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Over 300 plank owners and their guests visited the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) to celebrate “Plank Owner Day,” in Norfolk, Dec. 16.
Plank owners are individuals who were stationed on a ship at the time of the ship’s commissioning. The event was held to recognize John C. Stennis plank owners before the ship enters its refueling complex overhaul.
“This is the first time I have been on the ship in over 20 years,” said plank owner Israel Quintanilla. “I left in May of 1998. The ship looks great, and I hope to see it again when it is decommissioned.”
The plank owners participated in Sailor-led tours of the ship, a cake cutting ceremony, and listened to remarks from the John C. Stennis’ commanding officer, Capt. Randy Peck.
“First and foremost, I want to thank you for setting the conditions for 24 years of operational excellence,” said Peck. “The foundation for this operational excellence is the tremendous culture that you established as plank owners, and I believe it is your greatest success.”
The plank owners shared some of their fondest memories of their time spent on the ship during its first years of service.
“One of my favorite memories is when I made petty officer third class and the executive officer of the ship at the time selected me as his yeoman,” said plank owner Ginger Cotton Curtis. “I’m so excited to be back today.”
They also discussed memories involving the ship’s namesake, Senator John C. Stennis, himself.
“During the time we were in pre-commissioning, Senator Stennis actually passed away,” said plank owner Walter Reed. “Since the ship was named after him, the captain of the ship took six crew members down to Mississippi to be pallbearers for the funeral. It was an incredible honor to be part of that ceremony.”
Before departing, the plank owners reflected on their time spent aboard the ship and expressed their gratefulness for being able to visit.
“I enjoyed every bit of this,” said plank owner Corinne Brennan Johnson. “I met my husband here, and 24 years later here we are, still together. It was such an honor to be here today.”
The John C. Stennis is scheduled to begin preparations for its refueling complex overhaul in January 2020.
The John C. Stennis is conducting routine operations in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2019 14:46 |
| Story ID: | 356047 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, John C. Stennis Hosts Plank Owner Day, by PO2 Mitchell Banks, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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