Olympic Silver Medalist, NASA Astronaut Visit GTMO

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW) Bill Mesta, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- An Olympic medalist and a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut were members of a group that visited Naval Station (NAVSTA) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 13.

Heavy Medal Tour II, sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) in concert with NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay's Moral, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program, included silver medalist and five-time Olympian skier, Todd Lodwick; two-time shuttle astronaut and four-time space walker, Steve Swanson; and U.S. Olympic committee VIPs John Ruger and Robi Powers.

"We brought America's heroes to the world's heroes," said Robi Powers, Olympic ski coach and founder of The Warrior Tours Foundation.

The Heavy Medal Tour II group was brought to Guantanamo Bay as a result of the efforts of the base's MWR program.

"We were approached by AFE about the tour and what is it they do when they visit bases." said Corey Grier, Guantanamo Bay's MWR community activities director. "After hearing more about their hands-on approach and looking into the response from other bases they visited, we jumped at the chance to bring in the group."

The group started its tour with NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay's Security Department. The group interacted with Sailors attached to the Security Department and were given a demonstration by the K-9 unit.

"The security force was an incredible group of naval law enforcement personnel," said Powers.

The group continued its tour of the base at Guantanamo Bay's Radio Station as guests called the weekly "Open Line" show with remarks.

During the broadcast, the group presented Command Master Chief J.D. McKinney, NAVSTA Guantanamo's command master chief, with an autographed t-shirt.

"These t-shirt went from Bagdad to Bahrain and now finds itself in one of the greatest military installations in the world, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba," said Powers. "We are dropping them off at the various units we are visiting and asking your chiefs to use them as part of their rewards prize vault or enlisted recognition program for service members who excel and go above and beyond."

McKinney thanked the group for their visit to NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay.

"The Heavy Medal Tour (II) is a thank you tour for the service members," said McKinney. "But it is more than that. You guys are here spreading inspiration."

During the evening, the group hosted a meet and greet for the entire base community at Denich Gym. The event provided service members, civilians and families an opportunity for autograph signing, photograph opportunities and provided them a chance to hold Lodwick's Olympic silver medal.

The event also gave community members the opportunity to ask questions and interact directly with the guests.

"It is our pleasure to come and meet everybody and share our experiences with them," said Swanson.