COMMISSIONING OF USS NANTUCKET (LCS 27)
November 16, 2024, was a clear, crisp day in Boston’s historic Charlestown Navy Yard, the United States’ newest naval ship lay stern to stern with USS CONSTITUTION, the nation’s oldest commissioned warship. The commissioning ceremony would formally bring NANTUCKET into the United States Navy as the warship, USS NANTUCKET.
With cries of Hear Ye, Hear Ye and a loud ringing of his bell, Nantucket’s Town Crier opened the proceedings and USS CONSTITUTION fired a cannon in salute. After the colors were advanced and the National Anthem was performed by the Navy Band Northeast, LTJG Jordan Kingery, CHC, USN voiced the invocation. CDR Angela Eickelman, USN Executive Officer of NANTUCKET performed the duties of Master of Ceremonies.
The Honorable Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston gave the Welcome Address – specifically talking to the crew and officers of NANTUCKET and thanking them for their service and dedication, adding that it was a source of great pride for the city and the people of Boston to be granted the privilege of hosting the commissioning even though the Charlestown Navy Yard was just a stop on the way to the ship’s homeport, Mayport, Florida.
There followed remarks by Mr. Paul Lemmo, Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors, Lockheed Martin; Vice Admiral Michael Boyle, USN, Director of Navy Staff; The Honorable Bill Keating, United States Representative, Massachusetts’ 8th district; and The Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment.
The Principal Address was given by The Honorable Maura Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Governor Healey began by asking all present to take a moment to look around and take in everything, from ‘this beautiful ship’, to the USS CONSTITUTION, to Bunker Hill, to our sailors, those who’ve served, and those who had come. Mentioning that she had been born at Bethesda Naval Hospital and had spent ten to twelve years in Charlestown, Gov. Healy said that she felt profoundly moved personally today and that it was an important moment for the community, the state, and the country. She added that she was so heartened to see young boys and girls in the audience and hoped that they would leave inspired to answer the call to service. Gov. Healey continued, “The freedoms – all the freedoms, all the privileges that we enjoy today as Americans are only possible because of those who have served and those who continue to serve”.
Following the Governor’s address, The Honorable Meredith Berger placed the ship into commission and Commander Kari Yakubisin, USN announced to VADM Boyle that USS NANTUCKET was in commission and that she had taken command. The first watch was set and the traditional long glass was passed to LT Steven Lewis, USN by Captain Thomas Kelley, USN, (Ret.). CAPT Kelley was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service while leading a river assault craft in Vietnam. The future Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer DDG 140 will be named after him.
USS NANTUCKET’s sponsor, Mrs. Polly Spencer – wife of Richard V. Spencer, the 76th Secretary of the Navy, was invited to the podium by CDR Yakubisin and, announcing that she would keep her remarks short, thanked everyone and asked God’s blessing on the ship, her crew, and the United States of America. With that, she joined hands with her Matrons of Honor – daughters, Sarah Minella and Amy Ambrecht – and called on the crew to ‘man our ship and bring her to life”. And so they did, with great gusto!
After remarks by CDR Yakubisin, the commissioning ceremony was brought to a close by LTJG Kingery’s benediction.
Other Special Guests attending were; General Joseph Dunford, USMC (Ret.) 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps; The Honorable Donald C. Winter, 74th Secretary of the Navy; The Honorable Richard V. Spencer, 76th Secretary of the Navy; The Honorable C. Elizabeth Gibson, Town Manager, Nantucket, MA; The Honorable Brook Mohr, Chair, Select Board, Nantucket, MA; and Ms. Sheila Lucey, Harbormaster, Town of Nantucket, MA.
Contributed by Linda Winter
Author: Martha Hill
website admin & member
