Three members of the late Sen. Ted Stevens’ family joined the ranks of more than 300 women who have taken part in the special U.S. Navy ceremony.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. - On Saturday, the vessel known until now as hull number DDG 128 officially became the USS Ted Stevens when three members of the late senator’s family took part in christening U.S. Navy’s newest destroyer in the name of the longtime senator of Alaska.
“Every single christening always observes that it is Navy folklore that a ship christening assures a vessel will assume the personality and character of her sponsor,” O’Keefe said. “The DDG 128 will be blessed with the characteristics of three extraordinary women who have personal traits that will assure that the ship and her crew will stand out as exemplary performers in the United States Navy and serve the nation with great distinction.
Sponsors for ships are selected by the Secretary of the Navy and are always female — although young men may be designated as attendants and young women maids. According to the Society of Sponsors of the United States Navy, most women who sponsor ships form a warm and lasting relationship with them — an affiliation that is rewarding to both.
Becker also shared her excitement that the USS Ted Stevens was the same class of destroyer as the one named for her father’s longtime friend across the aisle,Becker recalled the moment she learned her father would, like Inouye, be honored with a Navy vessel bearing his name. Near the top of the badge sits a bald eagle, symbolizing Stevens’ lifetime of dedication to the United States as a citizen, public servant, and military member.
“It was really special listening to stories about Sen. Stevens, especially his WWII service,” Hays said. “I loved hearing about his personality, about things you can’t really Google and read about, things that are going to be meaningful to the crew, such as his tenacity, his adventurous spirit, his courage — those things are the qualities that we want to emulate as crew.”
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