Two Young Children Have a Day of Their Dreams

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leah Stiles, Fleet Week Media Center

May 3, 2010 - PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- April 29 started off pretty grim for a young sister and brother, but thanks to Sailors stationed aboard USS Newport News (SSN 750), they ended up having a day of their dreams.

Six-year-old Amanda Topple was on her fourteenth day of being hospitalized at the Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital for complications from cystic fibrosis. Although her three-year-old brother Cole also suffers from the same condition, he was only in the hospital as a visitor this time.

The day began to brighten when they were told that Amanda would be discharged today. To top the good news off, the children heard rumors there were Sailors from Newport News visiting as part of the 20th Anniversary Fleet Week Port Everglades.

"Where are they?" said Amanda as she peeked out her door and down the hallway.

"I see them!" claimed Cole. "One Sailor, two Sailors, three Sailors, woah! A lot of Sailors!"

The Sailors spent the day visiting various wards to wish the children well and pass out gifts. The children grinned as they received stickers and photos of the submarine.

"I really want to go there, I want to go on a submarine!" said Cole as he looked at the photo.

Fortunately, this was a dream that these Sailors could make come true. They arranged a visit to the submarine for the Topple family.

"The little boy was telling us about how he wanted to be on a submarine, it made me feel proud," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Stephen Lowman.

The family arrived at Port Everglades later that day. Walking on the pier, the children dropped their jaws in awe of the mighty submarine.

"After meeting Cole and Amanda at the hospital, I think we were all looking forward to their visit, the crew anticipated it very much," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) John Lane.

They made their way down the port hole and headed straight for the periscope. From there they went to see the torpedoes upon Cole's request. They continued to the berthings where they bumped into Cmdr. J. Carl Hartsfield, commanding officer of Newport News.

"Want to see the captain's stateroom?" Hartsfield asked.

In the captains' stateroom they were presented stickers, ball caps, and a book about the submarine. They put the caps on and posed for a photo with Hartsfield.

"We are very pleased to have visitors on board. I hope they continue to be healthy and happy and live good lives," said Hartsfield. "Hopefully, they just had a good day, that's what is most important."

"It was great, I've always wanted to do this since I joined the Navy, going to a children's hospital and trying to help people," said Lane. "It was an excellent opportunity to meet great kids as brave and fun as they are. This was just amazing."