Mountaineers Celebrate Armed Forces Day in Namesake

By Lt. Sean Teter, USS West Virginia Public Affairs

May 19, 2010 - KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) (Gold) crew members returned to the Mountain State to celebrate Armed Forces Day during a bi-annual namesake visit May 11-16.

Chief of the Boat, Master Chief Machinist's Mate (SS) Julian Czeiszperger, and three other crew members visited West Virginia to promote camaraderie with local mountaineers and to foster the strong relationship the submarine crew shares with its namesake state. During the visit, Sailors participated in multiple Armed Forces Day celebrations, including an honorary dinner and parade held in South Charleston, W. Va.

The Sailors were honored with two chance meetings: a Medal of Honor recipient and fallen shipmate's family. At the Armed Forces Day dinner, the Sailors met with the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the state of West Virginia – Hershel "Woody" Williams, U.S. Marine Corps. Williams received the Medal of Honor for heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty on Iwo Jima in February 1945.

"Mr. Williams put his own life on the line to save his fellow Marines. I am humbled to have met an American hero," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Seth Ellsworth. "Hearing about his experience really puts into perspective the importance of having your shipmates' back."

During the Armed Forces Day parade, the West Virginia Sailors met with the parents of a fallen fellow Submariner, Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Joseph Ashley from the USS San Francisco (SSN 711). "Although none of us personally knew MM2 Ashley, the dolphins worn by all qualified submariners creates an eternal bond," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SS) Rudy Eddins.

The Armed Forces Day events were important for the West Virginia Sailors to represent the submarine force and Navy, yet, the event that commits the Sailors to the bi-annual trips is the time spent at the West Virginia Children's Home (WVCH) in Elkins, W.Va. Sailors provide reading and math tutoring as well as mentorship to the children.

"Every off-crew period we plan a trip to West Virginia," said Czeiszperger. "It is important that we go to the Children's Home and spend time with the kids. Many of them have troubled pasts and the time we spend with them is important to show that people do care and to let them know that we want to see them succeed."