USS Constitution and her crew took more than 450 guests underway from the ship's berth in Charlestown, Mass., Sept. 20, to honor educators from across the New England region.
In coordination with the USS Constitution Museum, the ship’s crew hosted educators as a thank you for their tremendous support of the U.S. Armed Services, veterans and the nation and to acknowledge the significant impact teachers have on today’s generation.
Among the educators aboard was David Cornwell, a history teacher at Rutland Middle School in Vermont, who stated that being aboard the underway was a great experience for him and one that he will carry on to his students.
“Constitution is a living link to our history,” said Cornwell. “It ties together our founding and our present day.”
Cmdr. Nathaniel R. Shick, 75th commanding officer of USS Constitution, said that he was proud to host the educators.
“If we make a positive impact, both from a recreational standpoint along with showing our guests the humanitarian perspective of our crewmembers, it shows them that the military has a lot to offer both educators and students,” said Shick. “I know that they will leave with a positive and knowledgeable experience.”
Also aboard the ship for the underway was Marvin Gilmore, a WWII Army veteran. Gilmore stated that being aboard Constitution for the underway was one of the greatest honors of his life and spoke about the lasting impact of his service.
“My soldiers and I fought to make life easier for all of you today,” said Gilmore. “I’m proud to see these young men and women in uniform. When I was serving there was a difference between black and white officers, and I’m happy to see that has changed. I’m honored to be aboard this beautiful ship today.”
During the underway, Constitution fired a 21-gun salute near Fort Independence on Castle Island, which was returned by the 101st Field Artillery Regiment of the Massachusetts National Guard.
The ship also fired an additional 17 rounds as she passed U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston, the former site of Edmund Hartt's shipyard where Constitution was built.
Each round of this salute honored the 16 states that comprised the United States when Constitution launched in 1797 and one in honor of the ship herself.
USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.
The USS Constitution Museum serves as the memory and educational voice of USS Constitution by preserving and interpreting the stories of “Old Ironsides” and those associated with her.
Designated America’s Ship of State, Constitution and her crew engage in community outreach and education about the ship’s history and the importance of naval power to more than 500,000 visitors each year.
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2020 15:41 |
| Story ID: | 360143 |
| Location: | BOSTON, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USS Constitution Honors Educators Underway, by PO2 Casey S Scoular, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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