Theodore Roosevelt Association Participates in the USS Theodore Roosevelt 2026 Friends and Family Day
August 11, 2026
The Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) extends its sincere appreciation to Captain William Mathis and the officers and crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) for welcoming nearly 40 TRA members and guests aboard the aircraft carrier for its 2026 Friends and Family Day on Saturday, August 8th.
The Friends and Family Day is a longstanding naval tradition, typically held before or after a deployment, that gives Sailors the opportunity to welcome loved ones aboard and share firsthand the ship, its capabilities, and the extraordinary work of the men and women who serve aboard the ship.
Through the generosity of Captain Mathis and the crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt, nearly 40 members of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and their guests had the privilege of joining the ship’s families and friends for this remarkable day at sea.
The carrier departed her San Diego-area homeport early Saturday morning, giving guests an extraordinary opportunity to experience life underway aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier affectionately known as “The Big Stick.”
The USS Theodore Roosevelt shared the following on its official Facebook page, “We turned a day out to sea into an opportunity to showcase our capabilities!”
And showcase them they did. Watch video from TRA Member Jacqueline A. Giacomo.
TRA members and guests experienced guided tours of the massive ship, flight-deck demonstrations, meals and entertainment, and an up-close look at the people, equipment, teamwork, and precision required to operate one of America’s aircraft carriers. The day provided guests with a much deeper appreciation for the professionalism, skill, and dedication of the Sailors who serve aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt.
For members of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, the experience carried special significance. USS Theodore Roosevelt proudly bears the name and carries forward the legacy of the 26th President of the United States, whose commitment to naval preparedness and American sea power remains an enduring part of his legacy.
“The Theodore Roosevelt Association is deeply grateful to Captain William Mathis and the entire crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt for extending this extraordinary invitation to our members and guests,” said Chris Cosentino, TRA Executive Director. “Theodore Roosevelt believed deeply in the United States Navy and in the character and readiness of those entrusted with defending our nation. It was inspiring to see that spirit so vividly alive aboard the ship that bears his name.”
The TRA extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone aboard CVN-71 who made the experience possible—from those who planned and coordinated the cruise to the Sailors who welcomed guests, conducted tours and demonstrations, prepared meals, provided entertainment, and shared their ship and their work throughout the day.
An Enduring Partnership with “The Big Stick”
The Friends and Family Day represents one part of the Theodore Roosevelt Association’s longstanding relationship with USS Theodore Roosevelt. Through several dedicated programs, the TRA works to recognize achievement, support members of the ship’s community, and strengthen the connection between Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy and the men and women who carry his name around the world.
Among these initiatives are:
Homeward Bound for the Holidays
The Theodore Roosevelt Association’s Homeward Bound for the Holidays program offers financial support to selected sailors serving aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt who lack the means to visit their families during the holiday season. For many reasons, sailors who serve our nation may go several months—or even years—without the chance to return home.
Wings Over America
The Theodore Roosevelt Association has proudly been involved with the Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation (WOASF) since 2018. Every dollar donated directly affects scholarship recipients and helps them reach their educational goals. The WOASF has awarded over $3 million to Navy aviation dependents since 1987. Each year five dependents of Naval personnel onboard our aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), have an opportunity to receive a scholarship through this wonderful program.
Junior Officer of the Year Award
The Theodore Roosevelt Association’s Junior Officer of the Year Award honors the spirit of leadership, integrity, and service that defined Theodore Roosevelt’s life and legacy. Established in 1992, the award recognizes junior officers serving aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN71) who best exemplify the values Theodore Roosevelt championed—courage, professionalism, pride, and dedication to duty.
For the nearly 40 TRA members and guests who participated in the Friends and Family Day, August 8th was much more than a rare opportunity to spend a day aboard an aircraft carrier. It provided a living connection between Theodore Roosevelt’s historic devotion to the United States Navy and the Sailors who carry forward that tradition of service, readiness, courage, and duty today.
The Theodore Roosevelt Association extends its deepest thanks to Captain Mathis and the officers and crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt. We are proud of our enduring friendship with “The Big Stick” and profoundly grateful for the courage, dedication, and service of the men and women who serve our country.