Honoring Captain Todd Marzano

Proclamation

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HONORING CAPTAIN TODD MARZANO

US NAVY, COMMANDING OFFICER, USS ARLINGTON (LPD-24)

WHEREAS, Captain Todd Marzano assumed command of this County’s namesake ship, the USS Arlington, on November 21, 2017, and will be relieved as the Commanding Officer on February 14, 2019, and has discharged his duties as the Commanding Officer of the USS Arlington with distinction, exemplifying the ship’s motto: “Strength, Honor and Fortitude”; and

WHEREAS, Captain Marzano shepherded the USS Arlington through its first extensive overhaul since being placed in service – including repairs, critical preventative maintenance, and the modernization of a number of systems and capabilities – returning the ship to full combat capability; and

WHEREAS, on very short notice, the USS Arlington sailed from Norfolk in the face of the approaching Hurricane Florence to provide rapid disaster relief along the Mid-Atlantic Coast; and

WHEREAS, the USS Arlington sailed to New York City to represent the Navy at Fleet Week activities, hosting more than 20,000 visitors; and after completing an extensive series of readiness inspections, qualification and reviews, sailed, fully loaded, on time/as scheduled for her second full overseas deployment period, returning to port later this year; and

WHEREAS, under Captain Marzano’s command, the officers and crew of the USS Arlington continued to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and esprit de corps, as evidenced by the significant number of personnel achieving the Surface Warfare Officer/Enlisted designation, the maximum number of sailors being promoted to Chief Petty Officers and the ship’s reenlistment percentage exceeding normal standards; and

WHEREAS, Captain Marzano has strengthened the bonds that exist between this Tribute Ship, the Arlington community, and Arlington County’s first responders who went to aid the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 by hosting ship visits by the public, members of the USS Arlington Community Alliance, and the Chairman of Arlington’s Manager’s Military and Veteran’s Affairs Committee; providing a team of runners from the ship’s crew to participate in 18th Annual Arlington Police, Fire and Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5K Race, including having an officer from the ship serve as the Official Starter; and visiting Oakridge Elementary School, providing our community’s students with a chance to meet service men and women of the Navy and to learn firsthand about the USS Arlington, its capabilities, and the mission of the United States Navy: and

WHEREAS, this fine ship, under Captain Marzano’s command and operated by his superlative crew of officers, men and women, carrying the finest Marines of any country, carried the name of our beloved County around the world with professionalism and distinction;

NOW, THEREFORE I, Christian Dorsey, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby express our highest commendation to you, Captain Marzano, for a job exceedingly well done, and our unending gratitude to your crew and their families for their service and sacrifices on the Nation’s behalf, wishing you every success in your continuing service to our nation in the United States Navy, and in the fine tradition of sailors, “Fair winds and following seas.”

Christian Dorsey

Chair