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USS Toledo Commanding Officer, Crew Visit Namesake City
Story Number: NNS130430-14
4/30/2013

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

TOLEDO, Ohio (NNS) -- The commanding officer of the Los Angeles class-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) and several crew members are visiting their namesake city, May 1-3.

Cmdr. Sam Geiger, commanding officer, USS Toledo and six of his crew members are visiting their submarine's namesake city to connect with the citizens of Toledo.

During their visit, Geiger and crew members will attend the 200th anniversary celebration of the siege of Fort Meigs; meet with members of the Toledo Navy League, American Legion, submarine veterans, and Sea Cadet personnel from the Toledo area, as well as meet with parents and patients of the Toledo Children's Hospital.

Additionally Geiger will participate in a panel discussion at the Toledo Technology Academy to discuss his experiences serving in a highly technical force.

"I look forward to participating in the panel discussion to not only describe my experiences as a submariner, but also to voice the need for highly skilled and technical-savvy future generations not only in our military, but in our nation," said Geiger, who added his visit to Toledo, marks the first for him, but also the first for a USS Toledo commanding officer in the past decade.

In addition to the panel discussion, Geiger will tour the Toledo Maritime Academy. The academy is one of Northwest Ohio's newest tuition-free public schools that use nautical themes to educate their students who attend classes ranging from 5th to 12th grade.

"When planning this namesake visit, I wanted to find opportunities for members of my crew and myself to meet with students to expand their awareness of science, technology, engineering and math educational and related career fields," said Geiger.

While Geiger and members of his crew visit the academy, one of his other crew members, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SS/SW/AW) Juan Camacho-Calderon, best known as the "doc" aboard Toledo, will visit the University of Toledo Medical School for a one-on-one educational opportunity.

"Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Camacho-Calderon will have a unique opportunity to meet with leadership at the University of Toledo Medical School to observe their new simulator technology, but also participate in meaningful mentorship opportunities," said Geiger.

While one crew member is benefiting from mentorship opportunities at the University of Toledo Medical School, another crew member, Machinist's Mate Fireman Rudy Taylor III, will also experience his own once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when he performs the national anthem, prior to the start of the Toledo Mud Hens minor league baseball game.

"I was personally excited for him when asked by the namesake city coordinators if any crew members were interested in performing the national anthem," said Geiger, who added that Fireman Taylor has been singing for many years and is likely to impress the die-hard Toledo baseball fans.

"I'm excited because I really love to sing," said Taylor, who has been singing since the age of 7. "This opportunity provides me a chance to represent my command during our namesake visit."

While both Camacho-Calderon and Taylor are experiencing their once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, Geiger will receive a key to the city of Toledo prior to the start of the Mud Hens game. Toledo Mayor Michael Bell will present Geiger the key.

"I am distinctly honored to receive the key to the city of Toledo," said Geiger. "It's definitely a first for me."

Additionally, Geiger and fellow crew members will meet with Toledo submarine veterans, one of whom, Pete Peterson, who served during World War II in the German submarine force.

"From what I have been told about Peterson's service, he made two war patrols in 1944 when German boats were experiencing a devastating rate of loss," said Geiger.

In addition to connecting with submariners from the past, as well as foreign navies, Geiger and crew members will experience another once-in-a-century opportunity when they observe the 200th anniversary celebration of the Siege of Fort Meigs. Fort Meigs was first built as a reaction to British attacks on American forts in the Northwest Territories during the War of 1812.

USS Toledo, commissioned Feb. 24, 1995, is the second U.S. warship named for the people of the northwestern Ohio city. The first was a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser. Submarine Toledo has a complement of 139 officers and enlisted crew.

For more news from Commander Submarine Group 2, visit www.navy.mil/local/Subgru2/.