On November 2, the Vinson Institute had the honor of hosting a delegation of officers and crew members from the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, which is currently undergoing a refueling complex overhaul at Northup Grumman shipyard in Newport News, Virginia. The purpose of the group's visit was to learn more about the life and career of their ship's namesake and the Vinson Institute's public service and outreach work program.
Vinson biographer Dr. James Cook provided the visitors with an informative overview of how Milledgeville, Georgia native Carl Vinson came to serve more than 50 years and nine presidents in the U.S. House of Representatives and was instrumental in bringing the country's national defense system into the modern age. During the program portion of the lunch on the grounds of the Vinson Institute, Dr. Art Dunning, vice president for public service and outreach, presented the USS Carl Vinson's commanding officer, Capt. Ted Carter, with a proclamation from Gov. Sonny Perdue officially recognizing November 2 as Carl Vinson Day in Georgia.
"On behalf of our entire crew, we are honored to be recipients of this fine distinction," stated Capt Carter. "We are proud to continue Carl Vinson's legacy in serving aboard a ship that carries his name." Capt. Carter then provided insight into daily operations on the 97,000-ton carrier, whose length approximates the height of the Empire State Building.
The delegation spent Friday afternoon on the UGA campus, which included a walking tour of North Campus, a stop at Sanford Stadium, and a visit with Coach Suzanne Yoculan and the national champion UGA women's gymnastics team at the new athletic training facility. Yoculan spoke briefly with the group about her emphasis on personal leadership skills development.
In addition to performing at the Friday lunch, members of the USS Carl Vinson color guard presented the national Ensign at the UGA-Troy State homecoming football game on Saturday, November 3. Fans were also treated to a fly-over by U.S. Navy jets.
