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060905-02
Release Date: 9/5/2006 8:05:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) Bruce McVicar, Northwest Region Fleet Public Affairs

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Dr. Donald C. Winter visited Naval Station Everett, Aug. 31.

SECNAV, Rear Adm. William D. French, Commander, Navy Region Northwest and Capt. Eddie Gardiner, commanding officer of Naval Station Everett, toured the base and met with Sailors.

During the visit, SECNAV toured the piers, boarded the guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86), toured Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility Pacific Northwest and other commands. He also visited the base gym and recreation areas at Naval Station Everett.

“It is difficult to get a sense of what is really happening sitting in a building in Washington, D.C., looking at charts and graphs,” Winter said. “This is a great opportunity to get out, see the base and meet Sailors in the Pacific Northwest.”

“The Department of the Navy faces severe challenges,” said Winter. “We must fight today’s war while transforming our naval forces to fight the wars of tomorrow. We must do both in an increasingly pressurized budget environment and fulfill our role as stewards of the taxpayers’ money.”

During his tour, the Secretary was able to reach out to the civilian workforce on the base by participating in an awards ceremony. Russell Wickstrom, of Information Technology Services Department, received a “40 Years of Federal Service” award from Winter.

“I consider it an honor and privilege to have met and receive an award from the Secretary of the Navy,” said Wickstrom. “This is a special moment and it made for a special day."

“Today was a great occasion for the Secretary of the Navy to see the facilities, ships and people in the Pacific Northwest,” said French. “The command showed how it supports the Sailors and their families.”

Winter is the 74th Secretary of the Navy, sworn into office in January 2006. The tour was part of Winter’s first visit to inspect the Navy’s Pacific installations. The Secretary has visited Japan, Okinawa, Guam and Hawaii before concluding his tour at Naval Station Everett.