USS Bush - Did you read about this or see it on TV?
On May 26, 2009, namesake former President George H. W. Bush was airlifted aboard the USS Bush. Did you read it in papers or see it on TV? I didn’t either (thank God for Al Gore inventing the Internet). We sure have an "unbiased media" don't we?
On May 26, 2009 namesake former President George H. W. Bush was airlifted aboard the USS Bush for a one day visit. It had been his greatest wish to watch flight operations from the flight deck of the navy's newest nuclear powered aircraft carrier and to meet the Sailors. As a decorated former naval aviator in World War II, this has a special significance for him. He was accompanied by his daughter (and the ship's sponsor) "Doro" Bush Koch. They observed flight ops from the flight deck and the bridge, dined with officers in the Flag Mess and watched night flight ops from the Flag Bridge. The next morning he dined in the Chief's Mess and was escorted around, meeting and greeting Sailors. Finally, we had the crew assembled in hangar bay 2. The CO pointed out that June 12th is his birthday (he'll be 85 years old) and nearly 2,500 Sailors sang happy birthday to him. He then swore in re-enlistees and read the promotion orders to all recently advanced Sailors (and there were a bunch of them). Lastly, he spoke to the crew. It was quite a moment - at the end of his short remarks, he looked up, paused for a second, and said "This ship means the world to me." and he then broke down for a few seconds. There wasn't a dry eye in the hangar bay. He then continued on and thanked every one of the crew for their service to the country and for making him proud as one of 'his' Sailors.
This may have been the first time in US Naval history that a ship's namesake (certainly an aircraft carrier) not only was alive at the time of commissioning, but was healthy enough to go aboard when the ship was at sea.
http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=45678
http://www.news.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=71977
090526-N-1981M-585 ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 26, 2009) Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Capt. Bob Roth, executive officer of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) speak with Sailors assigned to the "Red Rippers" of Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 11 aboard George H.W. Bush. The former President visited the Navy's newest aircraft carrier to observe flight operations during the ship's underway period in the Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Dominique J. Moore/Released)
Former President Bush Visits Namesake Aircraft Carrier
Story Number: NNS090527-04
Release Date: 5/27/2009 10:50:00 AM
Top News Story - Editors should consider using these stories first in local publications.
From USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) namesake -- former President George H.W. Bush -- and the ship's sponsor visited the Navy's newest aircraft carrier May 26-27 to observe flight operations during the ship's underway period in the Atlantic Ocean.
"It is the greatest honor of my life to be the [ship's] sponsor, so thank you for letting me have that opportunity," said Doro Bush Koch, the former president's daughter and ship's sponsor.
"This is the greatest ship in our Navy and I am proud to be associated with it."
This was the first time President Bush has embarked the ship that bears his name while underway. The carrier is completing flight deck certification off the coast of Virginia which included the first aircraft to be catapulted from the ship's flight deck and the first arrested landing aboard.
"It is a great thrill for Doro and me to be out here on this beautiful day at sea. I'm so impressed, not just with the machinery or with the pilots, but with the men and women of this crew," said President Bush or "41" as the crew affectionately refers to the 41st president of the United States.
"It's just wonderful seeing the spirit on this ship. We are grateful for your service to our great country."
In addition to observing catapult launches and arrested landings on the flight deck, the former president - a decorated World War II naval aviator - and his daughter met with the Sailors on board.
"I was so happy I got to shake his hand, I've always wanted to do that," said Seaman Derrick Chaves. "It makes me feel special because no other ships get to have their namesake on board. It brought my morale up."
The aircraft carrier was commissioned Jan. 10.
For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.
On May 26, 2009, namesake former President George H. W. Bush was airlifted aboard the USS Bush. Did you read it in papers or see it on TV? I didn’t either (thank God for Al Gore inventing the Internet). We sure have an "unbiased media" don't we?
On May 26, 2009 namesake former President George H. W. Bush was airlifted aboard the USS Bush for a one day visit. It had been his greatest wish to watch flight operations from the flight deck of the navy's newest nuclear powered aircraft carrier and to meet the Sailors. As a decorated former naval aviator in World War II, this has a special significance for him. He was accompanied by his daughter (and the ship's sponsor) "Doro" Bush Koch. They observed flight ops from the flight deck and the bridge, dined with officers in the Flag Mess and watched night flight ops from the Flag Bridge. The next morning he dined in the Chief's Mess and was escorted around, meeting and greeting Sailors. Finally, we had the crew assembled in hangar bay 2. The CO pointed out that June 12th is his birthday (he'll be 85 years old) and nearly 2,500 Sailors sang happy birthday to him. He then swore in re-enlistees and read the promotion orders to all recently advanced Sailors (and there were a bunch of them). Lastly, he spoke to the crew. It was quite a moment - at the end of his short remarks, he looked up, paused for a second, and said "This ship means the world to me." and he then broke down for a few seconds. There wasn't a dry eye in the hangar bay. He then continued on and thanked every one of the crew for their service to the country and for making him proud as one of 'his' Sailors.
This may have been the first time in US Naval history that a ship's namesake (certainly an aircraft carrier) not only was alive at the time of commissioning, but was healthy enough to go aboard when the ship was at sea.
http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=45678
http://www.news.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=71977
090526-N-1981M-585 ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 26, 2009) Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Capt. Bob Roth, executive officer of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) speak with Sailors assigned to the "Red Rippers" of Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 11 aboard George H.W. Bush. The former President visited the Navy's newest aircraft carrier to observe flight operations during the ship's underway period in the Atlantic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Dominique J. Moore/Released)
Former President Bush Visits Namesake Aircraft Carrier
Story Number: NNS090527-04
Release Date: 5/27/2009 10:50:00 AM
Top News Story - Editors should consider using these stories first in local publications.
From USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) namesake -- former President George H.W. Bush -- and the ship's sponsor visited the Navy's newest aircraft carrier May 26-27 to observe flight operations during the ship's underway period in the Atlantic Ocean.
"It is the greatest honor of my life to be the [ship's] sponsor, so thank you for letting me have that opportunity," said Doro Bush Koch, the former president's daughter and ship's sponsor.
"This is the greatest ship in our Navy and I am proud to be associated with it."
This was the first time President Bush has embarked the ship that bears his name while underway. The carrier is completing flight deck certification off the coast of Virginia which included the first aircraft to be catapulted from the ship's flight deck and the first arrested landing aboard.
"It is a great thrill for Doro and me to be out here on this beautiful day at sea. I'm so impressed, not just with the machinery or with the pilots, but with the men and women of this crew," said President Bush or "41" as the crew affectionately refers to the 41st president of the United States.
"It's just wonderful seeing the spirit on this ship. We are grateful for your service to our great country."
In addition to observing catapult launches and arrested landings on the flight deck, the former president - a decorated World War II naval aviator - and his daughter met with the Sailors on board.
"I was so happy I got to shake his hand, I've always wanted to do that," said Seaman Derrick Chaves. "It makes me feel special because no other ships get to have their namesake on board. It brought my morale up."
The aircraft carrier was commissioned Jan. 10.
For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.
