Norfolk Admirals attend luncheon at Naval Station Norfolk

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Mandy Hunsucker | Sailors and civilians mingle with the Norfolk Admirals Hockey Team at the Breezy Point Officer's Club on board Naval Station Norfolk. The event, hosted by the base's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation association, offered guest the opportunity to have lunch with the players and receive autographs.  

UNITED STATES

11.03.2008

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Wax 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Reserve)

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph R. Wax
Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Admirals professional hockey team from the American Hockey League attended a meet-and-greet luncheon with military members and local civilians on board Naval Station Norfolk, Nov. 3, 2008.

Admirals players and coaches spent time talking with and signing autographs for those in attendance at the buffet-style lunch served at Breezy Point officer's club.

"This is really interesting for us, I am pretty pumped up," said Admirals captain, Zenon Konopka. "We get to trade stories back and forth, meet some cool people and get the inside scoop on the military."

After some mingling between the Admirals and some of their fans, Naval Station Norfolk commanding officer, Capt. Steven J. DiNobile kicked off the lunch portion of the luncheon by thanking the coaches and players for taking time to meet with the military members and their families.

"I really appreciate you coming out here to spend time with us," said DiNobile. "I am a big hockey fan, so I love doing this."

During their conversations, some of the Sailors and Admirals found out that their lives were actually fairly similar.

"How they live is really similar to us," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Lindsay, a member of the Naval Station Norfolk tour office. "Their buses have racks on them similar to ours and they travel around close to six months a year."

Konopka also saw a lot of similarity in the two careers.

"We both have unique jobs and there are no individuals on our teams," said Konopka. "At times we both have stressful jobs, but we are all just regular people. It is nice to sit back and have a couple of laughs together."

For Lt. Matthew Finneran, the Naval Station Norfolk security officer, this was also a great chance to meet some interesting people from around the world.

"They are from different parts of the world, so it is great to swap stories with them," said Finneran. "It is exciting to hear them talk about playing hockey all over the world."

This was the third straight year that Naval Station Norfolk Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted the Admirals for a meet-and-greet with fans.

The Admirals play their home games at Norfolk Scope Arena in downtown Norfolk.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2008
• Date Posted: 11.03.2008 15:59
• Story ID: 25873
• Location: US