USS Nicholas Celebrates War of 1812

From USS Nicholas Public Affairs

USS NICHOLAS, At Sea (NNS) -- In remembrance of the War of 1812, the crew of USS Nicholas (FFG 47) participated in physical fitness workouts and War of 1812 discussions, April 16.

Nicholas is currently deployed supporting Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) counter-narcotics operations in the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility in support of Operation Martillo.

For three days, the crew discussed key events from the War of 1812 on the ship's foc'sle, to include a story of Isaac Hull's kedging and rowing the Constitution away from a fleet of British ships in the Delaware Bay, a presentation of the Revenue Cutter Service's (the forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard) contribution led by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Edel Fonseca, and a recounting of the story of The Star-Spangled Banner followed by the singing of the national anthem by Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate Charles Howard.

After each War of 1812 discussion, the crew would follow up with a workout of 300 repetitions. There were six workout sessions equaling a combined 1,800 repetitions. Following the last heritage discussion and workout, Cmdr. Stephen Fuller, Nicholas commanding officer, got his choice of the final 12 repetitions, bringing the combined repetition total to 1812.

"We hope to make this an enriching experience, honoring and remembering where we came from and embracing the example of, 'I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before us to defend freedom and democracy around the world,'" said Command Senior Chief Joe Marlow, event organizer.

Following the final ceremony and workout session the ship held a social gathering to celebrate the past heroes of the War of 1812 and those who participated and completed the challenge.

Operation Martillo (Spanish for 'hammer') is a U.S., European, and Western Hemisphere partner nation effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. U.S. military participation is being led by JIATF-S, a component of USSOUTHCOM. Operation Martillo is a component of the U.S. government's coordinated interagency regional security strategy in support of the White House strategy to combat transnational organized crime and the U.S. Central America Regional Security Initiative.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.