VADM Gordon Holder USN, Commander Military Sealift Command, reads to USNS Concord's master, CAPT Ed Nanartowich USMM, the engraved plaque given to the ship by Ruth Lauer and Concord's Board of Selectmen. North Bridge plaque was presented during a reception held aboard USNS Concord on Friday evening, 15 April. (click on photo for larger view) USNS Concord's military department, headed by CAPT Kevin Walter USN SC, walked in Concord's Patriot's Day parade. Marching with the sailors was the ship's master, CAPT Ed Nanartowich USMM. (click on photo for larger view)

Thank you Molly Bergin and members of Concord's Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee for inviting us up for the Patriot's Day weekend. It provided all of USNS Concord's crew with a chance to make new friends.

We enjoyed meeting Concord children -- all 230 fifth graders who, on Friday, toured USNS Concord. Our ship's baker, Gordon Doe, took great pleasure in making cookies for all the kids. We also relished having town dignitaries aboard for a reception Friday evening hosted by our boss, VADM Gordon Holder USN, Commander Military Sealift Command. To Ruth Lauer and the Concord Board of Selectmen, thank you for the mounted piece of the North Bridge. It will be positioned in a place of honor aboard USNS Concord and, when we rejoin the fleet, it will be our proud topic of conversation when dignitaries visit the ship.

Concord Independent Battery was on the Boston pier, alongside USNS Concord, on Saturday, 16 April. Crewmembers and guests experienced a piece of Concord history when viewing a practice fire of the cannon. (click on photo for larger view) USNS Concord sailors provided tours to Patriot's Day weekend ship visitors while berthed in Boston. (click on photo for larger view)

To the men and their families of the Concord Independent Battery, our thanks for bringing your cannon to the ship. Members of USNS Concord's crew who were unable to travel to Concord nonetheless felt they were part of the Patriot's Day celebrations by your presence on the pier. It was our pleasure to treat you to lunch aboard ship and provide you and your families with a ship's tour.

The dinner and gala, held Saturday evening, certainly provided many of the crew with a chance to get to know "Concordians" better. The sound of the many pipe and drum corps bands, the patriotic decorations found everywhere in the armory, and the midnight procession through Concord to watch the reenactment of Dr. Prescott's historic ride rekindled our feelings of patriotism. It sparked in us a renewed pride to be a crewmember aboard USNS Concord for we feel we are honor-bond to carry on such a proud tradition.

And the parade! Folks along the street curbs, once realizing we were from USNS Concord, applauded us as we passed. We'd never been on the receiving end of such recognition. Marching with us Capt. Kevin Walter USN SC, Concord's Navy officer-in-charge, passed the word strict military procedures were being relaxed and it was okay for us to smile and wave to the crowd as the parade moved through the town. Little kids waved and we waved back! From the crowd there even came two women, wearing USNS Concord hats, who ran onto the street to shake hands with us -- they said they were starting a USNS Concord fan club. A fan club for the crew of a U.S. Navy ship -- wonders never cease!

To everyone, thank you. We enjoyed meeting you and visiting your beautiful town. It was a great weekend -- THANKS!


Photos: Courtesy of the USNS Concord
Artwork: Set City