Normandy Crewmembers 'Invade' Richmond Council's Annual Meeting

Sea Power, Apr 2004

The Richmond, Va., Council had something of a Normandy invasion during its annual meeting in January as a contingent of crewmembers from the Ticonderogaclass cruiser USS Normandy attended as honored guests. The Normandy, which is homeported in Norfolk, Va., is one of the council's four adopted ships.

Among those visiting were Normandy's, commanding officer, Capt. Matt Streeter; Command Master Chief Daryl Charles; Cmdr. Pat Picard, the ship's executive officer; and Lt. Craig Gates, the ship's chaplain. Also attending was Master Chief Mike Sleeper, command master chief of Navy Regional District Richmond, and his wife, Lisa. The crewmembers were welcomed by new council President Joseph Moschetti at the meeting, which was held at the Willow Oaks Country Club.

The Normandy has been at Norfolk for a leave and upkeep period since late 2003 and is awaiting its next deployment, according to Capt. Streeter, who addressed the meeting to provide an update of the ship's recent activities. While in port, the crew is implementing a new training and schedule routine and, at the time of the January council meeting, was readying for a major inspection in February.