David McCormick

Mr. President, Greeting · 37 wordsI rise today to recognize a distinguished American, RDML Eric H. Ver Hage, U.S. Navy, a native of Mechanicsburg, PA, upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 42 years of distinguished service to our Nation.¹²Greeting Claims · 187 wordsOn June 13, 1984, he reported from his home in Upper Allen Township to the Harrisburg Military Entrance Processing Station, beginning a career that took him from enlisted electronics technician to Naval Academy midshipman to surface warfare officer, ³and ultimately the Military Deputy and Deputy Assistant Secretary of War. Over his career, Rear Admiral Ver Hage commanded USS CARR (FFG 52) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Divisions at Corona and Port Hueneme, led the multi-billion-dollar Aegis Ashore program to completion in Romania, ⁴⁵⁶and served as commander of the NAVSEA Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers and of the Navy Regional Maintenance Centers, ⁷where he directed a global workforce of roughly 10,000 and a $5 billion annual budget.⁸ He most recently served as Military Deputy and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for International and Industry Engagement, strengthening our defense industrial base and international armaments cooperation.⁹ Rear Admiral Ver Hage’s retirement ceremony will be held tomorrow on July 31, 2026.¹⁰ He will officially be released from Active Duty on September 30, 2026, closing 42 years, 3 months, ¹¹¹²and 17 days of service to our Navy and our Nation. Thanks · 61 wordsHis four decades of service stand as a model of the dedication, integrity, and leadership our Nation depends upon, and he leaves the Navy stronger for having served. In recognition of his service, and in this milestone year of America’s 250th anniversary, a U.S. flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol on July 4, 2026, in Rear Admiral Ver Hage’s honor.¹³Thanks