USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) commissioning ceremony in Whittier

No, you good, you good, you good. I'm trying to find that box.

We'd like to welcome everyone to the commissioning ceremony for the USS Ted Stevens. If you could all make your way to your seat. Please, our ceremony will begin shortly.

7:05. 7:05. No more movements today. We're going to go up to attention and then changeover and then work down.

I mean, 4 to 5:07, huh? You making a joke about how we're going to do the boardwalk? Oh, they're in front of us, sir.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to beautiful and historic Whittier, Alaska, and the commissioning of USS Tess Devens, DDG-128. I am Commander Stephen Roman, the ship's executive officer. It is my privilege to be your master of ceremonies today. We welcome, welcome those with us in person and our friends and family as they participate in today's events via the World Wide Web.

We are here today to commission the first ship to bear the name of World War II Army Air Corps pilot and United States Senator, the late Theodore Ted Stevens. Senator Stevens was a man of many accomplishments, a devoted family man, a veteran, and member of America's Greatest Generation. And a devoted and humble public servant. Simply put, he was a man of courage and conviction. The crew has been inspired by his example, and we are proud to carry on his tremendous legacy.

We are humbled to have a Gold Star family joining us today. Miss Amanda Leathers and family, please stand.

We honor the sacrifice of your family and your late husband, United States Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class Matthew Leathers.

Would all active duty veterans and first responders please stand.

Would all military and first responder families please stand.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Please be seated. The first U.S. Navy ship sponsor can be traced to the commissioning of USS Concord in 1828. Concord was the first ship to be christened by a woman and that tradition continues today. We wish to recognize Miss Anne Zumwalt, the sponsor for USS Zumwalt DDG-1000 and the current president of the Society of Sponsors.

Anne, please stand.

Our ceremony today is a time-honored tradition that began with the commissioning of our first warship, a captured British schooner, the Margareta, in 1775. Since then, thousands of ships have undergone the transformation from silent hulls to fully alive warships. Our commissioning crew, hereafter known as plankoters, are in formation among you and ready to bring our ship to life. In just a few moments, Navy Band Northwest will render honors to the Honorable Mike Donlevy.

Will the guests please rise and remain standing for the arrival of our official party, honors, the presentation of colors, and our national anthem. Ladies and gentlemen, our platform guests. In the audience, Miss Chelsea Becker, Miss Megan Becker, and Miss Allison Becker, our maids of honor.

Captain Robert Henry, United States Air Force, our ceremony chaplain.

Ms. Cherie Currie and the Honorable Chuck Cobb, co-chairs, USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee.

Captain Randy Slaff, United States Navy, commanding officer, supervisor of shipbuilding Gulf Coast.

Captain Jay Young, United States Navy, Arleigh Burke-class destroyer shipbuilding program manager.

Ms. Laura Beth Harper Sexton, our matron of honor.

Rear Admiral Brian Metcalf, United States Navy, Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive Maritime for Combatants.

Mr. Brian Blanchette, Executive Vice President of HII and President of Ingalls Shipbuilding.

The Honorable Victor Shen, Mayor of Whittier, Alaska.

Admiral Steve Kahler, United States Navy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The Honorable Earl Matthews, General Counsel of the Department of War.

The Honorable Sean O'Keefe, the 69th Secretary of the Navy and our long glass presenter.

The Honorable Hung Kao, the Acting Secretary of the Navy.

The Honorable Nick Begich III, United States Representative, Alaska's At-Large District.

The Honorable Dan Sullivan, United States Senator, State of Alaska.

The Honorable Lisa Murkowski, United States Senator, State of Alaska.

Ladies and gentlemen, our shift sponsors, Mrs. Catherine Ann Stevens, Mrs. Susan Stevens Kovich, and Mrs. Lily Stevens Becker, escorted today by Master Chief Eugene Lee USS Ted Stevens Command Master Chief.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Mike Dunleavy, Governor, State of Alaska, escorted today by Captain Mary Katie Hayes, United States Navy, USS Ted Stevens Commanding Officer.

Ladies and gentlemen, honors to the honorable Mike Dunleavy. Platform hands salute.

Platform ready to advance the colors.

Platform hands salute.

Retire the colors.

Platform ready to— Ladies and gentlemen, Chaplain Henry will now deliver the invocation.

Let us pray.

Eternal God, On this 3rd of October, year 2026, we've gathered to commission one of our Navy's newest ships. The DDG-128 is far advanced and equipped, and Lord, upon this vessel, the name Ted Stevens is affixed. Lord, Ted Stevens helped shape the Alaska we know today, and with passion and commitment, led with courage come what may. His calling, Lord, to service was always on display We celebrate this warship and for its shipmates we do pray. And thank you, Lord, for those who helped bring this ship to life, for the numerous shipbuilders, their hard work and sacrifice.

Thank you for its supports, its sponsors, the Stevens daughters and his wife. Surely fair winds and following seas shall guide this ship each night. Lord, while steel has made her strong and engines give her power, Those who stand the watch are its superpower. Consecrate its warfighters to lead and be empowered. Bless this ship and its crew and this commissioning hour.

These things we ask in your holy name. Amen.

Thank you, Captain Henry. We would like to thank Navy Band Northwest, the Robert Service High School Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard, and the 2nd Platoon Falcon Battery 2337 Parachute Field Artillery Regiment Airborne for their support today. Additionally, we would like to thank the Hoonah Totem Corporation and Princess Holland America, the Alaska Railroad, the Alaska Army National Guard, the Alaska Air National Guard, United States Coast Guard Sector Arctic, the Alaska State Troopers, Anchorage Police Department, and the Whittier Police Department, and Mr. John Pletcher for the support of this event.

And last but not least, we want to acknowledge Cherie Currie and Chuck Kopp, the entire USS Ted Stevens Commission Committee. Thank you all. Your devotion has helped make our ceremony possible. Will the guests please be seated.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Mike Dunleavy.

So it's an honor to be here today. I think it's an honor for all of us to be here today. This is an incredible tribute to an incredible U.S. Senator, our own Ted Stevens. We have a lot of visitors from outside of Alaska.

This is the first time for a number of them to be here. Including military personnel. So why don't we show them what a real welcome is from the great state of Alaska. Let's give them all a round of applause. That's it.

So it's an honor to be here in Alaska for the christening of the future USS Ted Stevens. There may be no better place place to christen a ship bearing the name of Ted Stevens than right here in Alaska. Senator Stevens understood something that remains just as important today: Alaska is central to America's security, not on the sidelines of it. From the Arctic to the Pacific, Alaska puts America at the front door of some of the most strategically important parts of the world. This ship represents that same commitment to American strength, American security, and American leadership.

And its name carries a standard with it. Ted Stevens believed in Alaska, but he also believed deeply in the United States of America. He understood that a strong Alaska makes America stronger. Today we are proud to see the legacy carried forward by the United States Navy. To the sailors who will serve aboard this ship, you carry an Alaskan name and with it the pride of an entire state.

We are grateful for your service and we are proud to to welcome the USS Ted Stevens to Alaska. May this ship serve our nation with strength and distinction for decades to come. So God bless the USS Ted Stevens, God bless the United States Navy, and God bless the great state of Alaska. Thank you.

Thank you, Governor Dunleavy. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Brian Blanchett.

Good afternoon. It's an honor to be here today representing the men and women of Ingalls Shipbuilding. To our distinguished guests, our Navy leadership, the Stevens family, our ship sponsors, the officers and crew of Ted Stevens Admiral John Stevens, and everyone who is gathered here today, thank you for allowing us to be part of this moment. As a shipbuilder, commissioning ceremonies are special. As a proud parent, it's remarkably similar to seeing a child grow up, leave the house, and navigate the world on their own.

For all the shipbuilders who played a part in delivering DDG-128, we stand today full of pride. We watched the first pieces of steel take shape from start fab to keel, keel to launch, launch to trials and delivery. We watched her move through the shipyard as thousands of shipbuilders put their hard work, their craftsmanship, and their dedication into building this vessel. And today, DDG-128 becomes the USS Ted Stevens and another warship joins the fleet. For shipbuilders, this is why we build, not simply to deliver them.

We build them to sail. We build them to fight. We build them to protect the sailors who take them into harm's way. And ultimately, we build them to protect our country and the freedom all of us gathered here today enjoy. Our mission has never been more important.

The world is changing, the pace is accelerating, and the threats are real. And our nation needs capable ships, ships like Ted Stevens, ready to answer when called. That is why the work happening in shipyards across this country matters. Over 11,000 Ingalls Shipbuilders had a hand in bringing Ted Stevens to this moment. They engineered and planned the work.

They managed the business, worked with suppliers across the country to get the right material here at the right time. They cut and shaped steel, installed pipe and cable, integrated complex systems, and solved problems together along the way. They inspected and tested the ship to make sure we delivered with the quality our sailors deserve. And they did it knowing that every day over decades of service Sailors would depend on their work. That's something we spoke about when we christened the ship on that hot Mississippi morning that seems so far away from this.

We talked about the connection between Alaska and Mississippi, two places separated by thousands of miles, different climates and very different landscapes, but brought together by this ship and by a shared commitment to service. Today, that connection grows even stronger. Senator Ted Stevens dedicated his life to serving Alaska and our nation. He understood the importance of a strong national defense and understood that preserving our freedom requires commitment, sacrifice, and people willing to serve something larger than themselves. Ted Stevens never backed down from a fight and he wielded outsized clout.

I can't think of a more fitting legacy for a United States Navy destroyer. The name Ted Stevens will travel around the world, and it will stand as a reminder that America's ability to deter aggression and defend our way of life ultimately comes down to people— people willing to build and people willing to answer the call of service. To Captain Hayes and the officers and crew of Ted Stevens, you'll take her across oceans and to ports around the world, and when our nation requires, into places where American strength and resolve are needed most. And when you do, I hope you know there's a community of shipbuilders in Mississippi who will be watching with tremendous pride. Will see this ship operating halfway around the world, recognize the lines of her hull, and will see her carrying that legacy forward and carrying out the mission she was built to support.

Thank you for trusting our shipbuilders with something as important as the ship you will call home. We do not take that responsibility lightly. To the United States Navy, Mrs. Katherine Ann Stevens, Mrs. Susan Stevens, Mrs. Louie Stevens Becker, on behalf of every Ingalls Shipbuilder, it has been our privilege to build the USS Ted Stevens. May God bless this ship and all who sail aboard her. May God bless our shipbuilders, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Blanchett.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Nick Begich.

Well, it is an honor to join you all on this historic day. Today is a proud day for the United States Navy, And it is an especially proud day for the state of Alaska. There could be no more fitting place to commission this ship than right here in Alaska, surrounded by the mountains and waters of the state Senator Stevens loved and served for so many years. The name Ted Stevens means something important to Alaskans. Before he served our state in the United States Senate, he served our nation.

In uniform. During the Second World War, he piloted aircraft over the China-Burma-India theater, earning 2 Air Medals for his service. He came home, made Alaska his home, fought for statehood, and went on to serve 40 years in the United States Senate. Through it all, he never stopped fighting for Alaska, and he never stopped believing that America's strength depended upon a strong national defense and upon giving the men and women who defend this country the tools, the resources, and support necessary to accomplish their mission. There is something deeply appropriate about his name now being carried by one of the most advanced warships in the United States Navy.

The USS Ted Stevens represents American innovation and American strength. Her advanced systems will allow her to respond to threats with capabilities previously generations of sailors could only have imagined. But for all of that technology, there is something more important aboard this ship—her crew. The roughly 340 sailors who have brought this ship from Mississippi to Norfolk, through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific, and finally here to Alaska are the ones who will give this ship life. To every sailor who will call USS Ted Stevens home, You are now entrusted with a name that means a great deal to the people of Alaska.

As you sail from these waters and begin the decades of service that lie ahead, you will carry a piece of Alaska with you. And that matters at a time when the waters surrounding our state are becoming increasingly important to the security of our nation. Alaska stands at the intersection of the Arctic and the Pacific—those regions will help shape America's security in the decades ahead. And ships like USS Ted Stevens will help ensure that America remains ready to defend our interests and preserve peace through strength. Senator Stevens understood that solemn responsibility.

He understood that America's military strength is not built overnight. It is built through sustained commitment, through readiness, and through an investment in our people, and through the willingness of Americans to step forward and serve a purpose greater than themselves. In closing, my prayer is that all those who serve our great nation continue to lead with courage and conviction. May you never waver in your commitment to protecting the freedoms we hold so dear as Americans. On behalf of Alaskans across our great state, Congressional District 2.

Congratulations on the commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens. May God bless this ship and all who sail aboard her, and may God bless the United States of America. Godspeed.

Thank you, Representative Begich. Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Dan Sullivan.

Well, good afternoon, Alaska. Woo! What a great day. What a beautiful day here in Whittier. We love Whittier.

Little rainy, but that's all right. Mr. Secretary, thank you, sir. The Secretary of the Navy is here. How about a round of applause for him? So great to have him.

So many distinguished guests and admirals. Senior enlisted Navy officials. I want to do a shout out, of course, to the great Ted Stevens family. How about a round of applause for all the Stevens family here? So many in the audience and on the stage.

And most importantly, to the officers and the crew of the USS Ted Stevens, plankholders of this great American warship. How about a round of applause for them?

Captain! There's no more fitting place to commission a ship named for Ted Stevens than right here in our great state, the state that he loved for more than 40 years. Today, as this magnificent warship joins the fleet of the United States Navy, We honor a man who devoted his life to serving our country, strengthening our military, and making sure Alaska played a pivotal role in America's defense. Thousands and thousands of Alaskans have their own personal Ted Stevens stories. Mine dates back to 1990.

Over 35 years ago, when I was going to Georgetown Law School in D.C. and was dating a beautiful, brilliant young Stephen staffer, my wife Julie, we've now been married 32 years.

I got to know so— yeah, that deserves a round of applause. Why not?

Still can't believe she said yes, but that's a whole other story. I got to know so many in the Stevens family and staff back then. Katherine, Lily, who was very young, Elizabeth, Ben, Greg Chapados, and even Senator Stevens himself. I saw something very special then. That is reflected by the hundreds of Stevens staffers here today.

The very special family-like bond between Senator Stevens and his staff. This tough, gruff, tenacious U.S. Senator with his Hulk tie loved his staff like family. You could see it. He worked them hard, he challenged them all the time, but he loved and respected them.

I have a wonderful photo from those days in my Senate office. It's a photo of Senator Stevens and Julie on her last day of work for him. He's giving Julie this big, warm bear hug of an embrace. Both have beautiful smiles on their face. It is a beautiful photo that I cherish.

I also remember the first time I weighed in on a policy issue with Ted Stevens. It was in the late 1990s. Julie and I were living in Fairbanks. There was a huge controversy brewing in DC where the Air Force was going to build a big memorial just 500 feet from the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial, sparking a huge turf war. All Marines across America were told to call their senator to oppose the Air Force memorial near this sacred ground of the Marines.

So I called my senator. And I was honored to have gotten him on the phone with Senator Stevens, but it was a very short phone call. I made my pitch. Senator, you can't put the U.S. Air Force Memorial next to the Marine Corps Memorial. As I mentioned, it was a short call.

Dan, you know I served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. Yes, sir. You know that's today's Air Force. Yes, sir. I will consider your views.

Thank you very much.

To Ted Stevens' credit, in 20— or in 2001, the Air Force did move the memorial location, and I was so honored that my senator actually listened to me.

Last night and today, we rightfully focus on Ted Stevens' history and remarkable record of accomplishment on so many issues for Alaska and America. But it is important to remember that this incredible legacy is not just history. It is very much alive and well, shaping the present and future of Alaska and our great nation. Important things for our state and country just don't happen in a year or two. They can take years to come to fruition, even decades.

They take tenacity and relentless work. This was a huge part of Ted Stevens' legacy and an example for all of us. Our delegation in Congress almost daily builds on the work of others. In so many ways, Ted Stevens is the foundation of so much of what we are continuing to do today. Nowhere is this more apparent than in one of the most— in one of the policy areas that motivated Ted Stevens the most: strengthening our military, taking care of our troops, and advocating for one of his core convictions, that America's national security and Alaska's are inseparable.

These convictions defined his career and in many ways were the foundation and cornerstone of his 4 decades in the Senate. It is a sturdy cornerstone that today our delegation is building on as we undergo one of the largest military buildups in Alaska since World War II. Thank you. Think about this. Across our state in so many ways, Alaska is the cornerstone of missile defense for the entire country, which we are now massively building up with the Golden Dome initiative in our state.

Ted Stevens started the entire missile defense system in Alaska for America. Alaska is the hub of air combat fighter power. For the Arctic and Asia Pacific, with over 100 fifth-generation fighters based in our state and a $7 billion investment from the Air Force at JBear, what the Air Force is calling Fighter Town USA Recapitalization. Ted Stevens made sure the Air Force in Alaska was prioritized throughout his entire career. And America and Alaska are now seeing the biggest buildup of the U.S. Coast Guard in history.

$25 Billion to recapitalize the Coast Guard for Alaska, for America, with more ships, with more icebreakers, with more C-130s, all coming to our state to keep the Chinese and Russians out of our 200-mile EEZ. To protect our fisheries and keep Alaskans, especially our fishermen, safe. This is the ultimate legacy of Ted Stevens for all Alaska and America. Every day for 40 years, he worked on these issues. Bottom line, not only would Ted Stevens approve of the current historic Alaska military buildup, He laid the groundwork for it today.

The Ted Stevens legacy is not just about the past. It is alive and well today, still benefiting us all. So to the officers and crew of the USS Ted Stevens, you are now the stewards of this legacy, this living legacy. The name on your hull, represents a lifetime of courage, determination, and service to something greater than oneself. You will sail far from home.

You will stand watch in difficult places. You will be asked to perform under extreme pressure. As you undertake these missions, I hope you remember the man whose name you carry. Remember the young pilot who flew dangerous missions in wartime. Remember the senator who spent decades for fighting for the men and women in uniform.

Remember the Alaskan who believed that serving our country was one of the highest callings any person could answer. We can all honor Senator Stevens' legacy by continuing to fight for Alaska supporting our military, and remember that public service is ultimately about the people we represent and the country we serve. Today, that legacy, the USS Ted Stevens, comes to life and takes to the sea. As she sails around the world bearing the name of Alaska's greatest statesman, she sends a clear message: America is going to remain strong, defend our interests, and stand by the men and women who defend this great nation. May the courage, patriotism, and commitment to service of Ted Stevens live on in every mission all of you undertake.

Lead with courage, and may God bless you. God bless United States Navy. And God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much, everyone.

Thank you, Senator Stevens.

Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable Lisa Murkowski.

Good afternoon, distinguished guests. To our family, to our friends, to our visitors from around the country and perhaps around the world, and of course to the Captain and our crew. It is indeed a beautiful day. Now, for those of you that are huddled under your little pieces of visqueen and shivering, you're thinking, "Liar." No, this is a beautiful day. Because today we're reminded what it means to maybe be a little bit Alaska Tough.

The weather doesn't stop us when we're called to action. The weather doesn't stop us when we have a mission. And the weather never stopped Senator Ted Stevens. In fact, he probably would have said, "Well, if it's gonna be a little bit rainy or maybe a lot rainy and possibly even some snow, and we've got beautiful fresh snow up on the mountains, he'd say, "Yeah, let's go forward and let's see who shows up." And look at who has shown up for the USS Ted Stevens. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for being here as we dedicate a great a great ship to an even greater man.

You've heard stories about Ted, and as was mentioned before, we all have our stories about Ted Stevens. Ted was my friend, he was a colleague, he was a mentor, and he was a man who led by example. He poured every ounce of himself into caring for his family and for the state and the people that he loved so much. He was our Uncle Ted, and that uncle wasn't always like loving and caring on the outside. Sometimes he showed that public-facing, growly, barely Hulk to make his point, to get a little bit of attention.

But it was all done for the right reason, which again was about his state, our state. And I'm so proud to have served with Ted, proud to have stood by him every step of the way, and prouder still to see his name on, on this masterpiece of a ship.

It really is a memorable tribute, a remarkable tribute to a hero who, as we know, had a short time as he was flying the Hump during World War II. We think about what that meant at that time, what he did following his service, helping bring Alaska into the Union. He is a man who should continue to inspire us each and every day. And from now on, Going forward, the Alaskan of the 20th century will have his name on one of the most formidable warships of the 21st century. And it's filled to the brim with great things, with American military superiority, including the SPY-6 radar, the newest AEGIS system, crewed by almost 400 sailors sailors under the able leadership of Captain Mary Katie Hayes.

And every day, every day, Ted continues to help us break barriers. He hired the first female floor assistant in the United States Senate, and Captain Hayes is now the first woman to command this class of ship. Leadership, which thank you for that.

And as we talk about Ted, I want to speak to where his toughness and his passion for those who serve came from. Again, before he was 22 years old, he was flying some of the most dangerous airlifts of the war over mountains that rose higher than his planes were even meant to fly. And as you look around at these mountains, we know what it meant— what it means to be flying over high mountains. But he flew through violent storms and icing with few navigational aids. They called this the Aluminum Trail, and the reason they did was because on a clear day you could navigate by the wreckage of the downed planes.

And that stayed with a man like Ted Stevens. And then when he left the service and he joined public service and he held the appropriations gavel, he would ask, "Do our men and women in uniform have what they need?" And this ship, this ship is part of that answer. So she isn't just named for him. This is his work. So to all who made this possible, including Cheri Currie, Chuck Kopp, the full commissioning committee, thank you for honoring Ted.

I want to acknowledge that, as in Alaska, sometimes we have to shift, we have to be nimble, we have to move from one dock to another dock. So I want to acknowledge and thank Holland American Prince and Princess for, for being here helping make this all happen. But to again the extraordinary Stevens family, thank you. Thank you for sharing Ted with us for so long. And to Captain Hayes and crew, you may not have chosen his name, but you inherit Ted Stevens' legacy.

You can honor Ted with a ship that is ready, that is trusting each other, and coming home when the mission is done. So carry Ted's spirit with you, Hulk out if you need to, and lead with courage as he always did. God bless.

Thank you, Senator Murkowski. Ladies and gentlemen, Admiral Steve Kahler.

Well, good afternoon, Alaska and Whittier. And as I was on the bus tour or bus coming here, they said everything's prettier in Whittier, and I believe it. It is a beautiful day. I certainly want to thank the ships Sponsors, Ms. Katherine Ann Stevens, Ms. Susan Stevens Kovich, Mrs. Lily Stevens Becker, and the whole Stevens family for your support of this ship. Certainly welcome and thank you very much for the hospitality, Governor Dunleavy, Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, Representative Begich, Secretary Cao, Mayor Shen, all the distinguished guests, industry Partners, families, friends, shipmates, thanks for joining us here on this very historic occasion where I am so fired up to bring a warship to the fleet.

We take incredible pride in commissioning the fighting ship you see behind me, 510 feet of stalwart American steel that will maintain peace through strength wherever it goes. And after this ceremony, hundreds of motivated American sailors will officially put this destroyer to sea and carry out the name of Ted Stevens from the coast of Alaska to the most distant shores. Ted Stevens, as you've heard, was no ordinary man. His life was dedicated to public service. From age 21, flying dangerous missions over the Himalayas, and behind enemy lines as a World War II aviator to his decades in the Senate, where he, along with Daniel Inouye, shaped the procurement of almost every modern military capability we know today.

It is only natural that a name synonymous with military professionalism and tenacity for the fight is emblazoned on this warship. Because Arleigh Burke-class destroyers manifest the resilience and the indomitable will of Senator Stevens. Throughout its history, the American destroyer has embodied our Navy's enduring ability to project decisive power around the globe. Multi-mission by design, our destroyers charge into the weapons engagement zone and dominate any adversary, and they win any fight, any time. Today, as the 78th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the third Flight III enters our fleet, we will continue that proud heritage.

USS Ted Stevens represents the resolve of our sailors, the expertise and innovation of our shipyards and industry, and the commitment of all Americans for 250 years to keep the oceans free and open, prosperous and secure. To the crew and families of the USS Ted Stevens, I wish you every success as you lead with courage, achieve and maintain the highest standards of combat readiness, and defend our homeland with everything that you have.

It's now my distinct honor to introduce the Acting Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Hunkow. As a dedicated combat veteran with impressive Navy career spanning special operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and surface warfare, he has truly forged his own legacy. Today, he's at the helm of our Navy. Fighting every day to ensure that our sailors have the tools they need to fight and win. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the Honorable Hung Cao.

Alright, well, hey, if the crew's still at attention, go ahead and go at ease. Good morning, Whittier. It's just one of those days where in the Navy you say it's cold enough to freeze the balls off of a brass monkey. Oh, get your minds out of the gutter. Look, we used to stack up cannonballs in these brackets, these brass brackets that we call a brass monkey.

So when it gets too cold, the bracket shrinks and then the cannonballs go popping out. And so that's why we say it's cold enough to freeze the balls off of a brass monkey. So that's a little Navy trivia for you guys. Admiral Kaler, thank you so much for the introduction, sir. It's so great to be here in Alaska for my first time, but I have a very strong feeling this will not be my last time.

This is the most strategic place in the world. No sailor wants to start their day off by quoting an Army guy, but like they say, whoever holds Alaska does hold the world.

As we gather here to honor an incredible senator, and last night we learned so much about him and what his legacy that he left behind and all the things he's accomplished throughout Alaska. I would also be remiss if I didn't recognize our two amazing current senators from the great state of Alaska, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. Look, these guys are bulldogs, okay? Dan Sullivan will have me in an armbar about ADAC while Lisa Mikulski is trying to choke me out for Nome. But Admiral Kayla, you better be ready to move the Pacific Fleet to Alaska when they're done with me.

But again, they're such great fighters for the state of Alaska. And I wish my commonwealth had great senators like that, but they didn't vote me in a couple of years ago. So it's fine. To our ship sponsors, Catherine, Susan, and Lily, thank you for entrusting this ship, her crew, with Senator Ted Stevens' enduring legacy of service, strength, and commitment to the great state of Alaska and our nation. As we commission this warship today, we are honored to carry the legacy forward.

To our distinguished guests, Governor, um, Congressman, shipbuilders, families, friends, and most importantly, the officers and crew of USS Ted Stevens, Good afternoon. Today we do more, far more than place another ship into service. Until this moment, when your officer deck answered a bridge-to-bridge call, the response was, "U.S. government vessel." Not anymore. From this day forward, when challenged at sea, your watch team can answer with pride, confidence, and purpose. This is United States Warship 128.

That distinction matters because today USS Ted Stevens is no longer preparing to join the fleet. Today, Ted Stevens is the fleet.

Today, steel becomes combat power. Today, a pre-commissioning crew becomes the warship's first crew. And today, USS Ted Stevens stands ready to defend the homeland, deter aggression, and when called upon, fight and win.

This moment didn't begin today. It began under President Trump's visionary leadership in September of 2018 when the contract was signed. Thousands of Americans helped bring her to life. Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilders bent the steel. Her welders joined the compartments.

Electricians ran the cables. Engineers tested the systems. To our shipbuilders, thank you. You have done more than build a ship. You have strengthened America's maritime power.

You are proof that a strong Navy begins with a strong maritime industrial base. And that is central in fulfilling President Trump's mandate to build a Golden Fleet.

A fleet large enough, capable enough, and ready enough to meet the demands our nation places upon it. That effort rests on my three priorities. The first is to take care of our sailors and Marines because ships do not fight themselves. Our people are the heart of our Navy and Marine Corps. The second is advancing shipbuilding because maritime strength requires more than plans and promises.

It requires ships in the water, maintained, modernized, and ready to sail. And third, defending the homeland because every ship we commission must ultimately contribute to one purpose: protecting the American people and preserving the freedom and security of our republic.

That is what the Golden Fleet means. It is not simply about more ships. It's about building the right force, sustaining the right force, and ensuring it is crewed by the right sailors and Marines who are trained, resilient, disciplined, and ready to fight. And today, USS Ted Stevens becomes part of that effort. This ceremony also belongs to a very special group of sailors, our plank owners, the first crew of this ship.

There's something very unique about being the first crew, part of the first crew of this ship. You did not simply report aboard a finished warship, you helped create one. You arrived while spaces were still being completed, you learned systems while they're still being tested, you stood watches, completed certifications, worked through inspections, solved problems, and built routines that have not yet existed. In many ways, you've been building two things at the same time: the ship and the crew. And getting from pre-commissioning to commissioning demands sacrifice.

It means long days and late nights. It means shifting schedules, demanding milestones, unexpected challenges, and a time away from the people you love. It means learning the ship before she's fully learned herself. And throughout the process, you have built something no future crew can ever recreate— the first culture of USS Ted Stevens. Every crew that follows will inherit something from you— your standards, your traditions, your expectations, and your reputation.

That is the privilege and the burden of being a plank owner. As your ship's motto reminds us, that responsibility requires each of you to lead with courage. Lead with courage when the path is uncertain. Lead with courage when the decision is difficult. Lead with courage when your shipmates need you.

And lead with courage when your nation calls. For the families here today, you've carried that burden as well. You've endured the late nights, the missed dinners, the changed schedules, and the time apart. So to the spouses, the children, the parents, and the loved ones of the crew, thank you. This commissioning— yes, they deserve a handshake— this commissioning belongs to you also.

Captain Hayes, you did not inherit this ship's legacy. You're writing the first chapter. From this moment on, Her reputation will be your reputation. Her readiness will reflect your discipline. Her fighting spirit will reflect your character.

And wherever she sails, she will carry the standards you establish. Our nation is asking a great deal of you. The maritime environment is increasingly contested, and our adversaries are watching. Our allies and partners are counting on us. And the American people expect their Navy to be ready whenever and wherever the nation calls.

That readiness begins here. I charge you to know your ship, master your equipment, and take care of one another. Hold yourselves and each other to the highest standards and never lose sight of why this ship exists: to deter aggression, to strengthen alliances, and to defend The homeland. Someday another crew will walk these decks. They will see the commissioning plaque and will hear the stories about the plank owners, and they will learn about the standards established here today.

Make those stories worth telling. Today, America places another warship into the fleet, but more importantly, America places trust in you. Carry that trust proudly. Sail this ship boldly and lead with courage. As your Secretary, I'm never above you, I'm never below you, I'm always beside you.

May God bless the crew and the families of USS Ted Stevens. May God bless the United States Navy and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Secretary Calhoun. Sir, I would be honored if you would place Ted Stevens in commission.

On behalf of the President of the United States, I hereby place United States Ship Ted Stevens in commission. May God bless and guide this warship and all who shall sail in her.

Thank you, Secretary Cowell. Executive Officer, hoist the colors and commission pennant. Aye, aye, ma'am. Ship's company, attention.

The commission pennant and professional national navies began to take form late in the 17th century. All ships at that time were sailing ships. It was often difficult to tell a naval ship from a merchantman. Navies began to adopt long, narrow pennants to be flown by their ships at the main masthead to distinguish themselves from merchant ships. The commission pennant will fly continuously until the ship is decommissioned.

Ladies and gentlemen, please rise. I direct your attention to the ship's mast as we hoist the colors and commission pennant. Quartermaster, hoist the colors and commission pennant. Aye, sir.

Captain, the colors and commission pennant are flying proudly over USS Ted Stevens.

Very well.

Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.

I will now read my orders from Commander, Navy Personnel Command, to Captain Mary Katie Hayes, United States Navy. Subject: BUPERS Order 1999 of 1 April 2024. When directed by reporting senior, detach from present duty and report to pre-commissioning unit Ted Stevens as commanding officer. Upon commissioning of USS Ted Stevens, report for duty as commanding officer.

Admiral Kahler, United States Ship Ted Stevens is in commission and I am in command. Congratulations. Well done. Thank you, sir.

Executive officer, set the first watch. Aye, aye, ma'am.

Officer of the Deck, set the first watch. Set the first watch. Aye, sir. The Officer of the Deck is the commanding officer's direct representative and while on watch is responsible for the ship's safe operation of the ship and crew. The long glass is the traditional symbol of an officer of the deck's authority in a ship of the line.

We are honored to have former Secretary of the Navy and dear friend of Ted Stevens, the Honorable Sean O'Keefe, with us today. Secretary O'Keefe will pass the long glass to our first officer of the deck, Lieutenant Nicholas Sharp from Centreville, Virginia. The petty officer of the watch is Electronics Technician Second Class Manuel Bolaños from McAllen, Texas. The messenger of the watch is Seaman Asia Rutherford from Blythewood, South Carolina, and the bosun's mate of the watch is Bosun Mate First Class Lucas McInerney from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

Set the watch. On deck, Section 1.

Sir, the first watch is set. Very well.

Captain, the watch is set.

Very well.

The spirit of a U.S. Navy warship is in the embodiment of her sponsors. Our sponsors, Mrs. Catherine Ann Stevens, Mrs. Susan Stevens Kovich, and Mrs. Lily Stevens Becker, have carried on the proud tradition of becoming godmothers to this great ship. Catherine, Susan, and Lily christened the ship in Pascagoula, Mississippi on August 19th, 2023, and they imbued this ship and crew with their devotion and indomitable spirits.

Lily, I would be honored if you would address our guests, then join Catherine and Susan to give the order to man our ship and bring her to life.

Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words to the crew.

A few questions have come my way more than once. What are you feeling this week? What would your father think about having a warship named after him? What am I feeling this week? This week, I am in awe.

In awe of the hundreds of shipbuilders who worked in the Mississippi heat to create this beautiful vessel. In awe of the captain who built this crew from one, herself, to 346. In awe of the sailors who volunteered to be out on the seas, so that we could all sleep a little more soundly at night. What would my father think about having his name on the ship? He would be deeply humbled and would tell us all that this is about you, not about him.

I found a memo from 1999 where one of his staffers explained a request for a statement about his service in World War II. How has your experience as a soldier contributed to your career in 100 words or less? On the paper, my father crossed out a draft and wrote this in his unmistakable blue fountain pen handwriting. To my generation, our nation's commitment commitment to freedom was reflected in our unanimous desire to serve our country in uniform. It was my good fortune to become an Army Air Corps pilot.

That role not only taught me discipline, but ingrained in me the responsibility to be certain that those working with me were safe, well-fed, and informed what our job was and how we would accomplish it. He had 100 words to talk about his own experience, but he spent half of them talking about others.

That is who he was— not wanting the spotlight solely on himself, instead focusing on the team. He volunteered to serve at 19 years old. He spent nearly all of his next 67 years serving our country and this beautiful state. Many of you are 19 or just slightly older. Some of you came straight from high school.

You are now the best-trained sailors in the world on the most powerful warship in the world. I am deeply honored and proud to be your sponsor. Along with my mother and sister Susan. As you wake up every day, know that we and every person here believe in you to take care of this ship, take care of each other, and to uphold the peace and safety of our nation. Now let's bring this ship to life.

Ready? Ready? Officers and crew of the USS Ted Stevens, man our ship and bring her to life! Ho!

Ladies and gentlemen, the crew of USS Ted Stevens salutes you.

We are proud to serve in America's Navy. Ted Stevens, ready to— Will the guests please be seated?

Captain, USS Ted Stevens is manned and ready. Very well.

Admiral Kahler, USS Ted Stevens is manned and ready and reports for duty, sir. Very well, Captain Lee.

Secretary Chao, request permission to break your flag, sir.

Sir, executive officer, break the flag of the Secretary of the Navy. Aye, aye, ma'am. Quartermaster, break the flag of the Secretary of the Navy. Aye, aye, sir.

Captain, the flag of the Secretary of the Navy is flying over USS Ted Stevens. Very well.

Ladies and gentlemen, Captain Mary Katie Hayes, United States Navy commanding officer, USS Ted Stevens.

Thank you.

Ted Stevens, parade rest.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, shipmates and friends, thank you for joining us today. Thank you, Governor Dunleavy, Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, Representative Begich, Secretary Cowell, Mr. Matthews, Admiral Koehler, Rear Admiral Metcalf, and Mr. Blanchett for your support and your remarks today. To our ship sponsors and the Stevens family, we are grateful for your stalwart dedication to our Navy and our nation. You have been incredibly supportive of our crew, and I'm proud to know you.

To our commissioning committee, thank you for volunteering to make this an incredible event that is befitting of the state of Alaska and to Senator Stevens' legacy. You promised a warm Alaska welcome, and we have received it 1,000 times over. To the shipbuilders in Mississippi, I acknowledge that your work is neither glamorous nor easy. You have built one of the most complex machines on Earth and you have done it well. Thank you.

To my crew, my shipmates, the men and women who are the heart and soul of this great ship, you have exceeded all expectations. Your resourcefulness and sense of duty inspire all who observe you. You know that I am proud of you and I am proud to be your commanding officer.

To our families, both here and watching at home, you are the tie that binds. We could not do our mission without your love and support. Thank you.

Senator Stevens committed himself to making his community and his country a better place. He lived a life of service and a life that most people would consider extraordinary. He was a defender of freedom, an advocate for statehood, and a statesman. He lived and thought courageously. This is the first ship to bear his name, and we are the first crew members to sail in it, together learning how to maneuver and fight our ship in the waters our Navy has plied since 1775.

We have committed ourselves to a life of service. We have come thousands of miles to celebrate our ship, your ship, with you, the people Senator Stevens dedicated his life to, the people of this beautiful state. Indeed, we have sailed northward to the future. We are ready to answer our nation's call. We are ready to defend freedom, whether the winds of war blow near the rugged coast of Alaska or in the far reaches of the globe.

This is an extraordinary ship. We are ready to lead with courage. Ted Stevens, atten hut!

Lead with courage! Thank you.

Will the guests please rise for the benediction offered by Chaplain Henry.

Let's pray.

Almighty God, today we have witnessed amazing grace in action. From Mississippi to Alaska, you ordained each interaction. The USS Ted Stevens is today a prime attraction, a tribute of honor and courage. Lord, joy is our reaction. So God, I pray for Captain Hayes and each sailor she will lead.

Grant wisdom and discernment, Lord. Provide for all her needs. Bless her senior leaders, Lord, with courage and Godspeed. And may each expectation placed upon them, they exceed. And Lord, the USS Ted Stevens is a mighty warship.

Projection and deterrence will be part of of every trip. Granted, Lord, your blessing, we accord you ownership. In each departure and return, grant divine stewardship. And Lord, this work of warfighting is a sacred vocation. Bless the sacrifices made in support of our nation.

Bless our service families from every duty station and stand watch over our members in harmful locations. These things we ask in your mighty name. Amen. Thank you, Captain Henderson.

Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated and remain seated for the departure of our platform guests.