Posted on 11/12/2002 9:03:27 PM PST by Psycho Francis
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- “Today, this ship’s pulse beats a little stronger, as more than 2,600 Sailors begin to move aboard,” announced PCU Ronald Regan (CVN 76) Commanding Officer Capt. Bill Goodwin Nov. 7, against a backdrop of 18 Sailors in service dress blue uniforms with sea bags.
Today, the ship is “open for business”, an important milestone on the road to commissioning. The crew move aboard, or CMA, was a daylong celebration of progress and anticipation for the crew members.
According to Goodwin, these Sailors signify the lifeblood of the ship. They are now living, eating and sleeping on the ship for the first time.
Michael Reagan, eldest son of President Ronald Reagan, joined Sailors and guests from the U.S. Navy League Hampton Roads and Santa Barbara councils on the carrier’s hangar deck to witness the ceremonial “open for business” ribbon cutting. After the ribbon cutting, the Sailors, representatives from each department on the ship, hoisted their sea bags and marched through the now “opened door” past Reagan and Goodwin.
“I am honored to be here,” Reagan said during his remarks. “To be on this ship, with my father’s name on the back, is just an unbelievable thing for all of us.”
CMA signals the beginning of the ship’s transition from construction to commissioning. “It is an important part of history. It is the reason I joined the Navy – being a part of something special,” said Ship's Serviceman Seaman Apprentice Lamuwyl Matthews, a ship's store clerk.
In preparation for the day’s events, 7,000 pallets of supplies and $2 million worth of food had to make the journey from warehouses to the ship, to stock the ship’s galley, store and laundry. Their doors are now open, treating the first Ronald Reagan Sailors to a glimpse of what their shipmates can expect for the next 50 years.
The first lunch was a feast of crab legs, oysters, shrimp and steak. Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class (AW) Paul Fulsom, the very first Ronald Reagan Sailor, was the first crew member to dine in the ship’s galley.
There are several more steps to go before Ronald Reagan is ready for commissioning. The final step will be completed May 10, 2003, when Ronald Reagan is commissioned and joins the fleet. Michael Reagan had a message for the Sailors moving aboard the ship and looking toward commissioning, “Remember what [Ronald Reagan] stood for,” he said. “Remember it as you serve the country.”
For more information about the ship and Sailors who serve aboard USS Ronald Reagan visit the ship’s website www.reagan.navy.mil.
For more information about the commissioning ceremony for USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) visit the Navy League website www.ussronaldreagan.org.
For related news, visit the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn76.
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