KEEL LAYING CEREMONY USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78)
NOVEMBER 14, 2009
REMARKS OF SUSAN FORD BALES
Senator Levin, Congressman Scott, Congressman Nye, Secretary Mabus, Admiral Donald, Mike Petters, Hank Meijer and our friends from Grand Rapids, ladies and gentlemen: Thank you for joining in this extraordinary tribute to Dad and this milestone in the life of the Navy’s newest carrier, and its newest carrier class—the Ford Class.
Those of you who knew Dad will recall how thrilled he was to learn that CVN-78 would bear his name. He would have felt similarly about this morning’s ceremony. Secretary Mabus, I had a wonderful visit yesterday with the officers and crew of the USS George H. W. Bush. Each of them is a shining example of the best of the Navy and is a tribute to their carrier’s remarkable namesake. Secretary Winter, thank you for being with us today and, most of all, for your decision to name CVN-78 for Dad.
View more photos from the ceremony here.
And a special thank you goes to the members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are with us. Dad often referred to himself as “a man of the House”. So, your presence at this ceremony would have brought a big smile to Dad’s face and boundless pride to his heart. Senator Levin, the entire Ford family is extremely grateful to you. You embody in word and deed why Dad was so proud of his years on Capitol Hill in service, like you, to the people of Michigan. We recall fondly the leadership you and Senator Warner provided in sponsoring the resolution to name CVN-78 after Dad. And most of all, Senator Levin, you honor us all with your tireless efforts and unwavering support of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Thank you, sir.
Much has been written about Dad and his integrity. He became President, quite literally, overnight. But Dad never believed that he was suddenly wiser or infallible just because he was now drinking his morning coffee from a cup with the Presidential seal. Dad never needed a focus group or political pundits to guide him. For him, the question was always straightforward - what was best for the American people - period.
As the history books have begun to explain, Americans came to admire his integrity and his complete disdain of political expediency.
Columnist David Broder later observed, “In an odd, inexplicable way, the truth has begun to dawn on the American people that Gerald Ford was the kind of President Americans always wanted, and didn’t know they had.” Dad met the staggering challenges of restoring trust in the Presidency and healing the Nation’s wounds after Watergate in the only way he knew how - with complete honesty and integrity. And that is the legacy we remember this morning.
Navy tradition provides that both the Sponsor and the Namesake’s spirit become a permanent part of the ship. But the spirit of the USS Gerald R. Ford will be different; the spirit of this carrier will be deeper – much deeper.
With us today is a group of individuals who are contributing to the spirit of this carrier as much as her Namesake and Sponsor. They are the shipbuilders of the Northrop Grumman shipyard, many of whom are secondand third-generation shipbuilders. Every day they bring a level of patriotism, skill, and commitment to excellence that is, quite simply, without equal.
These shipbuilders and Dad share a unique bond that spans nearly eighty years - to the athletic fields in Ann Arbor. It was said of Dad that football was a metaphor for his life in politics and thereafter. He was the center for the University of Michigan’s championship football team. He played in the middle of the line in a position that seldom receives praise. But he had his hands on the ball for every play; and no play could start without him. When the game was over and others received the accolades, Dad quietly walked off the field with a smile and pride for a job very well done.
And, likewise, so it is with the shipbuilders of Northrop Grumman. When a new carrier sets to sea, her shipbuilders quietly and proudly leave the construction site – often to become a faint memory in the history of the carrier. Let us resolve - today - that this will not be the case when the USS Gerald R. Ford sets to sea. At this time, I’d like to ask the shipbuilders, and your families, to please stand.
A few moments ago, I declared that the keel is “truly and fairly laid.” If Dad were with us this morning, he would proudly join me in the following additional declaration: Ladies and gentlemen, as the ship’s Sponsor and on behalf of President Gerald R. Ford, I hereby declare that the shipbuilders of CVN-78 and their patriotism and commitment to excellence are, and shall forever be, truly and fairly part of the spirit of the USS Gerald R. Ford. May God bless each of you and the USS Gerald R. Ford. May He watch over and keep safe the men and women of the United States Navy. And may God Bless America.
Thank you all very much.
 |
|
|
Northrop Grumman CVN 78 Milestones
Also, enjoy these materials:
U.S. Navy RhumbLines Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Keel Laying
Northrop Grumman Fact Sheet
It Takes A Carrier - Naval Aviation and The Hybird Flight
(Document may take an extended period of time to download.)
To view other recent Foundation sponsored events, please click here
