Former Hilo resident honored by Navy shipmates

SAN DIEGO — Lt. Tiffany Cooper, a native of Hilo, returns the salutes of U.S. Navy shipmates as she is piped ashore July 7 in the upper vehicle deck aboard the USS Boxer.

Cooper served as the general medical officer aboard the ship.

The USS Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship home-ported in San Diego.

Piping ashore is a time-honored tradition in the Navy, where a departing sailor is honored and recognized while the crew stands at attention and salutes.