ANZIO CHANGE OF COMMAND

There are many special ceremonies in the Navy that are different from civilian life.  Every Navy ship operates under the authority of an officer assigned by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) as the ships Commanding Officer.  Captain Mark Nesselrode will be relieved as Commanding Officer, USS ANZIO (CG 68) by Captain James M. Carr on 22 August at 1000 on pier two (our present location).  All Sailors onboard ANZIO will be participating, on watch or in attendance to observe this ceremony that is as old as the sea service itself.  We wish the Captain, Martha and all the Nesselrode family the traditional salute of "fair winds and following seas" as they move on to another duty assignment in the Navy.  This time there will not be a move out of the area, much to the dismay of the local moving company and real estate brokers.

Congratulations to ANZIO's Newly selected Chief Petty Officers:  We are as proud of them as we know their Families and friends are.  One measure of how special the relationship of old ANZIO shipmates is that many stop by to off congratulations and words of wisdom to our newest CPO.

EWS (SW) Jeff Aldrich

FCC (SW) Alvin Bardwell

GSMC (SW) Frank Rodriguez

PNC (SW) Christopher Sutherland

STGC (SW) William Wardwell

CTOC (SW) Karl Whitemann

Thanks for all your love, support, prayers and best wishes.

Command Master Chief Roger McCormack

USS ANZIO (CG 68)

STAND AND FIGHT

         CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY

EMAIL:

From James Bird to Command Master Chief Roger McCormack:

Dear CMC McCormack:

The Change of Command Ceremony - Captain Nesselrode to Captain Carr Friday was an exhilarating experience to we Anzio Beachhead Veterans who were in attendance.

Rear Admiral Harvey's presentation about the crew's recent service in the mid-east was well received and informative.  We also hope we Anzio Veterans and the "USS Anzio can meet again (as the Admiral mentioned) in Italy next year to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of our battle there.

This was the fifth Change-of-Command Ceremony of commanding officers of USS Anzio for me and appreciate the opportunity to hear you explain the training and questioning of crew members about the Battle of Anzio before they were awarded the Anzio pin for their uniform.  I was aware of the unique opportunity for crew members to wear our pin, but was unaware of program you talked about in the ward room.

I was among the multitude of Anzio Veterans who attended the Christening of the ship at Pascagoula MS - was a cold but very bright day in contrast to the hot day last week.  However, I was ill and unable to attend the commissioning in Norfolk.

I think it is highly appropriate for you to write an article about this program and about the privilege of the ship to fly our flag at particular times for inclusion on the web site supported by Woody Hoercher's daughter.

The participation of CG-68, USS Anzio in the Iraq conflict initiated the officers and crew into a new chapter of Shakespeare's "We band of brothers".

FYI:  I sent programs of the ceremony to several of our members who were too ill to attend.

Best wishes for you and the ship,

James R. Bird,

Survivor of eight campaigns in the ETO with the 45th (Thunderbird)

Infantry Division

COMMAND MASTER CHIEF ROGER MCCORMACK RESPONSE:

Mr. Bird,

I will share them with our ANZIO crew and will encourage our shipmates to drop you a line of thanks. 

The ship is built of steel but our crew breathes passion, pride and spirit into the hull.  Certainly the personal touch for our Sailors and their families meeting our Beachhead Veterans and their very proud families is unique event in our Nation and Navy today.

Thank you for tak8ing the time to write and reinforce the bonds between the Beachhead Veterans and our crew today.

Respectfully,

Command Master Chief roger McCormack

USS ANZIO (CG 68)

STAND AND FIGHT

23 October 2003

To The Anzio Veterans WWII,

It was a pleasure to meet you at the ANZIO Change of command Ceremony 22 August 2003.  Since then we have been very busy onboard ANZIO with training exercises at sea, and off ship instructors, and assessment teams admiring and training our great Sailors in port Norfolk.

USS ANZIO recently returned from an almost month long training exercises in the4 Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico including Hurricane Isabel evasion.  Returning home in time for the last of the clean up here in Virginia.  Thankfully no one was hurt from our extended Anzio family.  We hope all are also well at home for you sir.

At the Change of Command 22 August, you asked Rear Admiral John Harvey to support se4nding USS ANZIO CG68 to Anzio, Italy for the 60th anniversary battlefield reunion.  As it turns out, the right people for you to ask are senior to him.  If you desire USS ANZIO present, it would best suit your purposes to ask our Chief of Naval Operations, Commander Naval Forces Europe, Commander Sixth Fleet, Commander Surface Forces Atlantic to support your request.  We are willing to do the leg work to help you once you make your desires known.  I can provide a suggested draft letter for you to send to each of them, and addresses to help reach your goal.

I am asking for your assistance, wisdom and experience to make this dream a reality.  Would you be willing to share this request with the ANZIO Beachhead Veterans, and possibly share this request with our Navy leadership.  Our Commanders, and our Sailors have the greatest respect for the service and sacrifice, and as repeatedly stated during the Change of Command Ceremony 22 August we will not forget.

On behalf of Captain James Carr and our crew, thank you so much for your service to our nation n war and your continued support of our great ship and crew today.  Till we meet again.

Very Respectfully,

Command Master Chief Roger MCCormack

USS ANZIO CG-68

STAND AND FIGHT