PCU District of Columbia Crew Members Conduct Second Namesake Visit

Posted on April 24, 2026.
Nine Sailors assigned to the Ballistic Missile Submarine, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) visited their ship's namesake city, the District of Columbia, 20-23 April. Namesake visits provide an opportunity for District of Columbia Sailors to build relationships and develop strong ties between the Crew and Washingtonians.

CDR Dave Phillips, Executive Officer; CSSCM(SS) Mark Shipley, Chief of the Boat; YNSC(SS) John Benton; ETNC(SS) Schuyler VanSickle; ITNC(SS/DV) Jessica French; MMAC(SS) Jeffrey Burns; MMN1(SS) Nathan Karasevich; ETN2(SS) Zacory Garnick; and MMN2(SS) Bianca Merritt superbly represented PCU District of Columbia in local events and were thrilled to meet Washingtonians during their four day visit.
USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee member and 3rd Generation Washingtonian, Attorney Kerwin Miller, welcomed Calvin Coolidge High School students and briefly introduced them to THEIR submarine, the USS District of Columbia, before turning it over to the CDR Dave Phillips, Executive Officer, for the submarine demo

The Crew kicked off their Namesake Visit with a STEM event at Calvin Coolidge High School using our 6' working model of the future USS District of Columbia. Attorney Kerwin Miller, Commissioning Committee member and third-generation Washingtonian, provided a brief overview and introduction to "THEIR" submarine to each of the six classes who stopped by, including two Army Junior ROTC Classes, before turning it over to CDR Phillips to provide the demonstration.
After introducing the Crew, CDR Dave Phillips provides a short overview of submarine operations while the Crew demonstrates using our working model.
Crew members then demonstrated how a submarine operates before answering insightful questions from students.
Master Chief Mark Shipley, Chief of the Boat, answers questions from Coolidge students following a demonstration of our working model of the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826)

Before finishing, the Crew had a few questions for Coolidge students about the USS District of Columbia and submarine operations. Congratulations to the Coolidge students who received a USS DC ball cap for correctly answering the Crew's questions!

Many thanks to COL(Ret) Martin Compton, Director, JROTC, DCPS, and JROTC Instructors MAJ Bai Kamara and SFC Ricky Johnson as well as Principal Semanthe Bright and Coolidge teachers for making our visit possible and productive. Thanks, too, to the fantastic students from Calvin Coolidge High School who made our visit so rewarding!
Eatopia Eatery's CO-Owner, DJ Surafel Gizachew, stopped by to meet the Crew
The following day, the Crew enjoyed a traditional Ethiopian lunch at Eatopia Eatery on U Street. Co-owner DJ Surafel Gizachew took the time to meet the Crew and personally explain each dish, demonstrating how to eat it. The Crew members not only raved about the delicious food but also loved the opportunity to experience a traditional Ethiopian meal. If you haven't been, we know nine Crew members who readily give it a five-star review! We can't thank DJ and his staff enough for their time, attention, and culinary delights!
Committee Member, Kerwin Miller, introduces the Crew to Briana Thomas, Founder/CEO of Black Broadway Travel
After lunch, we walked a few short blocks to meet Briana Thomas, founder and CEO of Black Broadway Travel, for a walking tour that started at the foot of the African American Civil War Memorial.
Briana Thomas, Founder and CEO of Black Broadway Travel, introduces Marquett Milton, African American Civil War Memorial Museum historical interpreter

First, the Crew heard from the Museum's historical interpreter, Marquett Milton, about the 200,000+ African-American Soldiers and Sailors who served in the US Army and US Navy during the Civil War.
Pausing for a group photo after learning more about President Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation at the foot of the African American Civil War Memorial Museum. (L-R) Chief Benton, Petty Officers Garnick and Karasevich, COB Shipley, XO Phillips, Founder/CEO, Black Broadway Travel, Briana Thomas, Chiefs French, Burns, and VanSickle, Petty Officer Merritt, and Committee Member, Atty Kerwin Miller

Throughout our tour, Briana introduced District of Columbia Crew members not only to the area's rich history but also to the people, famous and not-so-famous, who contributed to DC's jazz, business, and cultural renaissance throughout the decades.
"DC Jazz Heroes" was one of many murals Briana Thomas highlighted on our Walking Tour. In addition to noting the mural artists and the musicians depicted, Briana highlighted the history of the buildings, the neighborhoods, and/or the people who lived and worked there bringing the age to life for the Crew.

A stop along U Street, once known as "Black Broadway."

Afterwards, many of the Sailors commented on how much they'd learned from the tour that they hadn't known; Committee members, Attorney Kerwin Miller and Susan Chiaravalle loved hearing that as one of our Committee's Community Engagement goals is to acquaint the Crew with the District "beyond the monuments!"
Learning a little of the history of the Bohemian Caverns including some of the jazz greats who performer there ranging from DC native Duke Ellington to Louis Armstrong to Thelonius Monk, etc.

A true highlight of their week - thank you Briana!
Briana Thomas shows off her USS District of Columbia Challenge Coin and sticker presented by the Crew as a thank you for an amazing Walking Tour of Black Broadway.


Crew members Petty Officer Bianca Merritt, Chief Jeffrey Burns, Chief Jessica French, COB Mark Shipley, Petty Officer Nathan Karasevich, Petty Officer Zacory Garnick, Chief Schuyler VanSickle, XO Dave Phillips, Commissioning Committee members, Susan Chiaravalle and Mike McCalip, and Chief John Benton

Go Nats!

The Crew ended the day at Nationals Park to cheer the Nats on to an 11-4 win against the Braves!
Crew members enjoy "baseball fare" with Naval Submarine League's Executive Director, CAPT(Ret) Andy Wilde, and Commissioning Committee member, Fleet Master Chief(Ret) Mike McCalip


PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Chief of the Boat Mark Shipley and former USS Boise Chief of the Boat (SSN-764) Mike McCalip enjoy a laugh during the game

On Wednesday, the Crew visited the Military Women's Memorial for a guided tour.
Group photo following a guided tour of the Military Women's Memorial from Corinne Davenport


PCU District of Columbia Crew Members (L-R), Chief Schuyler VanSickle, XO Dave Phillips, Chief Jessica French, Chief Jeffrey Burns, Petty Officer Bianca Merritt, COB Mark Shipley, Petty Officer Zacory Garnick, Petty Officer Nathan Karasevich, and Chief John Benton, pose with President Lincoln statue outside President Lincoln's Cottage.

Thursday started with an informative tour of President Lincoln's Cottage
On the back porch of President Lincoln's Cottage. Tour guide, Haley Bryant, describes how Lincoln would have seen Union troops camped along the tree line -- so the war was never far away

We then headed across the compound to spend time and enjoy lunch with some of the Veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
Joining the birthday celebration at the AFRH lunch

Hearing many of the Vets' stories was an exceptional way to end their Namesake Visit.
Petty Officer Garnick and Chiefs Burns and Benton are ready to serve during the AFRH's Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony


Before the ceremony, a little "guitar competition" between AFRH Vets and...

Sharing "Sea Stories" from one generation to another

Special thanks to Marine Robbins, Dion Dupree, and all the AFRH Veterans for making our visit so special.


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