THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412080454
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Sailors from South Carolina gathered at Norfolk Naval Station Wednesday to give U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond a plaque and birthday wish during his visit.
South Carolina's Republican senator, who turned 92 Monday, was accompanied to Norfolk by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jeremy Mike Boorda to see up-close some of the Navy's hardware, Navy officials said.
Thurmond is slated to become chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee when the new Congress convenes next month.
He will replace Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., when the new Republican majority takes over leadership in both houses of Congress.
His visit included tours of the submarine tender L. Y. Spear, where he talked with men and women in its 1,400-member crew.
He then toured the guided missile destroyer Berry, where he was given a briefing on ballistic missile defenses and was told of the modifications being made to the ship to accept women crew members next year.
Before leaving, Thurmond also viewed an F/A-18 Hornet and received a briefing from Atlantic Fleet Commander Adm. William J. Flanagan Jr. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Thurmond
by CNB