USS Arlington Commissioned in Norfolk

ARLnow.com April 8, 2013 at 9:40am

USS Arlington commissioning ceremony in 2013 (photo courtesy U.S. Navy)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-UE577-262 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) — The crew of the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) “livens the ship” by running aboard and manning the rails. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated in the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew B. Church/RELEASED)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-ZE938-228 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) – Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld applauds during the commissioning ceremony of the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) at Naval Station Norfolk April 6. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Frank J. Pikul/Released)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-UE577-127 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) — Members the color guard assigned to the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) stand at attention during Arlington’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated in the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew B. Church/RELEASED)

130406-N-UE577-185 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) — Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell addresses the Sailors and Marines assigned to the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) during Arlington’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated in the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew B. Church/RELEASED)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-UE577-220 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) — Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos addresses the Sailors and Marines assigned to the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) during Arlington’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated in the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew B. Church/RELEASED)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-UE577-313 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) — Cmdr. Darren W. Nelson, commanding officer of the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), delivers a speech during Arlington’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated in the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew B. Church/RELEASED)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-ZE938-004 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) – Sailors assigned to the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) stand by to bring the ship to life during the ship’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Frank J. Pikul/Released)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-ZE938-030 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) – Members the color guard assigned to the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) stand at parade rest during Arlington’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Frank J. Pikul/Released)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-ZE938-054 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) – The color guard for the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) parades colors during the ship’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Frank J. Pikul/Released)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-ZE938-310 NORFOLK, Va. (April 4, 2013) – The national ensign is unfurled aboard the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) during the ship’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk April 6. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Frank J. Pikul/Released)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-UE577-205 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) — The crew of the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) stands at parade rest during Arlington’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated in the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew B. Church/RELEASED)

Courtesy U.S. Navy

130406-N-ZE938-072 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) – Bob McDonnell, governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, speaks at the commissioning ceremony for the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Frank J. Pikul/Released)

130406-N-ZE938-116 NORFOLK, Va. (April 6, 2013) – Adm. William E. Gortney, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, speaks at the commissioning ceremony for the newly commissioned amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) at Naval Station Norfolk. As the third Navy vessel to bear the name, Arlington commemorates the lives lost and the heroism demonstrated the aftermath of 9/11. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Frank J. Pikul/Released)

The new USS Arlington (LPD 24) was commissioned in Norfolk on Saturday, before a crowd of more than 5,000 people.

The ship was named in honor of the 184 victims of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. Military brass and members of the ship’s crew were joined at the ceremony by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, Rep. Jim Moran, state legislators, all five Arlington County Board members, Arlington law enforcement officers and firefighters who responded on 9/11, and family members of 9/11 victims.

Joyce Rumsfeld, the ship’s sponsor and the wife of the former defense secretary, gave the final word for the ship’s crew of sailors and Marines to board the Arlington.

“Man our ship, bring her to life,” Rumsfeld said as more than 100 men and women ran up the ship’s brow and manned the rails to render a salute.

The USS Arlington was built by Huntington-Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Miss. Her keel was laid on May 26, 2008 and she was delivered to the Navy on Dec. 7, 2012.

The Arlington is one of three 9/11 commemorative ships, including the USS New York and USS Somerset. The ships are San Antonio class amphibious dock ships, capable of transporting nearly 1,200 sailors and Marines, plus helicopters and landing craft, to hotspots around the world.

The ship’s expected service life is 40 years.

“LPD 24 bears a name of great significance to our Navy and Marine Corps team,” the ceremony’s keynote speaker, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos, said in a statement. “LPD 24 will forever represent the courage, devotion and teamwork that characterized our military and first responders on that modern day of infamy.”

There were two ships named USS Arlington before LPD 24: a World War II-era cargo ship and a Vietnam War-era communications ship. A crew member from the Vietnam-era ship was on hand to help forge “a strong bond” between the crews of the current and the previous USS Arlington.

NBC 4 and the Sun Gazette have additional coverage of the commissioning. The USS Arlington Commissioning Committee is still trying to raise some $80,000 to pay for a 9/11 Tribute Room on the ship, NBC 4 reported.

Photos courtesy U.S. Navy

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