Everett Officially Celebrates The USS Nimitz

Yesterday was USS Nimitz Appreciation Day in Everett. At a luncheon sponsored by the United Way of Snohomish County and Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson read a proclamation recognizing the arrival of the Nimitz in Everett on March 9th and thanking the ship and its crew for all they do on behalf of the 103,100 people who live in Everett. Stephanson also noted he brought his 94-year-old father, a naval veteran, to the lunch and mentioned his dad never forgave him for joining the army over the navy.

USS Nimitz Captain Jeffrey S. Ruth also addressed the more than 200 community leaders in the room and provided some insight about the Nimitz including the fact that soon the Nimitz will be the oldest active carrier in the fleet following the retirement of the USS Enterprise later this year. Ruth said the ship when in port has a compliment of between 2500 – 2700 sailors and that 1000 of them live in Everett and Snohomish County with the remaining sailors spread out around other Puget sound communities. Ruth said the average age of the sailors serving on the Nimitz is just 21 years old with a lot of the crew fresh out of school and on their first assignment.

The United Way of Snohomish County and Economic Alliance Snohomish County presented Captain Ruth with a check for $6000.00 for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Their mission is to provide financial, educational and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members and survivors when in need, including the sailors on the USS Nimitz.