USS Fort Worth Support Committee Visits Crew in San Diego

USS Fort Worth 2
Nov 10
2 min read

Members of the USS Fort Worth Support Committee traveled to San Diego from November 6–8 for a special weekend of connection, celebration, and hands-on experiences with the ship’s remarkable crew.

Honoring the Sailors of the Year

The visit kicked off Friday evening with a Happy Hour recognizing the ship’s Sailors of the Year—an annual tradition celebrating excellence and dedication among the crew. This year’s honorees were:

Blue Jacket Sailor of the Year: GMSN Ryan Riddle
Junior Sailor of the Year: LS3 Jacob Vrandenburg
Sailor of the Year: EN2(SW) Joel Plaza
Senior Sailor of the Year: MM1(SW) Savannah Maes

Each of these outstanding sailors exemplifies the commitment, professionalism, and spirit of service that make the USS Fort Worth such a source of pride for our city.

Experiencing Life Aboard the USS Fort Worth

On Saturday, committee members were welcomed aboard the ship for a guided tour led by crew members who shared insights into daily life and operations at sea. A highlight of the day was a hands-on firefighting demonstration—complete with members of the Support Committee joining in on the action.

Afterward, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch together before touring the historic USS Midway, gaining a deeper appreciation for the Navy’s legacy and the Fort Worth crew’s role within it.

A Weekend to Remember

The weekend was filled with camaraderie, learning, and gratitude. We extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors—Former Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, Terri Flow, and Karen and Larry Anfin—for making this trip possible. Special thanks also go to Terri Flow, Tim Halden, Gale Caveness, Michael Parker, and JR Labbe for joining us in San Diego and representing our Fort Worth community with pride. We also want to thank Captain Canby and his wife Molly for their amazing hospitality while we were there.

Together, we returned home inspired by the crew’s dedication and proud to continue supporting the men and women who serve aboard our namesake ship.