Sailors from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) met their ship's namesake in Houston, Oct. 18.

Former President George H.W. Bush is the only living namesake of a U.S Navy aircraft carrier, and the significance of the meeting was not lost on the Sailors who attended.

"It's very rare that a Sailor actually gets to meet the person their ship is named after," said Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Martens. "He's accomplished so much in his life and he's incredibly busy, yet he and Mrs. Bush took the time to meet us and that was an incredible honor. I hope that we made him proud of the Sailors that serve on the ship named after him."

The meeting was not only an unforgettable event for the GHWB Sailors; it was an enjoyable experience for the former president, as well.

"I love spending time with our men and women in uniform," said Bush, "so you can imagine how thrilled I was when some Sailors came to visit during Navy Week in Houston. And the fact that some of them were from USS George H.W. Bush made it seem like family."

The visit was part of a trip to Houston for Navy Week, an event coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans the opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.

GHWB is currently preparing for a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) which will test all warfare mission areas of the ship and Carrier Strike Group 2.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit http://www.navy.mil/.