Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Pastrick | GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (July 14, 2018) Wreaths rest against a wall of the Gerald R. Ford...... read more read more
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The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation hosted a wreath laying ceremony where Sailors were invited to lay a wreath bearing their ship’s crest at the tomb of Gerald and Betty Ford. The ceremony occurs as part of a long-standing tradition in which the current president sends a wreath to the grave of every past president on their birthday. Ford Sailors were also invited to take part in a commemorative tree planting at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
“It’s really important to be here,” said Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Chris Atwood, from Livonia, Michigan, assigned to Ford’s command religious ministries department. “To learn the history of our namesake shows us why he was such a great human being, a great president, and a great man.”
Five Ford Sailors, most of them Michigan natives, made the three-day trip to honor their ship’s namesake and support the local community.
“As Michiganders, the opportunity to come back to our home state is truly special,” said Lt. Sarah Brower, from Grand Haven, Michigan, assigned to Ford’s medical department. “It’s very exciting to be able to share our stories and experiences with the community, and also to be able to serve in a different way by supporting the organizations that President Ford and his family were dedicated to.”
The weekend included several volunteer opportunities with local organizations, including the Salvation Army Ray and Kroc Corps Community Center, Boy Scouts of America, and Kid’s Food Basket, a local non-profit that grows and provides after-school meals for children in need.
“I was profoundly humbled by the work and spirit of the citizens of Grand Rapids,” said Brower. “The organizations that we visited are doing impressive and impactful work in the community. It was unbelievable.”
The group also received a personal guided tour of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum from the museum’s curator.
“As a lover of history, this trip really strengthened my knowledge and connection to the Ford family and what we as CVN 78 Sailors should strive to stand for and emulate,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Jeremy Stoecklein, from Hutchinson, Kansas, assigned to Ford’s air department. “Representing the namesake of an incredibly dynamic leader in our nation is no small task. But, after this trip and spending time with President Ford’s loved ones and friends, I truly believe that he would be excited to witness the hard work and dedication that our team displays every day and how integrity is at the forefront off all we do.”
Stoecklein serves as the ship’s historian and has personally mentored hundreds of Sailors through the command’s indoctrination program.
The event concluded with the Ford family and members of the Ford Foundation unveiling a statue dedicated to former first lady Betty Ford in honor of what would have been her 100th birthday. As the sheet was pulled away, Grand Rapids was introduced to Betty’s smile and outstretched hand, welcoming all who visit the Ford Museum.
“This trip showed me that President Ford and 1st Lady Betty Bloomer Ford still impact Americans every day in the most positive ways and their legacy will no doubt live on for years to come,” said Stoecklein. “I will never forget the experience, stories, organizations, and people from this amazing town, and they will always hold a special place with me as I move on in my career and life.”
As the Sailors prepared for their return to USS Gerald R. Ford, pride and humility were unanimous among the group.
“For us, it’s an honor to be able to come back home and give back to a community that already held a place in our hearts,” said Brower. “I feel privileged to be part of the crew and to carry forth the legacy of such a distinguished figure in the nation’s, particularly Michigan’s, history.”
For more information and to see photos and videos of the Gerald R. Ford Sailor’s trip to Michigan, visit www.dvidshub.net/unit/cvn78.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2018 10:01 |
| Story ID: | 284720 |
| Location: | GRAND RAPIDS, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 153 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USS Gerald R. Ford Sailors Visit Grand Rapids, by PO1 Jason Pastrick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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