Commissioning crew members of future Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Sioux City (LCS 11) visited their namesake city to join in honoring veterans and celebrate their holiday.

Led by Cmdr. Shockey Snyder, LCS Crew 110 commanding officer; Cmdr. Randy Malone, LCS Crew 110 executive officer; and Master Chief Petty Officer Timothy Hardin, the unit's command master chief; the group also included seven Sailors who traveled to Iowa to represent the Navy and the ship which will bear the city's name.

The contingent of Sailors traveled from their Mayport, Florida homeport to the greater Sioux City area for three days during the Veterans Day weekend, where they delivered presentations about their ship and the Navy at a couple schools, visited with veterans, and learned a lot about the community.

They also conducted a community relations event at Sioux City's Gospel Mission Center, where they manned the food service line and scullery to provide the Sioux City less fortunate a hot, mid-day meal. With the support of the Crew 110 Sailors, the Center was able to host and feed nearly 500.

"The Sailors of PCU (Pre-Commissioning Unit) Sioux City came to the Gospel Mission to give back to the community of Sioux City," said Hardin. "It feels great to serve others, and to exchange stories and talk about life. The stories you hear at these events are priceless. We have really connected with the Sioux City community."

On Nov. 11, Crew 110 Sailors began the day at the annual Hy-Vee Veterans Day breakfast -- an event in which the supermarket chain provided free breakfast to veterans. There, crew members had the opportunity to interact with veterans from across the city and region.

"The entire Sioux City community has been incredibly welcoming and is very enthusiastic about the ship," said Snyder. "This has been a great opportunity for the community to meet and get to know the Sailors that will crew the ship. I want Sioux City to know that this is their ship, too, and I want them to be active participants in the ship's life."

Over the course of the three days, Crew 110 met with hundreds of Sioux City natives. Veterans, community members, and students of all ages were all able to interact with the Sailors and learn about them and their ship.

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