 Ship's company, uh, tan, hup! Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Welcome to historic Charleston, South Carolina, and the commissioning of United States ship Ralph Johnson. I am Commander Casey Mann, the ship's executive officer. It is my privilege to be your master of ceremonies today. Before our ceremony begins, please silence your cell phones. We would like to thank the Low-Country Singers for their amazing performance this morning. Please give them a round of applause. Thank you. We are here today to celebrate the commissioning of USS Ralph Johnson. The ship before you was christened in Pascagoula, Mississippi on April 2, 2016. Today, she is complete, and this crew is proud to serve on the newest destroyer in the United States Navy. Our crew is dedicated to carrying out the courageous legacy handed down to us by her namesake, Private First Class Ralph Henry Johnson, a United States Marine. To quote PFC Johnson's posthumous Medal of Honor citation, suddenly, a hand grenade landed in the three-man fighting hole occupied by Private First Class Johnson and two fellow Marines. Realizing the inherent danger to his comrades, he shouted a warning and unhesitatingly hurled himself upon the explosive device. When the grenade exploded, Private First Class Johnson absorbed the tremendous impact of the blast and was killed instantly. In that same spirit of selfless sacrifice and devotion, this ship will sail the oceans and will stand vigilant against those who would threaten democracy and freedom. This crew is honored to serve in the ship which bears his name and honors his legacy. Our ceremony today is a time on a tradition which began with the commissioning of our first warship, a captured British schooner, the Margaretta, in 1775. Since then, thousands of ships have undergone the transformation from Silent Hall to fully alive warship. Our commissioning crew, hereafter known as plank owners, are information among you and ready to bring our ship alive. In just a few moments, the Parents Island Marine Corps Band will render honors to the honorable Tim Scott. Will the guests please rise and remain standing for the arrival of our official party, honors, presentation of colors, the national anthem, and the invocation. Ladies and gentlemen, our platform guests, Commander Don Beadog, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy, Command Chaplain Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, California. Reverend Eugene Collins Sr., Pastor, Shiloh, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, South Carolina. Commander Scott Williams, United States Navy, DTG-51 Class Program Manager's Representative, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast. Private First Class Alex Colvin, Texas Pete teammate of Private First Class Ralph Johnson. Captain Taylor Scardin, United States Navy, Retired, Chairman, USS Ralph Johnson, Commissioning Committee. Mr. James Sheridan, Vice President and General Manager, Lockheed Martin, Rotary Mission Systems. Captain Casey Moten, United States Navy, DTG-51 Class Program Manager. Re Admiral Jesse Wilson, United States Navy, Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic. Mr. Brian Cushus, President, Ingalls Shipbuilding, and Executive Vice President, Huntington Ingalls Industries. Re Admiral William Galinas, United States Navy, Program Executive Officer, Ships. Vice Admiral Thomas Moore, United States Navy, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. The Honorable James Gertz, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Mrs. Helen Richards, Sister of Private First Class Ralph Johnson. The Honorable John Tecklenburg, Mayor, City of Charleston. General Robert Neller, United States Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Honorable Mark Sanford, United States Representative, South Carolina's First District. The Honorable Tom Rice, United States Representative, South Carolina's Seventh District. Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. George Ann McRaven, our ship sponsor, is escorted today by Command Master Chief Stephen Quick. Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Tim Scott, United States Senator, State of South Carolina, is escorted today by Commander Jason Patterson, United States Navy, Ralph Johnson's perspective, Commanding Officer. Ladies and gentlemen, Honorable to the Honorable Tim Scott, Platform Hand Salute. Platform, ready, to advance the colors. Platform Hand Salute. Retire the colors. Platform, ready, to ladies and gentlemen, Reverend Collins will deliver the invocation. Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we come today, acknowledges your presence and your power from on high. The door and magnifier, your holy name, for you are worthy of the praise. We ask you for guidance and wisdom as we live and move and have our beings. We thank you, God, for the life and the legacy of PFC Ralph Johnson. We thank you for his family and their love, their commitment and the values they instilled in him while he was growing up in Charleston. But most of all, God, we thank you for the ultimate sacrifice that PFC Ralph Johnson paid on the battlefield in Vietnam. Your word tells us in John 15 and 13, greater love has no man in this that a man lay down his life for his friends. PFC Johnson laid down his life for his friends by placing his body over grenade to save their lives. God, we thank you for the commitment and the sacrifice of our military personnel and the role they played for freedom, not only here at home, but around the world. As we commissioned the USS Ralph Johnson today, we pray for your blessings upon this beautiful ship and the men and women who will serve on her for the cause of freedom around the world. Just we ask in this name, amen, amen, and amen. Thank you, Reverend Collins. We'd like to thank the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, the Citadel Cadet Choir, Navy Brig Charleston, and the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Excluding Battery for their support this morning. Will the guests please be seated? Chips Company, parade, rest. Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable John Tecklenburg. Admiral Moore, General Kneller, Admiral Galinas, Admiral Wilson, Senator Scott, Representative Sanford and Rice, Commander Patterson, Miss Helen, Secretary Gertz, Mrs. McRaven, our sponsor, and our other medal award recipient who's present with us today, General James Livingston. Service men and women, family and friends of Private First Class Ralph Johnson, distinguished guests, and fellow Charlestonians, it is a great honor to welcome you here today as we commission this remarkable new fighting ship into the United States Navy, and remember the extraordinary man for whom it is named. Charleston native, we say here, he's a been here. U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class hit Ralph Henry Johnson. As Reverend Collins quoted, greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. Scripture tells us this in words so simple and so true we hear their echo across the vastness of human history and in the deepest recesses of the human heart. Words that Ralph Johnson chose to live out to their very last syllable on that early morning hour on March the 5th of 1968. The story of Ralph Johnson's heroism is recorded in the Medal of Honor citation he received after his sacrifice on April 20th, 1970. We remember it now, faithful to his memory and faithful to the cause and to the country for which he gave his life. It was during Operation Rock a four-day reconnaissance mission deep in enemy territory that Private First Class Johnson and his comrades in the 3rd Battalion and 7th Marines found themselves under attack by a platoon-sized enemy force. As the battle raged, a grenade landed in the fighting hole he shared with his fellow Marines. And that was when 19-year-old Private First Class Ralph Henry Johnson performed the selfless act of valor for which he will never be forgotten. Without hesitation and without thought of his own safety Ralph threw himself on the grenade taking the full force of the explosion. In that terrible moment Ralph Johnson laid down his life for his friends in our country and in every moment since we have been moved by his sacrifice and by the sacrifice his family and friends and fellow servicemen and women continue to make to this day. As a Charlestonian, I'm proud to walk the streets that Ralph Johnson walked and proud to tell his story. As mayor, I'm proud to serve a city that could produce such an extraordinary man. And as an American, I'm proud of the courageous men and women who carry our nation's values around the world on ships like this one knowing, knowing always that they may be asked to make that same sacrifice that Ralph Johnson made 50 years ago. We thank you for your service. To all those gathered here today for this remarkable occasion welcome and to the men and women of the U.S.S. Ralph Johnson on behalf of all the citizens of Charleston, we thank you. You honor us by your presence today and your service to our nation. We wish you Godspeed and calm seas in the days ahead. And Commander Patterson, if you don't mind coming forward I notice that you don't have many flags here on the ship so I brought for you to fly and to keep with the U.S.S. Ralph Johnson a city of Charleston flag to add to your connection. Well, thank you very much. Welcome everybody. Thank you Mayor Tecklenburg. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Brian Cushus. Distinguished guests, my fellow ship owners, ladies and gentlemen, good morning to you all. You know, I am certainly honored to be here today in Charleston representing the thousands of hardworking men and women of shipbuilding who built this ship and 29 of her sister Aldi Burke class destroyers that preceded her on the fleet. You know, as a look upon Ralph Johnson I marvel at what a phenomenal asset this ship is to our nation and to the Navy, truly one of the most powerful and advanced warships in the world. It's a privilege to be part of bringing this great ship to serve us to our country and to honor our ship's namesake which you've already heard a short while ago. But the ship we commissioned today honors Marine Corps Private First Class Ralph Johnson, Charleston's native son who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam upon seeing the grenade land in his fighting position he immediately shielded his fellow Marines from the blast by his own body knowing it would probably be the end of his life. His actions saved not only his dearest comrades but really his entire reconnaissance squad. It's with great gratitude and respect that we honor him today and the commissioning of this great ship. You know, we like to think that there's a little bit of Ralph Johnson's spirit and devotion in each one of our shipbuilders who pour their hearts and souls in every ship they build and the DDG-114 is no exception. Thousands of dedicated shipbuilders, rigors and fitters and welders, planners, engineers and many others have poured tens of thousands of hours transforming raw material and equipment into the ship our Navy commissions today. Our mission at Ingalls is clear. Build the best ships, period. For the Navy, for the Marines, for the Coast Guard, for America. Our shipbuilders are indeed a national asset who support the defense of our nation and freedom across the globe. In our national heroes, the men and women who will sail this great ship in protection of our country and our freedom have earned and deserve nothing less than America's best. Several of these outstanding shipbuilders are with us here today. I would ask that the Ingalls shipbuilders with us please stand and be recognized. Patterson, you and your team may know us as the builders of your ship, but you should know we're also among your biggest supporters and we deeply appreciate the sacrifice and service to our country. On behalf of nearly 12,000 employees at Ingalls, congratulations to Commander Patterson, his officers and his crew members. I'm grateful to be here with this historic event. May God bless America, this ship and all who serve in her. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Cucius. Ladies and gentlemen, Vice Admiral Thomas Moore. Good morning, everybody. Senator Scott, Representative Sanford, Representative Rice, General Neller, Secretary Gertz, Mayor Tecklenburg, our ship sponsor, Mrs. George Ann McRaven, and Admiral McRaven, distinguished platform guests, fellow flag officers and general officers, Commander Patterson, crew of the soon-to-be USS Ralph Johnson, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. On behalf of the Chief of Naval Operations, it is fantastic to be in a wonderful Navy town, beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. I would also like to extend a very special welcome to Private First Class Ralph Johnson's sister, Helen Richards, and his platoon mate, Alex Colvin. You honor us with your presence here today. It is great to be here for the commission of the Navy's 64th Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer. Named after the legendary Admiral Arleigh 31 Knot Burke, these magnificent warships provide an unmatched combination of striking power and ballistic missile defense. Admiral Burke, who fought in 22 separate engagements during World War II, and rose to become the Chief of Naval Operations, once famously said after reflecting on an American naval victory over the Japanese in World War II, that the difference between a good officer and a poor one is about 10 seconds. And so I can imagine if he were standing here today, he would be nodding approvingly that the Secretary of the Navy has chosen to name a ship of this class after someone who epitomized and matched his toughness and disnices in battle in Private First Class Ralph Johnson. As the commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, I am privileged and very humbled to represent the thousands of men and women, a collective Navy Marine Corps industry team that is laser focused on delivering the most capable warships possible to the young men and women today who have volunteered to serve our great Navy Marine Corps in nation. This team includes the men and women of the Naval Sea Systems Command, our proud shipbuilders and English shipbuilders, and the hundreds of suppliers from around our country who have put millions of hours into the building of this great ship. This morning, through one of the most time-honored traditions of the United States Naval Service, we come together to welcome our newest destroyer, the USS Ralph Johnson into the world's greatest Navy. With the most up-to-date command and control and combat systems at sea, the USS Ralph Johnson will be the most powerful warship of its size in the world, and it will carry with it for the next 40 years the time-honored values of honor, courage, and commitment exemplified by Private First Class Ralph Johnson. And today, most importantly, Commander Patterson, you and your crew stand ready. This team has built you a great ship. Mrs. McRaven has instilled her with an indomitable and gracious spirit. You have built a solid team that will take the fight to the enemy and carry with her the name and spirit of Private First Class Ralph Johnson wherever she may sail. As you prepare to meet the unknown challenges ahead, please know that you sail forward with the hopes and prayers of a grateful nation. You are ready and you will make a difference. Swift, silent, deadly. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Admiral Moore. Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Mark Sanford. We are indeed here to celebrate the Navy's newest instrument of strength and resolve and justice. And in and of itself, the 64th Arleigh Burke Class destroyer is a big deal. But that is the tip of the iceberg of what we celebrate. Because we're here to commend the men and women who will bring this ship to life. We're here to wish well and Godspeed to Commander Patterson and to Master Chief Quick their duties in doing so. And we're here to thank every sailor, soldier, airman and marine for their respective service in defending our nation. But as has already been mentioned above all else, we're here to honor the life and the legacy of Private First Class Ralph Johnson. People have come from far and wide to be here as I look at this crowd. And so whether that's you General Livingston on the front corner or Mayor Riley or you General Neller or Admiral McRaven and so many other dignitaries that are gathered, we are here indeed to celebrate his life and his legacy. To Helen Richards and to the Johnson family, we are humbled by your family's sacrifice to the Texas Pete Recon team and to Platoon Leader Clee McClary and I see members of the platoon right here on the front row. We're here to say thank you for the way that you honored his life while he lived and to say thank you as well for the fact that many of you are alive because he lived. And I think that that is a larger point. I think that in the wake of anything that is honorable and noble and sacrificial we're all left to look at our own lives and say how might I then live? And I know that from this day forward part of my answer to that question will be more like Ralph Johnson. He was from us but above us. We all have feet of clay. We all come from humble origins and yet the challenge of our lives is how do we live more of the parable of talents in making more of the time that we have so that we indeed honor the legacy of Ralph Johnson. He lived a life of love. As has been quoted several times now the Bible indeed says that there's no greater love than one who would lay down his life for his friend. That's what he did and it challenges every one of us to ask that proverbial question. If he did that then how do I love a brother, a sister, a son, a daughter, a fellow enlistee, a fellow officer or just an ordinary neighbor down the street just a touch better. And finally he lived a life that was beyond himself. Toby Keith has a song I want to talk about me. Well that seems to be everybody these days and yet that was not the legacy of Ralph Johnson. And so as this ship set sail we wish each of one of its members the best as you honor the life of love and sacrifice and outward focus that Ralph Johnson did and we ask of ourselves may we do the same. Thank you Representative Sanford. Ladies and gentlemen the honorable Tom Rice. So honored to be here with you today. You know Ralph Johnson's team was named called Texas Pete. Will Texas Pete please stand and be recognized? I want to tell you why I'm here today. I was getting on a plane almost two years ago and I got to the end of the runway there right before you get on the plane and where you check your bag at the gate and there was a lady who was very pregnant and she had a toddler with her and she was struggling to fold up a stroller and they had bumped me to first class and I said ma'am you need this first class ticket more than I do please take my ticket. She said no I can't do that. I said no I would rather you have it so she took my first class ticket. Now you got to understand that I pray every single day for God to put me where he needs me. So I walked back to the back of the plane where her seat was and I get to my seat and there's a guy sitting there with an eye patch and I knew right away I had seen Clebe before Clebe McCleary I had heard him speak the leader of Texas Pete but you know I'd never really met him I'd never really spent any time with him so we had an hour and a half to kill. Now Clebe if you ever get to know him he carries around an old tattered notebook where he keeps his notes and pictures and such and he keeps a big full-sized picture on the front cover of Ralph Johnson and Clebe told me he said Tom I need your help you're in Congress can you help me with something he said they built a ship to commemorate and the name is Ralph Johnson to commemorate Ralph Johnson and they're gonna commission that thing in San Diego and we need to move that thing to Charleston so I went back and I told my staff and we caught with the other members of South Carolina Delegation we made a few phone calls and we wrote a few letters and lo and behold here we are today it got amazing so like I said every day I pray for God to use me put me where he needs me so I just want you to join with me in a little part of that prayer I pray every day God give me clear eyes wisdom and strength use me as a tool to lift all your people amen so honored to be with you so honored to be with you Texas Pete thank you Representative Rice ladies and gentlemen the honorable Tim Scott good morning to Mrs. Richards General Kneller God bless you God bless every single man and woman who dons the uniform to make sure that the rest of us are able to sleep well in our beds at night God bless you to our law enforcement officers that are all around making sure that we're safe God bless those folks who put on those uniforms as well I want to take us back so much has been said that I wanted to say so I'm not going to repeat what others have already said I want to take us back to 1968 South Carolina has had a provocative pass on racial issues and yet Ralph Henry Johnson Cleve McClary will you stand up Cleve an African-American man please stay standing and Cleve McClary white dude from South Carolina found themselves in harm's way and what is remarkable about this story is in part 1968 when our country was torn apart by racial strife and challenges and tension and we celebrate the heroism of Ralph H. Johnson but we need to remember the time in which it happened Ralph finds a grenade and he without thinking puts his body in harm's way ending his life at the beginning a legacy that should last through eternity that the rest of us 50 years later celebrate the USS Ralph Johnson but more importantly we should celebrate a vision that we all must embrace in this great nation that we are better together that Ralph Johnson was willing to sacrifice for a cause greater than himself it is the essence of service over self and I am so thankful to come from a state whose truest heroes come from obscurity but they will live eternally in our hearts and our minds and hopefully actions let us embrace the concept of Matthew 22.37 through 39 the second part is to love our neighbors as ourselves may God truly enrich our lives with the memory and the actions of Ralph Henry Johnson, thank you Thank you Senator Scott Ladies and gentlemen Mrs. Helen Richards Well the Johnson family and friends please stand Thank you I would like to take this moment and introduce someone I hold so special to my heart because of her late husband the late Walter Bud Fulda he was the force and the person first put Ralph Henry Johnson name out there so the world the state of South Carolina will know who Ralph is by getting his name on the veteran administration hospital between B and Courtney street Mrs. Fulda would you please stand and wave your hand and your daughter Allen Thank you Ralph leave a pattern for the girls the boys didn't follow he has two grand nieces and a niece and a niece that's already tired Darian Johnson would you please stand Darian is a student at the Air Force Academy she will be graduating in May I know Ralph will be looking forward to your graduation Zarya Johnson would you please stand Zarya is a private first class in the United States Army she is stationed in Texas Master Sergeant Brandon Alston would you please stand Brandon is stationed in Georgia at Robbins Air Force Base Elaine Denise Johnson Jones retired United States Air Force Thank you Many thanks go to one who had a part in making the USS Ralph Johnson a reality First of all let me give sincere appreciation and thanks to our sponsor Mrs. George Ann McRaven her husband retired admiral McRaven and her family Thank you I want to thank you because you were a great part of this Mayor Tecklenburg Mrs. Tecklenburg the city of Charleston Thank you so much Congressman Mark Sanford I want to thank you Senator Tim Scott Thank you Taylor's Garden when I didn't see eye to eye always in our meeting but we remain friends Thank you Taylor the commissioning committee Huntington English Industries McKean Defense both the companies and individual sponsors Thank you Mrs. Patterson Commander Patterson we thank you in the voice Commander Patterson is one of the greatest commander and he will be truly blessed because the USS Ralph Johnson is blessed the USS Ralph Johnson will be blessed because the Johnson family is a praying family friends and family I can't say thank you enough but the staff and the crew the USS Johnson and lastly to my daughter Lynn Jones and Jones I'm always inspired by your love and your kindness Thank you It was stated that the crew takes on the spirit of the namesake which I personally witness upon the of the Johnson on Monday March 19 after its arrival at the Charleston pier everyone that I have spoken with share this feelings on behalf of the Johnson family we are both inspired and forever grateful for the generosity of love showing toward us we would not only have our family and the Johnson crew but our family will always forever live and the bowl of this vessel Ralph ultimately dream was to wear the uniform of the United States Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Ralph was only 18 when he joined and went to Vietnam even though I strongly objected because he had an older sibling in the country I knew he had to fulfill his dream follow his heart desire now I can tell what was going throughout mine when he decided to lunge his body upon the grenade but I would like to think that he thought of his fellow Marines their wives and their children they would leave behind Ralph was my younger brother he was both giving and a generous person which demonstrates daily with the life that he lived I can remember Ralph in the neighborhood the police grocery asking them if they need help with anything around their homes he would give the shirt off his back if someone needed it your thoughts so I believe was only natural for him to give his life which concedes with John 1513 no love is greater love has a man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends he read his bible daily just as Ralph is in heaven praying for the crew my family and I will be praying for you as well in closing I wish you fair winds follows the sea this for me fair winds and following seas which implies that USS Ralph Johnson will have good winds and not to have to pound into the waves God be with you all thank you ladies and gentlemen the Honorable James Gertz thanks Exo what a great day for Charleston a great day for our Navy Marine Corps and a great day for America Senator and representatives General Neller family members and friends of Private First Class Ralph Johnson Medal of Honor winner Livingston our ship's sponsor George Ann McCraven Admiral McCraven and his family to all those others distinguished guests fellow veterans, mayor, crew and family good morning as a native of Charleston and the son of a submarine officer who sailed in and out of this harbor almost 50 years ago it's a special treat for me to be back here with you Richard Spencer the secretary of the Navy George Ann it's a distinct pleasure to see you again after serving with you for so many years you've been a great support to our military and our families and it's a pleasure to be here with you to Ralph's family and his teammates thanks for making a wonderful day a truly remarkable day you've given us all a gift, thank you very much thank you Captain Taylor Skardon and the commission crew your hard work to arrange today's events have taken a ship in construction and helped us transform it into a warship thousands of skilled American workers throughout the country and the Gulf Coast that suppliers around the world have helped bring this ship to life it's your talent dedication, attention to quality and teamwork that enables us to deliver this lethal platform to the fleet you created this symbol of power and diplomacy that makes us all proud to be Americans thank you, we're proud of you the partnership between our Navy our industry, our Congress the support of the American people together delivered the Ralph Johnson to the fleet on time and within budget it's his partnership that's made our shipbuilding enterprise so strong in such a productive force for our national security the USS Ralph Johnson joins the fleet with unmatched lethality and the newest missile defense technologies as the second ship to be built from the ground up with both air and missile defense the ship brings capabilities that will enable our crew to succeed in our toughest warfights these improvements are a fine example of innovation to drive lethality and agility so go forth Ralph Johnson crew and sail the seas sail them with the spirit of the name you bear a name that's of selfless service devoted to defending and protecting our great nation I'm confident our nation's newest destroyer in the Ralph Johnson crew together to keep our military strong and our nation safe just like its legacy private first class Ralph Johnson with the support of the great state of South Carolina the American people and the shipbuilding enterprise this crew will join the greatest naval force in the world and will be unmatched as they compete to turn and win God bless the USS Ralph Johnson our military and their families and the United States of America thank you now ladies and gentlemen it's my pleasure to introduce today's keynote speaker the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert Kneller okay I'm the keynote speaker which means I'm supposed to talk the longest it's really cold up here and the sun just came out so Reverend well done but we're in the shade but I will be brief 50 years and 19 days ago a young black man from this city lost his life in a place half way around the world as a US Marine and I think Senator Scott did a great job of trying to put it in context at the time of what was going on in the nation at the time I mean it's a really an amazing story and it's not lost on me they were here today in Ralph Johnson's hometown there were minutes from his home on Combing Street from his elementary school Courtney and Junior High and the church he attended St. Phillips AME church and all those seemingly ordinary places in your hometown that make us all the way we are and among the people who had an impact on Ralph as he grew in are here today his family members of the church his sister I've been to a few of these ceremonies and to me it's really special that we get to do this in the hometown of the individual that we're honoring today by naming this ship and it's a reminder to all of us who wear this uniform that we could not do what we do without the support of our citizens and our nation so to the Johnson family Ms. Helen thank you very much thank you for adopting the crew I'll take some of your prayers too if you don't mind we'll all take your prayers and thank you for being good Godfarin people Texas Pete's been wrecking now let me just say this I spent some time last night with the Marines of that unit and I'll just say this to all the people here wearing uniform today so we go to the airport we walk around and people say thank you for your service and it seems like you know we should expect that but I'll just say the only reason that's happened is because of all the Vietnam vets who came home and didn't get that so even though these guys they're a little scruffy looking down here they're a little older really ornery though and I'd be careful if you see them at a bar late at night but we all need to get down on our knees and thank our Vietnam vets to the city of Charleston, the mayor thank you very much for welcoming and adopting this ship and I think it's great that you brought the commissioning here to this great city to the crew and to the captain I would encourage you to tell the story of not just Ralph Johnson but all those who served with him because as been said the spirit of the namesake of this ship has got to permeate the skin, the hull of the ship as they go forth and harms away this ship was designed to fight it can help people it can rescue people but it's here to defend the nation it's here to go fast and in harms way that's what we expect so in closing I'll tell you a story and I think it's apropos because that's a little bit about a man like Ralph Johnson I'd been in Iraq for a year and I was doing an interview the night before I was going to go home and I was really tired and I knew the reporter and she asked me a really hard question she said what would you tell the people who lost their loved ones and I didn't have a good answer I think she said something like I'd tell them they did their duty but later on I recanted I was upset about that because it really was not a good enough answer we all do our duty Ralph Johnson did his duty but I think the thing we need to remember is with all that goes on in this nation and all sometimes the bickering and the things that go on I've never been anywhere in the world where I've never met people that are citizens of other nations where when I asked them they didn't say when asked where they wanted to live it was here it's here in the United States and as long as we have citizens like Ralph Johnson who are willing to stand up take an oath to wear the cloth of the nation to defend it if required if required make the ultimate sacrifice we're going to be just fine we're going to be just fine thank you very much thank you General Kneller Secretary Gertz I'd be honored if you now place Ralph Johnson in commission on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy and for the President of the United States I hereby place the United States ship Ralph Johnson in commission may God bless and guide this warship to sail sail on her thank you Secretary Gertz Executive Officer hoist the colors in commission penant hi sir ship's company ladies and gentlemen please rise I direct your attention to the ship's mast focsel infantail as we hoist the colors in commission penant quarter master hoist the colors in commission penant captain the colors in commission penant are flying over USS Ralph Johnson very well ladies and gentlemen please be seated I will now read my orders from commander Navy military personnel command to commander Jason P. Patterson United States Navy subject bupers order number one two nine eight of January 2015 when directed by reporting senior detached from present duty and report to pre-commissioning unit Ralph Johnson as commanding officer upon commissioning of USS Ralph Johnson report for command or report for duty as commanding officer vassal more more United States ship Ralph Johnson is in commission and I am in command executive officer set the watch hi sir off to the deck set the first watch hi sir the off the officer the deck is the commanding officer's direct representative and while on watch is responsible for the safe operation of the ship and crew the long glass is a traditional symbol of an officer the decks authority in a ship of the line we are pleased to have pfc Ralph Johnson's Texas Pete teammate pfc Alvix Colvin in attendance pfc Colvin will pass the long glass to our first officer of the deck ensign Michael Perry from Efe Beach Hawaii the petty officer the watch is Yeoman first-class Brittany law from Waukegan Illinois the messenger of the watch is fire controlman second-class Quentin Tufts from San Diego California and the Bosons made of the watch is chief Bosons mate TJ Kendall from El Cajon California set the watch on day six and one sir the watch is set very well captain the watch is set very well we are delighted to have our sponsor Mrs. George Ann McRaven here with us today George Ann Christian this ship in Pascagoula Mississippi in April 2016 George Ann I'd be honored if you join me and give the order to man our ship and bring it our life good morning it has been the greatest honor of my life to be the sponsor of the USS Ralph Johnson I want to give special thanks to Helen Richards for bringing Ralph's incredible faith and goodness to the life of all of us he is a true inspiration and his memory will live on with all the sailors of USS Ralph Johnson now and for as long as the ship sails the mighty oceans to the men and women of the USS Ralph Johnson thank you for your incredible strength courage and dedication to our great country thank you for all the sacrifices you and your families make to keep our country safe never underestimate how much your service means to our nation it was an absolute joy getting to know all of you while Kelly and I sailed with you from Mayport to Charleston you and your families will be in our thoughts and prayers every day please know wherever you are in the world no matter how far away you are the McRaven family will be praying for you may the Lord bless you and keep you may the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you may the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace officers and crew of USS Ralph Johnson man our ship and bring her to life ladies and gentlemen the crew of USS Ralph Johnson salutes you we are proud to serve in your great Navy ships company ready to well the guests please be seated captain USS Ralph Johnson is manned and ready very well rear Admiral Wilson USS Ralph Johnson is man and ready and reports for duty general Neller request permission to break your flag sir executive officer break the flag of the common out in the Marine Corps aye aye sir quarter master break the flag of the commandant of the Marine Corps captain the flag of the commandant of the Marine Corps is flying over USS Ralph Johnson very well ladies and gentlemen commander Jason Patterson United States Navy commanding officer USS Ralph Johnson ships company parade rest senator Scott congressman Sanford congress and rice mayor Tecklenburg general Neller Admiral's more Galenis Wilson secretary Gertz the Texas Pete Marines our ship sponsor Mrs. Georgian McRaven friends families and guests and last but certainly not least the Johnson family I want to extend a warm and gracious thank you to the city of Charleston for walking us to your wonderful city the anticipation of our arrival and the outpouring of support this week has been simply amazing mayor Tecklenburg I extend my appreciation to you and your community for making today possible the low country has arrived in full force to recognize one of your own I've said this many times the city of Charleston has always been the right place to commission this ship tomorrow is National Medal of Honor Day and today we are here to commission a ship named after a recipient of our nation's highest military honor I want to take a brief moment to recognize another Medal of Honor recipient in the audience today general Jim Livingston United States Marine Corps thank you for your service sir and being an example of heroism and then for the next generation of soldiers sailors airmen and Marines that serve today the journey to today's commissioning started over four years ago in September 13 when our sponsor Mrs. Georgian McRaven started the production line by cutting the first piece of steel at Huntington Ingalls shipbuilding she later christened the ship in Pascagoula Mississippi on April 2nd 2016 we were fortunate to have her underway last week as you said for the transit into Charleston Harbor and I can report with authority she now has her sea legs Georgian thank you for your generosity and being a part of this ship and her crew we're lucky to have you this early bird class destroyer in front of you is the most lethal and advanced warship ever to set sail on the high seas its capability brings the forward presence and the fight to the shores of the enemies this greyhound is fast and powerful and represents the fighting spirit of her namesake private first class Ralph Johnson yet a ship is nothing without her crew and I want to take a moment to brag about the 315 sailors that stand in front of you these sailors are the finest example that our nation has to offer today they are sons and daughters mothers and fathers that have sacrificed so much time away from their loved ones to bring this ship to life this crew took charge of their ship and made it their own and I'm immensely proud to sail with them all and to our cruise families thank you for the support of your loved ones throughout the many months away from home it was the spouses and the children with the resilience and strength to manage throughout the long period of separation it's the hardest job in the Navy and I want to take a moment to recognize them today so if all the spouses and their children would please stand and we give them a round of applause when I received this assignment as the perspective commanding officer this ship I did what most sailors do by reading the story of the ship's namesake I was immediately struck by the sense of honor and duty that Ralph had at such a young age much has been said today about the heroism that Ralph demonstrated on top of hill 146 but for me personally bringing this ship to life has given me the immeasurable privilege of getting to know about the type of man he was through meeting his family he was a man of faith that always put others in front of himself he did this as a child with his brothers and sisters and he did it on the night of March or in the early morning of March 5th 1968 for his teammates on on hill 146 just like Ralph did for those around him this crew takes care of each other and the ship will take care of us that is the story I will carry with me for the rest of my life to Mrs. Helen Richards and the entire Johnson family thank you for trusting us with the legacy of your your brother and your uncle we will sail this ship proudly across the world bearing the name and spirit of Ralph Johnson Helen you've said to me that the crew is now part of your family I can't tell you how much of an impact that has made to me and this crew will make you proud I personally owe a debt of gratitude to my former shipmates mentors friends and family that have come from all over the country to Stephen Connie thank you for letting me take your beautiful daughter over eighteen years ago on this adventure to my brothers and their family we don't get to see each other enough but when the Patterson boys get the big get to get back together we always have a great time mom and dad thank you for your love and support throughout my life and it means a lot to have you here dad means a lot to my two boys Cooper and Chase I'm so proud of you both being your dad is the best thing I've ever done and finally to my wife Cassie you are the foundation of our family none of this works without you and I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have you by my side I love you so once again I want to thank you all for joining us on our special day may God bless you and bless the sailors and the Marines of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps and may God bless America ships company a 10 hook will the guests please rise and remain standing for a final tribute to our ships namesake private first class class Ralph Johnson by the playing of the Marines him followed by the benediction which will be offered by Chaplain be a dog let us pray their God the men and women of the USS Ralph Johnson represent some of the best and toughest 21st century sea going sailors they will soon depart from the friendly shores of Charleston to an unhospitable elements at sea when faced by the enemies may this train see warriors will confront their opponents the same courage that private first-class Johnson demonstrated seller Salinas mortals swift silent deadly well at sea flying the ocean routes of the world the sailors on board Johnson will observe your power in action and your impressive works on the deepest seas when they cry in their trouble Lord help and save them from their distress may you calm the storm to a whisper and steal the waves may you bring them back safely into their harbor and to their families and as we depart from this historic ceremony help us all Lord to continue on reflecting on your goodness and always remember the invaluable lesson learned from the life of our hero private first-class Johnson may we never forget our responsibilities in the pursuit of peace help us to remain truthful and faithful as declared in the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis always faithful to the Navy to the core our beloved country always faithful to the cause of defending our freedom our faith and family and I'll help us all Lord to always abide with the principle of our core values honor courage and commitment may the Lord bless you and protect you may the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you may the Lord show his favor and give you peace now and forevermore amen thank you chapavilla dog ladies and gentlemen please be seated and remain seated for the departure of our platform guests