Gettysburg Sailors Get Tour Of Italy

It had been more then two years since the port of Civitavecchia, situated 50 km North of Rome, Italy, hosted a U.S Navy ship.

Gettysburg entered the Italian port city on March 8, greeted by a Coast Guard escort, a pilot boat, and two tugs. The weather, clement and sunny, in addition to the scenic landscape, made the Sea and Anchor evolution one of the most enjoyable the crew has experienced recently.

"When I looked past the perimeter of the harbor, I was amazed at how beautiful the small town looked," Ensign Jeffrey Kee, the ship's Electrical Division Officer, stated shortly after stepping topside to get a view of the ship's position in port.

The crew, dressed in their service blue uniforms upon arrival, was excited for liberty call.

The majority of the crew took advantage of the one-hour train ride to the city of Rome to tour the many historic sites and sample authentic fine cuisine. In Rome, Sailors ventured throughout the massive network of narrow alleyways, taking advantage of the cooperative and pleasant weather. Gettysburg sightseers visited the ruins of the old city, the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Vatican. St. Peter's Basilica stood out to be the highlight of the day for Engineman 2nd Class Navarro who mentioned that despite the lovely crowd roaming the streets of Rome and the other historic places, the Vatican, "was the coolest and most impressive part of Rome."

Following the tour, the Piazza de Spagna, otherwise known as the Spanish Steps, offered visitors an opportunity to eat at some of the famous Roman, family-owned cantinas and fully experience the Italian way of eating, usually involving long, and multi-course meals.

"This was the best meal I have had in a long time," Ensign Phillips remarked on the train ride back to Civitavecchia. "I did not want to stop eating even though after the second course, I was already full." This visit was his first in Europe.

An MWR tour, led by the Rome USO office, took thirty-two Gettysburg Sailors to Pompeii for a visit of the city buried in lava and ash by Mount Vesuvius' ancient volcanic eruption. It offered a rare view of the lifestyle more than 2,000 years ago and a unique insight into what it must have been like for those in Pompeii the day of that historic eruption.

"I am very proud of the Gettysburg crew," commented Cmdr. Scott Robertson, executive officer. "While we certainly make port visits to offer the crew an opportunity to relax and see new places, we are also here as Ambassadors to our great country. Leaving a positive impression on the Italians we met ashore was critical to maintaining a great reputation - we want the Navy to be invited back to the port."

The crew received numerous praises for their courteous interaction and professional behavior while in Civitavecchia.