Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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Mrs. Laura Hughes Ombudsman USS Denver (LPD-9) Q What is an Ombudsman? The Navy Family OMBUDSMAN is a Navy Volunteer Spouse, appointed by the Commanding Officer. Mrs. Laura Hughes, wife of HT 1 Mark Hughes, served as the official liaison between the families of the DENVER and the Commanding Officer. Her duties were many and varied. Mrs. Hughes acted as the command Troubleshooter, providing information and referrals to our families at home. She coordinated ship welcome programs, and much more. The role of the OMBUDSMAN is a tough job, but a vital and rewarding one. From the crew of Denver we are very grateful for your superb efforts and the outstanding dedication you displayed. THANK YOU for a job WELL DONE .

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NCCM(SW AW) Ruben Paquian Jr. Command Master Chief USS Denver (LPD-9) Master Chief Ruben Paquian was bom 27 September 1 958 in El Paso, Texas. Rejoined the Navy on 28 July 1 976 and completed Recruit Training at Recruit Training Command, San Diego, California. His duty assignments include USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39) ; Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; USS Sylvania (AFS 2), USS Cochrane (DDG 21), Yokosuka, Japan; Navy Recruiting District Albuquerque, New Mexico, NRS Santa Fe; USS Tarawa (LHA 1 ); Commander, Sea Control Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). He is a graduate of the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. His awards include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of fourth award), N avy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of fourth award). Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Navy Battle E (two awards). Navy Expeditionary Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal with Silver Star, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal with Bronze Star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three silver stars, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Recruiting Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). Master Chief Paquian has two children, Guillermo and Christina Paquian. Guillermo is a sophomore at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. Christina is ajunior at San Diego State University.

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spouse Support Group Hello friends and family of DENVER, My name is Keily Anderson. I am the Support Group President. My husband is EW 1 Anderson and has been in the Navy for 1 1 years. I have been a Navy wife for 8 of those years and although moving around so often and leaving good friends behind is hard, I have completely enjoyed it. We have 2 little boys. Montel, age 7, who is in 2nd grade, and Marcel, age 4, who is just starting pre-school. We were first stationed in San Diego 1 992- 1 995, onboard USS Gary. Then we moved to Everett, Washington and were stationed onboard the USS Ingraham for one year. We then moved to Pensacola, Florida for 3 1 2 years of shore duty, and now here we are back in beautiful San Diego, where we hope to stay for the remainder of my husband ' s Navy career. This last West Pac was our 4th deployment and I want you all to know I thoroughly enjoyed being your support group leader. I have been asked so many times throughout the year that I have been the support group leader: why did I take the position? My answer would have to be that I know how important it is to have a support system when dealing with deployment. Being away from friends, family, and anything familiar, and then having your husband taken away for 6 months is one of the hardest things we will ever experience as a navy wife. Yet at the same time the amazing pride we feel somehow makes it bearable each time that dreaded deployment time rolls around. For those of you who took part in our support group THANK YOU for all the support you showed the ship at different times throughout the deployment. After all, the reason we are called a support group isn ' t just for ourselves and each other, but to show support to all the men and women serving on DENVER, and to assure them that back at home we are supporting them and recognize the risks and sacrifice they make daily. I would also like to say a huge THANK YOU to Master Chief Paquian for all his help during the deployment. He was my point of contact and was always there to answer any question, or help out with any situation back at home whenever called upon. Thanks also to support group officers Barbi Jackson, Christy Powell, and Tuesday Alaniz for their work throughout the deployment. I look forward to meeting new wives, family members, and significant others of the DENVER family in the future. Take Care. Sincerely, Keily Anderson USS Denver Support Group President