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thedrifter
08-06-09, 07:09 AM
SLIDE SHOW: USS Jason Dunham fosters special connection

By Kathryn Ross
Daily Reporter
Wed Aug 05, 2009, 04:51 PM EDT

BATH, Maine -

A special relationship developed between the workers at the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine and the USS Jason Dunham.
When the USS Jason Dunham was christened in a special ceremony Saturday, the dignitaries, officials and family of Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham were at the forefront of the celebration. Behind the scenes, going about their business or wearing special, blue, event shirts, some of the 5,000 skilled and dedicated men and women could be seen. These men and women turned 6,200 tons of steel, 254 miles of cable, 48 miles of pipe, 69,000 gallons of paint, 8,000 valves, and 3,000 drawings into the 32nd Arleigh Burke Class destroyer built in Bath.
“When you come here, the people treat you so well and they become like family,” said Deb Dunham, Dunham’s mother. Jason Dunham gave his life in April 2004, to save the lives of two Marines under his command while they were on patrol in the Karabilah, Iraq.
“This is a very special moment for many of us here at the BIW (Bath Iron Works),” said Jim DeMartini, the spokesperson for the Bath Iron Works. “The story of Cpl. Dunham hits close to home for many of us. Some of our employees are members of the National Guard or the Reserves and were deployed to Iraq in the same region where Cpl. Dunham was serving. And some of us have children who are serving there now or who are about the same age Cpl. Dunham would have been. As a ship is built, a relationship with the namesake always develops, but in this case, because Cpl. Dunham was more of a contemporary, I believe it is safe to say that the relationship is much deeper for many of us.”
Jeffrey S. Geiger, president of the Bath Iron Works and the host of Saturday’s event, thanked the Dunham family for allowing the people of the Bath Iron Works to become part of its family.
Rear Admiral William E. Landay III, who is program executive officer of ships for the U. S. Navy, said, “Through the name chosen for our ships, we often come together in the Navy ship-building community to commemorate our nation’s proud history. We honor our legends and leaders. We acknowledge battles, campaigns, cities and states fundamental traits and American values. It is the Navy’s unique way to celebrate our nation’s heritage as we look forward to safeguarding its future. Today that tradition continues. Through this magnificent ship and the name she bears, we honor the very best in human nature and American spirit. I can say without hesitation that everyone here today. Everyone who worked on this ship has been profoundly impacted by Cpl. Dunham’s story.”
Fabrication for the USS Jason Dunham started Dec. 15, 2005, nearly a year prior to the announcement that Cpl. Dunham would be receiving the Medal of Honor for his heroics. Dunham was awarded the Medal of Honor in January 2007. The keel for the USS Jason Dunham was laid April 11, 2008 at a ceremony at which both Debra and Dan Dunham were present. Their names and message are at the core of the 509.5-foot-long and 66.5-foot-wide ship, which is over 100 feet high.
Described by Maine Senator Susan Collins as, “The most advanced and modern warship in the world, built by the industry’s most skilled hands,” the USS Jason Dunham displaces 9,200 tons. It is armed with one 5.62-caliber gun, a close-range aerial defense system, 96 vertical-launch system cells for various missiles and six 50/46 torpedo tubes. It will carry two helicopters, travel at 30-plus knots and have a range of 4,400 nautical miles at 20 knots.
It is propelled by four General Electric 2500 gas turbines that turn two variable-pitch screws.
More than 2,000 spectators were on hand for the christening. DeMartini said,
“This is one of the biggest turnouts I have ever seen for a christening. It has to have something to do with the day and the namesake,” he said. “We don’t get this kind of turnout in the middle of December (when other ships have been christened). This is a very special ship for us and for the people of the Bath Iron Works.”
Also on hand for the christening were friends and family of the crew members and several people from Scio and Allegany County, as well as tourists.

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http://www.wellsvilledaily.com/news/x548621428/SLIDE-SHOW-USS-Jason-Dunham-fosters-special-connection

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