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Perch Base
USS Arizona (SSN-803)
Keel Laying Ceremony

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Click on the logo or these words to go to the United States Submariners home page.

Five Perch Base members attended the USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony on December 7, 2022 at the Gilbert (AZ) Public Safety Training Facility. The "real" ceremony was held at the General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and transmitted via ZOOM to the Gilbert Public Safety facility. (apologies, in advance, because photos of a ZOOM call broadcast to a large screen lack clarity!)
The "star" of the show was the USS Arizona (SSN-803) sponsor, Ms. Nikki Stratton. Nikki's grandfather, Don Stratton, was a survivor of the USS Arizona (BB-39) following the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Sadly, Don passed on February 15, 2020. At that time, Don was one of only 3 survivors; the remaining two, Lou Conter & Ken Potts participated in the ZOOM call. It was at Don's funeral that the Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly asked Nikki to be the USS Arizona (SSN-803) sponsor, a role commonly reserved for wives of Presidents.
In keeping with maritime tradition, the initials of the ship's sponsor are welded onto a steel plate that will be incorporated into the ship as it is built. The welding is usually performed by a welder, but in this case, Nikki (who learned how to weld!) performed part of the initials herself.
Other Arizonans present at Quonset Point for the Keel Laying Ceremony included Gilbert Mayor Honorable Brigette Peterson, Gilbert Veterans Advisory Board Liaison Pamela Rinesmith and Bill Spence. Bill retired as a Lieutenant Commander Nuclear Engineering Officer, served on seven submarines and two aircraft carriers and is actively involved in the Gilbert veteran's community. Gilbert, AZ, is the city sponsor for the USS Arizona (SSN-803).

Click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

The Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

The Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

The Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility Atlas Auditorium, where the ZOOM call was conducted.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Perch Base members present:
(l-r:) Doug La Rock, Glenn Posniack, W. Howard Doyle, Joe Trotter.
Also present, Dan Marks, but as usual, taking the photo!

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Others attending the ZOOM call at the Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

(l-r:) Gilbert Veterans Advisory Board members Dave Rosenfeld (Chairman) and Les Presmyk welcome the attendees.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Jim Lykins, Gilbert Veterans Advisory Board Vice Chair (center of photo, sitting) also welcomed the attendees.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

The USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony begins.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

USS Arizona (BB-39) survivor Lou Conter at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial atop the USS Arizona.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

USS Arizona (BB-39) survivor Ken Potts.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Admiral Jonathan E. Rucker, Program Executive Officer, Attack Submarines, discussed some of the capabilities of the new Block 5 Virginia-class submarine.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Admiral Rucker also welcomed the World War II veterans attending the Keel Laying Ceremony.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Nikki Stratton addressed the audience.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Nikki Stratton "suits up" to weld her initials on the hull plate.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Nikki Stratton was assisted by welder Bob Hobday.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Nikki Stratton draws an arc to weld her initials.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Nikki gives a "thumbs up" as welder Bob Hobday cleans off the slag.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

The finished initials.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

Gilbert Mayor Honorable Brigette Peterson looks on.

2022 USS Arizona (SSN-803) Keel Laying Ceremony photos

(l-r:) Gilbert Veterans Advisory Board Liaison Pamela Rinesmith, Ship Sponsor Nikki Stratton, Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson, Former Councilmember Bill Spence.
(Photo source: Gilbert, AZ website, www.gilbertaz.gov)

 

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