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Mount Whitney Crew Join Italian Neighbors to Celebrate Independence Day

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GAETA, Italy - Operations Specialist 3rd Class Emmanuel Garcia, left, and Operations Specialist 2nd Class Honey Silva, second from the left, assigned to USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) perform morning colors alongside Italian military. Mount Whitney is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship homeported in Gaeta, Italy, and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.

GAETA, Italy - Capt. Ted Williams, commanding officer of the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), center, and Cosmo Mitrano, mayor of Gaeta, render honors as Lt. Kevin Leiva, second from right, and Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Jacob Wallace, right, raise the American flag during an Independence Day flag-raising ceremony. The flag-raising ceremony was the first time that the Mount Whitney's crew had joined civic leaders, civilians and military members from Gaeta to commemorate American Independence Day.

GAETA, Italy - Capt. Ted Williams, commanding officer of the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), left, hands Cosmo Mitrano, Mayor of Gaeta, an American flag during an Independence Day flag-raising ceremony. The flag-raising ceremony was the first time that the Mount Whitney's crew had joined civic leaders, civilians and military members from Gaeta to commemorate American Independence Day.

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July 4, 2012
MC1 Christopher B. Stoltz, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

GAETA, Italy – Sailors from U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) joined civic leaders and military from Gaeta to commemorate American Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony, July 4.

The ceremony was the first time that the city of Gaeta joined the Mount Whitney crew to celebrate the American holiday.

"The men and women of Mount Whitney are proud and honored to celebrate our Independence Day with the great community of Gaeta," said Capt. Ted Williams, commanding officer of Mount Whitney. "For the first time in Mount Whitney’s history of being in Gaeta, the Americans and Italians have come together to celebrate our two nations' freedom."

The Italian military stood alongside Mount Whitney Sailors as both the American and Italian flags were displayed.

“We are here today to celebrate with [Capt.] Ted Williams and his crew on this important day, not only for the United States, but for the whole world,” said Cosmo Mitrano, Mayor of Gaeta. “We share a closeness that the presence of the base gives us and especially for the history that our nations share.”

 The Mount Whitney crew appreciated being part of the community. 

“I think the event was very successful. “It’s a good event that ties us to the Italian community,” said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Jacob Wallace. “It makes me appreciate things a little more being overseas.”

Even newly arrived Sailors felt the warm hospitality of the Italians and enjoyed sharing some Americana.

“This place is so beautiful and everyone is so nice here. I think it’s really great for Gaeta to take part in our holiday,” said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seamen Sara Angle, who recently arrived.

Following the ceremony, the crew from Mount Whitney held a command picnic, which included a cookout, softball and a dunk tank. 

Mount Whitney is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, homeported in Gaeta, Italy, and operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering, laundry and galley service operations while military personnel aboard support communications, weapons systems and security.

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