Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Sawyer Connally | 191219-N-NQ285-1028 NORFOLK, Va. (Dec. 19, 2019) Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Dick Hanley,...... read more read more
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Conner Foy
NORFOLK, Va. - A U.S. Navy veteran toured the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) Dec. 19 at Naval Station Norfolk.
Christmas came early for retired Cmdr. Dick Hanley who was invited by Rear Adm. Charles W. Rock, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic to tour Stout.
“It’s certainly been a gift from the Navy for me to be here,” said Hanley.
Hanley was drafted into the Navy in 1943 and became a commissioned officer in 1946. During his 20-year career, Hanley served on four destroyers: USS Trathen (DD 530), USS Gearing (DD 710), USS Wallace L. Lind (DD 703) and served as the commanding officer of USS Stormes (DD 780).
Hanley was welcomed aboard Stout by Cmdr. Tammy McCreary, the ship’s executive officer.
“I think men and women who served before us have a great lesson to pass down,” said McCreary. “As we struggle through where we are at in this Navy's time, they share the lessons they learned during their Navy’s time.”
During the tour, Hanley ate with the crew on the mess decks and visited the ship’s combat information center and the bridge.
While in the combat information center, Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Hoppa, the ship’s system test officer, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Craig Howe, the ship’s combat information center officer, explained the modern technology aboard Stout in comparison to the destroyers Hanley served aboard.
“It’s really nice to know we have good people like yourselves running things,” said Hanley.
On the ship’s bridge, Lt. Josh Asard, the ship's navigator, gave Hanley a tour of what goes on behind the helm of a modern destroyer and the new technology involved.
“It’s a whole new world since I was in,” said Hanley. “I spent a lot of time on ships. This is entirely different.”
Hanley thanked Stout crewmembers for giving him a tour and expressed that even though it has been 50 years since he has served, the Navy remains an important part of his life.
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.20.2019 14:32 |
| Story ID: | 356776 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 194 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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