Replies

USS Green Bay Dedication
July 15, 2006, 06:29 PM
By Elizabeth Ries
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=5155282

Green Bay now has about 360 new citizens, but they won't be living here in Titletown.

They are crew members of the future U.S.S. Green Bay -- a navy ship christened Saturday in New Orleans in front of a crowd of about 700 -- including the mayor of Green Bay.

It took two tries, but the wife of a Marine Corp General smashed a champagne bottle into the hull of the U.S.S. Green Bay, officially christening the navy's latest warship.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt said "The navy chose to name this ship after Green Bay because of our community spirit, our commitment to team effort, and our strong work ethic."

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt spoke at the event -- saying the ship's name pays homage to the city.

"The U.S.S. Green Bay's motto is 'Stand and Fight, Remain Unvanquished' and I think that epitomizes Green Bay's commitment to facing obstacles head on and our commitment to finding solutions."

The ship is designed to carry troops for rapid deployment, launch and discovery.

And Mayor Schmitt says the sailors and marines stationed on it are now a part of it's namesake.

"We will be actively providing items to give them a feel for Green Bay. Letters to our sailors and momentos to give them a sense of Green Bay hometown pride. They may be thousands of miles away, but to us, they are Green Bay citizens and we are their extended family," said the mayor.

The brand new ship will feature advanced technology -- and Mayor Schmitt is confident it will live up to it's name.

The mayor said "When fully commissioned, the U.S.S. Green Bay will be, bar none, the finest expeditionary ship in the world. A vessel worthy of the city who's name it bears."

The U.S.S. Green Bay is more than 70% complete.

It's expected to be commissioned in 2008.