I never had the Honor of being a crew member of a new ship. I'm sure it's a rare and proud moment for the USS Gerald R Ford ships company.
It was for me just watching it many years after my time in the Navy. It brought back many memories. My first ship was USS Uvalde AKA 88, she was already over 20 years old Commissioned in 1944.
She was a part of the Gator Navy (Amphibs), no money, WWll vintage equipment we kept running. No fanfare, no Presidential visits, no bands to greet us when we came home from a 7 month cruise, not even many family members.
I loved that ship
She was my home for 3 years, I was proud to be a part of her 24 yr history. She was decommissioned in 1968. She may not have been a household name, but she lives in the hearts of the crews that sailed aboard her around the world.
I'm sure it's going to be the same for the crew of the USS Gerald R Ford. It's a ship of war and it's "home".
