Navy Commissions USS George H.W. Bush with Namesake on Hand

American Forces Press Service ^ | Samantha L. Quigley

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2009 – With traditional pomp and circumstance and its namesake on hand, the last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, was commissioned in Norfolk, Va., today.

“So what do you give a guy who has been blessed and has just about everything he has ever needed?” President George W. Bush, son of former President George H.W. Bush, joked during the ceremony. “Well, an aircraft carrier.”

The story of the USS George H.W. Bush, also known as CVN 77, begins well before its keel-laying in September 2003. It began in the early days of World War II, when the former President Bush was just 18 when he enlisted in the Navy as a seaman second class, his son said.

Just days before his 19th birthday, George H.W. Bush became the youngest Navy pilot when he received his wings and commission. The young pilot flew torpedo bombers off USS San Jacinto from August 1942 to September 1945. On Sept. 2, 1944, his plane was hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He went down in the ocean and was rescued by the Navy submarine USS Finback.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for courageous service in the Pacific theater.

Thirty-five years later, he was sworn in as the 41st president of the United States and served two terms.

“The ship is a fitting tribute to a generation of men with whom my dad was privileged to serve,” the president said. “She’s also a tribute to a new generation of American soldiers and sailors and Coast Guardsmen and women, airmen and Marines who have stepped forward to defend the United States of America.”

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also declared USS George H.W. Bush a fitting tribute to the man who served his country for more than 40 years in several capacities.

“There is no one more worthy of having the last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier named in his honor than our 41st president, the last of the World War II generation to serve as commander-in-chief,” Gates said. “As commander-in-chief, President [George H.W.] Bush had a courage and toughness that impressed all those who worked for him.

“At the same time, he was, and is, a man of feeling, especially where men and women in uniform are concerned,” the secretary added.

Gates remembered the 41st president’s tribute to the 47 sailors who died when a 16-inch gun turret exploded aboard USS Iowa on April 19, 1989. The press accused Bush of just “going through the motions,” because he appeared to speed through his remarks.

In fact, Bush was so moved by the sailors’ sacrifice that he would not have made it through his remarks had he not sped through them, the secretary said.

“He once said that a peaceful, prosperous international order required ‘the leadership, the power, and yes, the conscience of the United States of America,’” Gates said. “This ship that bears his name, this ship that we commission today, embodies all three.”

For the ship’s namesake, the commissioning brought back memories made more than six decades ago when, as a young sailor, he participated in the commissioning of USS San Jacinto.

“Those who are sitting out there where I was 65 years ago, preparing to serve aboard your new ship, I wish I was sitting right out there with you, ready to start the adventures of my naval aviation career all over,” the former president said. “As you prepare to man this ship, I do know that you take with you the hopes and dreams of every American who cherishes freedom and peace.

“And you take with you the undying respect and admiration of the entire Bush family,” he added before helping set the ship’s first watch.

“I know you will find comfort and inspiration, particularly in the night sky,” the senior Bush continued. “For it is in the splendor of the stars that you will truly understand the majesty of creation and bear witness to the certain hand of God.”

The nuclear-powered USS George H.W. Bush is nearly twice as long as the first ship on which its namesake served. It’s nearly as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City, and will be home to about 6,000 sailors and Marines.

And as the elder Bush pointed out, it has “feature that a few of my granddaughters, in particular, would really like … there are a mind-boggling 1,400 telephones.”

USS George H.W. Bush is set to make history and today marked the first day of that illustrious journey, said Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter. “The impact of a new carrier is global," he said. “For no other ship represents to the world the power of the United States the way this does.”

Biographies:
Robert M. Gates
Donald C. Winter
George H.W. Bush

Related Sites:
USS George H.W. Bush
White House Transcript

[nickcarraway]

Read my ship, no new taxes.

[nickcarraway]

Is it true the ship drifts to the port?

[nickcarraway]

You can’t get broccoli in the mess hall?

[TornadoAlley3]

[hosepipe]

Ships motto.. "What ME WORRY?".. -Madd Mag..
Displayed under a pic of GW.. since he resembles Alfred E. Nueman

[2harddrive]

Hail to the Chief! (How exhilariting it must be to have the most powerful of weapons NAMED after you!)

[Cyber Ninja]

he was the 41st president of the United States and served two terms.

Que?

[SandRat]

For those that may have missed the live Commissioning of the carrier CVN-77 USS George H. W. Bush, here's a video.

[OCC]

It’s nearly as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City

Thats one tall ship! /sarc

[ETL]

It was incredibly moving to watch it live on Fox News earlier. I’ll see if I can find a youtube video of it. That is, if someone doesn’t beat me to it (I wouldn’t mind).

[SandRat]

I just the one from the Navy up at Reply #9.

[pugmama]

It will be repeated on C-Span later tonight.
It was wonderful to watch this. America at its best.

[Squantos]

I’ll go look as well....ping me please if ya find it !

[Carley]

Sad to see the classless remarks below.

This family served America to the best of their ability.

My family thanks them from the bottom of our hearts.

[ETL]

Here's a direct link to the video from a Fox News article. I couldn't get it to play, but I've been having problems all week with my internet connection. Maybe you all can get it.

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?maven_referralObject=3431834&maven_referralPlaylistId=&sRevUrl=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479087,00.html

__________________________________________________________

Aircraft Carrier Named the USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned
Saturday, January 10, 2009

NORFOLK, Va. — President George W. Bush landed Saturday on the USS George H.W. Bush, a new aircraft carrier named after his father — the ultimate honor for a decorated Navy pilot from World War II.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479087,00.html

[Big_Monkey]

"This family served America to the best of their ability."

Just an observation...but, you would never see Dummies rib the Kennedy clan that way (although, most of the above remarks I'm sure are intended for humorous purposes only).

Differences aside, GHWB was a tireless public servant who dedicated most of his life to his country. Enjoy your ship and your retirement Georgie!

[ETL]

I just posted the one from the Navy up at Reply #9.

Thanks! I've been messing around with my 'puter trying to improve the connection while searching for the video, and so wasn't checking the replies. Thanks again for the link and all else you do on FR!

[SandRat]

Thank you and you are welcome.

[Venturer]

The length of it may equal the height of the Empire State building, but of course it isnt near as tall.