On March 17 USS Colorado (SSN 788) was commissioned at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. Over 2,000 people were in attendance on this blustery March day. Speaking at the ceremony were Jennifer Boykin, President of Huntington Ingalls Newport News, Jeffrey Geiger, President of General Dynamics Electric Boat, Representative Joe Courtney from Connecticut’s Second District, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, Governor John Hickenlooper from Colorado along with both Colorado Senators Cory Gardner and Michael Bennett and Assistant Secretary of the Navy James Gurerts. Retired Marine Corps Major Mark Davis brought Cadets Alexzander Rosenbaum, Theodore Rosack, Jonathan Large, and Dylan Loewenstein from the Widefield High School NJROTC unit in Colorado Springs to participate as the Color Guard. The invocation and benediction were given by Colonel Andrew Meverden, retired Chaplain of the Colorado Army National Guard. Also on the platform were Admiral Frank Caldwell, Director Navy Nuclear Reactors, Vice Admiral Joseph Tofalo, Commander Submarine Forces, Rear Admiral Michael Jabaley, PEO submarines, retired Navy Captain John Mackin, Chairman of the USS Colorado Commissioning Committee and of course the ship’s sponsor, Annie Mabus.

Here is a video of the ceremony

Also, on the platform was Battleship Colorado veteran, Ken Jones, who participated in the ceremony as the veteran passing the traditional long glass to the oncoming watch. A highlight of the ceremony was the presence of five additional veterans from BB-45, Davey Jones, Wayne Kizer, Jack Paris, Charlie Ripper and Randall Toop.

Adm. Frank Caldwell was the senior naval officer present and placed Colorado in commission. Following the raising of the commissioning pennant, Annie Mabus gave the order “Man our ship and bring her to life”, after which the crew broke formation and ran onto the ship. It was a stirring ceremony.

Afterwards, the Commissioning Committee hosted a reception at the head of the pier for all those present. The reception featured Colorado themed food and beverage, including Buffalo sliders with bison meat donated by Frontiere Natural Meats of Denver. Left Hand Brewing supplied beer including their special release IPA, Pride Runs Deep, brewed in honor of this commissioning, and Balistreri Vineyards of Denver supplied the wine. For dessert a cake made with the Vollmer family recipe was donated by the family. This cake recipe had previously been served in the White House.

Pictures of the Ceremony below. For a comprehensive list of the media coverage of Commissioning Week visit here