Photo By Lt. Joseph Painter | BUFFALO, N.Y. (Oct. 17, 2019) -- Buffalo, N.Y., native Rear Adm.Carl Lahti speaks with...... read more read more
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rear Admiral Carl Lahti returned to his hometown October 16-18 to meet with members of the community and discuss the Navy’s role in protecting the nation.
“Buffalo does not have a huge Navy footprint, people aren’t regularly exposed to the Navy, so it’s a great opportunity to be able to come here and educate people on exactly what the Navy is doing with their tax dollars,” said Lahti.
After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1989 he spent a large portion of his career serving on submarines, eventually commanding the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739).
His time aboard submarines has taken him all over the world conducting a wide range of missions including launching cruise missiles into Kosovo and conducting special forces operations with Navy SEALs.
His trip included meetings with Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, the Niagara County Central Rotary Club, the Western New York Incubator Network and the New York State Power Authority at Niagara Power Vista.
“We are a maritime nation and our prosperity is tied to our ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans,” said Lahti. “It’s important that community leaders, the public, understand this and understand that it’s our Navy that helps maintain that freedom at sea.”
Lahti graduated from Niagara Wheatfield High School in 1985 and visited with current students Thursday morning to talk about his 30-plus year career in the Navy.
“This school, my teachers, helped me set up a good foundation for success,” said Lahti. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t been surrounded by so many teachers that truly cared about my education, my future.”
Lahti also met with students at the Western New York Maritime Academy and University at Buffalo.
During his trip he had the opportunity to enlist 20 future Sailors into the Navy at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park onboard the decommissioned USS Little Rock.
Lahti administered the oath of enlistment to the Buffalo-area recruits in front of a crowd of their friends and family members.
“Welcome to the world’s greatest Navy,” said Lahti. “You are all now a part of the most powerful naval force in history.”
Lahti traveled back to Washington, D.C. Friday where he is currently the commandant, Naval District Washington, in charge of multiple Navy installations throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
| Date Taken: | 10.18.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.18.2019 13:49 |
| Story ID: | 348241 |
| Location: | BUFFALO, NEW YORK, US |
| Hometown: | BUFFALO, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 260 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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