Sub Alabama crew visits namesake

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Sailors from nuclear ballistic submarine USS Alabama (SSBN 731) wrapped up a three-day namesake visit to the state of Alabama on July 14 following a series of sessions with community leaders. Alabama Blue Crew Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Paul Reinhardt; Chief of the Boat, Master Chief Fire Control Technician Troy Leonard; and Alabama's Sailor of the Year, Fire Control Technician 1^st Class Charles Cunningham made the 2,500-mile trip from the ship's homeport in Bangor, Wash. The crew met with local non-profit Three Hots and a Cot, a program for homeless veterans; Children's of Alabama Hospital, the third largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S., and the University of Alabama. Emblazoned on each of the crew members' nametag is the slogan "Roll Tide," the rally cry of Alabama Crimson Tide athletics. "Every time I'm talking with my Sailors and ask them how they're doing, they always reply with 'Rollin' Tide’,” said Cmdr. Reinhardt. The wrap-up visit was to the Lakeshore Foundation, a non-profit that serves people with physical disabilities. Lakeshore serves as a Paralympic training facility and features a program called Lima Foxtrot, which provides sport rehabilitation programs for those military members injured in combat and their families. (Navy News Service 07/21/16)