A 91-year-old World War II veteran and retired chief petty officer (CPO) at the Commonwealth Senior Living Georgian Manor in Chesapeake, Virginia, received a visit from more than 50 members of the Hampton Roads Chiefs Mess May 4.

Retired Chief Signalman Clifford Wolff, a World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran, met with members of the Hampton Roads area Chiefs Mess during a visit requested and arranged by the facility's staff, who said Wolff's health is declining and he wanted to visit with area chief petty officers.

"With Memorial Day right around the corner, I can't think of a better way than to visit those who served before me to show respect for our veterans," said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Megan Newberry, the CNATTU Oceana command career counselor. "My grandfather was a World War II veteran and my father served in the Navy, and as a chief, I feel it's not simply a duty to respect those who had a hand in maintaining the freedoms of this great nation - it's an honor."

Navy chief petty officers have historically employed a strong bond spanning generations, something stemming from the selection and subsequent training required of every 1st class petty officer chosen for advancement to the rank.

"No matter when or where they served, they are forever a member of the Chiefs Mess," said Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Mate Gilbert Orosco. "Brothers and sisters such as Chief Wolff are a link to the heritage we know as chief petty officers, and having the opportunity to meet and hear stories from a Sailor who was involved in wars that we today have only read about is a truly humbling experience."

Each of the Hampton Roads Chiefs Mess members spent time with Wolff, listening to stories of events which happened before they were even born, including Wolff's volunteering for the Antarctic Exploration as well as serving with Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd, the famed pioneering aviator and polar explorer.

After noticing stars adorning some of the doors in the facility, indicating residents who served in the U. S. Armed Forces, the Chiefs Mess members extended their visit reaching out to other veterans.

"Coming here today is one of the best ways to remind ourselves just how precious life is, and of the camaraderie, not only among the oldest to the newest, members of the mess share, but of those who truly paved the way for us to be here today," said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Jonathan Heyer, the CNATTU Oceana aviation ordnanceman phase lead instructor.

"These men and women who served before us are a link to an era that we honestly can't even imagine, and to have the privilege to hear their stories is an experience I want each and every Sailor, Marine, Soldier and Airmen serving today to have."

"I believe it's important to be here to keep our traditions alive," said Senior Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Ben Trevino, the CNATTU Oceana F/A-18 E-F Super Hornet chief petty officer in charge. "We want to let our veterans know we still care, and experiencing a different perspective of the military was truly humbling."

CNATTU Oceana is part of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, which provides single site management for Navy and Marine Corps aviation technical training. CNATTU Oceana provides specialized technical training to aviation maintenance professionals for F/A-18 Hornets and automated test equipment in direct support of genuine and emerging fleet requirements.

CNATTU is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost under Naval Education and Training Command.

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