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TRA
gives its highest award to the On Tuesday, March 26, 2002, after what is the longest deployment at sea without ever touching land/ports in the history of the Navy, USS TR came home having received the "E" award for the fleet, and having served with great distinction in historic action. For their work on that deployment, Theodore Roosevelt Association awards the crew of Theodore Roosevelt its "Distinguished Service Medal". Here one may read the remarks of CVN-71's Captain Richard O'Hanlon at the awards ceremony during the TRA's annual meeting in Buffalo NY. Remarks
for The Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Medal Ceremony Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be with you this evening but I regret that I could not bring the 5,000 men and women who are your real honorees this evening, the fabulous crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt, the finest aircraft carrier in any Fleet. For all of us who proudly serve on Theodore Roosevelt, which we affectionately call the Big Stick, the receipt of your Distinguished Service Medal is the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment. As I scan the impressive list of past honorees, names like President George H. W. Bush, John F. Lehman, Jr., Edward L. Beach, Samuel Eliot Morison, Admirals with names who not only stand out in American history but are part of the more than 227 years of the fabric that makes up our naval heritage, names like Rickover, Halsey, Nimitz, Byrd and Sims, I, as a representative of my great crew, am humbled to stand here as an awardee of this prestigious medal and to join the ranks of those people who received this medal. Those names mean much to many Americans but mean even more to the men and women of the United States Navy. Past awardees have inspired, led, motivated, and captivated the American public in what they have done and in that which they stood for. They have lived up to the ideals and values espoused by President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1981, the Navy laid the keel of what would become the fourth Nimitz class aircraft carrier, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). A young energetic crew, which displayed the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment was assembled and placed her in active service 16 years ago next week. Since then the Big Stick has not slowed down and has consistently been manned by great Americans. She has answered the call to duty in the Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo and most recently Afghanistan. A little more than a year ago the United States suffered the worst attacks against our Nation since Pearl Harbor. In the hours, days and months following the attacks of September 11th USS Theodore Roosevelt was ready and at the forefront of the war on terrorism. The five thousand young men and women who make up the TR/Carrier Air Wing One team are great Americans with an overwhelming sense of pride, patriotism, and commitment that were truly the hallmarks of the ship's namesake. At Gettysburg in 1904 President Roosevelt said, "We can make and keep this country worthy of the men who gave their lives to save it, only on the condition that the average man among us on the whole does his duty bravely, loyally, and with common sense… " Today the crew of TR stands guard over America keeping our country worthy of those who have gone before us doing their duty as Americans. Right now, we on the Big Stick are getting ready to once again head overseas to provide the forward presence that has been a trademark of the Navy's contribution to our security as a nation. Not only has the crew's performance been spectacular in war but we have contributed to our communities at home as well. This crew knows the dedication and commitment it takes to bring the enemy to its knees and they know just as well the dedication and commitment it takes to our neighborhoods are great place to live. Everyday our Sailors take an active role in their local community. Be it volunteering for habitat for humanity, mentoring in schools, fire and rescue squads, the local food bank or the multitude of other civic organizations and projects that help America help itself. President Theodore Roosevelt also knew the value of service to community when he said, "…You can make up your minds to lead your lives well and nobly, doing first of all your duty to yourself and to those immediately dependent on you,…and then to do the duties that lie beyond them, the duty of joining with your fellows in common work toward a common end,…and it is the only kind of life worth leading, and the only kind of life worth living…" It is an honor for me to lead the thousands of Sailors who make USS Theodore Roosevelt special. They inspire me and make me proud on a daily basis of their contribution to our Navy, and our country. Theodore Roosevelt once said, "…there are no better citizens of our country than the officers and enlisted men of our Navy." His belief in a strong Navy was never more prevalent than in 1907 when his work to establish the world's greatest Navy was shown through the deployment of the Great White Fleet. 14,000 Sailors aboard 16 Battleships and 11 fleet auxiliary ships traveled around the globe, leaving a permanent imprint on the leaders of the world. "Our Navy is the surest guarantee of peace…" said President Roosevelt. I stand here and tell you that it is as true today as it was nearly 100 years ago. For little pay and little recognition outside of the service these young men and women sacrifice what few would to ensure that the American ideals of freedom and liberty are always part of our national fabric. On behalf of every one of them thank you for this distinguished honor and I guarantee you that your Navy is ready to protect America and stand at the vanguard of our Nation's freedom. We are ready, willing and able to continue to move forward in the war on terrorism making our Nation and the world a safer place in which to enjoy the freedoms we all cherish. I would like to end this evening with what has become a tradition on TR - that is the tradition of three cheers. Ladies and Gentlemen I propose three cheers twice…… "I propose three cheers for Theodore Roosevelt, the man. May his ideals and precepts live and guide us in this ship always!" "hip, hip... hooray!" "hip, hip... hooray!" "hip, hip... hooray!" "I propose three cheers for THEODORE ROOSEVELT, the ship. May she never again be used in anger, but if she is may she be ready!" "hip, hip... hooray!" "hip, hip... hooray!" "hip, hip... hooray!" Thank you, good evening and may God Bless America. |
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The USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) has been awarded the Battle "E" Award for action overseas in the war on terrorism. We asked Rear Admiral Wick Parcells (USN - Retired), the first commanding officer of the carrier back in 1985, what the Battle "E" Award means. . . The Battle "E" award is coveted because it is awarded to only one ship in any given class as being the finest in the fleet. It is measured in many different ways, the most important of which is combat capability. There are also individual departmental awards for achieving the same proficiency. Every one of TR's departments also won their respective awards. A so-called "Clean Sweep". To put it simply, TR was determined to be the best in the fleet in every category measured. |
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