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Rhode Island Makes Namesake Visit

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090708-05
Release Date: 7/8/2009 2:39:00 PM

From Commander Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs

KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) Blue Crew visited their namesake state for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, marking the 15th visit since the boat's commissioning in 1993.

The Blue Crew marched in the Bristol Fourth of July Parade, considered by some as the oldest Fourth of July Parade in the United States. Members of the Blue or Gold crews have marched in the Bristol parade as part of their visit to their namesake state for several years.

"The enthusiasm that greeted us at the Fourth of July parade reinforced to my Sailors the importance of their jobs and the community's appreciation," said Cmdr. Bob Clark, USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (Blue) commanding officer. "This entire visit is important to us; we wish to continue to improve on an already good relationship with the state of Rhode Island."

"Sailors always enjoy the hospitality of our hosts at cities and ports that we visit. We are particularly pleased [to] be in Bristol during these grand celebrations," said Senior Chief Fire Control Technician Jeff Bottoms, chief of the boat. "We wouldn't want to be anywhere else to celebrate the independence of this great nation than in USS Rhode Island's namesake state."

The City of Newport, R.I. proclaimed July 5 as USS Rhode Island Day during the crew's recent visit to their namesake state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano called upon the citizens of Rhode Island "to join with me and thank the Blue Crew members of the USS Rhode Island and their families for their service to our city, state and country."

Clark and crew members met with school children at Elmhurst School in Portsmouth. Students from fifth grade classes have faithfully written to both the Blue and the Gold crews during the past six years. All three grades of Portsmouth Middle School have corresponded with the crew members, sending art work, holiday cards and their favorite candy to help to boost the morale of the crews while they are on patrol for three months at a time.

"Meeting with the children was a great way to give back. The fact that they think of us and share their letters and pictures with us means a lot. While we are here we can share with them what we do to defend our country in their name," Clark said.

Sailors explained their various jobs and responsibilities aboard the submarine. Children were curious about all aspects of the silent service and had questions about sleeping arrangements, food and the meaning of classified operations. One student asked why is why Bottoms' work was classified and he replied, "When you play hide and seek do you want people to know where you're hiding?"

The Blue Crew had a great opportunity to meet more supporters at the Friends of the USS Rhode Island dinner. Clark thanked member of the group for their 15 years of support with command ball caps, coins, plaques and flags that had been flown over the submarine.

"I have been hosting USS Rhode Island Blue and Gold Crew members in Rhode Island since the christening," said attendee Kati Machtley, who christened the boat. "I am always so impressed with their dedication to the Navy, Rhode Island and with their expertise in the very specialized jobs that they perform on board the submarine. They conduct themselves in ways that make me very proud to be their sponsor."

The crew also attended a Boston Red Sox versus Seattle Mariners' baseball game, sitting in the owner's box, a rare opportunity for some of the Sailors. Fenway Park saluted the crew's service and displayed their photo on the score board along with a welcome message.

"I couldn't pick one particular moment that was better than another," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SS) Daniell Pinero. "The hospitality, the parade, the food and especially the people were phenomenal. This being a military area you would think that they would be tired of seeing Sailors, but so many people thanked us.

"It made me feel incredible for serving my country."

For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 10, visit www.navy.mil/local/csg10/.