Celebrity Drew Carey visits U.S. Navy aircraft carriers during Thanksgiving holiday

23 November 2023 NORFOLK, Va. -- Sailors assigned to four aircraft carriers in Hampton Roads had the opportunity to visit with celebrity Drew Carey, with the help from the United Service Organization (USO), during the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 22 to 23.
 
Carey is best known for his roles in The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line is it Anyway? and The Price is Right. Before his roles in the spotlight, Carey enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1980 and served until 1986. His primary military specialty was 2531 Field Radio Operator and he last served with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. He separated at the rank of Sergeant. Carey continues to support the troops and does stateside and overseas touring with the USO.
 
“I play down my time in the Marine Corps all the time,” Carey said. “I was just in the reserves. I never fought in combat. I was never in danger. Coming and visiting Sailors assigned to aircraft carriers is a very humbling experience. I’m very grateful for their service and for their dedication to the country.”
 
On Nov. 22, Carey visited Newport News Shipbuilding and also with crew members assigned to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). John C. Stennis is currently undergoing their refueling complex overhaul maintenance period and John F. Kennedy is in a pre-commissioning phase at the shipyard.
 
John C. Stennis crew members had the chance to engage with Carey during a ship tour, reenlistment and during a pre-Thanksgiving meal.  
 
"Reenlistments are always an exciting time for any Sailor," Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Brian Matthews said. "To have someone like Drew Carey attend your last reenlistment in the Navy, though, is extra special, especially with his service background. I know I can confidently say on behalf of the whole Stennis crew, we appreciate him taking the time to visit the shipyard."
 
Following the visit with John C. Stennis, Carey transited to John F. Kennedy where he did a ship tour, frocking, and meet-and-greet with Sailors on the mess decks.
 
“Being able to meet Drew Carey was humbling because I grew up in Ohio and seeing his show in the 90s was really cool because it showed us in a good light,” Religious Programs Specialist First Class John Doerner said. “To have him take time out of his day to come see us and to frock me was special – for these events to come together at the right time was unexpected and I was honored.”
 
On Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day, Carey visited Naval Station Norfolk and the crews of USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77).
 
The George Washington crew welcomed Carey aboard with a ship tour and participated in Sailor meet-and-greets. During the tour, Carey had the opportunity to meet with the ship's supply department team and discuss what the meal preparation for 1,000 Sailors means to them.
 
"Thanksgiving on the ship is a chance for us to come together and there is a lot of comradery, especially among the culinary specialists that plan the meal," said CWO3 Nicole Campbell, food service officer aboard USS George Washington. "It is a lot of food, with a lot of love put into it and at the end of the day we all get to break bread together."
 
Campbell's motto for her team is "character is everything" something that was evident in the Thanksgiving preparation for the crew.
 
In addition to George Washington Sailors and their families, there were 100 sailors from the HMS Prince of Wales, a Royal Navy carrier that is sharing a pier with USS George Washington at Naval Station Norfolk, and were invited to a Thanksgiving meal aboard the aircraft carrier. The day concluded with a pierside Thanksgiving celebration with members of the George H. W. Bush crew and their families.
 
"This is my first Thanksgiving away from my family ever, and it was so sweet to be surrounded by my Navy family this year to celebrate,” Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Leah Moore said. “Also, having Drew Carey and the USO serve us while we stood the watch was so impactful and encouraging.”

AIRLANT is responsible for six nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, 54 aircraft squadrons, 1,200 aircraft and 43,000 officers, enlisted and civilian personnel based on the East Coast of the United States. It provides combat ready, sustainable naval air forces with the right personnel, properly trained and equipped, with a focus on readiness, operational excellence, interoperability, safety, and efficient resourcing.