KINGS BAY, Ga. – Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Lasker, a native of Fernandina Beach, Florida, who serves aboard USS Alaska, is headed to Anchorage for Navy Week, June 16 to 22, During Anchorage Navy Week, Lasker will volunteer in the community and discuss why the Navy matters to the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Lasker graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 2003. Additionally, Lasker earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of South Florida in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fernandina Beach.
"Moving to Florida from New Hampshire when I was 16 years old taught me how to handle the feeling of isolation," Lasker said.
Lasker joined the Navy 13 years ago. Today Lakser serves as an electronics technician (nuclear power).
"After graduating from college and being newly married with a baby, it was difficult to find a job that would financially support my family," Lasker said. "So, I enlisted for financial stability and the future job prospects the nuclear Navy offers."
Anchorage is one of 15 Navy Weeks that will be put on by the Navy Office of Community Outreach this year. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort in areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Anchorage. This is the first Navy Week to be hosted by Anchorage.
Anchorage Navy Week events include Navy activities at the Chinooks vs. Miners baseball game in Chugiak, the Mayor’s Marathon and Kids Mile, Slam’n Salm’n Derby Kids Fishing Day and downtown Summer Solstice festivities. Sailors will also volunteer with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Food Bank of Alaska, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, VOA Alaska, Youth Employment in the Parks, Anchorage VA and summer programs with Anchorage Public Libraries, Campfire Alaska, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.
For a list of public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Anchorage-2025/
USS Alaska is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine that has been in commission since 1986. The submarine is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named for the territory of Alaska or the state of Alaska.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Lasker has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"There was a student when I was serving at Navy Nuclear Power Training Command Charleston whose grandfather was very sick and close to death," Lasker said. "I am proud that I was able to facilitate emergency leave through the chain of command so the sailor could see his grandad before he passed."
Lasker serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
"Serving in the Navy has given me the financial security to ensure that I never have to worry about my family not being able to eat," Lasker said. "It also has forced me to break out of my comfort zone and better myself."
Lasker is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"Senior Chief Electronics Technician (Nuclear Power) Koshowsky has provided me stability and support while serving onboard USS Alaska," Lasker added. "Being passed up for promotion several times and being separated from my family has been challenging."