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Texas Governor Visits San Antonio

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071031-05
Release Date: 10/31/2007 4:02:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Erik Hoffmann, USS San Antonio Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Texas Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Gen. Joseph Weber, commander, Marine Forces (MARFORCOM), paid a visit to USS San Antonio (LPD 17) at Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 24 for a ship's orientation and tour.

Cmdr. Kurt Kastner, San Antonio's commanding officer, greeted the governor and Weber as they came across the quarterdeck.

"Every day I come to the ship is a privilege for me, but to host the governor of Texas and MARFORCOM was an incredible honor," Kastner said. "I am tremendously proud of this ship and her crew. I was excited to have the opportunity to have the crew show their ship to Gov. Perry and Lt. Gen. Weber."

The tour kicked off with Perry meeting crew members from Texas. Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 1st Class Jerome Fuda said he felt great about having the governor of his home state visiting his ship.

"It feels good to know that there are people back home interested and supporting what we do out here," Fuda explained. "This was also a great opportunity for the younger Sailors from Texas to shine for their home state and show off San Antonio."

Perry noticed the shine. "These young men and women make me proud. I'm proud to know they volunteered to support our country. Great volunteers from a great state for a great nation."

"The governor took the opportunity to interact with San Antonio Sailors whenever he could," Kastner included. "He thanked them all for their service and told each of them how proud he was of them. That's a powerful message coming from one of our nation's leaders and I really appreciate it."

The tour route included stops in one of the ship's main engine rooms, the combat information center and the bridge. However, one of the tour highlights for the governor was on the mess decks.

"While we were on the mess decks, we explained to Gov. Perry that each mess deck chair had the name of someone who fought and died at the Alamo painted on it," Kastner said. "The governor had a distant relative who was at the Alamo and we were able to find the name of his relative in the first class mess."

The highlight for the crew though came the following morning.

"Gov. Perry and Lt. Gen. Weber returned to the ship the following morning for PT (physical training) and to run with the crew," Kastner continued. "It was pretty neat running with the governor of Texas with an armed security detail before sunrise."

Before leaving, Perry expressed his appreciation for the tour and the crew.

"We're proud of anyone serving and support this great country, but we're especially proud of any vessel carrying a Texas name. Texans understand about defending a country and that's what you all are doing right now. We're mighty proud of USS San Antonio."