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Corporate Social Responsibility
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5.09.2008 - 09:08am ET
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“The Thoroughbred of the Fleet” Visits an Old War Horse
Vietnam Era Veteran Meets the New Breed at USA Cares Headquarters
(CSRwire) RADCLIFF, KY - May 9, 2008 - William F. "Bill" Roller served on the
nuclear submarine USS Daniel Webster as a nuclear weapons technician
during the Vietnam era. Today the crew of the USS Kentucky, "The
Thoroughbred of the Fleet" presented him with a photograph of their sub
and had a good, mutually appreciative discussion of how life under the sea
has changed.
After his Navy service aboard the USS Daniel Webster, Bill Roller went on
to earn a Masters Degree in South Carolina, a PHD in statistics at
Virginia Tech, worked at the National Aeronautical and Space
Administration (NASA) and then as a professor at five universities. He
decided that starting a yacht wiring business might be an ideal retirement
job and a good excuse to live aboard his boat in the Virginia Beach area.
He has now officially retired and lives in Elizabethtown to be near his
oldest son, Randy Roller, and his eight grandchildren and one great-grand
child.
According to Randy "Dad really loved his time in the Navy and these USS
Kentucky crewmembers coming to visit him really made him happy. When he
was still in the Navy I went to visit him and see The USS Nathan Hale
submarine he served on. When I saw the size of the bed where he slept, I
joined the Army because I thought I might sleep better."
Pictured from left to right are Justin Anderson, Weapons Officer, Ben
Pearson, Commanding Officer, Bill Roller formerly of the USS Daniel
Webster, James Elmstead, A-Division, Chad Brown, SK-Division, Scott Moore,
Chief-of-the-Boat.
About the USS Kentucky
The submarine USS KENTUCKY (SSBN 737) is the third U.S. Naval vessel to be
named in honor of the Bluegrass state, and the twelfth Trident submarine
commissioned. Stationed at Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor, she was
christened with a custom blend of Kentucky bourbon, mixed for the
occasion, as opposed to the traditional bottle of champagne. The USS
Kentucky’s primary mission is one of strategic deterrence. It was
designed specifically for stealth, long periods of endurance at sea and
has the ability to deliver high-impact warheads from its 24 missile tubes.
About the USS Daniel Webster
USS Daniel Webster (SSBN-626), a Lafayette-class ballistic missile
submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for
Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster. The submarine was commissioned on 9
April 1964 and decommissioned on 30 August 1990. The Lafayette class of
submarine was an evolutionary development from the Ethan Allen class of
fleet ballistic missile submarines that were slightly larger and generally
improved. In the mid-1970s they were upgraded to carry the Poseidon C3
missile.
About USA Cares
USA Cares is a worldwide non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization serving
military service members of all ranks and branches and their families with
direction and advice along with grant assistance for quality of life issues
caused by military service. Continuing into their sixth year of noteworthy
accomplishment, USA Cares has received requests from thousands of Service
Members and families with millions of dollars in organizational and found
resources. In partnership with The Homeowners Preservation Foundation, USA
Cares has also saved hundreds of military homes from foreclosure across the
Nation. Funding for the organization is provided through the generous
contributions of corporations, organizations and individuals. USA Cares
continues to operate at a 90 percent ratio of contributed mission dollars.
For more information on USA Cares contact us at jrevell@usacares.org and visit www.usacares.org.
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