Pennsylvania Crew Honored During 'Namesake' Visit to Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- Three Sailors from the ballistic submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) attended the 2009 Armed Forces Day (AFD) celebration on Harrisburg's City Island May 16.

Pennsylvania Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. John Freidman, Master Chief Electronics Technician and Chief of the Boat Dave Smith and Chief Storekeeper Jose Cardoza enjoyed the festivities, which included an extensive array of over 80 military displays, static displays and exhibitions, veterans information booths, classic rock and jazz musical performances, living history demonstrations, food stands, family and children's activities and many others.

The 2009 AFD celebration was sponsored by a local Navy League chapter and facilitated by Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mechanicsburg, in conjunction with the mayor's office.

During the opening ceremony, the Pennsylvania crew was recognized as honorary citizens of Harrisburg by the city's mayor, Stephen R. Reed.

"We very much appreciate that these crew members have taken the time to visit Harrisburg and to honor those who have served this nation in a similar capacity in the past," said Reed. "These submariners, past and present, are true national heroes and we owe each of them a debt that cannot be repaid. We thank each of them for their service to America."

In turn, the three Pennsylvania submariners presented the mayor with a plaque in appreciation of his service and support of our armed forces.

In addition to participating in AFD ceremonies, the crew spoke at a local high school and conducted interviews with Red 102.3 FM morning disc jockey, Rich Creeger, and ABC-27's "Live at Noon" anchor, Dennis Owens.

Time spent answering questions from students at Harrisburg High School's Junior Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit was the highlight of the trip.

"The students had many insightful questions, and many expressed a genuine interest in Naval service," noted Freidman. "We really enjoyed this visit and the chance to talk to the kids. Telling them about what we do was great! Hopefully, we inspired some of them to the join the Navy."

Freidman, Smith and Cardoza also joined members of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc., Harrisburg, to lay a wreath in honor of past submarine crew members at the submarine memorial at Riverfront Park.

At the wreath-laying ceremony, Navy League President Lee Schiller presented the three submariners with a proclamation designating Harrisburg as the honorary homeport of the Pennsylvania submarine crew.

For more news from Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsamech/.