HST Celebrates Thanksgiving with CNO, MCPON

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class anthony flynn | 181122-N-PE636-0030 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Nov. 22, 2018) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. John Richardson speaks with Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). While aboard, the CNO and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), Master Chief Russell Smith are celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday serving dinner to the crew; reenlisting 22 Sailors in the ship’s hangar bay; and personally recognizing the more than 5,000 Sailors deployed aboard Harry S. Truman. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Flynn/Released)  

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

11.22.2018

Story by Adelola Tinubu 

USS Harry S Truman

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. John Richardson, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), Master Chief Russell Smith, embarked the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Nov. 22 to celebrate the season of giving with Truman’s more than 5,000 Sailors.

“Everybody in the United States Navy and national leadership is watching your deployment,” said Adm. Richardson. “You are really defining the cutting edge of operations as the strike group gets out and exercises the concept of dynamic force employment. And on behalf of everybody who’s back home…they are absolutely and tremendously thankful for what you are doing. We are very mindful that while we spend comfortable time at home you are out here at the pointy end of the spear doing tremendously difficult and dangerous work…that you do so to protect America from attack, to promote our interests around the world, and make us a more prosperous nation.”

During the visit, CNO and MCPON spent a large majority of time recognizing Sailors for their service and sacrifice throughout the year. Along with walking the entirety of Harry S. Truman’s four and a half acres, the Navy’s top leaders served Thanksgiving dinner to the crew; enjoyed a meal with command, staff and squadron Sailors of the Year; and held an event in the hangar bay where CNO reenlisted 22 Sailors.

“It was pretty cool and I feel pretty lucky,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Vincent Burgeois, a reenlistee. “Not a lot of people get to say that they were reenlisted by the CNO. I reenlisted to finish my engineering degree, and I love traveling the world. Plus the reenlistment bonus is really nice,” he said with a grin.

Following the reenlistment ceremony was a holiday feast, which the Harry S. Truman supply team has planned for since July. The 6,300 lb. meal was served by the culinary specialists and assisting personnel for nearly seven and a half hours. The meal was a highlight for many Sailors, but was particularly special to one of the Navy’s newest additions.

“It made me feel special,” said Seaman Domnique Wilkinson, Harry S. Truman’s Bluejacket of the Year. “I definitely never thought that I would ever be sitting at the table with CNO. That was something spectacular to me. It was a good time for me to sit back and listen to the conversation, [the senior petty officers] had some really good questions, and I learned a lot about the Navy and the things [CNO] implemented…it was a good for me to see my next steps toward where I need to be in my career.”

Since deploying in April, the crew aboard Harry S. Truman has flown combat operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, conducted numerous bilateral training events, operated above the Arctic Circle, and participated in Exercise Baltic Operations 2018 and Trident Juncture 2018 – all while flexing the U.S. Navy’s dynamic force employment strategy. And, despite not being home for the holidays, this Thanksgiving was full of good cheer and high morale.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to spend time with our Sailors who are operating forward, where the nation needs them,” said MCPON Smith. “I’m eager to talk to them about what’s on their minds. I want to make sure they understand I don’t take for granted the fact that they are standing the watch each and every day. I’m humbled and honored to share that experience with them, even if it’s for just a bit.”

Currently operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, Harry S. Truman will continue to foster cooperation with regional allies and partners, strengthen regional stability, and remain vigilant, agile and dynamic.

For more information about Truman, visit www.facebook.com/USSTruman or www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/.

• Date Taken: 11.22.2018
• Date Posted: 11.22.2018 16:51
• Story ID: 301060
• Location: MEDITERRANEAN SEA