Navy names littoralcombat ship for former congresswoman Giffords

Sierra Vista Herald ^

[SandRat]

Littoral ship named for Gabby ---

[Salvavida]

That is so bad!! It took me two reads to get it.

Nothing against Gabby, of course, but she doesn’t rate having a USS anything named after her. I doubt the Navy had a choice.

[WorkingClassFilth]

If I were a superstitious sailor, I’d have to think that sailing on a newly minted ship named after somebody basically famous for geting shot in the head would not be an auspicious omen.

[FryingPan101]

I hate to be a wet blanket. This is absurd. A B S U R D!

[apoliticalone]

No living person, let alone a politician should have a public outhouse named after them, let alone a ship.

This is the ultimate recognition and it should be reserved only for those exceptional people that are now deceased, and must be awarded posthumously.

[sgtyork]

Agreed.

[hoosierham]

Dictators always want stuff named after them while they are alive to gloat.

[FlyVet]

There is an MSNBC article entitled “New Navy ship named after Gabrielle Giffords”. I scrolled through the readers’ comments, and it looks like about 90% against this. You’d think there would be a bunch of lefties over there, praising the decision. Hmmmmm.

[FlyVet]

She has the mind of a child now, so I don't blame her so much, just the people using her. That said, if she had her pre-shooting mind, I don't think she'd turn it down. Few politicians would, unfortunately. Most are just power-hungry narcissists.

As Buckley said about the first 100 names in the phone book, we'd be better off with them. Most of them would hate being politicians, but more would be inclined to do the right thing.

[SandRat]

Wait until the Arizona RED Star picks it up. Ten there will be a bunch of lefties over there, praising the decision.

[SandRat]

American Forces Press Service

Giffords Has Navy Ship Named in Her Honor

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2012 – Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today heard Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announce that the newest ship in the Navy inventory will be named in her honor.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, attend a ceremony at the Pentagon, Feb. 10, 2012. Mabus announced the naming of the Navy's newest next variant littoral combat ship, USS Gabrielle Giffords, at the ceremony. Giffords was critically wounded in 2011 by a gunman in Tucson, Ariz. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The Navy’s fifth Independence-variant littoral combat ship, 10th in the LCS series, will be commissioned as the USS Gabrielle Giffords, Mabus said during a ceremony in the Pentagon’s center courtyard.

“You make this occasion special by your presence,” Mabus told Giffords. “What you did in Congress for our military, and for those who serve in it, gave substance to what America feels for those in uniform.”

Littoral combat ships are a major part of the Navy’s future, capable of “an amazing variety of missions,” and one of the sea service’s most versatile, valuable ships, the secretary said.

“The name this ship bears, and the story represented by that name, will inspire all those who come in contact with her,” he said, noting that Giffords serves as a living example of the Navy’s motto of “Semper Fortis” -- “Always Courageous.”

“Unwavering courage has defined the Navy for 236 years, and it is what we expect and what we demand from our sailors every single day,” Mabus said. “So it’s very appropriate that LCS 10 be named for someone who has become synonymous with courage, who has inspired the nation … and showed the possibilities of the human spirit.”

Giffords was shot in the head in an apparent assassination attempt during a public event in Tucson, Ariz., in January 2011. She was one of 13 people wounded, while six others were killed.
She is a Navy spouse whose husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, retired from the Navy in 2011. Giffords stepped down from her seat representing Arizona’s 8th congressional district in January, saying she needed time to recover.

Mabus also announced today the ship’s sponsor will be Roxanna Green. Green, who also attended the ceremony, is the mother of Christina-Taylor Green, a 9-year-old girl who was killed at the event where Giffords was shot.

Mabus explained that a ship’s sponsor christens the vessel with champagne at its launch and gives the order to bring the ship to life when it is commissioned.

Christina-Taylor Green had just been elected to the student council and wanted to become “a more active participant in our democracy,” the secretary said.

“Roxanna Green continues to express her daughter’s hope for the future,” Mabus added, “and as the president said, of ‘a nation as good as she imagined.’”

Giffords and Green “will be a part of the life of this ship, and our Navy’s history,” he said.

Kelly and former Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton, former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, also were present at today’s ceremony. They, along with Giffords and Green, met with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and other DOD leaders before the event.

"The secretary was delighted to meet with Gabby Giffords at the Pentagon earlier today," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said. "The new ship, which will bear her name, will stand as a testament to courage and resilience, inspiring all those who serve our nation. He wished her all the best as she continues to recover from the tragedy that injured her and took the lives of others."

Earlier today, President Barack Obama signed into law Giffords’ last piece of legislation, the Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act of 2012.

“This bill gives our nation’s law enforcement expanded authority to combat illicit drug trafficking on our Northern and Southern borders,” Obama said. “Being able to sign it next to my friend Gabby Giffords gives me enormous pride.”

The president added while the legislation may have been her last act as a congresswoman, “it will not be her last act of public service.”

The LCS 10 is part of a dual block buy of LCS-class ships Mabus announced in December 2010. The ship will be 419 feet long, have a waterline beam of 103 feet, displace about 3,000 tons, and will make speed in excess of 40 knots.

Littoral combat ships are designed to operate in near-shore environments against “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The ships are also capable of open-ocean operation.

The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom and the Independence, designed and built by teams led, respectively, by Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.
 

Biographies:
Ray Mabus

Related Sites:
Photo Essay: Giffords Attends Pentagon Ceremony in her Honor

Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, of Arizona, center-right, admires a picture depicting the USS Gabrielle Giffords, the Navy’s fifth Independence variant littoral combat ship, which Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, center, unveiled during an event at the Pentagon, Feb. 10, 2012. Giffords’ husband, retired Navy astronaut Mark Kelly, front-right, former Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton, far left, and Roxanna Green, mother of Christina-Taylor Green, who was killed during the same event in which Giffords was shot, also attended the ceremony. DOD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announces the naming of the Navy's newest next variant littoral combat ship, USS Gabrielle Giffords, after former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona at the Pentagon, Feb. 10, 2012. Giffords was critically wounded in 2011 by a gunman in Tucson, Ariz. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[2ndDivisionVet]

Where is the USS Mary Jo Kopechne?

[SandRat]

I think the Dems need to name a ship after Kracker Klnton's Beret wearing Oval Office Stained Blue Dress Bimbo.

[Tatze]

Is there a listing somewhere of all new ship names decided since Barry’s lackeys too over that role? It would be interesting (nauseating?) to see the political turn these names have taken. There is also the far worse USS John Murtha, isn’t there?

[SandRat]

I’m sure there is but since I’m not Navy I haven’t the foggiest idea of where it would be.

[Truth is my sword]

So, you had a problem with the USS Reagan?

[Owl558]

“So, you had a problem with the USS Reagan?”

President Reagan had already passed when they named the carrier, I believe, or yes, they should have waited.

Like many people on the thread have pointed out, we have so many great historical and heroic names for ships that we could use. It’s supposed to be an honor. In a way, a ship is like the memorial in your town square, except it floats. I believe a person should be dead before they receive that honor. Phooey on beurocrats.

And no, I don’t see President Reagan as a beurocrat if that is your question. Do you?

[Truth is my sword]

The USS Reagan was christened in 2001 and commissioned in 2003 - President Reagan died in 2004.

Not that they were nearly as significant people, but the USS HW Bush is a Nimitz-class carrier and the USS Jimmy Carter is a specialized submarine. Obviously, both those former presidents are still with us.

[I cannot think of a name]

The strangest part of the story?

Apparently the ship will be built with NO lavatories!!!!

In case of combat, the Nave just couldn’t stand the possibility of a story reading:

“In the ensuing combat, the USS Gabrielle Giffords took a round to the head.”

[SandRat]

Now you know why they don’t wear white uniforms any longer.

[CodeToad]

“In case of combat, the Nave just couldn’t stand the possibility of a story reading:

“In the ensuing combat, the USS Gabrielle Giffords took a round to the head.””

Lol!

She is proof you can shoot a Democrat in the head and not hit a brain.