Crew members of the USS Washington will be officially welcomed to South Berwick, their host community, at a public event from 3 to 5 pm Thursday, Jan. 23, at the South Berwick Community Center. South Berwick Memorial Post 5744 VFW is hosting the “meet and greet,” where post members and town officials will welcome the submariners to “our great little town,” according to Post Commander Jeff Chase.
Community members are invited to attend the event, the first official event the town has held for the USS Washington crew since it docked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in September. Several crew members were in town in the fall for other events. Chief of the Boat Austin Gilbert spoke at a Veterans Day service at Town Hall and several crew members helped serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Senior Center.
South Berwick will be host community for the 150-member crew of the USS Washington while the attack submarine is at the shipyard in Kittery for system upgrades and scheduled maintenance work.
The ship is expected to remain in Kittery until the summer of 2027, according to the shipyard’s Office of Public Affairs.
The host community program is a collaboration between the designated Seacoast community, chosen by the Navy on a rotating basis, and the submarine crew. Sailors enjoy the community’s hospitality and in turn offer a helping hand when called upon, according to the public affairs office.
Civic groups can invite crew members to join a project, tutor in the schools, or participate in holiday events, according to the shipyard statement. Any civic group wishing to invite the crew to join an event or project should email the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Office of Public Affairs at PORT_PTNH_ASK_PAO@navy.mil.
