CAPT Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) District of Columbia (SSBN-826 travelled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Boat’s Sponsors, Congresswoman Eleanor Norton (D-DC) and Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, D.C. on 29 July. By tradition, the sponsor of a U.S. Navy ship is a female civilian who is invited by the Navy to bestow good luck and divine protection over the seagoing vessel and all who sail aboard.
CAPT Heath Johnmeyer with the Boat’s Sponsors, Congresswoman Eleanor Norton
CAPT Johnmeyer was accompanied by Ms. Beth Klein, Executive Director, National Capital Council of the Navy League (NCCNL)/USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee to Congresswoman Norton’s office. CAPT Johnmeyer provided a brief update on the Crew and the current projected Commissioning timeline. CAPT Johnmeyer presented Congresswoman Norton with a USS District of Columbia ballcap and coin. Congresswoman Norton reiterated how honored and excited she is to serve as Sponsor of the USS District of Columbia and looked forward to meeting more of the Crew.
That afternoon, CAPT Johnmeyer and Ms. Klein were joined by Admiral (Ret) Cecil Haney, a native of Washington, D.C., and former Commander, U.S. Strategic Command/Honorary Advisory Council, USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee, and CDR (Ret) Tom Callender, General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and President, Navy League National Capital Council, to meet Mayor Bowser and her staff.
CDR (Ret) Callender and Mayor Bowser with a model the USS District of Columbia
The team updated the Mayor on the crew’s current activities, invited her to Groton to meet members of the crew and tour the shipyards. Additionally, they discussed future opportunities to engage the people of the District as well as introduce members of the crew to Washingtonians. Prior to departing, CDR (Ret) Callender presented Mayor Bowser with a model the USS District of Columbia on behalf of GDEB.
The Mayor expressed her excitement in serving as the sponsor for the first U.S. Navy ship ever named for the District and looks forward to introducing this incredible submarine to the people of the District as well as engaging the Commanding Officer and his crew.
