Navy's Newest Destroyer USS Jason Dunham Enters the Fleet

The Maritime Executive ^ | November 13, 2010 | Staff

[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.

[LonePalm]

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)

[LonePalm]

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)

[al baby]

And how many targets have we lost as of late ?

[al baby]

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

[al baby]

God Bless you and your son

[unkus]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

God Speed, USS Jason Dunham.....

[Reddy]

God bless the USS Dunham and all who accompany her.

And please bless the Dunham family for their incredible sacrifice.

[rabidralph]

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

[jazusamo]

Thank You, Kathy!

[rabidralph]

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

[Outlaw Woman]

You & your son will be in many prayers tonite.

[Fractal Trader]

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

[quikdrw]

Fair winds & following seas to the crew.

And my heart-felt prayers to the Dunham family.

[sgtyork]

God keep him safe.

[coon2000]

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

[jch10]

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!

[RoadTest]

“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.

[EternalVigilance]

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.

[ops33]

“...passed the long glass...”

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

Thanks.