THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604130374
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
The crack in his voice, followed by a long pause, testified to Capt. Christopher Weaver's sincerity when he said he was doing something he was not emotionally ready to do - give up command of the Norfolk Naval Station.
``I leave with great, great reluctance. I'm most proud of the partnership I've had with the people of this great station,'' Weaver said at a change-of-command ceremony Friday.
Command of the naval station goes to its executive officer for the past two years, Cmdr. Tonya J. Concannon. It is the first time in the station's 90-year history that a woman has been the commanding officer.
Concannon's assignment is temporary. She will be the interim commanding officer until Capt. John N. Petrie arrives to take the role in August.
Weaver, who opened the gates of the world's largest naval base to eager civilians who wanted to get a look at the 107 ships stationed there, has been commanding officer less than two years. But duty calls him to a new assignment with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington.
He will be executive officer to the director of logistics for the joint chiefs.
The Norfolk Naval Base is made up of the Naval Station - more than 100 ships and 89 commands - and the Naval Air Station.
While he was commander, Weaver guided the evacuation and return to safe harbor of 50 ships in response to the threat of Hurricane Felix last summer.
He was the commanding officer who coordinated ``Operation Sincere Welcome,'' establishing a special support center at the naval station for more than 2,500 military and civilian personnel and their families when they were evacuated from Guantanamo Bay in September 1994.
He has been an active proponent of what he calls a ``healthy, positive synergy between Norfolk and the Navy.'' A portrait of the Norfolk skyline was a going-away gift from his staff, appropriate because ``it shows where our hearts are,'' he said.
He hopes to take to his new assignment ``a connection between administrative decisions and the flesh and blood who reinforce those decisions.''
``There's a tendency in Washington to believe that a piece of paper is reality. But this is reality: These sailors, these kids, these ships,'' he said, waving his hand around the parade ground after Friday's ceremony.
Rear Adm. Robert Cole, commanding officer of the Norfolk Naval Base, described Weaver as an approachable leader and mentor who goes the extra mile.
Cole talked about how fortunate the Navy was to have the ``C-squared couple'' for a team: Capt. Chris Weaver's wife is also named Chris. Then Cole gave almost as much recognition to ``Mrs. Chris'' as he did to the departing commanding officer.
``She has played a vital part in all his achievements and has an impressive performance as a Navy wife. She is a team player, a great mom and a wonderful Christian influence. She's made him all he is today,'' Cole said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Capt. Christopher Weaver, who is taking a new assignment with the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Cmdr. Tonya J. Concannon, who will serve
as interim commanding officer of Norfolk Naval Station until Capt.
John N. Petrie arrives in August.
[The same photos appear in color on p.B1]
KEYWORDS: U.S. NORFOLK NAVAL STATION
by CNB