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| The Warners with the sub. (L. Todd Spencer photo for The Virginian-Pilot) |
August 1, 2015 was a thrilling day for retired U.S. Senator John Warner. That was when the Navy commissioned in Norfolk, Virginia the country's newest submarine -- the USS John Warner.
Warner and his wife Jeanne, the ship's sponsor, enjoyed days of official events in Norfolk related to the commissioning of the submarine that was built in Newport News, Virginia.
Although all the ceremonies are over, the Alexandria couple maintains strong ties to the new submarine and its Norfolk-based crew through the new $100,000 Warner Family Fund they and other family members started at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
The new designated fund will "provide for modest awards to sailors recognized publicly for outstanding achievements each year," says Warner, who was a Navy petty officer in World War II, a Marine in the Korean War and Secretary of the Navy before serving in the senate for 30 years. In addition to supporting meritorious service awards, the Warner Fund will help the submarine's morale, welfare and recreation programs over the next 35 years, which is the expected life of the sub.
The Warners were introduced to the community foundation by Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim about a month before the commissioning. "The Warners wanted to make sure funds would be available for the life of the submarine," Fraim says. "I suggested the community foundation because of the great work it does and that it could manage the money and comply with their wishes."
"Our family has a deep sense of humility and gratitude to our nation ... and for the sailors and the shipyard workers," Warner says. He also appreciates President George W. Bush and his administration for honoring him upon his 2009 retirement from the senate by naming the next submarine to be constructed for him.
The USS John Warner, the most technologically advanced submarine in the fleet, is the first of 12 Virginia-class subs to be named for a person. The others are all named for states.
Although all the ceremonies are over, the Alexandria couple maintains strong ties to the new submarine and its Norfolk-based crew through the new $100,000 Warner Family Fund they and other family members started at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
The new designated fund will "provide for modest awards to sailors recognized publicly for outstanding achievements each year," says Warner, who was a Navy petty officer in World War II, a Marine in the Korean War and Secretary of the Navy before serving in the senate for 30 years. In addition to supporting meritorious service awards, the Warner Fund will help the submarine's morale, welfare and recreation programs over the next 35 years, which is the expected life of the sub.
The Warners were introduced to the community foundation by Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim about a month before the commissioning. "The Warners wanted to make sure funds would be available for the life of the submarine," Fraim says. "I suggested the community foundation because of the great work it does and that it could manage the money and comply with their wishes."
"Our family has a deep sense of humility and gratitude to our nation ... and for the sailors and the shipyard workers," Warner says. He also appreciates President George W. Bush and his administration for honoring him upon his 2009 retirement from the senate by naming the next submarine to be constructed for him.
The USS John Warner, the most technologically advanced submarine in the fleet, is the first of 12 Virginia-class subs to be named for a person. The others are all named for states.
(The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is a regional community foundation started in 1950 as the first community foundation in Virginia. It is among nearly 750 community foundation around the country serving specific geographic regions. It is the largest grant and scholarship provider in southeastern Virginia and manages more than 400 charitable funds created by donors from all walks of life. Over the decades it has provided more than $210 million to improve life for residents living in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, including the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. It also serves people in Isle of Wight and Southampton counties and the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including Accomack and Northampton counties. Learn more at hamptonroadscf.org. You can click here to locate a community foundation near you. )
