U.S. Navy Ensign Honoring Charlotte Fire Dedicated at Headquarters
Published on January 22, 2026
The framed U.S. Navy Ensign flown aboard the USS Charlotte is displayed at Charlotte Fire Headquarters following the formal dedication ceremony.
A United States Navy Ensign that once flew above a fast-attack submarine thousands of miles from home now holds a permanent place at Charlotte Fire Headquarters, serving as a symbol of shared service, sacrifice, and commitment to the nation.
Charlotte Fire formally dedicated the Navy Ensign during a ceremony this morning, recognizing an American flag that was flown aboard the USS Charlotte (SSN 766) in honor of Charlotte Fire and the City of Charlotte. The flag, flown at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, represents a tangible connection between those who serve at sea and those who protect their communities at home.
Former Charlotte Fire Communications Superintendent Greg Hauser stands aboard the USS Charlotte (SSN 766) during a visit with the submarine and its crew.
The Ensign was flown on April 24, 2023, by then Navy Commander Anthony G. Stranges, commanding officer of the USS Charlotte. It was later presented to Charlotte Fire in the fall of 2023 during a home football game at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The presentation was made by then Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, who now serves as Vice Admiral and Director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
“This flag represents more than a ceremony,” Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson said. “It represents the trust placed in Charlotte Fire, the bond between service members and first responders, and the understanding that serving others often requires sacrifice that is not always seen.”
Brig. Gen. Christina Moore stands with Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson in front of the framed U.S. Navy Ensign during the dedication ceremony at Charlotte Fire Headquarters.
The USS Charlotte is a Los Angeles-class, nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine commissioned on Sept. 16, 1994. It is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name Charlotte and is assigned to Submarine Squadron Seven, based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. The submarine supports a wide range of critical missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
With virtually unlimited endurance made possible by its nuclear propulsion system, the USS Charlotte is capable of operating independently for extended periods. The submarine is currently underway at an undisclosed location after departing on mission just before the holidays and continues to protect the United States and its allies around the world.
Chief Johnson said the dedication provided an opportunity to reflect on the shared mindset between firefighters and those serving in the military.
“Firefighters and sailors understand readiness,” Johnson said. “They understand what it means to train constantly, to answer the call without hesitation, and to serve others without seeking recognition.”
Charlotte Fire Captain James Squittieri stands beside the U.S. Navy Ensign display he designed and handcrafted, now permanently housed at Charlotte Fire Headquarters.
The Ensign is now displayed in a custom frame designed and handcrafted by Charlotte Fire Captain James Squittieri, adding a deeply personal element to the dedication. The display includes an inset certificate bearing official language from Commander Stranges documenting the date, location, and purpose of the flag’s flight aboard the USS Charlotte.
The inscription reads, in part, that the American flag was flown in honor of Charlotte Fire from the flagstaff of the USS Charlotte at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It describes the submarine as a nuclear-powered, fast-attack vessel of the improved 688 class and highlights its advanced sonar, torpedo, and cruise missile systems, as well as the training and readiness of its crew.
Brig. Gen. Christina Moore, Assistant Adjutant General for Sustainment with the North Carolina National Guard, attended the ceremony and spoke about the importance of recognizing the connection between service members, their families, and the communities that support them. Moore also works at Duke Energy, where she leads fleet operations and serves as a sponsor for the company’s veterans employee resource group.
Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson speaks with a guest during the U.S. Navy Ensign dedication ceremony at Charlotte Fire Headquarters.
Moore said her involvement in the ceremony came through Duke Energy’s strong contingent of Navy veterans and its emphasis on community engagement.
“We reach out into the community to make sure we are supporting our employees who are veterans or connected to veterans,” Moore said. “When this invitation came through, it immediately resonated. I work very closely with Charlotte Fire and have seen firsthand the professionalism and commitment this department brings to the community.”
Moore said her perspective is shaped not only by her own military service, but also by her experience as a military spouse. Her husband, now retired, completed multiple deployments in support of the nation.
“When your loved one is deployed, especially with the Navy, there are long stretches without communication,” she said. “Those moments can be incredibly difficult for families. Knowing there are organizations and communities that understand that sacrifice truly changes lives.”
Charlotte Fire Superintendent William Suthard with retired Charlotte Fire Battalion Chiefs Shawn Royall and Rob Cannon stand with the framed U.S. Navy Ensign flown aboard the USS Charlotte during a dedication ceremony at Charlotte Fire Headquarters.
She said gestures like the dedication of the Ensign carry lasting meaning for military families.
“It lets families know they are not standing alone,” Moore said. “It shows that people understand the sacrifice made not only by the service member, but also by the families who support them. That kind of support matters more than people often realize.”
The relationship between Charlotte Fire and the USS Charlotte has grown over time and is grounded in mutual respect and shared values. The dedication of the Ensign formalizes that connection and provides a permanent reminder inside Fire Headquarters of the broader national mission both organizations support in different ways.
Chief Johnson said the display will also serve as an educational and inspirational piece for Charlotte Fire members and visitors.
A U.S. Navy sailor stands aboard the USS Charlotte while underway, representing the crew who flew the Ensign in honor of Charlotte Fire and the City of Charlotte.
“This will prompt conversations,” Johnson said. “It gives our firefighters, recruits, and guests a chance to learn about the USS Charlotte, the sailors who serve aboard her, and the responsibility we all share in protecting our communities and this country.”
He noted that the dedication carried added significance given the submarine’s current deployment.
A close-up of the plaque on the framed U.S. Navy Ensign notes the flag was flown aboard the USS Charlotte (SSN 766) in 2023 in honor of Charlotte Fire and the City of Charlotte.
“Knowing the USS Charlotte is underway right now adds weight to this moment,” Johnson said. “While we are here today, her crew is somewhere in the world carrying out their mission. That perspective matters to us.”
Moore said she hopes the ceremony is not the conclusion of the relationship, but the beginning of continued collaboration.
The U.S. Navy Ensign flown aboard the USS Charlotte is displayed in a custom frame during a dedication ceremony honoring Charlotte Fire and the City of Charlotte.
“I hope this is something that continues to grow,” she said. “These connections strengthen communities and help bridge the gap between military service and civilian life.”
As the ceremony concluded, Charlotte Fire officials and guests gathered to view the framed Ensign now mounted prominently within headquarters. For many in attendance, the flag represented far more than a historic artifact. It stood as a shared emblem of duty, resilience, and service that connects land and sea, city and nation.
“This flag belongs here,” Johnson said. “It tells a story about service, partnership, and commitment to something greater than ourselves.”
A close-up view of the U.S. Navy Ensign flown aboard the USS Charlotte highlights the detail of the custom frame and presentation at Charlotte Fire Headquarters.