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SUBJ/2024 WINNERS OF THE NEW YEARS DAY DECK LOG POEM CONTEST//

REF/A/MSG/CNO/271446ZDEC23//

AMPN/REF A IS NAVADMIN 304-23, 2024 NEW YEARS DAY DECK LOG POEM CONTEST 
ANNOUNCEMENT.// POC/NHHC DECK LOG PROGRAM/EMAIL: nhhc-
decklogs@us.navy.mil//

RMKS/1. The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) is excited to announce 
the winners of the 2024 New Year's Day Deck Log Poem
Contest:
    a.  USS FARRAGUT (DDG-99), written by QM2 ANTHONY BENTLY
    b.  USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN-72), written by CDR DOUG IVANAC
    c.  USS LENAH SUTCLIFFE-HIGBEE (DDG-123), written by
        IC1 RICKY MERRITT

2. Along with the winners, NHHC would like to acknowledge the following 
honorable mentions:
    a.  USS NEBRASKA (SSBN-739), written by LTJG OLIVIA ROZMUS
    b.  USS NIMITZ (CVN-62), written by LCDR DANIELLE "MAKO" TATCHIO

3. The winning poems and author biographies can be found at
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/archives/resources-for-the-fleet/deck-
logs/new-years-contest/2022.html

4. The focus of the New Year's Day Deck Log contest is to celebrate the 
voices of our Sailors and to preserve a Navy tradition. A deck log is the 
official record maintained by all commissioned U.S. Navy vessels. While 
regulations normally restrict the types of entries in logbooks, the Navy has 
long held the tradition of the Midnight New Year's Poem. The first entry of 
the New Year, written in verse, allows Sailors to express their creativity 
about the experiences of shipboard life and their pride in their command. The 
contest also serves to remind the Fleet of the importance of the deck log as 
a historical document; one that preserves for future generations the actions 
and voices of our United States Sailors.

5. Congratulations to the winners!

6.  Released by the Honorable Mr. Erik K. Raven, Under Secretary of the 
Navy.//

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