Mount Whitney Hosts U.S. Ambassador to Netherlands

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Sylvia Nealy, USS Mount Whitney Public Affairs

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (NNS) -- The U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted more than 70 distinguished guests Aug. 25 during a reception aboard the U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during the vessel's three-day port visit to Amsterdam.

Fay Hartog-Levin, U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands made opening remarks during the reception, and said she was honored to host the event.

"When I started thinking about tonight's event, I was reminded yet again of a critical role ships have played in the relationships between our two countries," she said.

Hartog-Levin also commented on the history the U.S. and the Netherlands share, speaking about the first recorded gun salute given to the American flag.

"In 1776, an American ship under the flag our new nation entered the harbor on the Dutch Island of Saint Eustatius in the West Indies," she said. "The Island governor acknowledged her with an eleven shot salute from the fort."

Hartog-Levin said the importance of the two navies partnership has historical value, and the continued alliance between the U.S and the Netherlands.

"Still today our presence on the high seas makes a positive difference in the world with our two nations and working together in important areas reconfirm the value of our partnership," she said.

Guests enjoyed a catered buffet by Mount Whitney's Military Sealift Command civil service mariners, and live music from the Naples, Italy-based Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Naval Forces Europe/Naval Forces Africa (CNE-CNA/C6F) band.

"Looking at the reaction of the audience makes me feel good knowing that I can touch people though my music which is something I love," said CNE-CNA/C6F Musician 2nd Class (SW) Kori Gillis, the band's singer.

Mount Whitney is on a regularly scheduled deployment, serving as the U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship homeported in Gaeta, Italy and operates with a hybrid crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.