FARRAGUT, Tenn. — Eight U.S. Navy sailors visited Farragut this week as part of a Navy program called "Namesake Visits." The eight sailors recently returned home from months-long deployments aboard their Naval destroyer, the USS Farragut.
Both the ship and the town were named for David Farragut, a career Navy man who fought in the War of 1812 as a boy and for the Union in the Civil War. He's commonly remembered for the paraphrased saying, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
The ship's commander said East Tennessee welcomed the sailors with open arms.
"Everywhere in East Tennessee is awesome to military," said Commanding Officer Tom Roberts. "Even just walking around in a uniform, people treat you amazingly."
The sailors recently returned home from a months-long deployment.
"After that much time out at sea, it's not easy," said Lieutenant Junior Grade Aaron Cooper. "That is difficult. And now we're here, and you guys are showing us so much love and appreciation."
The sailors gathered with community members Wednesday afternoon for lunch. Veterans of all generations joined in celebrating the sailors.
"They're always in harm's way," said Glenn Sisco, who lives in Farragut and said he served in the Navy during the 1960s. "To honor them, respect them and thank them — it's an honor to me."
They'll throw out the first pitch at the Smokies game Wednesday evening and walk in the Farragut Fourth of July parade Thursday.