Nov 08, 2008
SAN DIEGO (NNS) — During a visit to Southern California military installations Nov. 5, the head of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) visited Naval Base San Diego (NBSD).
Glen Gardner, elected as the commander-in-chief of the 1.6 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars in August, toured the Navy's largest surface forces installation on the west coast to meet with Navy leaders and Sailors. He was accompanied by VFW Assistant Director of Field Operations Larry Berman and San Diego-area Claims Representative Russ McKamey.
"The VFW is a great American organization that provides outstanding support for our veterans," said NBSD Commanding Officer Capt. Ricky L. Williamson. "I was happy we had the opportunity to host their leader on NBSD."
Gardner met with Williamson and was guided by NBSD Executive Officer Cmdr. Sharee Fish on a tour of the base's waterfront.
The VFW chief then visited the guided-missile frigate USS Rentz (FFG-46) where he met with the ship's crew and took a tour with Rentz Commanding Officer Cmdr. Dave Glenister.
VFW Executive Director Robert Wallace visited NBSD and USS Tarawa (LHA 1) in July.
Naval Base San Diego is home to 49 ships, 35,000 Sailors and civilian employees and more than 120 tenant commands. The base supports the majority of the Pacific Fleet's surface combatants, all of the Navy's west coast amphibious ships and a variety of U.S. Coast Guard and Military Sealift Command vessels.