On 28 November, 2003, NCBC Battalion experienced a unique naval tradition - a change of command ceremony. LT Walter Boll, the commanding officer of the Battalion for the past six years, was relieved by CWO-2 David Kerwood. The invitation-only event, held at the Quonset "O" Club at Quonset Point, RI, had 83 people on hand to witness this singular occasion. Notable attendees included Mel Benson, Rhode Island State House Representative for District 32; the former Commander of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and now Director, Vehicle & Weapons Systems Integration for Raytheon Corporation, Rear Admiral Scott Sears, USN (ret); officials from the Town of North Kingstown, President Richard Parker, Secretary Phil Justin and Judy Alfieri and Treasurer Paul Beno, the leadership team for the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 42 and the sponsors of NCBC Battalion; Captain Shirley Hill, USN (ret) and RMC George Wardwell, the President and Vice President of the Newport County Council of the Navy League; Norm Langlais, the President of the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park; the Reverend Dennis Reardon, Pastor of St. Bernard Church in North Kingstown and the Chaplain for NCBC Battalion.
The Sea Cadet contingent was led by Captain Harold W. Learson, USNR (ret) and the National President for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps; LCDR Genivieve Guimond and LCDR George S. Dimock, NSCC and Associate Regional Directors for Southern New England Region 1-2, LCDR James McLoughlin, NSCC and Commanding Officer for Sea Cadets, Gosnold Division, Cape Cod, MA; LT Roger Sabourin, NSCC and Commanding Officer for Sea Cadets, CG Group Portland Division, South Portland, ME; and LT Stephen Cousineau, NSCC and Commanding Officer for Sea Cadets, Cajun Division, Lafayette, LA. LT Cousineau gave the keynote address, surprising everyone in the room with the revelation that he was a Sea Cadet in NCBC in the early 90s, with then Chief Warrant Officer Boll as one of his instructors (perhaps no one was more surprised, and then delighted, than LT Boll himself). Presentations were made and awards were given to LT Boll by representatives from the Navy League and NSCC Region 1-2, honors richly deserved and well-earned.
The Cadets of NCBC Battalion opened the evening with a locked-solid effort by the Cadet Color Guard, with the entire company in formation during the proceedings. The formal event was closed with a silent drill team performance by a combined team of NCBC Cadets and JROTC and drill team students from Bishop Hendricken High School. After that, everyone tucked into a sumptuous and excellent buffet dinner of steamship roast beef. All in all, certainly an evening to remember.
For the images below, click on any photo to see a larger view. It will open in a new window - no need to reload this page.
LT Stephen Cousineau is piped aboard. |
Sea Cadets prepare. |
Bos'n 1 & Bos'n 2 are ready. |
Sea Cadets stand/sit by. |
Cadets begin to form up. |
Guests arrive. |
Bos'n 1 (bell) & Bos'n 2 (pipe). |
Color guard at the ready. |
Color guard at the ready. |
The MC begins the evening. |
LT Boll is piped aboard. |
LT Cousineau is piped aboard. |
CWO-2 Kerwood is piped aboard. |
Color Guard advances. |
Color guard posts the colors. |
Opening remarks by LCDR Dimock, Region 1-2. |
Battalion stands at Parade Rest. |
Citation presented to LT Boll. |
LT Cousineau gives Keynote Address. |
LT Boll & CWO-2 Kerwood listen in. |
CAPT Hill, US Navy League, makes a presentation. |
RMC Wardwell, US Navy League, makes a presentation. |
LT Boll gives his remarks. |
CWO-2 Kerwood reads his orders. |
"I am ready to be relieved." "Sir, I relieve you." |
"I have been properly relieved." "Very well." |
"Congratulations, and good luck." |
CDR Palmer pins on the command badge. |
CWO-2 Kerwood makes his remarks. |
LT Boll is piped over the side. |
Silent Drill Team performs. |
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
