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BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY, continued

the US Navy regardless of rate,” according to DCC(Sel)
Jameal Defreitas of NR LCS ASW NYC. is was an
opportunity to sharpen our DC skills, work as a team, but
also a moment to re ect on the daunting and dangerous
challenges many sailors have faced in tragedies to save a
ship. e Camden Fire Department brought this to life by
providing their re hoses and apparatus for the training.
After this training we marched back to the Battleship with
another rendition of Anchors Away at full bore, there were
civilians visiting the ship and we needed to let them know
who we were.

By day three, a four-mile run from the USS NEW
JERSEY pier, across the Delaware River via the Benjamin
Franklin Bridge all the way to the cruiser USS OLYMPIA
and the submarine, USS BECUNA in Philly. All of the
CPO Selects, the Chiefs Mess, and the Chief of the Navy
Reserve and the Force Master Chief of the Reserves were
in attendance for this monumental run. Motivational
cadences helped keep pace along the way. As we moved
through the streets of Philadelphia, we once again rang
out to the City of Brotherly Love to let the people Chief Petty Oˆcer selects participate in damage control
operations. Special thanks to Camden Fire Department.
know we were in town. Once the run was complete, the
CNR took a moment to address us with his charge and
vision. Next, we toured the USS BECUNA and the USS
OLYMPIA. e OLYMPIA is the oldest American steel
ship still a oat as well as the agship for Admiral Dewey
during the Battle of Manila Bay. e famous quote “ re
when ready Gridley” is attributed to this very ship. is
ship was very di erent to say the least, it was dressed in
beautiful polished wood, fabric panels, staterooms, and
hammocks for the enlisted men. e daily duties of those
sailors who served on the ship must have been arduous
and rigorous, and included shoveling coal to refuel the
ships around the clock. It’s incredible how far we have
truly come. e USS BECUNA moored alongside was
impressive in her own right. Small hatches, small racks,
small spaces but enormous capability and power. She is
highly decorated with 4 battle stars for her contributions
to World War II. Truly an honor to walk her spaces.

We closed that evening with a memorial for CTICS
Shannon Kent. A somber presence lled the bow of the
ship, we learned about and remembered our fallen sister.
e details of Senior Chief Kent’s life, her personality,
her achievements, her disposition, and the impact she
had on all sailors. Together, we recalled the moments at
her funeral where Chiefs from across the eet gathered
CPO’s and CPO Selects doing a little morning Physical training.

16 The Mariner • 2019 FALL Edition • Volume 62 • Issue 3