Sailors Visit Cooperstown Namesake
28 September 2021
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. --
Pre-Commissioning Unit Cooperstown (LCS 23) Sailors visited Cooperstown, N.Y., and the ship’s namesake Baseball Hall of Fame during a familiarization tour Sept. 24.
A small contingent of the ship’s crew, led by Lt. j.g. Logan Krause, visited the famous town for the first time in order to learn about their namesake. The ship’s name honors the 68 members of the Hall of Fame who put aside their baseball careers to serve in the military.
“It was a true honor to walk the halls of the heroes that sacrificed their dreams to defend our nation,” said Logistics Specialist Chief Petty Officer Mario Lacey. “Ted Williams, along with others, selflessly paused their hall of fame careers to fight for our freedoms and it’s a privilege to honor them.”
The Sailors toured the famed hall and the surrounding areas during their visit.
“The National Baseball Hall of Fame was an experience like no other,” said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Noah Creer. “There was so much history behind it that I never knew, baseball players setting their passions aside to join the military, to serve and protect their country and just the magnitude of Hall of Famers who created a legacy for others to be inspired.
“The town, as well, was absolutely breathtaking and had a calm and soothing atmosphere. Overall, it was a one-of-a-kind experience.”
During the visit, the Sailors were given a complete tour of the facility. They watched a movie about the history surrounding baseball and its ties to the military and were given multiple presentations on the different aspects of the organization. During one of the presentations, a Sailor wondered why the Hall of Fame was interested in collecting Lt. Cmdr. Charlie Gehringer’s uniform.
"We collected Lt. Cmdr Gehringer’s uniform because the Hall of Fame is concerned about all aspects of the game, not just the game between the lines, but how baseball intersects with the whole of American life,” said John B. Odell, the Hall’s Curator of History & Research.
“In this case, it was the story of a 39-year-old man who, at the end of a 19-year major league career, felt compelled to return something to the service of his country in a time of need. And nothing showed that better than his dress blues. When Charlie Gehringer’s widow offered his Navy uniform to us, we were honored to accept it."
The Sailors expressed their gratitude for those who helped make the trip possible and recognized the significance of the visit. Another group of Sailors will visit later this Fall to experience the Baseball Hall of Fame for themselves.
Cooperstown is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship. The ship is the twelfth ship in its class and has yet to be commissioned. It is the first U.S. Navy ship to bear the name and the first to honor veteran ballplayers.
SURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. The SURFLANT force is composed of nearly 80 ships and more than 30 shore commands.
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