Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE CHANGE OF COMMAND 23

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The Change of Command 27 OCT 84 liOVCliE MM ---H ' ' 6 ■ J T I « • I Good morning Commodore McCaffrey, Commodore Butcher. Captain Eldredge, other distinguished guests, officers, chief petty officers, and crew of USS DENVER. I find It partlculary gratifiying to also see here members of the U.S. Marine Corps, the world ' s finest fighting machine, for those Marines here, thank you for being a part of this ceremony as you have also been a part of DENVER during this deployment. 1 have always been Impressed by your spirit and pride, and it gives me pride to call you shipmates during this change of command ceremony. As I stand here today being relieved of command of DENVER my thoughts are mixed. On one hand the anticipation and challenge of starting a new career is exciting, while on the other the thought of leaving a ship such as DENVER is very difficult. The two years on DENVER have been the most challenging and pertonally rewarding years in my 28 years In the Navy. DENVER has covered it all, two six-month deployments to the Western Pacific, successful completion of the long list of Inspections assists required during pre-dcployment. completed a very successful OPPRE, conducted a three-month $10 million dollar mini-overhaul, conducted a drydocklng, completed an INSURV inspection along with three trips Into Seal Beach for ammunition transfers. It was a busy ten months between deployments, yet In every case the final result of each of these events was excellence, a DENVER trademark. None of the successes that DENVER enjoys today could have been possible without the superb support and the 100% effort that 1 have received from the officers and men who have served under me during this period. We have covered a lot of ocean together {this most recent trip across the Indian Ocean being a prime example}. It Is to this group of men that I would like to address a couple of brief remarks. You - the officers and men of DENVER have answered every call - you ' ve done it all and you ' ve done it well. Individually and collectively your performance has been superb. You ' ve met every challenge on the run and never stopped. What I want you to know today is that none of your effort has gone unnoticed and that I ' m extremely proud of you, both Individually and as a crew. It has been my honor and privilege to have been your shipmate. Finally, in closing I would like to leave two thoughts with you: The first Is ■ never lose sight of the fact that in the Navy people are our most Important product. It Isn ' t equipment, it isn ' t material, it isn ' t an op sked - It ' s people. If you pay enough attention to the [ eople problems the material and operational problems have a way of taking care of themselves. The second is ■ continue to set your goals high, do not accept second best and above all never lose your sense of humor. I ' m very proud to have had the opportunity to lead you. the crew of DENVER, you really made It such an easy and enjoyable job. CAPTAIN DUANE F. GREENHOE ' - ' :feTK 7i7 Vii ' , , ! «I ' I :

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Commanding Officer 24 CAPTAIN JOHNSON