|
Great Lakes, IL - Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) welcomed Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), Ranking Democratic leader of the House Armed Services Committee, to Great Lakes Naval Training Center Friday. Kirk accompanied Skelton on an inspection tour of Great Lakes, and later attended graduation for nearly 1,000 naval recruits.
"I am honored to have Rep. Skelton here at Great Lakes," said Rep. Kirk. "I had the privilege of serving with Rep. Skelton on the Armed Services Committee during my first two years in Congress. His experience and leadership on the Armed Services Committee and his ability to reach across the aisle, benefits this nation and our Armed Forces. I thank him for visiting our Navy's only boot camp and I praise him for his support of our nation's military men and women."
Skelton's visit marks the first time the Democrat has visited Great Lakes. His father, Isaac Skelton III, went through boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in 1918 and served in Company U, 2nd Regiment at Camp Logan in Zion, Illinois. Skelton toured Great Lakes and received a briefing on the $700 million base construction underway at the Training Center. Skelton's visit concluded at the Navy's graduation ceremony where he served as reviewing officer to nearly 1,000 recruits.
Before leaving, the Navy presented Skelton with a framed Sailor's Creed, a photo of Rep. Skelton's father's unit at Camp Logan and a 40 minute video of photos from 1918 of all recruits coming through Great Lakes Naval Training Center.
Congressman Kirk, who currently serves as an Intelligence Officer in the Naval Reserves, was the guest of honor at the Navy's graduation ceremony.
Skelton represents the Fourth District in Missouri. His district is home to Ft. Leonard Wood Army base and Whiteman Air Force Base.
|
