Posted on 01/07/2009 12:46:34 PM PST by La Enchiladita
The Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush will be commissioned Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
President George W. Bush will deliver the principal address. Dorothy "Doro" Bush Koch, daughter of the ship's namesake, is the ship's sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition, she will give the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"
The lastNimitz-class aircraft carrier is named to honor World War II naval aviator and America's 41st president George H. W. Bush. Born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Mass., Bush began a lifetime of service to America when he joined the Navy on his 18th birthday as a seaman. He became the youngest pilot in the Navy at the time, receiving his commission and naval aviator wings before his 19th birthday.
Bush flew the Avenger torpedo bomber in combat from the carrier USS San Jacinto. During an attack on enemy installations near Chichi Jima in September 1944, his plane was hit by enemy fire while making a bombing run. Although the plane was on fire and heavily damaged, he completed a strafing run on the target before bailing out of the doomed aircraft. Bush parachuted into the sea and was later rescued by the Navy submarine USS Finback. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for his Navy service in the Pacific theater during World War II.
(Excerpt) Read more at faxts.com ...
May they all have fair weather and a safe time.
There have been delays in the commissioning. According to the local paper (last month) the original commissioning date was last April, then it was changed to Veteran’s Day, and now to this Saturday. the paper also stated that the ship is still not ready to turn over to the Navy (some electronics systems upgrades) but the commissioning is happening because the “Navy did not want to delay its commissioning.”
My thought is that they want to commission it while W is still in office.
Link to the virginian-Pilot story:
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/12/carrier-george-hw-bush-pulled-norfolk
“My thought is that they want to commission it while W is still in office.”
Makes sense.
IIRC, CVN 76 was delayed also. Probably a common occurrence.
Its about time, they had a fire on the Bush and it pushed them back timewise.
carriers are good but new ultra modern subs are better.
I think that is the new frontier, more stealth, more speed, sub launched drones, I love subs.
“...but new ultra modern subs are better.”
Hard to land a plane on though. :-)
The Japanese had underwater aircraft carriers, they were called I boats, and the Navy has plans for a 21st century version, including submersible aircraft.
I kid you not.
Sounds good.
Aye, aye, Sir!
Poppy and the Cap'n
Nice pic.
Terrific news! Thanks so much for your ping, Dita! :)
It is also being carried on Fox. President George H W Bush is speaking now. PMSNBC and CNN have both ended coverage.
It is also being carried on Fox. President George H W Bush is speaking now. PMSNBC and CNN have both ended coverage.
Exactly!
Thank you so much. I’m glad you saw this.
I’m going to have to catch a re-run or clips online.
I don’t have cable and wasn’t at the ‘puter earlier:).
Quite amazing that!!
Did you guys see the dedication? I would appreciate knowing where I can see a re-run, thanks.
I saw it on Fox, Bush Sr. was so proud and totally overwhelmed, it was cold and windy, and as a final tribute a Torpedo Bomber such that Bush flew in WW2 did a fly by.
An event like this will never happen to Obama unless he gives us eternal life and no taxes.
I found the replay on C-Span: http://www.cspan.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-R-14162
For anyone who missed, hurry up and watch before they take it down!!
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