The Centennial Cellebration of the Great White fleet

The Centennial Celebration of the Great White Fleet has gotten off to a great start.  It started with a resolution in the House of Representatives put forward by Senators James Webb, John Warner, and Thelma Drake recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Navy's Great White Fleet.  The resolution goes on to describe the contribution the Fleet had on our Navy and announces the formal ceremony for the celebration onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on December 15, 2008.  To download a copy of this resolution select here.

Events of 2008

A CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER

The events of Saturday evening to mark the centennial of the Great White Fleet’s departure from Hampton Roads were bigger and more elaborate than could have been anticipated before our attending.  Things kicked off at 6:00 in the evening onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in the hangar deck with over 500 people.

As the guest arrived we were able to walk around and take in the various information boards that presented the Secretary Winter’s message “Reflect on the Past, Focus on the Future” which was continually emphasized with images of then and now.  The brochure that was available during the evening 100 Years of Global Partnerships and Security – Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet.  Without going into detail, his message emphasizes three basic points:  Peace through Strength, A Tradition of Partnership, and Commitment to Defending our Nation.  To download a copy of this brochure select here.

The speakers for the evening went off without a hitch, starting with our “President” Theodore Roosevelt, an introduction by the Chief of Naval Operations, ADM Roughead, and the guest speaker Secretary Winter.

Events were supported by the Navy Band, a presentation the Colors, and an F-18 just to the left of the speakers.  Quite Impressive!!  In addition to the flag the Navy has also produced banners for the celebration and a commemorative coin that can be seen to the left.  These were presented at guests left the quarterdeck at the end of the evening.

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Around the World cruise of the Great White Fleet, the Battleship New Jersey, located at the Camden Waterfront has an exhibit of the cruise.

This display, which will be available for guests to experience in the Battleship’s “Museum Area” on the Main Deck, will be open through February 2009. Artifacts include postcards from Great White Fleet sailors from numerous points-of-call, photos of the many ships and various ports, and models.

Where is the Great White Fleet, a Movie Clip of the Great White Fleet celebrating the birth of Fleet Week in Cities on the West Coast.

On Tuesday, May 20th the City of Seattle turned out to greet the USS Mount Rushmore (LSD 47) and the USS Preble (DDG 88) as they came into Elliot Bay in full view of the cityscape.  Mayor Greg Nickels was joined by Assistant Secretary of the Navy, BJ Penn on the rooftop of Bell Harbor Plaza, Pier 66 to witness their arrival.

This event got the week off to a great start and received local and national press coverage.  The Navy Press Release provides more details.

On Wednesday, both ships were open to the public for visiting allowing the community to meet the sailors and experience first hand the environment onboard ships of our Navy.

It was a chance to peer into the well deck and see the LCAC that had been displayed the day before during the "parade of ships" and to see the equipment that transport Marines ashore.

That evening the citizens of Seattle were guest of the navy for a Gala event featuring exhibits on the Great White Fleet, an exquisite dinner, the Northwest Navy Band, speakers and entertainment.  Tents were rigged on the pier and the ship to allow for an area for dinner and a seating area for the speakers and events of the evening.  Static displays of equipment were presented on the pier by Marines.

Events began in the "big tent" rigged on the flight deck of the Rushmore.  More than 500 people filled the tent to overflow to enjoy the hospitality the fleet's cooking while enjoying music, conversation, and exhibit from the collection assembly from this website.

Displayed prominently within the dinner tent was a series of panels created for the centennial about the Great White Fleet Cruise.   The Navy commissioned photographer Brian R.Wolff, author and photographer of Rider of the Storm and From the Sea: The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps into the 21st Century,  to select original images of the cruise experience and combine them to create these panesl on canvas.  

Brian contacted me early in the process and was able to select from my collection items that would work to support his vision.  For me the panel at the upper right was particularly nice.  He was able to photograph an original map from the Frank Lesher Collection  and make a frame of images out of postcards of the cruise adventures.

The second part of the evening was organized on the pier under a large tent accomidating seating for 500.  Here the Navy's guests from Seattle started with a rousing speech from our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt (Mr. Joe Wiegand).  Everyone was moved by what he had to say and felt proud to be an American while in his presence.   Bill Larson, Seattle Navy League President, next bestowed awards to the Sailor-of-the Year from both ships.  Dr. James Reckner, author of Teddy Roosevelt's Great White Fleet, was our next speaker who tallked about the fleet's importance, entertaining the crowd with stories from the fleet's trip and the politics of the day.

The Northwest Navy Band

Throughout the evenings events the ambiance and character of a special time was maintained by the Northwest Navy Band, Somewhere in Time Unlimited, and the stories of Mr. Roosevelt.

Somewhere in Time Unlimited

Mr. President

Events were not over yet.  On Thursday, Dr. Reckner and President Roosevelt joined the Navy's Rock band to entertain the students at Roosevelt High School in Seattle.  Over 250 students listened to a presentation on Teddy Roosevelt and the Great White Fleet.  For lunch they were able to hear the Navy as they performed in the commons some favorite hits of the students.

In Memory of our Famous Cruise Around the World

Otto Sindelar, USS Virginia

On Thursday evening the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), Seattle's home for history had a reception and speaker to celebrate the Great White Fleet Centennial.  For me the opportunity to exhibit part of my collection in Seattle was a chance to share history and participate in this important ocassion.  The exhibit team at MOHAI, Mark Gleason and Julianne Baron did an amazing job of tackling voumes of information and presenting them in a visual story about the cruise.

Following the reception the Navy sang to a standing ovation in the auditorium before our guest speaker, Dr. James Reckner spoke on the cruise of the Great White Fleet.  It was a great finish to a perfect evening.

THE NEW ZEALAND EMBASSY

REMEMBERS THE GREAT WHITE FLEET

On June 5th the New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC celebrated their long heritage with the American Navy by celebrating the Centennial of the Great White Fleet.  The event was planned with food, entertainment, and the company of people from around the world.

The evening started at the entrance to the Embassy where Moari tribal dance began the events with a presentation to the Secretary of the Navy of a token of friendship received under a traditional arch from New Zealand.

Within the lower reception area plans had been made for grills that prepared traditional beef, chicken, and lamp to perfection.  Tables were finished in selections of breads, cheeses, fruit, and sweets.

As the presentation began, Ambassador Roy Ferguson spoke about the long relationship between New Zealand and America, the start being the visit of the Great White fleet.

Above, the Ambassador presents Secretary Winters and painting commissioned for the evening events.  The work shows the USS Connecticut in Auckland Harbor in 1908.  At right, the Secretary and the Admiral unveil the painting.

My traveling exhibit of twenty framed panels was shown in the main space of the Embassy.  The panels are divided with 10 panels displaying port visits and what sailors did in the port, and ten panels displaying themes of the journey.  My evening include a brief moment with the Secretary while he viewed the exhibit.

The evening continued with an additional performance from the Moari group, conversation, food, and celebration.  As the evening ended I was lucky to get a photograph of my Mother with a painting of the Connecticut before the picture was taken off to somewhere in the Pentagon.  I also had a chance, the first in my lifetime to meet the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Joe R. Campa, Jr.  Indeed a special evening.