Sports heroes visit the USS Saipan

It is not that often that the Officer of the Deck has to grant permission to come aboard to a 400 pound football player, but when William "Refrigerator" Perry crossed the Quarterdeck of the USS Saipan (LHA 2) on June 22nd and the list of the ship shifted, you knew this day was going to be a little bit different.

As part of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program known as the "Heroes to Heroes Tour" the Saipan was excited to host a visit from William "Refrigerator" Perry, Franco Harris, L.C. Greenwood, Paul Blair, Rich "Goose" Gossage, Manny Sanguillen, and Harmon Killibrew.

The crew was thrilled to have nearly two hours of autograph signing and picture taking with the sports super heroes on the mess decks. The sports greats generously dedicated their time to thank the Sailors and Marines for the ongoing efforts to defend our country. Not only did the celebrities tour the spaces and chat with the crew, but MWR also provided sports cards from their playing days that were personally autographed. The most prepared crew members stocked up with footballs, baseballs, sports cards, and posters.

In Saipan tradition, the culinary specialists provided VIP care to the guests, by providing each visitor with an incredible sample of the cuisine that the crew enjoys on a daily basis. The Refrigerator and Franco Harris sampled some of the healthy fruit options provided to the crew, healthy choices which would have likely extended their playing careers if offered decades earlier. Rich "Goose" Gossage and Harmon Killebrew were so impressed with the food quality and professionalism displayed by the culinary specialists that they filled out meal evaluation sheets, grading the service as excellent across the board.

Certainly a man like Harmon Killebrew, who crushed 573 home runs during a lengthy baseball career, knows how to take care of himself and he was in awe of the phenomenal quality of the nutritious food served on the Saipan. Both the distinguished visitors and the Sailors will tell you that the food quality and the customer service exhibited by the CS's are the qualities which places the Saipan's Food Service Division in the exclusive 500 Home Run Club.

CWO2 Brian Armstrong has been the Food Service Officer on board USS Saipan since April 2004. Previous tours include USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), USS America (CV 66), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

COPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. Department of the Navy, Supply Systems Command
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group