Michelle Obama: ‘Beyond proud’ at U.S. Navy submarine ceremony
ASSOCIATED PRESS
First lady Michelle Obama stands for the national anthem during a commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Navy attack submarine USS Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, in Groton, Conn. The submarine is named for Obama’s home state of Illinois and the First lady is the ship’s sponsor.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this Oct. 11, 2016, file photo, first lady Michelle Obama speaks in Washington. The first lady is taking part in a commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Navy attack submarine named for her home state of Illinois. The submarine officially becomes the USS Illinois and begins active service at a ceremony Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, in Groton, Conn.
Groton, Conn. » First lady Michelle Obama said she was “beyond proud” to take part in a commissioning ceremony Saturday for the U.S. Navy attack submarine named for her home state of Illinois.
The submarine officially became the USS Illinois, SSN 786, and began active service at a ceremony at the submarine base in Groton, Connecticut.
Mrs. Obama, the ship sponsor, gave the order to “man our ship and bring her to life” before the crew of about 130 men ran across the brow, onto the vessel.
“Thank you for giving me the incredible privilege of being associated with you and with your families and with the Illinois for the rest of my life,” she told them. “I will continue to keep you in my prayers every single day and keep you in my thoughts, and know that you have a sponsor that cares deeply.”
The first lady, who is from Chicago, has made supporting military families a priority. She’s considered an honorary member of the crew, and will be involved in the lives of the sub’s sailors and families.
“Working with our military community has been the biggest honor of my life,” she said, before going on board and touring the vessel.
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Cmdr. Jess Porter, the submarine’s commanding officer, has compared having the first lady as the sponsor to having Babe Ruth on your team. He said her participation in the commissioning is “pretty monumental.”
Porter said the crew has worked tirelessly as the sub was built and their families have sacrificed — the ceremony recognizes those efforts and accomplishments.
“This warship is absolutely ready to go,” he said. “She’s a wonder.”
It took submarine supply businesses nationwide and thousands of shipyard employees in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Virginia to build the $2.7 billion submarine. Submarine builder Electric Boat, based in Groton, and Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia build Virginia-class attack submarines under a teaming agreement and alternate the deliveries.
The USS Illinois is the 13th member of the Virginia class. Eleven more submarines are currently under construction. The last of the submarines under contract, the future USS Utah, is scheduled to be delivered in 2023 as the 28th member of the class.
Construction on the Illinois began in March 2011. The submarine was delivered to the Navy in August. The Navy has said the attack submarines are needed to replace those that were built during the Cold War and are retiring.
Adm. John Richardson, chief of naval operations, gave the order to commission the submarine, telling the audience of about 2,500 that the “powerful warship” will strike fear into the hearts of the nation’s enemies and bring warm reassurance to allies and partners. His flag and the submarine’s commissioning pennant were raised, signaling that the submarine can be tasked to conduct Navy missions as an active member of the submarine force.
“You’re needed on station and there’s not a moment to lose,” Richardson told the crew.
It will be about another two years before its first deployment. The Illinois will undergo additional testing in the shipyard before it begins the process of getting certified for its maiden deployment.
The submarine has a redesigned bow with two large tubes to launch Tomahawk missiles, instead of 12 smaller tubes. The larger tubes were designed so the Navy would have the flexibility to also launch future weapons and unmanned vehicles, according to Electric Boat.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, called the vessel “a technological wonder that will help keep us safe and safeguard our freedom.”
24 responses to “Michelle Obama: ‘Beyond proud’ at U.S. Navy submarine ceremony”
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she is a phoney and a racist that hates white people and americe just like opala obama
Just like her hubby Obummer! He has a lot of criminal friends now; he pardoned more criminals than any other president!!! He too is a criminal, lies, lies lies!
Wonder if Obama and Bobby Titcomb be riding along with Bill on the Lolita Express
You are incorrect. US News said the following:
“President Barack Obama said Thursday he intends to issue about as many pardons as his predecessors by the time he leaves office in January. But Obama has a long way to go – to date he’s pardoned fewer people than any president since James Garfield, who was fatally shot in 1881 after less than three months in office”.
The complete list of all Presidential pardons is also available on Wikipedia and current pardons, clemencies, and commutations are listed at the Dept. of Justice site.
(Suggestion: when you’re making stuff up, pick things that are harder to check.)
wonder if she still or will again attend Rev. Wright’s pew. I bet for once in her life she’s grateful living in the Good Ole USA.
But funny how she imitates the looks of a white womAN; WITH BLEACHED SKIN AND STRAIGHTENED HAIR. Now she does not look black any more.
Care to comment about white people, like Donald Trump, who go out of their way and spend countless hours and money so they can darken their skin? Or do countless other things to their hair, eyes, skin, and other physical attributes just to have another look? Sorry, Allaha, but white people do not have a monopoly on what people aspire to look like.
Ever see Donald Trump sporting a tan? I didn’t think so. Sorry. You lose. Your comparison is flawed.
With all the animosity between the Clintons and the Obamas, it’s telling that these two are pushing so hard for a criminal to win the Presidential election. Everyone knows how dishonest Obama is. He has lied about health insurance, the IRS, the NSA, his knowledge of the Clinton e-mail debacle, Iran, you name it. It almost seems fitting that one liar would support another, except for their continued animosity. These two families really despise each other. America will sound great sigh of relief when these two families are gone from the political landscape.
Democrats and their fawning masses can’t be bothered with mere LIES that have become the hallmark of this criminal administration. Hillary and her ilk have been at it for 30 years. They’re quite well-versed at manipulating their gullible supporters who are in complete denial about her and Bill’s compulsive inability to tell the truth.
What a joke for this phony to be taking part in this ceremony. She has never liked the military although she made lame efforts to help military families.She is more comfortable performing rap songs with young African Americans on the white house lawn.
And has declared that “Beyonce is a perfect role model” for her pot smokin daughter.
I must have more press coverage before I’m forgotten. Or maybe I should run against Hillary Clinton in 4 years.
Just what I was thinking but if she did, She’d tear the Country in 1/2 racially since she’d have a Race card agenda from sitting in the pews of Rev. Wright.
Sorry, no she wouldn’t.
And you would know this because….
Because they are going to live in Washington, D.C.
With the Obamas record of anti military… I wonder what her angle is on this?
to build Obama’s legacy. lol
I say, I say, who dat Rev. Wright?
After all this time Michelle has decided to step out and partake in festivities.
This is an opportunity to step away from all the ‘madness’ in Hillary’s campaign.
I will only remember her from her White House ‘vegetable’ garden contribution.
that is a huge sub.
This ship is doomed now that this BLM THUG has laid her hands on it. Such a despicable human being…Gone in Jan ’17…
I do believe this is only the second time this woman has been “proud” of anything American. Two times in 8 years. Uh-huh. Great First Lady material, this one. Good riddance. Don’t let that White House door hit you both in the arse on your way out. Buh-bye.