WEBVTT

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All right , good morning . Ladies and

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gentlemen , it's my distinct honor and

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privilege to welcome you to Cleveland ,

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Ohio and the commissioning of USS

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Cleveland . I'm Commander Adam Klein ,

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the ship's executive officer . On

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behalf of the crew of USS Cleveland , I

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would like to express our sincere

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gratitude for your joining us here

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today . Before our celebration begins ,

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please silence your cellphones . Thank

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you . We are here today to celebrate

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the commissioning of USS Cleveland ,

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the 4th warship to bear the name of the

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Forest City . The first USS Cleveland

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was a Denver class protected cruiser

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built by Bath Iron Works and

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commissioned November 2 , 1903 . Her

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early service was with the European

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squadron and then in the Caribbean . In

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1907 , she joined the Asiatic Fleet and

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would go on to serve during World War

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One , steaming seven convoy voyages in

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1917 and 1918 . Post-war , she

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served diplomatic missions off South

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America until she was decommissioned

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November 1 , 1929 . The second USS

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Cleveland was a Cleveland class light

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cruiser commissioned on June 15th ,

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1942 . She began preparing for

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Operation Torch , the Allied invasion

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of North Africa , in 1942 . She would

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go on to provide gunfire support during

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the landing at French Morocco and

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patrols in November of 1942 . She then

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sailed to the Pacific theater where she

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assisted in the Solomon's Island

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campaign , escorting troops to

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Guadalcanal . She was assigned to Task

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Force 68 where she bombarded Japanese

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airfields at Vila . And also

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contributed to the sinking of the

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Japanese destroyers Minagumo and

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Mirasame . She earned the Navy Unit

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Commendation , distinguishing herself

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by sinking the Japanese cruiser Sendai

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with radar-directed fire . She later

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served Pacific operations , including

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Operation OB-6 and joined Task Force

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74.2 , providing support for amphibious

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landings . She was decommissioned in

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February 1947 at Philadelphia Navy Yard .

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The third USS Cleveland was an Austin

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class amphibious transport dock built

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by Ingalls Shipbuilding and

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commissioned April 21 , 1967 . At

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Norfolk Naval Shipyard after shakedowns ,

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she transitioned to the Pacific Fleet

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in San Diego where less than 6 months

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after commissioning , she sailed to

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Vietnam as the convoy flagship . She

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made stops in Hawaii and Japan before

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relieving USS Duluth , joining

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amphibious Ready Group Alpha Task Force

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76.4 . She supported

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Operation Ballistic Arch and Operation

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Fortress Attack and responded to the

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Tet Offensive , providing refuge for

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Allied helicopter crews based in Da

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Nangang . She transferred 600 tons of

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ammunition to allies in the vicinity of

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Hue and remained stationed off the

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demilitarized zone , providing support

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for casualties and operations to rescue

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downed pilots . After concluding her

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first deployment , she received the

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meritorious Unit Commendation . She

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then entered upkeep and maintenance

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availability periods through 1968 . She

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sailed for her second deployment ,

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arriving in Da Nang , Vietnam in August

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of 1969 . She supported Operation

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Defiance Stand , Operation Bold Support ,

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and Operation Keystone Cardinal . After

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another availability , maintenance and

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training period , she returned to

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Vietnamese waters for another

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deployment in 1972 . USS Cleveland went

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on to complete seven Western Pacific

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deployments from 1974 to 1985 . In

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1987 , she began a new training cycle

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and upon completion assumed the role of

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Third Fleet flagship . She responded to

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the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska ,

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providing critical support to clean up

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efforts . She entered another

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maintenance period before entering the

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Persian Gulf in 1991 to support

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Operation Desert Storm and Operation

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Desert Shield . She supported myriad of

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naval operations , drug interdiction ,

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and humanitarian missions . She was

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amongst the first deployed in support

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of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and

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concluded her support of the global war

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on terror in 2010 . After 44 years of

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dedicated service , she was

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decommissioned in San Diego on

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September 30 , 2011 . We are

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delighted to have several former crew

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members and family of the 3rd USS

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Cleveland here today . Please stand and

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be recognized .

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Would all active duty veterans and

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first responders please stand .

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Would all military and first responder

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families please stand . Ladies and

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gentlemen , thank you for your service

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and your sacrifice .

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Additionally , we are honored to have

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several Gold Star families with us

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today . Ladies and gentlemen , we

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recognize the significance of your

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loved ones sacrifice to our nation .

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Thank you .

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The first US Navy ship sponsor can be

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traced to the USS Concorde , a

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wooden-hulled three-masted sloop of war

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commissioned in 1830 . Since then ,

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ship sponsorship has become among the

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most hallowed traditions of our United

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States Navy . We wish to recognize Ms .

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Anne Zumwalt , the sponsor for USS

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Zumwalt DDG 1000 and the current

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president of the Society of Sponsors .

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Construction began on the ship you see

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behind me in June 2021 , and she was

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christened on April 15 , 2023 at

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Fincantieri , Marionette Marine in

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Marionette , Wisconsin . Today , USS

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Cleveland is tested and battle ready .

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We are all very proud to serve on the

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newest Lacroll combat ship in the

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United States Navy . The commissioning

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ceremony is a time-honored tradition

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that began with the commissioning of

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the Navy's first ship , a captured

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British schooner , the Margaretta , in

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1775 . Since then , thousands of ships

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have undergone the transition from

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silent hull to fully alive warship . My

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shipmates , our crew , hereafter known

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as plank owners , are in formation and

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ready . In just a few moments , the

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Navy band Great Lakes will render

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honors to the Honorable John Houston .

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Will the guests please rise and remain

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standing for the arrival of our

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official party honors the presentation

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of colors , our national anthem , and

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the invocation . Ladies and gentlemen ,

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our platform guests . Ms . Amanda

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Merkel Moley , Ms . Dorian Moley ,

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Doctor Natalie Moley Schmidt , and Ms .

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Noelle Moley Alman are matrons of honor .

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Mr . Michael Gibney , plank owner , USS

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Cleveland , LPD 7 , our long glass

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presenter .

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Commander Tanya McKnight , United

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States Navy , littoral combat ship

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program manager's representative ,

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supervisor of shipbuilding , bath

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detachment , marionette .

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Mr . Matthew J . Previtz , chair , USS

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Cleveland Legacy Foundation .

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Captain Frank T . Ruopnik III ,

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Chaplain Corps , United States Navy ,

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our ceremony chaplain .

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Captain Wade K . Smith , United States

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Navy commander , Littoral Combat Ship

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Squadron 2 .

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Mr . JT Ungerich , acting littoral

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Combat Ship Program Manager .

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Mr . George Motafas , Chief Executive

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Officer Fincantieri Marine Group .

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Ms . Stephanie C . Hill , President ,

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Rotary and Mission Systems , Lockheed

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Martin .

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Ms . Melissa L . Kirkendall , Acting

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Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive ,

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Expeditionary and Mine Warfare .

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Mr . Christopher A . Miller , portfolio

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acquisition executive Maritime .

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Admiral Carl O . Thomas , United States

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Navy commander , United States Fleet

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Forces Command .

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The Honorable Justin M . Bibb , mayor ,

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city of Cleveland , Ohio .

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The Honorable Hung Cao , acting

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Secretary of the Navy .

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The Honorable Chantelle Brown , United

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States Representative , state of Ohio ,

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11th Congressional District .

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Ladies and gentlemen , our ship's

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sponsor , Mrs . Robin Motley , escorted

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by Master Chief Petty Officer Randy

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Castillo , Cleveland's command Master

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Chief .

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Ladies and gentlemen , the Honorable

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John Huston , United States Senator ,

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state of Ohio , escorted today by

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Commander Bruce Hallett , Cleveland's

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commanding officer .

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Ladies and gentlemen , honors to the

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Honorable John Houston . Platform

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and salute .

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Platform ready too . Advance the

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colors

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Platform salute .

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Retired the colors .

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Platform ready to .

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We would like to thank Navy Band ,

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Great Lakes and the USS Cleveland Sea

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Cadet Color Guard for their

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participation in our ceremony today .

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Ladies and gentlemen , Chaplain Ruupnik

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will deliver the invocation .

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Let us pray Almighty God , as we

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gather here today , we pray to you ,

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our ultimate guardian . We ask for your

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divine protection , guidance , wisdom ,

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and courage as we mark this important

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occasion . This is not only the

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commissioning of the USS Cleveland LCS

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31 , but rather this is a celebration

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and recognition of the culmination of

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design , engineering , creativity , and

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strategic thinking which has achieved

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this milestone . We thank all those who

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have made this possible through their

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efforts , and we recognize them for

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their part in making today what it is .

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We celebrate this tremendous

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accomplishment with the shipbuilders ,

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the crew , the city of Cleveland , and

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the United States Navy . We honor the

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occasion and we thank you for blessing

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us and guiding us along the way .

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We know that we live in a fallen world ,

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and as such war and conflict are often

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an unfortunate way of life and a

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reality of our world . We don't

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celebrate the fact that we need to

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create weapons , but we celebrate that

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we are willing and able to do what is

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right , to stand for what is just , and

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to defend freedom . As we commission

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this Freedom Class littoral combat ship ,

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we do so to ensure freedom for our

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nation and for all those around the

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globe . Until such a time as we can

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turn our swords into plowshares , we

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ask that you guide us , protect us ,

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and strengthen us . In your most humbly

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name we pray . Amen .

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Thank you , Chaplain Rupnick . Will the

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guests please be seated ? Cleveland

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parade rest .

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Ladies and gentlemen , the Honorable

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Justin M . Bibb .

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Thank Good

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morning everyone . We can do better

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than that . Good morning , everyone .

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All right . Welcome to the great city

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of Cleveland , Ohio . This is just a

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fitting occasion in not only our city's

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history , uh , but our nation's history .

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And as a son of a Navy veteran , I

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couldn't think of a more fitting

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occasion to celebrate what makes

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Cleveland such a special city . As we

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all know , this year we're celebrating

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250 years of America being a

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country . But we are also celebrating

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the 230th birthday of Cleveland , Ohio .

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And I think this is

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the best birthday gift our city could

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ever get .

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And so while this ship will bear the

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name of our great city around the world ,

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I also want folks out there to

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recognize and know this ship was built ,

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built by great Cleveland companies from

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Lincoln Electric to Sherwin Williams to

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Parker Hanifin to Transdime to Swage

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Lock to Eaton and Cleveland Cliffs and

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so many more . Let's give them a big

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round of applause if we can .

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And so if there's one thing I want to

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leave you with this morning , is that

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this is more than just a navy ship .

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It's more than just a symbol of the

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great military might of this great

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country , but this ship and this moment

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is a national moment to show that we

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are united . And that our country will

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always be a shining symbol of hope

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around the world . God bless and thank

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you so much . Congratulations all .

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Thank you , Mayor Bibb . Ladies and

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gentlemen , Ms . Stephanie C . Hill .

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Good morning ladies and gentlemen and

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distinguished guests . Mayor Bibb ,

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thank you for hosting us in your

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beautiful city and happy birthday to

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you as well . I'd like to offer my

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congratulations and special thanks to

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Robin Motley , Senator Husted ,

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Representative Brown , Secretary Cal ,

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Admiral Thomas , and Commander Hallett .

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I'm so honored to join you today to

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represent Lockheed Martin , who

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together with our industry partners and

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the US Navy are proud to deliver this

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extraordinary warship . I'd like to ask

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you to take a moment and look at the

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bow of this ship . There you'll see the

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hull number 31 . We celebrate

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that number returning to the fleet ,

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not only because it belongs to the

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final freedom variant littoral combat

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ship named for this great American city ,

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but because of the profound connection

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it shares with the last ship to bear

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that number , the USS Stark

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FFG 31 . Tomorrow

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marks the 39th anniversary of the

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attack on the USS Stark during the

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tanker war in 1987 . Though

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gravely damaged and expected to sink ,

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the USS Stark survived because of the

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extraordinary courage and determination

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of the sailors . 37 sailors

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gave their lives that day , but the USS

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Stark prevailed . Sailors

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always make the difference . So today ,

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I humbly ask you to join me in a moment

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of silence to remember their sacrifice .

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In honoring them , we recognize the

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enduring bond carried forward in hull

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number 31 . We believe that same

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indomitable spirit now sails with the

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crew of the USS Cleveland . As the

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motto of this magnificent ship declares ,

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forge a legacy . I can think of no more

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fitting charge for the final Freedom

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Class LCS . This crew now has the

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opportunity and the responsibility to

21:09.140 --> 21:11.530
build a legacy worthy of Cleveland ,

21:11.780 --> 21:13.836
the Buckeye State , and all who will

21:13.836 --> 21:15.836
serve aboard this ship in the years

21:15.836 --> 21:17.859
ahead . The USS Cleveland brings

21:17.859 --> 21:19.900
together speed , agility , advanced

21:19.900 --> 21:21.939
lethality , cyber capability ,

21:22.020 --> 21:24.699
integrated helicopter operations , and

21:24.699 --> 21:27.300
support for special operations , but

21:27.300 --> 21:29.540
ships like this are only possible

21:29.540 --> 21:31.880
through partnership . The Freedom

21:31.880 --> 21:34.839
variant LCS reflects the Navy's

21:34.839 --> 21:37.239
enduring partnership with industry ,

21:37.800 --> 21:40.069
including Lockheed Martin , Finin Terry

21:40.069 --> 21:42.125
Marionette Marine , Gibson Cox , and

21:42.125 --> 21:44.640
the many small businesses and vendors

21:44.640 --> 21:46.920
who helped build and sustain our fleet ,

21:47.000 --> 21:49.056
some of whom we heard from the mayor

21:49.056 --> 21:51.800
right here in Cleveland . We are proud

21:51.800 --> 21:54.630
of what we deliver . And while this

21:54.630 --> 21:57.050
ship incorporates extraordinary

21:57.050 --> 22:00.079
technology , It is the valor , courage ,

22:00.280 --> 22:02.650
and commitment of its crew that will

22:02.650 --> 22:05.209
truly bring it to life . Commander

22:05.209 --> 22:07.650
Hallett , on behalf of the industry

22:07.650 --> 22:10.010
team , it is my distinct honor to stand

22:10.010 --> 22:13.130
with you today as you begin forging the

22:13.130 --> 22:16.160
legacy of the USS Cleveland . To our

22:16.160 --> 22:19.170
sponsor , Robin Modeley , thank you for

22:19.170 --> 22:21.530
your steadfast support of this ship and

22:21.530 --> 22:25.439
its crew . And to the sailors , may you

22:25.439 --> 22:27.606
carry forward the courage of those who

22:27.606 --> 22:29.790
came before you , honor the

22:29.790 --> 22:33.640
responsibility entrusted to you , and

22:33.640 --> 22:35.751
know that you represent not only this

22:35.751 --> 22:38.939
ship but all those who depend upon it .

22:39.319 --> 22:42.079
We wish you Godspeed , fair winds , and

22:42.079 --> 22:43.690
following seas . Thank you .

22:48.959 --> 22:51.719
Thank you , Ms . Hill . Ladies and

22:51.719 --> 22:53.719
gentlemen , the Honorable Chantelle

22:53.719 --> 22:54.719
Brown .

23:00.640 --> 23:04.119
Good morning , everyone . Good morning ,

23:04.449 --> 23:06.880
everyone . Thank you . What an

23:06.880 --> 23:09.430
extraordinary day for Cleveland , for

23:09.430 --> 23:11.589
the Navy , and for every worker ,

23:11.750 --> 23:14.260
welder , engineer , sailor , and family

23:14.260 --> 23:16.550
member who helped bring this ship to

23:16.550 --> 23:19.910
life . Today we commissioned the USS

23:19.910 --> 23:22.550
Cleveland , and in so many ways this

23:22.550 --> 23:26.260
ship is truly Cleveland . Its steel

23:26.260 --> 23:28.859
comes from the Cleveland Cliffs . It's

23:28.859 --> 23:31.500
welds from Lincoln Electric , its

23:31.500 --> 23:33.459
systems and components from Parker

23:33.459 --> 23:36.770
Hanifin and Transdime , its coatings

23:36.770 --> 23:39.839
from Sherwin Williams . Hundreds , even

23:39.839 --> 23:42.859
thousands of pieces of Northeast Ohio

23:42.859 --> 23:45.349
craftsmanship are built . Bu il t into

23:45.349 --> 23:48.390
this vessel because Cleveland has

23:48.390 --> 23:51.390
always been a city that builds things ,

23:51.670 --> 23:53.750
we build industries , we build

23:53.750 --> 23:56.750
communities , we build resilience , and

23:56.750 --> 23:59.829
now together we have built a ship that

23:59.829 --> 24:02.949
will carry the name of our city across

24:02.949 --> 24:05.489
the world . You can see Cleveland

24:05.489 --> 24:08.310
throughout this vessel in the skyline ,

24:08.369 --> 24:10.729
on the seal , and in the hallways named

24:10.729 --> 24:14.709
after our city . But the real spirit

24:14.709 --> 24:17.770
of Cleveland is not just painted on

24:17.770 --> 24:20.810
this ship , it's embedded in the people

24:20.810 --> 24:23.449
who made her possible . And I'll tell

24:23.449 --> 24:26.369
you this , wherever I go , I talk about

24:26.369 --> 24:28.930
the people of Cleveland with enormous

24:28.930 --> 24:31.949
pride . I talk about a city that

24:31.949 --> 24:35.260
doesn't quit , a city of builders ,

24:35.430 --> 24:38.540
nurses , teachers , factory workers ,

24:38.630 --> 24:41.430
entrepreneurs , and veterans , tough

24:41.430 --> 24:45.189
people , resilient people , but I also

24:45.189 --> 24:47.500
talk about something else that

24:47.500 --> 24:51.270
Cleveland is a caring place , a place

24:51.270 --> 24:53.564
where people look out . For one another

24:53.564 --> 24:56.584
where strength is matched by heart .

24:57.005 --> 24:58.783
And this ship travels the world

24:58.783 --> 25:01.535
carrying the name Cleveland across her

25:01.535 --> 25:04.324
hull . I hope others will come to know

25:04.324 --> 25:07.765
our city the same way , strong enough

25:07.765 --> 25:11.165
to endure , confident enough to lead ,

25:11.405 --> 25:14.204
and grounded enough to remember our

25:14.204 --> 25:18.109
shared humanity . Because real power is

25:18.109 --> 25:21.349
not just forged in steel , but in the

25:21.349 --> 25:25.069
values and people underneath it . To

25:25.069 --> 25:27.219
Commander Hallet and the crew of the

25:27.219 --> 25:29.869
USS Cleveland , thank you for your

25:29.869 --> 25:32.069
service , your sacrifice , and your

25:32.069 --> 25:34.290
willingness to carry the city's name

25:34.869 --> 25:37.609
with honor . The USS Cleveland will

25:37.609 --> 25:40.160
help protect our nation , support our

25:40.160 --> 25:43.439
allies , keep vital trade routes open ,

25:43.579 --> 25:47.060
and help preserve stability , but

25:47.060 --> 25:50.920
moments like this should also remind us

25:51.300 --> 25:55.020
that true strength is never measured by

25:55.020 --> 25:58.849
force alone . American power has always

25:58.849 --> 26:02.250
rested on two pillars , military

26:02.250 --> 26:05.729
capability and a commitment to

26:05.729 --> 26:09.040
restraint , to judgment , and to

26:09.040 --> 26:12.290
purpose . We are strongest when

26:12.290 --> 26:15.959
we understand not just what we can do ,

26:16.290 --> 26:19.130
but what we should do and when .

26:19.770 --> 26:21.890
Because the power represented by this

26:21.890 --> 26:25.349
ship is real , it carries consequence

26:25.520 --> 26:29.050
in every direction it sails , and that

26:29.050 --> 26:31.890
is precise precisely why it must always

26:31.890 --> 26:34.609
be guided by something deeper than

26:34.609 --> 26:37.839
capability alone . Behind every

26:38.130 --> 26:41.969
deployment are human lives , families

26:41.969 --> 26:45.079
waiting at home , sailors who carry not

26:45.079 --> 26:48.839
just responsibility . But the trust

26:49.040 --> 26:52.619
of a nation asking them to stand watch

26:53.119 --> 26:56.680
in often unpredictable waters and so

26:56.680 --> 26:58.791
honoring our military means more than

26:58.791 --> 27:01.800
praising their strength , it means

27:01.800 --> 27:04.560
respecting the weight of what we send

27:04.560 --> 27:07.770
them into . It means valuing

27:07.780 --> 27:11.550
deterrence , yes , but also discipline .

27:11.859 --> 27:15.719
Resolve , yes , but also restraint ,

27:15.939 --> 27:18.290
and it means never forgetting that the

27:18.290 --> 27:21.760
highest aim of American power is not

27:21.939 --> 27:25.260
domination , but stability ,

27:25.699 --> 27:29.020
not escalation , but security .

27:30.000 --> 27:32.780
That balance , strength without

27:32.790 --> 27:35.439
recklessness , power guided by

27:35.439 --> 27:39.270
principle feels especially fitting for

27:39.270 --> 27:42.680
a ship named Cleveland , a city that

27:42.680 --> 27:45.119
knows how to build things that last and

27:45.119 --> 27:47.260
how to endure when times are hard ,

27:47.760 --> 27:51.000
because in the end . The measure of our

27:51.000 --> 27:53.800
strength is not only what we are

27:53.800 --> 27:57.040
capable of projecting , but what we are

27:57.040 --> 28:00.650
also committed to protecting . So today ,

28:00.719 --> 28:03.760
Cleveland forges another legacy . May

28:03.760 --> 28:07.099
God bless the crew of the USS Cleveland .

28:07.280 --> 28:09.719
May God bless their families , and may

28:09.719 --> 28:13.359
God continue to bless the United States

28:13.359 --> 28:14.569
of America .

28:21.099 --> 28:23.043
Thank you , Representative Brown .

28:23.449 --> 28:25.505
Ladies and gentlemen , the Honorable

28:25.505 --> 28:26.505
John Houston .

28:34.010 --> 28:37.540
Good morning . All right , there we go .

28:38.489 --> 28:41.109
Uh , Mr . Secretary , Admiral Thomas ,

28:41.560 --> 28:45.489
Commander Hallett . Our veterans in

28:45.489 --> 28:48.560
attendance , our active duty military

28:49.020 --> 28:51.890
and their families , fellow Ohioans and

28:51.890 --> 28:55.689
Americans , it is a distinct honor . To

28:55.689 --> 28:58.140
join you today for the celebration of

28:58.140 --> 29:00.418
the commissioning of the USS Cleveland .

29:01.069 --> 29:03.291
Uh , what a special day and an honor it

29:03.291 --> 29:05.689
is to stand here before you , uh ,

29:07.680 --> 29:09.680
Standing here before this beautiful

29:09.680 --> 29:12.280
naval vessel . I am

29:14.719 --> 29:18.459
I know that the USS Cleveland . It is a

29:18.459 --> 29:21.099
fast ship . It will hunt the enemy with

29:21.099 --> 29:23.729
precision , speed , and mission . It

29:23.729 --> 29:25.949
will complete that mission . Similar

29:25.949 --> 29:28.880
vessels as to this are out there today

29:28.880 --> 29:31.047
protecting our nation , including near

29:31.047 --> 29:33.739
the Strait of Hormuz . Uh , it is .

29:34.810 --> 29:38.739
An amazing , amazing . Naval vessel

29:38.920 --> 29:40.920
that we can all be proud of . Now ,

29:41.079 --> 29:43.246
Mayor Bibb , I will tell you I'm going

29:43.246 --> 29:45.023
to double down on the Cleveland

29:45.023 --> 29:47.135
commercial right now if you'll permit

29:47.135 --> 29:51.109
me . Uh , this is also a recognition

29:51.469 --> 29:54.310
of the power and the prestige of made

29:54.310 --> 29:56.910
in America . And as I always say , you

29:56.910 --> 29:59.077
cannot do made in America without Made

29:59.077 --> 30:01.299
in Ohio , because from the food you eat

30:01.299 --> 30:03.410
to the cars you drive , to the trucks

30:03.410 --> 30:05.466
that deliver , to the airplanes that

30:05.466 --> 30:07.521
fly , and now before you , the ships

30:07.521 --> 30:11.239
that defend our nation . All of that or

30:11.239 --> 30:13.350
require a supply chain from the great

30:13.350 --> 30:15.572
people of the state of Ohio and in this

30:15.572 --> 30:17.295
case , the city of Cleveland .

30:24.489 --> 30:28.130
It is . It's an amazing thing

30:28.390 --> 30:32.069
that uh to that uh the city of

30:32.069 --> 30:34.125
Cleveland and the businesses and the

30:34.125 --> 30:36.510
workers of this great city have such a

30:36.510 --> 30:39.790
long tradition in in protecting the

30:39.790 --> 30:42.189
freedom of America . I don't know if

30:42.189 --> 30:44.245
you know that the arsenal of freedom

30:44.245 --> 30:46.579
first started in the city with

30:46.579 --> 30:49.349
manufacturers who made equipment to

30:49.349 --> 30:52.349
supply the Union Army for the cause of

30:52.349 --> 30:54.989
freedom during the Civil War and on

30:54.989 --> 30:57.910
through World War 1 , and certainly

30:57.910 --> 31:00.630
into World War 2 where Franklin Delano

31:00.630 --> 31:03.390
Roosevelt asked our nation and our

31:03.390 --> 31:05.869
builders to build the arsenal of

31:05.869 --> 31:09.219
democracy , and Cleveland at that time

31:09.469 --> 31:12.900
had companies like . Cleveland Cliffs ,

31:13.400 --> 31:15.479
Parker Hanifin , Lincoln Electric ,

31:15.680 --> 31:17.800
Sherwin Williams , that were part of

31:17.800 --> 31:20.030
building the arsenal of democracy and

31:20.030 --> 31:22.363
freedom for the victory in World War II .

31:22.599 --> 31:24.680
And these companies stand as part of

31:24.680 --> 31:26.791
what is built right here behind you ,

31:26.800 --> 31:28.967
and they are joined by other Cleveland

31:28.967 --> 31:31.022
companies that have been mentioned ,

31:31.022 --> 31:32.967
Transdyme , Swagelock , Ohio Cat .

31:32.967 --> 31:35.189
There's so many others that are part of

31:35.189 --> 31:37.411
the supply chain of this great vessel .

31:38.359 --> 31:41.359
Uh , Cleveland has a proud tradition in

31:41.359 --> 31:43.839
protecting American freedom and the

31:43.839 --> 31:46.061
cause of freedom around the world . And

31:46.061 --> 31:48.172
that is why I believe this is the 4th

31:48.172 --> 31:50.839
ship to bear the name of USS Cleveland .

31:52.630 --> 31:56.260
We are celebrating America 250 . There

31:56.260 --> 31:59.479
are so many sacrifices from so many

31:59.479 --> 32:02.699
people . Men and women of our military ,

32:03.199 --> 32:05.280
the innovators , the creators , the

32:05.280 --> 32:07.979
factory workers that built the arsenal

32:07.979 --> 32:10.609
of freedom . That gave us this great

32:10.609 --> 32:13.729
gift that we enjoy today . It's a

32:13.729 --> 32:17.250
reminder of the price of freedom . It's

32:17.250 --> 32:20.329
also on this occasion , I hope , on

32:20.329 --> 32:22.930
America's 250 and Cleveland's 230 .

32:24.449 --> 32:27.010
That we rededicate ourselves to the

32:27.010 --> 32:30.040
sacrifice , the spirit of sacrifice ,

32:30.290 --> 32:32.410
and the culture of innovation that it

32:32.410 --> 32:35.130
takes to win that freedom and to

32:35.130 --> 32:37.599
preserve that freedom , and the bravery .

32:38.530 --> 32:40.697
Of the men and women of our military .

32:41.219 --> 32:43.819
Especially today our sailors who

32:43.819 --> 32:46.699
provide that that blanket of freedom to

32:46.699 --> 32:49.780
all of us . And so today , may God

32:49.780 --> 32:52.219
bless this ship . May God bless its

32:52.219 --> 32:54.699
captain and crew , and may God continue

32:54.699 --> 32:57.439
to bless the great nation that we

32:57.939 --> 33:00.106
thrive and live in , the United States

33:00.106 --> 33:02.300
of America . God bless us all . Thank

33:02.300 --> 33:03.300
you very much .

33:07.660 --> 33:10.430
Thank you , Senator Houston . Ladies

33:10.430 --> 33:13.089
and gentlemen , Admiral Carl Thomas .

33:20.810 --> 33:22.754
Well , good morning . What a great

33:22.754 --> 33:24.977
turnout by the city of Cleveland . Uh ,

33:24.977 --> 33:27.000
well done . It's great to see what

33:27.000 --> 33:29.979
pride that you take in your ship . So

33:29.979 --> 33:31.868
thank you for coming out in large

33:31.868 --> 33:34.090
numbers . Uh , congressional members of

33:34.090 --> 33:37.140
Ohio , Actor , Acting Secretary Kyle ,

33:37.420 --> 33:40.640
Mayor Bibb , uh , Mrs . Motley , and

33:40.640 --> 33:42.751
our matrons of honor , members of the

33:42.751 --> 33:44.973
commissioning committee , distinguished

33:44.973 --> 33:47.196
guests , shipmates , and proud citizens

33:47.196 --> 33:49.280
of Cleveland and the great state of

33:49.280 --> 33:51.310
Ohio . Good morning .

33:53.180 --> 33:55.800
I'm truly honored to be with you today

33:56.099 --> 33:59.390
for a really historic occasion . Today

33:59.390 --> 34:02.310
we're gathered to celebrate more than

34:02.310 --> 34:04.510
just the commissioning of the USS

34:04.510 --> 34:06.920
Cleveland . We're gathered to celebrate

34:07.670 --> 34:10.829
a legacy of American shipbuilding . To

34:10.829 --> 34:14.350
celebrate a pristine example . Of our

34:14.350 --> 34:17.949
country's industrial might . For her

34:17.949 --> 34:20.879
heartland and delivered to her shores ,

34:20.959 --> 34:23.429
and we are gathered to celebrate the

34:23.429 --> 34:26.149
young men and women who will embark

34:26.149 --> 34:28.888
this ship . We're graced by the

34:28.888 --> 34:31.128
presence of our ship's sponsor , Mrs .

34:31.289 --> 34:33.428
Robin Modeley . Through her husband ,

34:33.928 --> 34:36.688
the Honorable Thomas Modeley , she was

34:36.688 --> 34:39.319
introduced to Cleveland . And since her

34:39.319 --> 34:41.829
appointment as the ship's sponsor ,

34:42.198 --> 34:45.158
Robin has worked tirelessly to cement

34:45.158 --> 34:48.358
her own enduring relationship with this

34:48.358 --> 34:52.050
city and the ship . A sponsor imparts

34:52.050 --> 34:54.860
her spirit into the hall , and in her

34:54.860 --> 34:57.219
professional life , Robin has already

34:57.219 --> 35:00.479
forged an incredible legacy of service

35:00.780 --> 35:04.409
before self , deep compassion . And a

35:04.409 --> 35:07.270
steadfast dedication to those who wear

35:07.610 --> 35:11.550
the cloth of our nation . To the crew

35:11.550 --> 35:14.479
of this great ship . As you continue

35:14.479 --> 35:17.020
your journey , may your sponsor's

35:17.020 --> 35:20.679
legacy of selfless service be a guiding

35:20.679 --> 35:24.080
beacon . Mrs . Motley , thank you

35:24.620 --> 35:26.842
for the steadfast support that you will

35:26.842 --> 35:29.870
forever provide this crew . For the

35:29.870 --> 35:33.179
first time in 250 years of the United

35:33.179 --> 35:35.989
States Navy , we are commissioning a

35:35.989 --> 35:39.149
warship in the state of Ohio .

35:39.989 --> 35:42.030
We have brought the fleet to the

35:42.030 --> 35:44.810
heartland , and today American naval

35:44.810 --> 35:47.189
history is being made right here in

35:47.189 --> 35:50.120
Cleveland . Built by Midwestern hands

35:50.219 --> 35:52.419
just up the Great Lakes , she

35:52.419 --> 35:55.060
represents the culmination of a

35:55.060 --> 35:57.282
generation of shipbuilding . She is the

35:57.282 --> 36:00.560
final whole of her class , designed for

36:00.560 --> 36:03.699
speed , agility , and lethality in the

36:03.699 --> 36:07.100
contested waters around the world . But

36:07.100 --> 36:09.820
while the steel is new , her name

36:09.820 --> 36:13.750
carries a storied legacy . As

36:13.750 --> 36:15.806
you've heard , she is the 4th United

36:15.806 --> 36:18.028
States warship to proudly bear the name

36:18.028 --> 36:20.590
Cleveland , and her predecessors were

36:20.590 --> 36:23.439
fighters . The first protected American

36:23.439 --> 36:25.560
interests during World War One . The

36:25.560 --> 36:27.560
second was a legendary World War II

36:27.560 --> 36:29.727
light cruiser that earned a staggering

36:29.727 --> 36:32.870
13 battle stars . The third served this

36:32.870 --> 36:36.060
nation for an incredible 44 years ,

36:36.520 --> 36:38.600
projecting American strength by

36:38.600 --> 36:40.433
delivering United States Marines

36:40.433 --> 36:43.290
straight to the fight . And today LCS

36:43.290 --> 36:46.929
31 inherits that exact same

36:46.929 --> 36:49.729
fighting spirit . She joins a global

36:49.729 --> 36:52.969
force that is absolutely vital to the

36:52.969 --> 36:55.330
city that she leaves behind . Because

36:55.590 --> 36:58.219
the security of every American city ,

36:58.350 --> 37:01.110
coastal or inland , is inextricably

37:01.110 --> 37:04.780
linked to the freedom of the seas . The

37:04.780 --> 37:06.836
Port of Cleveland is a strategically

37:06.836 --> 37:08.836
important port on the Great Lakes .

37:09.020 --> 37:10.909
From the iron ore that builds our

37:10.909 --> 37:12.409
nation to the cargo to the

37:12.409 --> 37:14.699
manufacturing supply chains that fuel

37:14.699 --> 37:17.320
Midwest industry , our economy relies

37:17.320 --> 37:19.540
on the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the

37:19.540 --> 37:23.169
global waters beyond . 90%

37:23.360 --> 37:25.709
of global commerce travels by sea .

37:26.409 --> 37:28.709
Those maritime commons are the arteries

37:28.709 --> 37:31.090
of the world economy , and they are

37:31.090 --> 37:33.850
protected by one force , your United

37:33.850 --> 37:36.899
States Navy . And right now your navy

37:36.899 --> 37:39.520
is providing the combat credibility and

37:39.520 --> 37:42.540
persistent global presence that secures

37:42.590 --> 37:44.959
our vital interests , deters our

37:44.959 --> 37:47.629
adversaries , and guarantees freedom of

37:47.629 --> 37:50.479
the seas and our nation's prosperity .

37:51.300 --> 37:53.522
We ensure that the goods flowing out of

37:53.522 --> 37:55.689
the port of Cleveland can safely reach

37:55.689 --> 37:58.110
the world and that global markets

37:58.580 --> 38:02.179
remain open to Ohio . Securing the

38:02.179 --> 38:04.580
maritime commons isn't just a coastal

38:04.580 --> 38:07.080
priority , it's a Cleveland priority

38:07.620 --> 38:10.850
and it's a national imperative . But a

38:10.850 --> 38:13.649
warship is more than its mission , and

38:13.649 --> 38:17.090
it is more than just steel . A ship is

38:17.090 --> 38:20.510
its crew . So to the men and women of

38:20.510 --> 38:22.919
the pre-commissioning unit , The plank

38:22.919 --> 38:25.050
owners , through your sweat and

38:25.050 --> 38:27.610
sacrifice in the shipyards , you

38:27.610 --> 38:29.610
brought life into the steel of this

38:29.610 --> 38:32.689
vessel . Your culture and esprit de

38:32.689 --> 38:34.729
corps will create the unwavering

38:34.729 --> 38:37.620
fighting spirit . That will embolden

38:37.620 --> 38:39.860
the ship and the crews who follow you .

38:40.830 --> 38:43.550
Cleveland's motto forge a legacy ,

38:44.030 --> 38:47.290
demands action . The real work begins

38:47.639 --> 38:49.959
tomorrow . When you leave the pier ,

38:50.030 --> 38:52.197
you will trade the celebration of this

38:52.197 --> 38:54.909
freshwater coast for the uncompromising

38:54.909 --> 38:58.219
responsibility in the fleet . You're

38:58.219 --> 39:00.219
entering the foundry where we forge

39:00.219 --> 39:02.540
crews and their ships into lethal

39:02.540 --> 39:05.169
warships . In the months ahead ,

39:05.209 --> 39:07.330
beneath the heat and the pressure of

39:07.330 --> 39:09.729
training cycles and certifications ,

39:10.090 --> 39:12.257
the true combat readiness of this crew

39:12.449 --> 39:15.729
will be tested and forged . But through

39:15.729 --> 39:17.896
the heavy unseen work , you will enter

39:17.896 --> 39:20.310
the fleet and when called upon to fight ,

39:20.810 --> 39:23.300
you will not fail . And through that

39:23.300 --> 39:25.522
shared hardship , you will forge a bold

39:25.522 --> 39:28.699
legacy of your own , one absolutely

39:28.699 --> 39:31.209
worthy of the name of the hall , worthy

39:31.209 --> 39:33.540
of the sponsor who guides you , and

39:33.540 --> 39:36.300
worthy of the nation that you defend .

39:37.179 --> 39:39.530
Commander Hallett , the responsibility

39:39.530 --> 39:42.590
of command is absolute . The honor of

39:42.590 --> 39:44.590
this city and the readiness of this

39:44.590 --> 39:46.790
warship are now in your hands . Lead

39:46.790 --> 39:49.270
and train your crew well . And bring

39:49.270 --> 39:52.340
them home safely . This city has given

39:52.340 --> 39:54.530
this ship her name and her fighting

39:54.530 --> 39:56.620
spirit . Now , Commander , it's your

39:56.620 --> 39:59.699
job to take her to the fight . May God

39:59.699 --> 40:02.060
bless the crew of the Cleveland , the

40:02.060 --> 40:04.540
United States Navy , and the United

40:04.540 --> 40:07.370
States of America . It's now my

40:07.370 --> 40:09.537
distinct honor to introduce the acting

40:09.537 --> 40:11.648
Secretary of the Navy , the Honorable

40:11.648 --> 40:14.409
Hong Cao . As a decorated combat

40:14.409 --> 40:17.229
veteran with an impressive Navy career

40:17.439 --> 40:19.661
spanning special operations , explosive

40:19.661 --> 40:22.409
ordnance disposal , and surface warfare ,

40:22.969 --> 40:25.629
he has truly forged his own legacy .

40:26.250 --> 40:28.439
Today he is at the helm of our navy

40:28.850 --> 40:30.961
fighting every day to ensure that our

40:30.961 --> 40:34.090
sailors have the tools they need to

40:34.090 --> 40:37.010
fight and win . Ladies and gentlemen ,

40:37.100 --> 40:39.100
please welcome the Honorable Hong .

40:47.409 --> 40:50.889
All right , good morning . What a

40:50.889 --> 40:52.945
beautiful day . I'm glad that uh the

40:52.945 --> 40:55.111
weather held off . In fact , it was so

40:55.111 --> 40:57.000
nice , I think some of the family

40:57.000 --> 40:59.111
members of er er Cleveland decided to

40:59.111 --> 41:01.280
run a marathon too . I'm so glad you

41:01.280 --> 41:03.689
were able to be here . Uh , good

41:03.689 --> 41:05.290
morning , Senator Husted ,

41:05.969 --> 41:08.247
Congresswoman , uh , Congressman Joyce ,

41:08.247 --> 41:10.525
Congressman Miller , Congressman Brown ,

41:10.525 --> 41:12.413
Mayor Bibb , Admiral Thomas , the

41:12.413 --> 41:14.191
exchange of guests , ladies and

41:14.191 --> 41:16.358
gentlemen , and most importantly , the

41:16.358 --> 41:18.580
crew of USS Cleveland . And also I want

41:18.580 --> 41:20.747
to give a shout out to all the Vietnam

41:20.747 --> 41:22.747
veterans out there . I hope that my

41:22.747 --> 41:24.636
service to this country in Iraq ,

41:24.636 --> 41:26.858
Afghanistan , and Somalia paid back for

41:26.858 --> 41:29.025
your sacrifices in Vietnam and allowed

41:29.025 --> 41:30.913
me to come here 51 years ago as a

41:30.913 --> 41:30.389
refugee .

41:37.919 --> 41:39.760
On behalf of President Trump and

41:39.760 --> 41:41.871
Secretary Hegseth , it is an absolute

41:41.871 --> 41:43.649
honor to join you today for the

41:43.649 --> 41:45.593
commissioning of the Navy's newest

41:45.593 --> 41:47.889
warship , USS Cleveland . I also want

41:47.889 --> 41:50.056
to extend my deepest gratitude to your

41:50.056 --> 41:52.167
ship's sponsor , Mrs . Robin Motley .

41:52.229 --> 41:54.451
Your presence , ma'am , to the ship and

41:54.451 --> 41:56.562
her crew have been an anchor to these

41:56.562 --> 41:58.785
sailors , and this ship will forever be

41:58.785 --> 42:02.149
your ship as well . This year Thank you .

42:06.149 --> 42:08.149
This year we celebrate our nation's

42:08.149 --> 42:10.959
250th birthday with sheer American grit

42:10.959 --> 42:13.699
and a can-do attitude . Our forefathers

42:13.699 --> 42:15.977
achieved the impossible . Out of blood ,

42:16.100 --> 42:18.322
sweat , and tears , they forged a great

42:18.322 --> 42:20.544
republic that still shines the light of

42:20.544 --> 42:22.767
hope across the world . Our country was

42:22.767 --> 42:25.010
not built by politicians or

42:25.010 --> 42:27.169
philosophers . It was built by

42:27.169 --> 42:30.679
craftsmen . Men and women who worked

42:30.679 --> 42:33.479
with their hands to build America . It

42:33.479 --> 42:35.646
was a craftsman , a silversmith by the

42:35.646 --> 42:37.719
name of Paul Revere , who devised an

42:37.719 --> 42:39.560
early warning system during the

42:39.560 --> 42:42.649
Revolutionary War . It was a craftsman ,

42:42.729 --> 42:44.896
a typesetter named Benjamin Franklin ,

42:45.129 --> 42:47.185
who helped draft the most incredible

42:47.185 --> 42:49.409
document in history , the Constitution

42:49.409 --> 42:52.199
of the United States of America . It

42:52.199 --> 42:53.810
was craftsman that built the

42:53.810 --> 42:55.921
Transcontinental Railroad , which has

42:55.921 --> 42:57.921
been the artery of America for more

42:57.921 --> 43:01.090
than 160 years . It was a craftsman , a

43:01.090 --> 43:03.340
machinist named Henry Ford , who

43:03.340 --> 43:05.620
created the assembly line , which led

43:05.620 --> 43:07.500
to the industrial revolution and

43:07.500 --> 43:09.699
propelled America to be a superpower .

43:10.729 --> 43:13.100
It was a pair of craftsmen , bicycle

43:13.100 --> 43:15.322
shop owners , the Wright brothers , who

43:15.322 --> 43:17.322
set the stage for America's journey

43:17.322 --> 43:19.544
crossing the Atlantic and putting a man

43:19.544 --> 43:21.767
on the moon by inventing the airplane .

43:22.080 --> 43:23.802
When the world needed us , our

43:23.802 --> 43:25.969
craftsmen built ships , aircraft , and

43:25.969 --> 43:28.120
tanks so we can liberate the world

43:28.120 --> 43:30.419
against oppression . When the World

43:30.419 --> 43:32.419
Wars ended , our craftsmen beat the

43:32.419 --> 43:34.475
swords back into plowshares , and we

43:34.475 --> 43:38.020
rebuilt America . In my personal life ,

43:38.199 --> 43:40.879
it was a craftsman , a carpenter , who

43:40.879 --> 43:42.935
transformed my life and the lives of

43:42.935 --> 43:45.157
billions around the world and became my

43:45.157 --> 43:48.840
Lord and Savior . Today , the spirit of

43:48.840 --> 43:51.062
the craftsman lives here in Cleveland .

43:51.399 --> 43:53.840
We see it in industry , in companies

43:53.840 --> 43:56.780
like Bartlett Maritime . Who are

43:56.780 --> 43:59.179
working to supply the skilled tradesmen

43:59.179 --> 44:01.123
and craftsmen our navy desperately

44:01.123 --> 44:04.649
needs for the coming decade . The

44:04.649 --> 44:06.709
craftsmen of Pinterry Marion Marine

44:07.129 --> 44:09.129
have taken raw steel and aluminum ,

44:09.129 --> 44:11.489
bent it , and welded it and fit it into

44:11.489 --> 44:14.810
USS Cleveland . This ship is an agile ,

44:15.030 --> 44:17.409
multi-focused warship providing

44:17.830 --> 44:20.070
flexible platform designed to operate

44:20.070 --> 44:22.969
independently in near shore or is a

44:23.550 --> 44:26.120
network battle force . This ship is

44:26.120 --> 44:28.439
named after the city of Cleveland , a

44:28.439 --> 44:30.606
reflection of the navy's of the city's

44:30.606 --> 44:32.939
deep naval history and industrial might .

44:33.639 --> 44:35.695
During the Second World War , it was

44:35.695 --> 44:37.917
Craftsman of Cleveland in northern Ohio

44:37.917 --> 44:39.972
who transformed this region into the

44:39.972 --> 44:43.310
arsenal of democracy . The

44:43.310 --> 44:47.010
manufacturing lines of the city surged

44:47.229 --> 44:49.451
and the craftsmen of Cleveland supplied

44:49.451 --> 44:51.618
critical iron , steel , and components

44:51.669 --> 44:53.969
to build the fleets that won the war .

44:55.379 --> 44:57.601
During the war , naval aviators trained

44:57.780 --> 45:00.002
in combat right here on the Great Lakes

45:00.020 --> 45:03.649
on USS Wolverine and USS Sable . Both

45:03.649 --> 45:05.316
the city of Cleveland and our

45:05.316 --> 45:07.316
shipbuilders represent the absolute

45:07.316 --> 45:09.427
American spirit of innovation and our

45:09.427 --> 45:12.149
can-do ethos . As we commissioned USS

45:12.149 --> 45:14.371
Cleveland , we celebrate another symbol

45:14.371 --> 45:16.427
of the unbreakable linkage that ties

45:16.427 --> 45:18.659
craftsmanship of our shipyard workers

45:18.879 --> 45:20.990
and the American sailors who will man

45:20.990 --> 45:24.219
the ship . As the 16th and final

45:24.219 --> 45:26.850
variant , the very last ship of the

45:26.850 --> 45:29.649
entire littoral combat ship program ,

45:29.860 --> 45:32.082
this ship represents the culmination of

45:32.082 --> 45:35.260
years of technological innovation . 120

45:35.260 --> 45:37.669
years ago . The Great White Fleet

45:37.669 --> 45:39.669
extended America's reach across the

45:39.669 --> 45:42.209
globe . Today this ship joins the

45:42.209 --> 45:45.469
Golden Fleet . Which renews America's

45:45.469 --> 45:48.370
maritime dominance . The Golden Fleet

45:48.370 --> 45:50.889
encompasses a small , a mixture of

45:50.889 --> 45:53.000
small to large combatants paired with

45:53.000 --> 45:54.667
unmanned ships along with the

45:54.667 --> 45:56.500
sophisticated electronic warfare

45:56.500 --> 45:58.570
packages and systems and exquisite

45:58.570 --> 46:01.770
weapons . What this means for this

46:01.770 --> 46:03.881
country and for Cleveland and Ohio is

46:03.881 --> 46:05.603
that we will need to triple or

46:05.603 --> 46:07.770
quadruple our manufacturing capacity ,

46:08.010 --> 46:09.899
creating hundreds of thousands of

46:09.899 --> 46:12.010
high-skilled American jobs right here

46:12.010 --> 46:14.121
at home . Because a strong industrial

46:14.121 --> 46:16.600
base is not just an economic goal , it

46:16.600 --> 46:18.600
is a national security imperative .

46:19.389 --> 46:21.333
While we marvel at the engineering

46:21.333 --> 46:23.278
prowess of things Terry , Marion a

46:23.278 --> 46:25.111
Marine , and Lockheed Martin , a

46:25.111 --> 46:27.111
warship without her crew is nothing

46:27.111 --> 46:29.590
more than cold , silent , and steel and

46:29.590 --> 46:32.510
aluminum . Today we celebrate the

46:32.510 --> 46:34.843
sailors who breathe life into this ship .

46:35.659 --> 46:38.060
To the officers and crew of USS

46:38.060 --> 46:40.979
Cleveland , today is your day . For

46:40.979 --> 46:42.580
years you've served as a

46:42.580 --> 46:44.540
pre-commissioning unit . You took

46:44.540 --> 46:47.899
thousands of tons of metal and miles of

46:47.899 --> 46:50.739
wiring , and you gave this ship a soul .

46:51.770 --> 46:53.992
You've endured the grueling pace of the

46:53.992 --> 46:56.090
shipyard and made the uncompromising

46:56.090 --> 46:58.090
gold standards of the United States

46:58.090 --> 47:00.090
Navy . You've crawled through every

47:00.090 --> 47:02.620
space , traced every system , and

47:02.620 --> 47:04.787
mastered the ship from the deck plates

47:04.787 --> 47:07.409
up . But you built more than just

47:07.409 --> 47:09.780
technical proficiency . You built a

47:09.780 --> 47:12.139
culture . As plant owners , you hold a

47:12.139 --> 47:15.090
unique and sacred distinction . Your

47:15.090 --> 47:18.159
ship's motto is forge a legacy . That

47:18.159 --> 47:20.639
legacy means the standards you set ,

47:20.939 --> 47:23.080
the camaraderie that you forged , and

47:23.080 --> 47:25.302
the war fighting spirit you established

47:25.302 --> 47:27.524
will echo through the bulkheads of this

47:27.524 --> 47:30.669
ship for an entire lifespan . Every

47:30.669 --> 47:32.669
crew that follows in your footsteps

47:32.669 --> 47:34.909
will sail in the foundation that you

47:34.909 --> 47:38.780
laid . Your support and to the families

47:38.780 --> 47:42.340
of the crew . Thank you . Your support

47:42.340 --> 47:44.439
during long hours and the shifting

47:44.439 --> 47:46.550
schedules of the shipyard and the sea

47:46.550 --> 47:48.606
trials have made this day possible .

47:48.606 --> 47:50.828
And this ship is as much yours as it is

47:50.828 --> 47:54.320
theirs . Sailors of the USS Cleveland ,

47:54.459 --> 47:57.159
you are ready . Our nation is immensely

47:57.159 --> 47:59.215
proud of what you've achieved and we

47:59.215 --> 48:01.381
sleep soundly tonight , knowing you'll

48:01.381 --> 48:04.100
be standing the watch . We are a

48:04.100 --> 48:06.800
maritime nation . We border on both the

48:06.800 --> 48:09.320
Pacific and the Atlantic . Our commerce

48:09.320 --> 48:11.542
depends on safe and secure sea lanes of

48:11.542 --> 48:14.000
communications . Today , we see the

48:14.000 --> 48:16.056
critical value of these platforms in

48:16.056 --> 48:18.949
real-world operations . At this moment ,

48:19.199 --> 48:21.659
in the Straits of Hormuz , literal

48:21.659 --> 48:24.139
littoral combat ships just like this

48:24.479 --> 48:26.560
are actively serving , keeping vital

48:26.560 --> 48:29.469
maritime choke points open and uh

48:29.469 --> 48:31.247
helping to achieve our nation's

48:31.247 --> 48:33.580
strategic goals . President Trump's

48:33.580 --> 48:36.250
commission to our military is simple to

48:36.250 --> 48:40.250
achieve peace through strength . USS

48:40.250 --> 48:42.306
Cleveland joins the fleet , ready to

48:42.306 --> 48:44.639
answer the call to action . And we sail ,

48:44.959 --> 48:47.070
and she will sail to her home port in

48:47.070 --> 48:49.500
Mayport , Florida , fully prepared to

48:49.500 --> 48:51.556
defend our nation's interests across

48:51.556 --> 48:55.159
the globe . The world knows we can be

48:55.159 --> 48:57.340
your biggest allies . I've seen that

48:57.709 --> 48:59.765
when I was brought out of Vietnam 51

48:59.765 --> 49:01.790
years ago . And brought into this

49:01.790 --> 49:04.070
country and given a home and something

49:04.070 --> 49:06.510
to believe in . But we can also be your

49:06.510 --> 49:08.790
worst enemy . All you have to do is ask

49:08.790 --> 49:12.110
Iran . And if you really us off , we'll

49:12.110 --> 49:14.277
fly into your country tonight and snag

49:14.277 --> 49:16.332
you and your wife while you sleep in

49:16.332 --> 49:20.330
your beds . Because we're Americans

49:20.330 --> 49:24.199
and that's what we do . To the crew of

49:24.199 --> 49:26.080
USS Cleveland , as your acting

49:26.080 --> 49:28.302
Secretary of the Navy , I'm never above

49:28.302 --> 49:30.469
you . I'm never below you . I'm always

49:30.469 --> 49:32.691
beside you . Thank you to the craftsmen

49:32.691 --> 49:35.024
who continue to build this great nation .

49:35.024 --> 49:36.858
And on behalf of the sailors and

49:36.858 --> 49:39.024
marines , I salute you . May God bless

49:39.024 --> 49:41.247
you . May God bless this ship , and may

49:41.247 --> 49:43.524
God bless the United States of America .

49:43.524 --> 49:42.870
Thank you .

49:54.199 --> 49:56.520
Thank you , Secretary Coo . Sir , I

49:56.520 --> 49:58.742
would be honored if you would now place

49:58.742 --> 50:00.187
Cleveland in commission .

50:03.820 --> 50:06.042
Alright , on behalf of the President of

50:06.042 --> 50:07.987
the United States , I hereby place

50:07.987 --> 50:09.764
United States ship Cleveland in

50:09.764 --> 50:11.820
commission . May God bless and guide

50:11.820 --> 50:13.987
this warship and all who sail in her .

50:15.479 --> 50:16.479
You

50:23.040 --> 50:24.596
Thank you , Secretary Cow .

50:42.040 --> 50:44.239
Executive officer , hoist the colors

50:44.239 --> 50:46.295
and commission pennant . Aye , aye ,

50:46.295 --> 50:49.510
sir . Chip's company , attention .

50:50.909 --> 50:53.131
The commission pennant and professional

50:53.131 --> 50:55.353
national navies began to take form late

50:55.353 --> 50:57.576
in the 17th century . All ships at that

50:57.576 --> 50:59.631
time were sailing ships , and it was

50:59.631 --> 51:01.687
often difficult to tell a naval ship

51:01.687 --> 51:03.742
from a merchantman . Navies began to

51:03.742 --> 51:05.909
adopt long narrow pennants to be flown

51:05.909 --> 51:08.076
by their ships at the main masthead to

51:08.076 --> 51:10.131
distinguish themselves from merchant

51:10.131 --> 51:12.353
ships . The commission pennant will fly

51:12.353 --> 51:12.199
continuously until the ship is

51:12.199 --> 51:15.340
decommissioned . Ladies and gentlemen ,

51:15.580 --> 51:17.919
please rise . I direct your attention

51:17.919 --> 51:20.379
to the ship's mainmast as we hoist the

51:20.379 --> 51:22.157
colors and commission pennant .

51:23.290 --> 51:25.346
Quartermaster , hoist the colors and

51:25.346 --> 51:27.899
commission pennant . Hi , sir .

51:40.580 --> 51:42.580
Captain , the colors and commission

51:42.580 --> 51:44.580
pennant are flying proudly over USS

51:44.580 --> 51:48.489
Cleveland . Very well . Ladies and

51:48.489 --> 51:50.211
gentlemen , please be seated .

51:54.639 --> 51:57.459
I will now read my orders . From

51:58.330 --> 52:00.274
Commander Naval Military Personnel

52:00.274 --> 52:02.330
Command to Commander Bruce Hallett ,

52:02.409 --> 52:05.040
United States Navy . Subject , Buer's

52:05.040 --> 52:08.610
Order Number 0225 of November 16 ,

52:08.729 --> 52:11.770
2025 . when directed by Reporting

52:11.770 --> 52:14.250
senior detached from present duty and

52:14.250 --> 52:16.083
report to Pre-commissioning Unit

52:16.083 --> 52:18.250
Cleveland as commanding officer . Upon

52:18.250 --> 52:20.472
commissioning of USS Cleveland , report

52:20.472 --> 52:22.306
for duty as commanding officer .

52:22.530 --> 52:24.929
Admiral Thomas , United States ship

52:24.929 --> 52:27.040
Cleveland is in commission , and I am

52:27.040 --> 52:28.040
in command .

52:37.659 --> 52:40.250
Executive officer , set the first watch .

52:40.979 --> 52:41.979
Aye , aye , sir .

52:59.570 --> 53:01.570
Officer of the deck , set the first

53:01.570 --> 53:04.500
watch . Aye aye , sir . The officer of

53:04.500 --> 53:06.556
the deck is the commanding officer's

53:06.556 --> 53:08.611
direct representative , and while on

53:08.611 --> 53:10.722
watch , is responsible for the safety

53:10.722 --> 53:12.889
and smooth operation of the ship . The

53:12.889 --> 53:15.111
long glass is the traditional symbol of

53:15.111 --> 53:17.333
an officer of the deck's authority in a

53:17.333 --> 53:19.389
ship of the line . We are honored to

53:19.389 --> 53:21.278
have Mr . Michael Gibney , former

53:21.278 --> 53:23.333
Quartermaster Second Class , with us

53:23.333 --> 53:25.333
today . He is a plank owner for USS

53:25.333 --> 53:27.556
Cleveland LPD 7 and participated in the

53:27.556 --> 53:29.778
commissioning ceremony of USS Cleveland

53:29.778 --> 53:33.250
on April 21 , 1967 . He will assist in

53:33.250 --> 53:35.417
setting the first watch by passing the

53:35.417 --> 53:37.417
long glass to our first ship's duty

53:37.417 --> 53:39.583
officer , Lieutenant Bryce Beeder from

53:39.583 --> 53:41.806
San Antonio , Texas . The petty officer

53:41.806 --> 53:44.028
of the watch is Hospital Corpsman First

53:44.028 --> 53:45.917
Class Jacob Wigdorski from Corpus

53:45.917 --> 53:48.083
Christi , Texas . The messenger of the

53:48.083 --> 53:50.270
Watch is Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class

53:50.270 --> 53:52.492
Josiah Anderson from Charleston , South

53:52.492 --> 53:54.659
Carolina , and the boatswain's mate of

53:54.659 --> 53:56.881
the Watch is Chief Boatswa's mate Glenn

53:56.881 --> 53:59.270
Rick Henry from Clarendon , Jamaica .

54:09.399 --> 54:11.719
Set the watch on deck , section one .

54:16.719 --> 54:19.290
The watch is set , sir . Very well .

54:38.149 --> 54:41.379
Captain , the watch is set . Very well .

54:44.919 --> 54:47.280
The spirit of a US Navy warship is the

54:47.280 --> 54:50.149
embodiment of our sponsor . Our sponsor ,

54:50.409 --> 54:52.409
Ms . Robin Moulley , christened the

54:52.409 --> 54:55.739
ship in marionette on April 15 , 2023

54:55.959 --> 54:58.126
and imbued this ship and crew with her

54:58.126 --> 55:01.550
sense of devotion and grace . Robin , I

55:01.550 --> 55:03.717
would be honored if you would offer us

55:03.717 --> 55:06.000
a few words of wisdom and then man our

55:06.000 --> 55:07.611
ship and bring her to life .

55:18.459 --> 55:20.681
It's gonna be a while . It's gonna be a

55:20.681 --> 55:24.530
while . All right . I like you by

55:24.530 --> 55:28.389
my side . Good morning , Cleveland .

55:28.810 --> 55:32.659
Good morning . Senator Huston ,

55:33.379 --> 55:35.500
Representative Brown , Representative

55:35.500 --> 55:39.060
Miller , Miller , Secretary Cow , Mayor

55:39.060 --> 55:42.510
Bibb , Admiral Thomas , distinguished

55:42.510 --> 55:45.179
guests , veterans and Gold Star

55:45.179 --> 55:48.370
families , Commander Hallett and crew

55:48.370 --> 55:50.939
of the USS Cleveland , and most

55:50.939 --> 55:53.489
especially you , citizens and friends

55:53.489 --> 55:57.199
of this great city . Thank

55:57.199 --> 55:59.280
you . Thank you for coming out and

55:59.280 --> 56:03.070
being here today . As a

56:03.070 --> 56:05.237
ship sponsor , I have the privilege of

56:05.237 --> 56:07.403
attending all major ceremonies for our

56:07.403 --> 56:10.229
ship . People are most familiar with

56:10.229 --> 56:13.679
the christening ceremony . So .

56:16.159 --> 56:19.379
In April of 2023 , I broke the bottle

56:19.379 --> 56:21.435
on the bow of the ship that signaled

56:21.435 --> 56:23.657
her launch into the water for the first

56:23.657 --> 56:27.560
time . But I'd like to tell you about a

56:27.560 --> 56:30.159
more private , intimate ceremony that

56:30.159 --> 56:32.540
is also an honored naval tradition .

56:33.780 --> 56:36.300
This one is called the mast stepping

56:36.300 --> 56:39.050
ceremony . It was held about a month

56:39.050 --> 56:41.870
ago at Fink and Terry Shipyard in

56:41.870 --> 56:44.810
Marionette , Wisconsin . This event

56:44.810 --> 56:47.090
marked the occasion when a ceremonial

56:47.090 --> 56:49.239
silver box containing symbolic

56:49.239 --> 56:51.969
artifacts was welded to the mast of the

56:51.969 --> 56:55.360
ship . For our ship , the contents of

56:55.360 --> 56:57.582
the box are meant to represent the city

56:57.582 --> 57:00.010
of Cleveland . The character of its

57:00.010 --> 57:02.129
citizens and the vision of the

57:02.129 --> 57:04.689
shipbuilders and the navy personnel who

57:04.689 --> 57:06.689
will support her during her time in

57:06.689 --> 57:10.489
service . Each item is meaningful and

57:10.489 --> 57:13.580
is intended to infuse in the ship the

57:13.580 --> 57:15.899
characters , character traits of

57:15.899 --> 57:19.500
strength , courage , perseverance , and

57:19.500 --> 57:23.500
clarity of purpose . Some items draw

57:23.500 --> 57:25.780
from Cleveland heroes of the past ,

57:26.199 --> 57:28.199
like the Corpsman patch worn by our

57:28.199 --> 57:32.000
local Navy hero , L Emily Emery Crowder

57:32.000 --> 57:35.030
from Westlake , Ohio . I know Emery is

57:35.030 --> 57:37.141
delighting in the ceremony today from

57:37.141 --> 57:39.780
heaven . Still other items give a nod

57:39.780 --> 57:42.139
to the future , such as challenge coins

57:42.139 --> 57:44.361
containing powerful words to propel her

57:44.361 --> 57:47.550
journey forward . Each one is intended

57:47.550 --> 57:49.870
to infuse a spirit of strength and

57:49.870 --> 57:52.729
inspiration . But this morning I'd like

57:52.729 --> 57:54.896
to tell you about what I placed in the

57:54.896 --> 57:57.939
box . Rather than choosing an item of

57:57.939 --> 58:01.209
naval significance , I decided instead

58:01.209 --> 58:04.270
to place in the box the actual brooch

58:04.270 --> 58:06.189
that my mother wore on even the

58:06.189 --> 58:09.770
simplest days in her life . The brooch

58:09.770 --> 58:12.530
simply states , it's a glorious day .

58:14.120 --> 58:16.120
Several years ago , I was fortunate

58:16.120 --> 58:18.064
enough to find another brooch in a

58:18.064 --> 58:20.009
vintage shop , so I'm wearing that

58:20.009 --> 58:22.620
brooch today . The words on this pen

58:22.620 --> 58:25.139
are important to me because they

58:25.139 --> 58:26.861
reflect a posture of permanent

58:26.861 --> 58:29.340
gratitude , one that is never dependent

58:29.340 --> 58:32.909
on circumstance . I know that many days

58:32.909 --> 58:35.389
are far from glorious . Normal life

58:35.389 --> 58:37.222
circumstances can appear to hold

58:37.222 --> 58:39.610
nothing but challenges and difficulties .

58:40.189 --> 58:42.830
It requires a deliberate choice to

58:42.830 --> 58:45.429
notice the subtle gifts , the small

58:45.429 --> 58:48.489
wins , the few things that go our way .

58:49.330 --> 58:51.386
However , I challenge you to believe

58:51.386 --> 58:53.663
there is a sense of glory in every day .

58:54.209 --> 58:57.290
From this moment forward , every day we

58:57.290 --> 58:59.401
do something to support this ship and

58:59.401 --> 59:02.229
her sailors will be a glorious day .

59:03.620 --> 59:06.260
Now to the crew specifically , I offer

59:06.260 --> 59:09.370
you these words . The definition of

59:09.370 --> 59:11.592
glory is often associated with the word

59:11.592 --> 59:14.540
honor . You may not think of all your

59:14.540 --> 59:16.707
days aboard the ship as glorious , but

59:16.707 --> 59:19.790
they can be . Each day of your service

59:19.790 --> 59:23.489
will be defined by honor . Every single

59:23.489 --> 59:25.600
day that you wake up and perform your

59:25.600 --> 59:27.711
duties aboard this ship , you will be

59:27.711 --> 59:29.600
doing something honorable for the

59:29.600 --> 59:31.545
mission . Every time you choose to

59:31.545 --> 59:33.767
encourage someone with a bad attitude ,

59:33.767 --> 59:35.878
you will be doing something honorable

59:35.878 --> 59:38.179
for your people . Every time you

59:38.179 --> 59:40.235
maximize your efforts to better your

59:40.235 --> 59:42.290
team , you will be doing something

59:42.290 --> 59:45.520
honorable for your navy . And every

59:45.520 --> 59:47.659
time you look beyond what is lacking

59:48.040 --> 59:50.679
and focus on what is possible , you

59:50.679 --> 59:52.790
will be doing something honorable for

59:52.790 --> 59:55.330
our nation . This is , there is

59:55.330 --> 59:58.010
tremendous value and honor in the honor

59:58.010 --> 01:00:01.189
of all these acts of service . Each one

01:00:01.189 --> 01:00:03.550
will deserve great praise , but even

01:00:03.550 --> 01:00:06.409
without any overt recognition , they

01:00:06.409 --> 01:00:09.550
will define for you the glorious days

01:00:09.550 --> 01:00:11.570
you will spend on our ship , and

01:00:11.570 --> 01:00:14.149
ultimately that is what matters most .

01:00:15.500 --> 01:00:17.667
As I close , I want to remind you that

01:00:17.667 --> 01:00:19.778
the American flag is often associated

01:00:19.778 --> 01:00:23.000
and referred to as Old Glory . It is a

01:00:23.000 --> 01:00:25.320
symbolic representation of our nation's

01:00:25.320 --> 01:00:28.760
strength , perseverance , pride , and

01:00:28.760 --> 01:00:32.050
honor . When it was draped on the

01:00:32.050 --> 01:00:34.050
shoulders of our triumphant Olympic

01:00:34.050 --> 01:00:37.209
athletes , it was a glorious day . When

01:00:37.209 --> 01:00:39.487
it was planted in the soil on the moon .

01:00:39.487 --> 01:00:42.570
It was a glorious day . And when it has

01:00:42.570 --> 01:00:44.889
flown in victory above the grounds and

01:00:44.889 --> 01:00:47.090
seas of battle throughout our nation's

01:00:47.090 --> 01:00:49.146
history , there was no mistaking its

01:00:49.146 --> 01:00:51.399
meaning . It was a glorious day .

01:00:52.870 --> 01:00:55.330
Today we take the final step in a

01:00:55.330 --> 01:00:58.409
time-honored tradition . We witness

01:00:58.409 --> 01:01:00.465
history by commissioning the ship in

01:01:00.465 --> 01:01:02.850
the cities whose name she will carry to

01:01:02.850 --> 01:01:05.879
the sea . We all know that getting to

01:01:05.879 --> 01:01:08.101
this day has not been easy . Many years

01:01:08.101 --> 01:01:09.823
have passed since the ship was

01:01:09.823 --> 01:01:12.320
commissioned , was authorized by

01:01:12.320 --> 01:01:14.431
Congress , and named by the Secretary

01:01:14.431 --> 01:01:17.120
of the Navy in 2018 . But we are here

01:01:17.120 --> 01:01:20.020
today , undeterred and looking forward .

01:01:20.889 --> 01:01:23.570
Today Cleveland will become an official

01:01:23.570 --> 01:01:25.850
ship of the line in the greatest navy

01:01:25.850 --> 01:01:28.370
in the world . Today is just the first

01:01:28.370 --> 01:01:30.909
step toward the many glorious days that

01:01:30.909 --> 01:01:33.209
will follow . Like today , those days

01:01:33.209 --> 01:01:35.770
will be full of inspiration and

01:01:35.770 --> 01:01:38.889
patriotic symbolism , and like today ,

01:01:39.050 --> 01:01:41.050
those days will be infused with the

01:01:41.050 --> 01:01:43.106
passion of the people of Cleveland .

01:01:43.959 --> 01:01:46.270
And because of that , you should know

01:01:46.439 --> 01:01:48.606
that every day of service of this ship

01:01:48.800 --> 01:01:51.219
will vividly demonstrate these words ,

01:01:51.639 --> 01:01:55.459
it's a glorious day . Again , thank you

01:01:55.459 --> 01:01:58.429
for being here today . May God bless

01:01:58.429 --> 01:02:01.489
the crew , my crew of the USS Cleveland ,

01:02:01.860 --> 01:02:04.193
the United States Navy and Marine Corps ,

01:02:04.193 --> 01:02:06.416
and the citizens of this great city and

01:02:06.416 --> 01:02:08.471
the United States of America . Thank

01:02:08.471 --> 01:02:07.909
you .

01:02:18.830 --> 01:02:22.379
And now For the moment we have all been

01:02:22.379 --> 01:02:25.969
waiting for . Officers and

01:02:25.969 --> 01:02:29.820
crew of USS Cleveland , man our ship

01:02:29.820 --> 01:02:31.469
and bring her to life .

01:06:57.520 --> 01:07:00.479
Ladies and gentlemen , the crew of USS

01:07:00.479 --> 01:07:02.469
Cleveland salutes you .

01:07:05.199 --> 01:07:07.580
We are proud to serve in America's Navy .

01:07:08.979 --> 01:07:10.560
Cleveland ready too .

01:07:13.010 --> 01:07:15.343
Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated .

01:07:37.209 --> 01:07:39.570
Captain , the ship is manned and ready .

01:07:39.889 --> 01:07:40.889
Very well .

01:07:44.199 --> 01:07:46.590
Commodore Smith , United States ship

01:07:46.590 --> 01:07:48.479
Cleveland is manned and ready and

01:07:48.479 --> 01:07:49.534
reports for duty .

01:07:54.370 --> 01:07:56.489
Secretary Coo , request permission to

01:07:56.489 --> 01:08:00.030
break your flag , sir . Aye ,

01:08:00.189 --> 01:08:04.179
sir . Executive officer , break the

01:08:04.179 --> 01:08:06.179
flag of the Acting Secretary of the

01:08:06.179 --> 01:08:09.010
Navy . Aye , sir . Quartermaster ,

01:08:09.449 --> 01:08:11.616
break the flag of the acting Secretary

01:08:11.616 --> 01:08:13.409
of the Navy . All right , sir .

01:08:19.390 --> 01:08:21.339
Captain , the flag of the acting

01:08:21.339 --> 01:08:23.561
Secretary of the Navy is flying proudly

01:08:23.561 --> 01:08:25.395
over USS Cleveland . Very well .

01:08:31.020 --> 01:08:33.220
Ladies and gentlemen , Commander Bruce

01:08:33.220 --> 01:08:35.620
Hallett , United States Navy commanding

01:08:35.620 --> 01:08:37.299
officer , USS Cleveland .

01:08:45.899 --> 01:08:48.990
Cleveland parade rest .

01:08:50.619 --> 01:08:54.358
Good morning , everyone . Before we

01:08:54.358 --> 01:08:56.691
start any major event on board the ship ,

01:08:56.691 --> 01:08:59.119
I started a tradition of beginning the

01:08:59.119 --> 01:09:01.175
day with a dad joke to help the crew

01:09:01.175 --> 01:09:03.438
relax . And since this is the biggest

01:09:03.438 --> 01:09:05.382
event we've done to date , it only

01:09:05.382 --> 01:09:07.327
seems appropriate to continue that

01:09:07.327 --> 01:09:10.040
tradition . So , what did the ocean say

01:09:10.040 --> 01:09:13.520
to the beach ? Nothing , it just

01:09:13.520 --> 01:09:14.140
waved .

01:09:20.209 --> 01:09:22.376
All right , now that we've gotten that

01:09:22.376 --> 01:09:24.320
out of the way , let's get down to

01:09:24.320 --> 01:09:26.598
business . To our distinguished guests ,

01:09:26.598 --> 01:09:28.542
honored veterans , civic leaders ,

01:09:28.542 --> 01:09:30.765
shipbuilders , families , friends , and

01:09:30.765 --> 01:09:32.487
the incredible crew of the USS

01:09:32.487 --> 01:09:34.598
Cleveland , welcome and thank you for

01:09:34.598 --> 01:09:36.709
joining us on this historic morning .

01:09:37.149 --> 01:09:39.371
Today , we commissioned a United States

01:09:39.371 --> 01:09:42.830
warship . In those words , Carry

01:09:42.830 --> 01:09:44.779
tremendous meaning because

01:09:44.790 --> 01:09:47.149
commissioning is more than ceremony and

01:09:47.149 --> 01:09:49.316
more than tradition . It is the moment

01:09:49.316 --> 01:09:51.669
a ship takes her place in a fleet of

01:09:51.669 --> 01:09:53.790
the United States Navy and begins her

01:09:53.790 --> 01:09:56.459
service to this nation . Today ,

01:09:56.709 --> 01:09:59.970
Cleveland joins that fleet . This ship

01:09:59.970 --> 01:10:02.192
represents the hard work and dedication

01:10:02.192 --> 01:10:04.303
of thousands of Americans engineers ,

01:10:04.410 --> 01:10:06.521
welders , technicians , maintainers ,

01:10:06.810 --> 01:10:08.866
program managers , and sailors , all

01:10:08.866 --> 01:10:11.790
united by one purpose delivering combat

01:10:11.790 --> 01:10:14.490
capability for our nation . To the

01:10:14.490 --> 01:10:16.601
hardworking American shipbuilders who

01:10:16.601 --> 01:10:18.934
brought this vessel to life , thank you .

01:10:19.279 --> 01:10:21.390
Your craftsmanship is now permanently

01:10:21.390 --> 01:10:23.557
woven into the identity of this ship .

01:10:23.557 --> 01:10:25.509
Long after today's ceremony ends ,

01:10:25.770 --> 01:10:27.770
Cleveland will continue sailing the

01:10:27.770 --> 01:10:29.937
world's oceans as a reflection of your

01:10:29.937 --> 01:10:32.930
skill , pride and dedication . To our

01:10:32.930 --> 01:10:35.410
families , thank you for the sacrifices

01:10:35.410 --> 01:10:37.919
you make every single day . Behind

01:10:37.919 --> 01:10:40.141
every sailor standing in formation this

01:10:40.141 --> 01:10:42.308
morning is a family that has supported

01:10:42.308 --> 01:10:44.197
long hours , changing schedules ,

01:10:44.299 --> 01:10:46.729
distance , uncertainty , and service

01:10:46.729 --> 01:10:48.970
before self . Your support makes this

01:10:48.970 --> 01:10:51.250
mission possible , and this crew cannot

01:10:51.250 --> 01:10:53.930
do it without you . And to the crew ,

01:10:54.490 --> 01:10:57.169
this day belongs to you . Over the past

01:10:57.169 --> 01:10:59.391
many months , you have transformed this

01:10:59.391 --> 01:11:01.613
ship from a construction project into a

01:11:01.613 --> 01:11:03.780
warship preparing to take her place in

01:11:03.780 --> 01:11:05.447
the fleet . You have overcome

01:11:05.447 --> 01:11:07.810
challenges , adopted , adapted

01:11:07.810 --> 01:11:09.890
constantly , and maintained focus

01:11:09.890 --> 01:11:11.390
through every inspection ,

01:11:11.390 --> 01:11:14.370
certification , casualty , and long day .

01:11:15.209 --> 01:11:17.376
And when things became difficult , you

01:11:17.376 --> 01:11:19.740
did not quit . You leaned in , and that

01:11:19.740 --> 01:11:22.620
matters because the first crew defines

01:11:22.620 --> 01:11:25.140
a ship . Years from now , sailors

01:11:25.140 --> 01:11:27.362
reporting aboard Cleveland will inherit

01:11:27.362 --> 01:11:29.029
the standards , culture , and

01:11:29.029 --> 01:11:31.084
reputation that you established here

01:11:31.084 --> 01:11:32.973
today . You're not simply serving

01:11:32.973 --> 01:11:35.084
aboard this ship , you're writing the

01:11:35.084 --> 01:11:37.251
first chapter of her history . You are

01:11:37.251 --> 01:11:39.418
forging a legacy that will endure long

01:11:39.418 --> 01:11:41.473
after all of us have left these deck

01:11:41.473 --> 01:11:44.220
plates . The city of Cleveland is known

01:11:44.220 --> 01:11:46.331
for resilience , determination , hard

01:11:46.331 --> 01:11:48.750
work , and pride . Those same values

01:11:48.750 --> 01:11:50.917
should define this ship everywhere she

01:11:50.917 --> 01:11:53.049
sails . Whether operating forward ,

01:11:53.189 --> 01:11:55.133
alongside allies and partners , or

01:11:55.133 --> 01:11:57.356
answering the call in moments of crisis

01:11:57.356 --> 01:11:59.522
or conflict , this crew will carry the

01:11:59.522 --> 01:12:01.633
name Cleveland with professionalism ,

01:12:01.633 --> 01:12:04.350
toughness , and pride . And I can say

01:12:04.350 --> 01:12:06.572
with complete confidence , this crew is

01:12:06.572 --> 01:12:08.890
ready , ready to sail , ready to fight ,

01:12:09.149 --> 01:12:12.290
and ready to serve . Now before we

01:12:12.290 --> 01:12:14.623
officially place this ship into service ,

01:12:14.623 --> 01:12:16.846
I want everyone here to hear the spirit

01:12:16.846 --> 01:12:19.129
of this crew . Every great ship needs a

01:12:19.129 --> 01:12:21.529
voice , a rallying cry that reminds us

01:12:21.529 --> 01:12:23.640
of who we are and what we stand for .

01:12:24.040 --> 01:12:26.450
On board Cleveland , we close out all

01:12:26.450 --> 01:12:28.728
of our all hands calls with this chant .

01:12:28.930 --> 01:12:31.120
It brings energy , focus , and reminds

01:12:31.120 --> 01:12:33.270
us of the standards that we hold

01:12:33.839 --> 01:12:36.049
ourselves to every day . So this

01:12:36.049 --> 01:12:38.271
morning , I would like everyone here to

01:12:38.271 --> 01:12:41.470
join the crew of USS Cleveland . And I

01:12:41.470 --> 01:12:43.803
need you to not let me down , Cleveland .

01:12:43.803 --> 01:12:45.914
We have to make this loud and proud ,

01:12:45.914 --> 01:12:47.803
and frankly , it's the only thing

01:12:47.803 --> 01:12:49.914
standing between you and Liberty Call

01:12:49.914 --> 01:12:51.970
because I will keep us here until we

01:12:51.970 --> 01:12:54.137
get it right . So how this is going to

01:12:54.137 --> 01:12:56.303
go when I say what city , you're gonna

01:12:56.303 --> 01:12:58.526
respond Cleveland . We're gonna do that

01:12:58.526 --> 01:13:00.669
twice . When I say all heart , you're

01:13:00.669 --> 01:13:02.780
gonna respond , no quit . We're gonna

01:13:02.780 --> 01:13:05.002
do that twice . And as soon as we do it

01:13:05.002 --> 01:13:07.169
the second time , there's an immediate

01:13:07.189 --> 01:13:09.549
two claps and everybody yells Cleveland ,

01:13:09.620 --> 01:13:12.620
all right ? We got it ? All right ,

01:13:13.270 --> 01:13:16.939
Cleveland , attention . What city ?

01:13:18.439 --> 01:13:21.259
What city ? All heart

01:13:22.490 --> 01:13:26.009
Oh Cleveland

01:13:27.580 --> 01:13:30.370
Outstanding . That spirit , all heart ,

01:13:30.450 --> 01:13:32.783
no quit is exactly what built this ship ,

01:13:32.783 --> 01:13:34.894
what shaped this crew , and what will

01:13:34.894 --> 01:13:37.006
carry Cleveland forward in service to

01:13:37.006 --> 01:13:39.228
our nation . Today , we place this ship

01:13:39.228 --> 01:13:41.450
in active service for the United States

01:13:41.450 --> 01:13:43.617
of America . May USS Cleveland and her

01:13:43.617 --> 01:13:45.783
crew sail safely , serve proudly , and

01:13:45.783 --> 01:13:47.950
remain always ready for the challenges

01:13:47.950 --> 01:13:50.006
ahead . Thank you all for being here

01:13:50.006 --> 01:13:49.890
today , and thank you for supporting

01:13:49.890 --> 01:13:52.680
these sailors . USS Cleveland , forge a

01:13:52.680 --> 01:13:54.049
legacy , Captain Ow .

01:14:24.500 --> 01:14:26.556
I would ask you to rise , but you're

01:14:26.556 --> 01:14:28.778
all standing . Please remain standing ,

01:14:28.778 --> 01:14:30.778
and Chaplain Runik will deliver the

01:14:30.778 --> 01:14:30.129
benediction .

01:14:36.770 --> 01:14:40.270
Let us pray Almighty God ,

01:14:40.689 --> 01:14:42.930
we now stand ready , willing and able .

01:14:43.720 --> 01:14:46.169
We received our orders . We ask that

01:14:46.169 --> 01:14:48.750
you guide us in the path ahead . We

01:14:48.750 --> 01:14:50.990
prayed for . Who will serve aboard this

01:14:50.990 --> 01:14:53.200
ship . From the commanding officer ,

01:14:53.279 --> 01:14:55.680
executive officer , command master

01:14:55.680 --> 01:14:58.220
Chief , and the entire crew of future

01:14:58.520 --> 01:15:00.759
and current sailors , we ask that they

01:15:00.759 --> 01:15:03.160
be guided in their duties and honored

01:15:03.160 --> 01:15:05.680
for their sacrifices . We pray for

01:15:05.680 --> 01:15:08.000
their family members and ask that you

01:15:08.000 --> 01:15:10.520
give them peace . As the USS

01:15:10.520 --> 01:15:12.798
Cleveland's motto is to forge a legacy .

01:15:13.319 --> 01:15:15.263
May that legacy be one that brings

01:15:15.263 --> 01:15:17.939
honor to our nation , respect around

01:15:17.939 --> 01:15:19.939
the world , and pride to the crew .

01:15:20.729 --> 01:15:22.562
Guide them as they seek to serve

01:15:22.562 --> 01:15:24.770
faithfully in their role , doing

01:15:24.770 --> 01:15:26.881
whatever is asked of them and protect

01:15:26.881 --> 01:15:29.048
them as they stand to watch . We thank

01:15:29.048 --> 01:15:31.214
you for today and for the days ahead .

01:15:32.100 --> 01:15:35.160
In your name we pray . Amen .