Whether you were aboard the Sea Tiger party boat going out of Atlantic Highlands harbor for a day of fishing, standing on the North Beach at Fort Hancock, or on the opposite side near the Coast Guard station, or a uniformed cadet at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at Fort Hancock, it was exciting Friday morning to see the USS New Jersey (SSN-776) cruise into Sandy Hook Bay for its first visit to NWS Earle’s Leonardo pier.
The submarine, the third naval vessel to be named for the state of New Jersey, will be commissioned at that pier amid much pomp and ceremony on Saturday, September 14.
But for this day, it was just sheer joy, pride and happiness as scores of people of all ages sought viewing places to get their first glimpse of the Virginia class nuclear-powered submarine under the command of Commander Steve Halle, with Chief Master Chief Sonar Technician Submarine Hamilton T. Felt the Chief of the Boat.
For a retired Navy ship from Leonardo, on the shoreline near the chapel on Fort Hancock, it was a chance to brag one more time about the Navy he served for more than two decades.
He and his wife, equally excited, came from their Leonardo home to be closer to the boat as she came into Leonardo. They were happy to retell the story of the many families who served the nation in many different wars, and proud to see the Navy so far advanced with its latest submarine.
For a Highlands couple who see Sandy Hook every day from their home high on Route 36, it was a chance to be present for a piece of history. Armed with not one, but two binoculars on stands, they were happy to share the view with everyone around, letting bystanders see the Sailors on the boat waving and accepting the applause and cheers of New Jerseyans, they could not hear but certainly felt.
It was a time for the Highlands resident to talk about his memories of the submarine base at New London, Connecticut where some of his family served. It also had him call for a moment of silence in remembrance for the crew of the submarine Thresher, which sank off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in 1963, killing the entire crew of 129 sailors. The boat was never decommissioned, though but is considered on Silent Patrol forever and the tragedy led to SUSSAFE, the rigorous submarine safety program.
But clearly the most enthusiastic and supportive and cheering group observing from the sub were the juniors and seniors from MAST when their chief Naval Science Instructor Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman USN (ret) took the class across Pershing Field so they could see the submarine whose original crew they had met on Fort Hancock last year.
According to Thomas Clark of Little Silver, Battalion Commander for the NJROTC at MAST,
“Seeing the submarine that bears the name of our state, in our own county, was a truly special experience. I was reminded how lucky I am that there are brave men and women who stand watch on these vessels protecting our nation.”
Academics Officers Anthony Froio of Howell noted ““It was a reminder of all the brave men and women who serve every day to protect our freedoms.”
Carter Braun, Battalion Executive Officer Carter Braun of Middletown also had special feelings on seeing the vessel. “When I saw the submarine, I was struck by a profound sense of patriotism and admiration.”
Ad did Bravo Company Commander Nathan Olmdda of Middletown, who said he was “proud to be from the state this ship represents, and it was a reminder of the United States’ firepower that protects us all.”
“Seeing the vessel “showed me the true scale of what goes into protecting us and our freedoms every day, said Tyler Terhune of Tinton Falls, Alpha Company Commander at MAST.
Ocean resident Olivia Palutis, the community affairs officer at MAST, said, “Seeing the submarine in real life reminded me of the sacrifice thousands of people make every day serving our country and keeping us safe.”
“We all had a great day,” NJROTC Commander Clark said, “we all recognize we had the absolute privilege of seeing the arrival of our state ship, the USS New Jersey. It was truly a historic event”
