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