Gipper Ship: Commissioning of USS Ronald Reagan

Fox News ^ | July 16, 2003 | Ken Adelman

[presidio9]

The commissioning of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier (search) on Saturday was a perfect blend of ceremony, reunion and nostalgia.

The ceremony was to activate into the fleet our 13th carrier -- a massive floating city and airport, with 5,000-plus sailors, airmen and Marines to pilot and maintain 80 aircraft and operate the nuclear-powered engine, which will be refueled 20 years from now.

[presidio9]

The ceremony Peggy Noonan talks about in "When Charachter Was King" was for the launching?

[PhiKapMom]

The Commissioning Ceremony was fantastic. Left me with tears streaming down my face when Nancy Reagan said to Bring the Ship Alive and all these sailors went running up the ship to their duty stations. Doesn't get any better than that! Our men and women of the United States Military deserve our full support and respect for what they are doing to maintain our freedoms. Too many times the media ignores the good of our military our military are doing around the world. The Liberal DemocRAT Media would rather concentrate on the negatives which is an affront to every man and woman serving in uniform and their friends and family!

Today's Liberal DemocRAT Media outright disgusts me and they border on treason IMHO for some of the lies and spin they put out as stories on the War on Terrorism and the unfounded attacks on the Administration in carrying out that War.

[Zavien Doombringer]

It was fantastic! What an awesome piece of history and machinery!

[PhiKapMom]

When they were giving the details of the USS Ronald Reagan including not fueling the ship for 20 years, I just sat there in awe at this magnificent carrier. Couldn't believe it is so fast that support ships cannot keep up. American ingenuity on display!

I am so glad I remembered to turn on the TV and witness that ceremony. Just made you feel good to see all the tributes to Pres Reagan and his wife Nancy!

[smiley]

Saw the whole thing on Saturday morning...it was simply awesome! Didn't realize how much ceremony went into launching a ship. The "Bring the Ship Alive" was just one of the favorite rituals. Totally, totally awesome to see.

[iceskater]

I am so glad I remembered to turn on the TV and witness that ceremony.

I almost forgot to watch but thank goodness I tuned in right before Sen.Warner's (really boring) speech.

The whole thing just about made me cry. Even when they hoisted the pennant and the flag. The whole ceremony was just so amazing. I cannot imagine how totally excited those sailors who were the first to man the watch were named. What a thrill that had to be for them.

[Imal]

How fitting that one of the most badass ships ever to grace the high seas is named for one of the most badass presidents ever to grace the Oval Office.

Let everyone who sees this fine ship know that it is named for the man who had the courage to confront and defeat the Soviet Union, when no one else could.

God bless Ronald Reagan and his worthy namesake!

[presidio9]

Ship motto: "Peace Through Strength."

(of course)

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

He liked seeing someone carry the flag of China followed by all those athletes, who looked Chinese. And the German flag, in front of all those youngsters who were German. And the flags from little Africa countries, followed by African kids.

“And then our flag came out. One of the athletes was carrying our flag,” he told Maureen, getting more and more excited. “And following it were marching our boys and girls. And they looked like the whole world!”

No story better captures what we love about America. No story better captures what we loved about Reagan.

No story better illustrates the question,

"What is the UN, that America should be instructed by it?"

[El Gato]

Norfolk, Va. (July 12, 2003) -- Crewmembers of the Navy’s newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) keep with the Navy tradition of running up the gangplanks to bring the ship to life during the ship's commissioning ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

[gridlock]

Loading up. Time to go huntin'

Peace Through Strength

[El Gato]

Here's the USS Ronald Reagan homepage. The picture below is from the builder's trials before she was commisioned

[SevenofNine]

OH PHI hey my aunt neighbor son is on these FRIGGIN SHIP rack him

Actually I havent' hear from the aunt so Navy brats on the forum what do you think Sailors on the ship be calling this ship in nickname

GIPPER
DUTCH