Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Luke Wilson | 250924-N-YU102-1018 Norfolk, Va. (Sept. 24, 2025) — Cmdr. Jonathan S. Hurst,...... read more read more
Past and Present: Honoring the Legacy of America’s Destroyers
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Luke Wilson, SURFLANT Public Affairs Office
Norfolk, Va. (Sept. 24, 2025)— The deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) echoed with footsteps from another era as more than 200 U.S. Navy destroyer veterans gather for the 2025 Tin Can Sailors National Reunion, Norfolk, Virginia.
The visit took on an added meaning as it coincided just before the Navy and Marine Corps 250th anniversary, drawing together destroyer veterans who served from previous generations.
The event began with a plaque presentation from the National Association of Destroyer Veterans, also known as Tin Can Sailors Association to McFaul’s leadership, recognizing the crew for hosting the reunion. Following the ceremony, veterans toured the ship in small groups, with approximately three-quarters participating in shipboard tours that included stops on the bridge, combat information center, and flight deck.
“With it being the 250th year of the Navy, having the ‘Tin Can’ veterans aboard helps reinforce a sense of honor and pride for our country and naval heritage,” said Cmdr. Jonathan S. Hurst, executive officer, USS McFaul. “It’s a great opportunity for our crew who are working hard getting ready for deployment to share sea stories with these folks that have came before them.”
The visit allowed veterans to interact with McFaul’s crew, sharing stories of life at sea and comparing their service experiences with those of today’s Navy. Active-duty Sailors guided groups through key spaces, answering questions about the ship’s history, namesake, and modern destroyer capabilities.
“It makes you love what you do; to see and hear people from our past,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Trevor Kimble, assigned to the McFaul. “You hear people all the time talk about the ‘old Navy,’ how they operated and to just hear those stories and see those people back on a U.S. Navy vessel, it’s pretty cool.”
For the veterans, many of whom last served on destroyers decades ago, stepping aboard McFaul was an opportunity to see firsthand how the fleet has evolved while remaining anchored in the same fighting spirit that defined their service.
“I loved my time in the Navy and this gives me a chance to see our young people in our country in action,” Rob Jorgensen, who served in the Navy from 1968 to 1974. “It’s very rewarding to have the legacy of the Navy, and I’m happy I was able to serve my country and to see this great country continue on.”
As the Navy and Marine Corps mark their 250th anniversary this year, events like the Tin Can Sailors National Reunion highlight the enduring bond between generations of Sailors. This connection between Sailors not only honors the past, but also inspires future generations to serve in the U.S. Navy.
“Coming from the historic naval ship industry, I have spent my career, about 25, years restoring and preserving historic naval ships, specifically destroyers. They are near and dear to my heart, and I appreciate all the good Sailors that are part of this organization,” said Rosen Gipe, president of Tin Can Sailors. “It's so important to keep that legacy going forward. It doesn't matter the tonnage of the ship, the time period, if you served on a destroyer, in our eyes, you're a Tin Can Sailor, and we want to keep that moving forward.”
The reunion concluded with closing tours and farewells at the quarterdeck, leaving both veterans and active-duty Sailors with a deeper appreciation of the unbroken destroyer legacy.
USS McFaul is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer capable of conducting multi-mission operations, including anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare, as well as strike operations using Tomahawk missiles. Equipped with the Aegis Combat System, advanced sensors, and modern defensive systems, the warship supports global maritime operations as part of a Carrier Strike Group or can independently deploy.
The National Association of Destroyer Veterans was founded in 1976 to preserve destroyer history, honor those who served aboard, and support today’s Navy. With more than 20,000 members, the organization represents veterans of hundreds of destroyers and continues to foster camaraderie across generations.
COMNAVSURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. The SURFLANT force is composed of 71 ships and 31 shore commands.
For more COMNAVSURFLANT news and photos, visit www.facebook.com/SURFLANT/, www.surflant.usff.navy.mil.
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2025 13:56 |
| Story ID: | 549397 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Past and Present: Honoring the Legacy of America’s Destroyers, by PO2 Luke Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
