July 5, 2021 (Cover Photo: Commander Nicholas Meyers and Chief of the Boat David Pope III of the USS Idaho; Photo Credit: Miguel Dominic)
Last Friday, July 2, members of the USS Idaho, a Virginia-class submarine due to be commissioned in 2023, stopped by Pocatello for a visit while touring the state.
The submarine’s Commanding Officer, Commander Nicholas Meyers and Chief of the Boat, Master Chief David Pope III, were joined by four crewmembers on their visit.
The crewmembers arrived at the Red Lion Inn in Pocatello at 1:00 p.m., towing a model of the submarine. There, they were greeted by Pocatello City Council President Heidi Adamson. They posed for photographs and were interviewed by members of the local news media.
From the Red Lion, they participated in a driving tour of the historical Naval Ordinance Facility, Old Town Pocatello, and Idaho State University, and visited the Stephens Performing Arts Center, Bannock County Museum, and Fort Hall replica.
Just after 4:00 they arrived at the Veterans Memorial on South 4th, where Commander Meyers, with the assistance of Marine Corps League Commandant Jim Van Osdol, placed a wreath.
Following dinner at Juniper Hills Country Club, the crew attended a reception at the North Bannock Veterans Memorial Building. There, members of the community, along with Senator Mark Nye, Mayor Brian Blad, and Chubbuck Councilman Roger Hernandez welcomed them. After remarks by Blad and Nye, Commander Myers spoke about the submarine, after which he and the crew took questions from the audience. The crew members stated they were proud to be crewing the submarine named for Idaho, and expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome they had received.
