Commissioning Speech

by Captain Lawrence Heyworth, Jr.

     "In the act of commissioning, we have breathed life, soul and identity into a previously beautiful inanimate structure. Now the ship has become a living thing and each of us in the Ships Company is a part of the whole. Just like the vital organs of a living body, if we do not function right the body is sick. If we do function right and in harmony with each other, the body is healthy, strong and vigorous.

     The act of committing a ship and her crew to life on the sea has always had a deep emotional and religious significance.

     The custom of appealing to ones God on occasions such as this is older than history for a seafaring man, the feeling of power of God is never stronger than when he is faced with the hazards of the sea.

     We of the Ship's company today share in achieving the third significant milestone in America's young life - the first two having been the laying of the keel in January 1961 and the launching a little less than a year ago, last February first, Mrs. MacDonald our sponsor christened our ship "AMERICA" at that time. Today is the third great milestone along the way in the development of this great weapons system. It is a springboard point from which we take off together as a team.

     The ship is ours at last, and we can now apply ourselves vigorously to developing the teamwork and operating procedures for which we have prepared so long. It is a great challenge and much hard work is ahead - but we welcome this challenge, and take pride in being chosen to come to grips with it - in the development of a great ship proudly bearing the name of her great country."

 [ Captain Heyworth's Speech ]

[ Admiral MacDonald's Speech ]  [ Mrs. MacDonald's Speech ]

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