U.S. Navy Capt. Vince Libosi and 50 sailors from the USS Arlington (LPD-24) traveled to the ship’s namesake community on Sept. 5 to visit the Pentagon Memorial and participate in the annual Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff & ECC 9/11 Memorial 5K Run.
At the race, Capt. Labasci and the sailors of the USS Arlington were recognized. Crew members not only ran the race but also participated in the joint Honor Guard and awarded finishing medals to runners.
USS Arlington crew members were registered in the “Military Teams” category for the race, finishing first in that category.
Race registrations and refreshments for the crew were provided by the USS Arlington Community Alliance, a local organization that serves as a conduit between the Navy ship and the local community.
The USS Arlington is a San Antonio-class amphibious assault ship. Commissioned in 2013, the ship delivers U.S. Marines to world hotspots and on humanitarian missions.
The USS Arlington and its sister ships, USS New York and USS Somerset, were named to honor the three communities most impacted by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
It is the most recent U.S. Navy ship named for Arlington. An earlier ship with that name served as a major communications relay ship during the Vietnam War era, getting its name owing to Arlington hosting three major Navy communications towers from 1913-41 until they were removed to make way for National Airport.
That ship had started life during World War II as the light aircraft carrier USS Saipan (CVL-48) before being converted and renamed Arlington in 1967.
