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USS Doyle Celebrates Columbus Day with Boston

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061016-08
Release Date: 10/16/2006 10:48:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Dave Kaylor, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

BOSTON, Mass. (NNS) -- The crew of the guided-missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) celebrated Columbus Day with the Boston Bruins during a four-day port visit to Boston.

In New England for the third time in the last four months, the Mayport, Fla. based crew was the center of attention in a city known for its hospitality towards service members and the Navy in particular.

On the final day of their port call, the city’s National Hockey League team and coaching staff reported aboard for lunch and remained aboard the entire afternoon touring the ship and paying tribute to the Sailors for their service to their country.

“Aside from seeing the Boston Red Sox win their first World Series title in 86 years, meeting the Bruins was probably the greatest moment in my entire life,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joshua Rondeau. “It was a great honor and I'm just glad I was able to be part of it.”

“The Boston Bruins luncheon we held onboard was an incredible event for my entire crew,” said Doyle Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael Elliott. “I stress to my crew daily what my personal philosophy or vision is while I am in command and I discussed this with Coach Dave Lewis from the Boston Bruins. He agreed and I believe he is going to accomplish this thought process with his Boston Bruin family and hockey team."

While the Bruins visit was certainly a high point of the port visit, it was but one of many events experienced by the crew members during their holiday weekend in Boston.

The first day in port, Doyle crew members participated in a community service visit to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, the nation's first and largest veteran-specific homeless shelter. Extending a helping hand to men and women veterans and addressing challenges of addiction, trauma, mental illness and unemployment, is the shelter’s mission.

“They don’t realize the connection they represent to these veterans,” said the shelter’s President and CEO, Laurence Fitzmaurice. “These veterans want to know that they are not forgotten for their service and sometimes that’s difficult in their present situation. Their presence reestablishes a connection they feel to the military.”

On Sunday, Doyle crew members left their biggest impact on the area with their participation in two major events. The ship’s color guard presented colors during the national anthem at Gillette Stadium in nearby Foxborough prior to the National Football League contest between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. At the very same time, others marched in the annual Columbus Day Parade. The three mile march down the streets of East Boston brought cheers and standing ovations from a the city’s people.

“I have never seen such patriotism and openly friendly folks in my entire 19 year Navy career,” said Elliott. “I can't tell you how many people I witnessed stand up, salute my men or shout words of praise and support as we marched in formation down the streets of Boston.”

But, nothing touched the crew more than the final day’s visit by the Boston Bruins.

“I will remember this for a long time," said Cryptoligic Technician 1st Class Will Dabolt. “The fact that the entire team took time out of their busy schedule to visit the ship was great. I am not a die hard Bruins fan, but I will be rooting for them.”

At the end of their visit, the Bruins signed autographs and gave official Bruins hockey pucks to the entire crew of 225. The Bruins 6-foot-9 team captain, Zdeno Chara, presented Elliott a personally autographed puck signed “Captain to Captain.” The team’s brief respite aboard Doyle was just prior to a planned road trip to Atlanta for their next game in pursuit of the coveted “Stanley Cup.”

As Doyle’s crew leaves Boston they will hopefully not forget the trip and the warm welcome they received from the city’s residents.

“They rolled out the red carpet," said Elliott. “It re-affirmed to every member of my crew that we have people back here in the good old USA who support us, respect us and who are not afraid to show this on a daily basis. ‘Bean Town’ is a place the entire crew can call home because we all felt like part of the family.”