George H. W. Bush to Authenticate Keel for Carrier Named in his Honor
Former President George H. W. Bush will serve as the keel authenticator and keynote speaker for the the keel laying ceremony for the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) at Northrop Grumman Corporation's Newport News sector Saturday, Sept. 6. Former First Lady Barbara Bush will also attend with their daughter, Doro Bush Koch, the ship's sponsor. Other ceremony participants include Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom Schievelbein; Secretary of the Navy (Acting) H. T. Johnson; Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark; Virginia Sen. John W. Warner; and retired Navy Adm. James L. Holloway III
Keel Laying Ceremony for CVN 77
Navy tradition dictates that each ship constructed for the Navy be honored by ceremonies on four historic occasions: keel laying, christening (or launching), commissioning, and decommissioning. George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) will be honored with the first of its historic occasions on Saturday, September 6, at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, VA. The keel laying celebrates the laying of the first timber of a ship and can be traced back to the construction of early Navy ships. The present-day ceremony maintains the tradition, but has been modified because of updated materials, technology, and shipbuilding techniques. Following the ceremony, the former President Bush will initial a nameplate to authenticate the keel that will then be welded to it.
George H. W. Bush Aircraft Carrier Christened
christened the nation's 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). President of the United States, George H. history to participate in the christening of his namesake ship. to sea," Bush said. the commander in chief to be on board. daughter, Doro Bush Koch. Mrs. sparkling wine across the ship's bow during the ceremony. President George W. during the ceremony as a special guest speaker. George H.W. Virginia Senators John Warner and George Allen; Virginia Gov. Kaine; Adm. Michael Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations; Ronald D. and Mike Petters, president of Northrop Grumman Newport News. aircraft carriers. heat, freezing cold and in the rain," he said. "It is dangerous work. It is difficult and demanding work. And it is noble work.
Navy to Christen Aircraft Carrier
The completion of the last of 162 super lift evolutions scheduled during the construction of the tenth and last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The lift places the ship’s 700-ton island superstructure in position on the flight deck. CVN-77 is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Navy in late 2008. President George W. Bush will deliver the principal address at the christening ceremony of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, named for his father, former President George H. W. Bush at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va. The last of the Nimitz-class carriers is named in honor of World War II naval aviator and America’s 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush.
Northrop Grumman to Christen George H. W. Bush Carrier
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) will be christened on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Northrop Grumman's Newport News shipyard. The ship's namesake and 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, is scheduled to attend the ceremony and will become the first president in the history of the shipyard's 120-year history to participate in his namesake ship's christening. President Bush's wife Barbara and their daughter, Doro Bush Koch, will also attend. Mrs. Koch serves as the ship's sponsor and will do the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship's bow during the ceremony.
