George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 49 text:

down to join in. It was a moment that saw individual families having fun and sharing time with their Navy family. “We needed it ' said PHAN Matthew Keane about the show of unity, “and we needed people to see us there and know that we can work together, pull together, and have fun together.” Even if it was for just one night.

Page 48 text:

 jj— he USS George Washington i hosted its annual holiday celebration at the Waterside Marriott in downtown Norfolk on January 25, 2002. The theme was “Just One Night and for $5, S10. and S15 respectively, bluejackets, chief petty officers, and officers brought their friends and families out for a night of great food, music, dancing, generous prize giveaways and even a chance to roll the dice in a simulated casino. Making the night an even bigger attraction was the fact that the Marriott provided rooms to George Washington Sailors at a reduced rate and provided on-site childcare. Morale Welfare and Recreation spent $45,000 on the parly, attended by more than 1.100 Sailors and their guests. MWR representative ABE1 Terry Williams said the event gave the crew a chance to unwind, come together, and get to know each other before the underway period. “We wanted to give people a night to remember before we begin our work-ups and arc underway, Williams said. This promotes camaraderie and unity within the crew.” That camaraderie was evident throughout the night. Whether it was at the dinner table or out on the dance floor, the event seemed to transcend rank and rate. Officers and enlisted gathered and socialized in a setting that truly personified the Navy value of team.” “For the amount of people we had it was extremely well done, said then YN1 (S W) Stacey (iosnelL “It was nice to meet spouses and actually I earn [Co-workers] first names.' The Norfolk- based band Fast FonuirdM shut down the party around midnight when they donned their Village People garb and! Finished their Final set with YMCA.' Many parents brought their children

Page 50 text:

tf'n 1999. Lt. Ken Pierce earned his • y pilot’s wings. On January 31.2000, he landed on an aircraft carrier flight deck for the first time. But it wasn't until the tailored ship's training assessment in November 2001 when that the young officer assigned to Early Airborne Warning Squadron ONE TWO FIVE became a member of an extended family - Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN. Pierce was one of the many “nuggets” (a term given to new air wing pilots) aboard USS George Washington gaining experience with takeoffs and landings aboard an aircraft carrier as CVW-17 team members. He and his fellow junior pilots are also getting used to life at sea and taking the opportunity to use what they’ve spent their naval careers learning: to be the finest naval aviators in the world. “It feels like you're finally part of the team, Pierce, 26, said. “It's good to see how the guys in the [other squadrons] do their jobs. It's cool to be aboard. So how did these pilots get their name? “A gold nugget has no shape or form when you first find it. explained Strike Fighter Squadron 83's veteran pilot Lt. Larry Delong. “It's basically raw gold. But give it time and some heat and that gold turns into something more valuable.” Pierce and the rest of the new pilots became solid gold after earning their carrier qualifications and becoming official members of the air wing. But the honor belonged to them. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else now that I've seen carrier aviation,” Pierce said. I believe anything else would be boring now.