January 27, 2025
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Lake County Journal

USS England celebrates heritage with former crewmembers

By Story and
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Training Support Center Great Lakes Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Jeffery Kirby shakes hands with former USS England (CG-22) crewmember retired Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Bradley Dillon prior to a heritage event for the USS England Aug. 18. Dillon, along with retired Fire Controlman Senior Chief Paul Gordon, center, and retired Gunner’s Mate Master Chief Charlie Popp, right, were shipmates aboard the USS England (CG-22) in the early 1980s and attended the heritage event to connect with current Sailors aboard the USS England. (Zach Mott)

Commemorating history, no matter how distant, is part of the Navy military training instruction at Training Support Center Great Lakes. As part of this instruction, former crewmembers of the USS England (CG-22) attended a heritage event at the USS England (BEQ 836) Aug. 18 to share the history of the ship with current sailors.

During their visit, retired GMCM Charlie Popp, retired FCCS Paul Gordon and former FC2 Bradley Dillon, listened as current USS England (BEQ 836) sailors recited the history of the ship’s namesake, Ensign John C. England, and the history of the multiple iterations of the USS England.

“I think it’s great. It’s really interesting that they’re doing something like this,” said Gordon who was aboard the USS England for two tours from 1977 to 1983 and again from 1987 to 1993. “I like the team building.”

Gordon, Popp and Dillon were shipmates aboard the USS England (CG-22) and still live in the area. However, this was the first time any of the three have attended a heritage event for their former ship. Each man carries many memories of their time aboard the USS England (CG-22). For Dillon those memories are something he often reflects upon.

“It was a fantastic atmosphere from captain on down. I really enjoyed it. A week doesn’t go by that I don’t dream about what I experienced back then,” he said. Adding that he hopes the current sailors aboard the USS England share that same sense of pride in service he still does.

At the end of the presentation, Popp donated a piece of history from his time aboard the USS England (CG-22) to the current ship – the flag that flew during his last cruise.

“It’s been sitting in my basement forever and I thought this would be a golden opportunity to share it with everybody,” Popp said. “This way it lives on forever.”

For current sailors of the USS England (BEQ 836) this piece of living history adds authenticity to the ship.

“It adds to the character of the ship,” said ETSN John Protopadakis, current USS England sailor. “I think it’s going to increase and promote the heritage and the personal responsibility to the USS England.”