Sister Ships Cook Up Friendships - bbq at Pearl Harbor - Brief Article

All Hands, April, 2001 by McClain Shewman

USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS Asheville (SSN 758) recently sponsored a picnic at Richardson Field in Pearl Harbor for the two sister-platform Navy vessels. Hopper, an Aegis-class destroyer named after RADM Grace Murray Hopper, the mother of computing, invited USS Asheville to the function which boasted more than 300 in attendance.

"[The picnic] boosted morale for both of the crews," said Senior Chief Machinist's Mate(SS) Jeff Daue, Asheville's Chief of the Boat.

"We're always looking for something different to do. This was a good chance to see how our Navy counterparts live," said Master Chief Fire Controlman(SW) Jeff VanDervort, Hopper's Command Master Chief.

"We'll see a lot of this interaction in the future," added VanDervort.

The Sailors played volleyball, football and had a dunk tank where they primed a healthy rivalry in sinking Sailors from the opposing ship.

This is the first time USS Hopper and USS Asheville ever participated in an event with a crew other than their own. According to Yeoman 1st Class (SS) Shane Neal of USS Asheville, "It's a great idea to get together with our sister ship."

"I play a little volleyball, some soccer, ate and socialized with some Asheville Sailors' added Gas Thrbine System Technician (E) 3rd Class (SW) Raul Bolanco of Hopper.