Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Navy's Newest Destroyer USS Jason Dunham Enters the Fleet
The Maritime Executive ^ | November 13, 2010 | Staff

Posted on 11/13/2010 7:11:55 PM PST by jazusamo

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

Under blue skies and the Florida sun, the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke Class Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) was commissioned today in Port Everglades, entering full status as a ship of the United States Navy.

Deb Dunham, ship sponsor and mother of Marine Corps Corporal Jason Dunham, stood on deck as she gave the command to “Man the Ship and Bring Her to Life!” Dan Dunham, father of Corporal Dunham, set the first watch and passed the long glass to LTJG Andrew Gray. The watch, which will now continue for the entire period of time the ship is in service, will ensure the safety and security of the ship and its crew.

Six weeks earlier, Deb and Dan stood on the bridge of the ship on a cloudy overcast day as it left Bath Iron Works, Maine where the ship was constructed to begin its journey to Port Everglades. Today the ship and her crew stand ready to continue to fulfill Corporal Jason Dunham’s mission of protecting the United States.

Keynote speaker General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, stated “Dan and Deb Dunham, none of this would have been possible without you. You have borne the heaviest burden – the sacrifice of a son. But Jason’s actions will not be forgotten. Your son – honored through this ship – stands together with the greatest men and women in our Nation’s history. Thank you for all you have given and all you continue to give. You embody all that is great in our American Family.”

Under Secretary of the Navy, Robert Work, placed the USS Jason Dunham into service and Commander Scott Sciretta assumed command of the ship.

Corporal Jason L. Dunham, 22, of Scio, N.Y. selflessly sacrificed his life in Iraq on April 14, 2004. Corporal Dunham was attacked by an insurgent and while the two wrestled, the assailant released a grenade. Corporal Dunham jumped on the grenade, covering it with his body and Kevlar helmet. His spontaneous action saved the lives of two fellow Marines. Dunham was mortally wounded from the blast and died eight days later at Bethesda Naval Hospital. President George W. Bush posthumously awarded Corporal Dunham the Medal of Honor. He was the first Marine Medal of Honor recipient for Operation Iraqi Freedom and the first Marine to receive the medal since the Vietnam War.








TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ddg109; moh; usmc; usn; ussjasondunham
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-58 next last
To: coloradan
The flags and pennants going up and over the main mast don't spell anything. It is purely for show.

The order of flags and pennants is spelled out in the 'Dress Ship' Instruction for the ship class.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

21 posted on 11/13/2010 8:00:08 PM PST by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: coloradan
FWIW - The one that looks like the Brazilian flag is "Prep".

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

22 posted on 11/13/2010 8:05:47 PM PST by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: edcoil

And how many targets have we lost as of late ?


23 posted on 11/13/2010 8:09:24 PM PST by al baby (Hi Mom REMEMBER FREE REPUBLIC IN YOUR WILL. I DID)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: coloradan

Well a sequence of flags happens to spell out “FUBO”


24 posted on 11/13/2010 8:10:27 PM PST by al baby (Hi Mom REMEMBER FREE REPUBLIC IN YOUR WILL. I DID)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

God Bless you and your son


25 posted on 11/13/2010 8:11:29 PM PST by al baby (Hi Mom REMEMBER FREE REPUBLIC IN YOUR WILL. I DID)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

God bless you all and please thank your son for his service.


26 posted on 11/13/2010 8:13:46 PM PST by unkus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo; SandRat
God Speed, USS Jason Dunham.....


27 posted on 11/13/2010 8:19:06 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

God bless the USS Dunham and all who accompany her.

And please bless the Dunham family for their incredible sacrifice.


28 posted on 11/13/2010 8:41:16 PM PST by Reddy (B.O. stinks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

I remember this story. God bless his family for making such a sacrifice.


29 posted on 11/13/2010 8:44:13 PM PST by rabidralph
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Thank You, Kathy!


30 posted on 11/13/2010 8:45:40 PM PST by jazusamo (His [Obama's] political base---the young, the left and the thoughtless: Thomas Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

Thank him for his service. God’s protection to your whole family and prayers for his safe return.


31 posted on 11/13/2010 8:46:11 PM PST by rabidralph
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

You & your son will be in many prayers tonite.


32 posted on 11/13/2010 8:54:13 PM PST by Outlaw Woman (No Compromise!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

Some, but not all, of the Arleigh Burke cruisers have ABM capabilities. Does this ship have them?


33 posted on 11/13/2010 9:04:56 PM PST by Fractal Trader
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Reddy

Fair winds & following seas to the crew.

And my heart-felt prayers to the Dunham family.


34 posted on 11/13/2010 9:12:29 PM PST by quikdrw (Life is tough....it's even tougher if you are stupid.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

God keep him safe.


35 posted on 11/13/2010 9:23:37 PM PST by sgtyork (The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom, courage. Thucydides)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

Matthew will serve our country honorably. I look forward to your post announcing his safe return from his tour.


36 posted on 11/13/2010 11:52:05 PM PST by coon2000 (Give me Liberty or give me death!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance

I know that heavy heart feeling and it doesn’t get better until you know that he is back on US soil. Faith helped me to get through it and thankfully, my warrior returned safely. Hopefully, yours will too.

It is difficult on mothers though. My grandmother had four sons and one son in law in WWII. I don’t lnow how she stood it!


37 posted on 11/14/2010 5:38:59 AM PST by jch10 (Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: fella

“Our nation should be putting at least one new warship a week into the water.”

I agree, but until we put at least one new Conservative politician a week into Washington it won’t do much good. The ships are only as good as the Commander-in-Chief and the Congress supporting them.


38 posted on 11/14/2010 5:49:01 AM PST by RoadTest (Religion is a substitute for the relationship God wants with you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: jch10
Yes. Thankfully Matt's faith is very strong, too.

I think you're right. It is very hard on mothers.

And on his beautiful bride, and their two daughters. They're Daddy's girls and this separation is going to be very tough on them.

Thanks.

39 posted on 11/14/2010 6:01:11 AM PST by EternalVigilance (Here it is in black and white: The pinkos went green 'cause they're too yellow to admit they're red.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

“...passed the long glass...”

Without an understanding of Naval traditions, could someone please explain what this means?

Thanks.


40 posted on 11/14/2010 6:30:44 AM PST by ops33 (Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-58 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson