Crew members from San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) took part in a "Founders Day" celebration at their namesake Mesa Verde National Park Aug. 23-25, commemorating 100 years of the National Park Service (NPS).

Eight members of the crew, including Commanding Officer Capt. Randall Peck celebrated with park rangers, staff and members of Native American tribes with ancestral ties to the area. This marked the crew's first visit to the park in more than 10 years -- the first since the ship's commissioning December 2007.

"The mission for this namesake visit was commemoration and connection -- commemoration of the National Park Service 100-year anniversary and connection to the park staff, state and Navy League officials, our sponsor and the Native Americans whose Puebloan ancestors called Mesa Verde home," said Peck. "I cannot imagine a more fulfilling trip for these seven Mesa Verde Sailors in developing a sense of connection and perspective as we go forward representing the park and its people."

Highlights of the namesake visit included a stop at a Albuquerque Isotopes minor league baseball game where Peck threw out the first pitch and Sailors provided the flag detail for the national anthem; a visit to Shiprock High School's Marine Corps Junior ROTC in New Mexico; Native American cultural activities; ranger-led tours of park sites; and a stop in Pueblo at the Center for American Values. Sailors also visited the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver to receive a state flag from the governor, and to be honored as "Hometown Heroes" by the Denver Broncos during a preseason game.

Upon arriving at the park, crew members spent time with park maintenance personnel clearing the trail to the South Mesa dwellings.

"It was awesome to give back to our namesake," said Mesa Verde Sailor of the Year, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 1st Class Sherman Windley. "We were able to do something that none of us has ever done before in clearing and cleaning up the trail that not only benefitted us by our giving, but will benefit those who will be using it."

During the Founder's Day celebration at their namesake park, Sailors joined with NPS personnel to form a joint color guard to kick off the event which featured comments from Peck, Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer, former Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse-Campbell and his wife Linda, who is also the ship's sponsor. Peter Pino, a Zia Pueblo tribal leader who blessed the ship at its commissioning was also present with tribal members to perform a traditional "Buffalo Dance" before the crew received a tour of the park's facilities.

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