Navy League - Central Ky Council

For North Dakota native Peter Arriza, Kentucky is more than just another state. It's a 560-foot Ohio-class nuclear submarine where he serves as master chief machinist's mate in the Navy.

But it's also an important connection back on terra firma for Arriza and his fellow sailors aboard the USS Kentucky, which calls Bangor, Wash., its home port.

Arriza reenlisted in the Navy Wednesday in a special ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda with Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo on hand for the ceremony.

"When they asked me if I wanted to reenlist here in Kentucky, I jumped at the chance," Arriza said.

Phillip Setters, state program coordinator for Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition, said the relationship is special to the sailors. Setters is the liaison between Kentucky and its namesake sub.

"It boosts morale and encourages an espirit de corps between the sailors and the people of Kentucky," Setters said. "A lot of them will be rooting for Kentucky teams, and if they come to Kentucky once, they usually come back."

The Kentucky has also forged a 20-year relationship with Worthington Elementary School in Worthington, Ky. near Ashland, Ky., since it was first commissioned.

"When we went to the school, they treated us like rock stars," Arriza said. "I had never signed autographs before."

And the hospitality extended further than hero worship.

"People took us into their homes, treated us like family," Arriza said. "It's great when a state takes an interest. I've been on four Trident subs and Kentucky has been the most involved."

Ohio-class submarines are the largest subs in the U.S. Navy's fleet, outsized only by Russian Typhoon-Class submarines. Nicknamed "Tridents' for the Trident submarine-launched-ballistic-missiles they carry, Ohio-class submarines can cruise nearly silently at 20 knots.

Commander Ben Pearson, the sub's commanding officer, swore in Arriza before Mongiardo commissioned them, along with other sailors of the USS Kentucky, as Kentucky Colonels.

"It's an honor to serve your country," Arriza said, "But it's a privilege to interact with people here and show your pride."

The Kentucky is the third vessel to bear the Commonwealth's name. The first was a Confederate transport that sank in June 1865 a few months after the Civil War ended. The second Kentucky was commissioned in May 1900. One of the most advanced warships of her day, she sailed around the world in Teddy Roosevelt's Great White Fleet, demonstrating America's sea prowess. She was decommissioned in 1920.

Construction on a third USS Kentucky, an Iowa-class battleship, was initiated in 1944 in World War II, but was suspended in 1947 before she was complete.

Christened with Kentucky bourbon instead of champagne, the submarine USS Kentucky has been in active service since 1991. She has two crews of 173 officers and enlisted men operating alternate patrols.

As Kentucky Gov. William O. Bradley said at the launch of the Kentucky in 1898, "There is no better ship; there could be no better name."

Tea Room opens for hungry crew
When Navy Commander Ben Pearson and Master Chief Machinist's Mate Peter Arriza visited Frankfort Wednesday, they just had to have a Kentucky hot brown sandwich.

In town for Arriza's ceremonial re-enlistment at the Capitol Rotunda, Arriza and Pearson, along with seven other sailors on the USS Kentucky, stopped by the Candleberry Tea Room and Gift Box on a recommendation.

But it appeared that fortune was not smiling " they arrived just after the Louisville Road restaurant had closed for the day. That is until owner Andy Casebier spotted the men outside.

"It was really weird," Casebier said. "This whole chain of events allowed it to happen."

When Casebier approached to ask if they needed help, he got an answer he didn't expect.

Can you feed nine sailors and a civilian a Kentucky hot brown?

"We're very glad we were able to serve them," Casebier said. "They presented us a photo of the Kentucky with a note from Commander Pearson. It was very nice of them."

Casebier returned the favor, giving the sailors a Kentucky bourbon-flavored candle for the Kentucky, an Ohio-class submarine. But candles can't ordinarily be burned on a sub, so Casebier's gift will have to wait for a special occasion.

MORE PHOTOS

Sailors from USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold) were honored Monday by the Kentucky Senate. Senate President David L. Williams (R-Burkesville) introduced Senate Resolution 278, recognizing a visit by representatives from the command to the commonwealth.

Commander Benjamin Pearson III, commanding officer of USS Kentucky along with nine additional members of his crew were invited on the Senate floor for the introduction and reading of the resolution expressing the Senate's appreciation for the "entire crew of the USS Kentucky for their dedication and commitment to the United States Navy and sacrifices in defending the nation" and congratulating them "for representing the finest traditions of the United States Navy."

Also specifically recognized in the resolution were Chief Electronics Technician Michael Mires and Chief Machinist's Mate Peter A. Arriza. Mires, a native of Horse Cave, Kentucky, was the only Kentuckian from the ship present. Mires is scheduled to re-enlist in the Navy at 4:00 PM on Wednesday in the Capitol Building rotunda in a ceremony open to the public.

"I was excited to come just so I could re-enlist in our namesake state. Not everybody gets to do that," said Arriza. But to be recognized on the floor of the Kentucky Senate-I have never even heard of that."

Sailor of the year, Machinist's Mate First Class Brian N. Rickard was impressed as well. "I told my wife that being in Kentucky was pretty much like being home in Texas. The people here truly do respect us, and it makes me proud to wear the uniform. We have gotten to do a lot of things on this trip that most people never get to, but being recognized by the Senate like that made the whole trip worth it."

Following the adoption of the resolution, Kenny Bishop from the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission sang Eternal Father and then the entire Senate and gallery gave the sailors a standing ovation. Pearson then presented a large print of the USS Kentucky signed by every crew member to the Senate on behalf of the ship.

Pearson, Mires, Arriza, and Rickard, along with the ship's supply officer Ensign Jacob Whiteley, chief of the boat Senior Chief Machinist's Mate Scott Moore, Machinist's Mate Second Class Timothy J. Hunter, Electrician's Mate Second Class Jason O. Deitrick, Electrician's Mate Second Class Garrick A. Hammer, and Fire Control Technician Seaman Craig O. Olsen FT Division are touring Kentucky as part of a namesake visit. In addition to visiting Frankfort, they have made stops in Louisville, Hodgenville, Horse Cave, Lexington, and Worthington.

"The Navy League and Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition work closely with the boat to plan a trip back to Kentucky for us once a year," said Pearson. "They truly do an outstanding job exposing us to as much of Kentucky as possible and creating some unique opportunities. We have visited the senate and Abraham Lincoln's birthplace. We got a chance to visit the kids at Worthington Elementary which has had a relationship with boat since before its commissioning. They arranged for us to watch Thunder Over Louisville with Marines aboard a Coast Guard cutter on the Ohio River. Chief Mires even got a chance to show us his hometown."

The sailors will stay in Kentucky through the end of the week, stopping in Lexington to meet Mayor Jim Newberry, speak with local business leaders, and provide an overview of the submarine force to Air Force ROTC cadets at the University of Kentucky, before returning to the ship's homeport in Bangor, Washington.

KENTUCKY RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION recognizing the USS Kentucky's visit to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has enjoyed a strong relationship with the United States Navy, which relationship has been buoyed by the Commonwealth's tradition of energetic support for namesake ships and the significant contribution of Kentuckians who have served honorably in the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, it is recognized that the officers and crew of the USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) have always served with honor and distinction giving credit to not only the United States Navy but also her namesake, the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, the USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) is the third U.S. Naval vessel to be named in honor of the Bluegrass state and the twelfth Trident submarine commissioned; and

WHEREAS, the officers and crew of the USS Kentucky have valiantly distinguished themselves in service, defending our nation by providing strategic deterrence; and

WHEREAS, beyond the USS Kentucky's status as a national strategic asset, it is recognized that many strong local bonds have been forged between the members of her crews and the people of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Commander Benjamin Pearson III, as commanding officer of the USS Kentucky (Gold) for the past year, has provided extraordinary leadership; and he has exhibited remarkable devotion and expended considerable time, energy, and effort to promote stronger ties between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the USS Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, Commander Benjamin Pearson III has exhibited true Kentucky "Unbridled Spirit" in educating Kentuckians about the United States Navy and the Submarine Force; and

WHEREAS, Chief Electronics Technician Michael Mires, a native of the Commonwealth of Kentucky accompanied the USS Kentucky on its visit to the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Chief Machinist Mate Peter A. Ariza, a submarine warfare sailor on the USS Kentucky has opted to continue his service in the Navy by reenlisting on April 16, 2008; and

WHEREAS, the USS Kentucky's sail to Kentucky was also accompanied by the following submarine warfare sailors: Senior Chief Machinist Mate Scott J. Moore, Machinist Mate 1 Brian N. Rickard, Machinist Mate 2 Timothy J. Hunter, Electrician Mate 2 Jason O. Deitrick, Electrician Mate 2 Garrick A. Hammer, Fire Technician Seaman Craig O. Olsen, and Ensign Jacob T. Whiteley;

NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1.   The Senate hereby expresses its sincere appreciation to Commander Benjamin Pearson III and the entire crew of the USS Kentucky for their dedication and commitment to the United States Navy and sacrifices in defending the nation.

Section 2.   The Senate also congratulates the entire crew of the USS Kentucky for representing the finest traditions of the United States Navy.

Section 3.   The Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution in care of Commander Submarine Group 9, 2150 Thresher Avenue, Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, Silverdale, Washington 98315-2150.