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The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) hosted the George Washington University (GWU) Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) to rededicate the historic George Washington bust on the ship’s ceremonial quarterdeck Sept. 28.
The George Washington bust, donated by the university, was first dedicated in 1997 during a visit from Dr. Stephen J. Trachtenberg, the university’s president at the time in order to establish closer ties with the Navy and GWU.
The bust on USS George Washington is one of four created by Avard Fairbanks and later given to GWU in 1993. One bust rest on the GWU campus and another is showcased at entrance of the Mount Vernon Museum on the grounds of the home of General George Washington.
The rededication ceremony began with a blessing from the Lt. Cmdr. Jean Wilking from Port-au, Haiti, one of George Washington’s command chaplains. “Rededicating the bust of General George Washington symbolizes a new beginning for our Sailors and our Mighty warship, serving as a symbol of freedom and peace around the world,” said Wilking.
GWU midshipmen stood in formation adjacent to the bust and in front of Capt. Jean M. Sullivan, the unit’s commanding officer and Capt. Brent C. Gaut commanding officer of George Washington.
Sullivan spoke about how the bust has continued to build relationships old and new, “Getting away from GWU to visit with the fleet is a great opportunity for our midshipmen to see how the real Navy works. It has also been an unexpected opportunity to visit with old shipmates,” said Sullivan. “Capt. Gaut and I were both commanding officers of ships on the same pier here in Norfolk years ago and here we are today, uniting our future Navy with today’s Navy.”
Gaut spoke to the midshipmen about the importance of communal ties and continuing to sustain relationships with organizations like GWU as the ship prepares to become the forward-deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) aircraft carrier.
"We lost a lot of connections while we were in the shipyards," said Gaut. "One of the connections, was our connection with George Washington University. We are now working hard to build our connections that are part of our ship's legacy. This bust that we showcase on our ship is a symbol of our connection with GWU and we are going to continue to build that bond."
The ceremony included remarks from GWU midshipmen Richard Suchyta,“For hundreds of years men and women have come before us, doing, achieving, and sacrificing so much that it's difficult to feel like we could ever measure up,” said Suchyta. “Now is our time to prepare, because soon it will be us stepping aboard and going underway on this and many other great ships like it, and we owe it to the legacy we are upholding to be ready.”
Gaut also touched on developing leadership skills while still in college and encouraged them to reflect on the commitment from Sailors and Marines who served generations before them.
George Washington is pierside in Naval Station Norfolk in the stages of inspection and survey, a comprehensive evaluation of the material condition of the ship to ensure it is fully prepared for sea operations.
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 10.12.2023 20:11 |
| Story ID: | 455379 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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