Video of the Ceremony

More than 10,000 invited guests attended the ceremony at the Port of Galveston to commission Submarine TEXAS officially as United States Ship TEXAS.

Podcast: Listen  Download 

First Lady Laura Bush, the official sponsor of the ship, gave the order to "man the ship and bring it to life", to the sound of bells, whistles and a flyover of military jets and vintage aircraft from the Lone Star Flight Museum.  Listen  Download

"TEXAS embodies the best ideals of her namesake state: endurance, courage, loyalty and quiet strength; and nowhere are these virtues more visible than in her crew," Bush said.  "For years you have prepared this boat and yourselves to protect our nation on the sea.  Today, at long last, she and you are ready."

Texas' two United States Senators were participants in the ceremony. 

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, a "born on the island" native, said that she is proud that the TEXAS was commissioned in Galveston. Listen  Download

Galveston has a strong history with the Navy," Hutchison said.  "From serving as the main port for the Texas Navy during our battle for independence from Mexico in the 1830s to Seawolf Park, which today serves as a memorial to the USS SEAWOLF, the submarine lost in World War II."

Senator John Cornyn was the keynote speaker at the event.  Listen  Download

In his remarks, Cornyn noted the anniversary of the terrorist invasion of the United States on September 11, 2001.

"America has learned the hard way that the best guarantor of peace is a strong military," Cornyn said.  "So, it is fitting today that we are here to commission this ship that will  help keep us strong, and in doing so help keep us safe."

Michael Petters, president of Northrop Grumman Newport News, the builder of the ship, recalled the first sea trials of TEXAS. Listen  Download

"It was a truly amazing experience," he said.   "I found myself standing next to the captain and I reached over and shook his hand and said, 'Congratulations Captain, we have a great ship; take good care of her,'.  The captain looked at me and he said, 'Mike, I don't think I can do that'.  He said 'We plan to take TEXAS into places that are very dangerous, because that is what we built her for'."

Captain John Litherland, commander of USS TEXAS, said he is proud that the ship was commissioned in Texas, giving credit to Marshall Cloyd who chaired the commissioning committee.

"Thanks to the vision of Senators Cornyn and Hutchison whose support enabled this to happen and to the great Galveston community and the many supporting agencies, our visit here has been incredibly successful," Litherland said.  "They rolled out the red carpet and made my crew feel like guests of honor."

The video was provided by the White House Press Pool.  The excellent audio was provided by Michael Fraley of Sound Associates. 

Kudos from Guidry News Service to all of the enlisted personnel and officers of the Unites States Navy, and especially the public information personnel of the Navy, who made the coverage of this historic event as easy as possible and a pleasure for all of us who participated.

Friday night, September 8, Captain John Litherland presided over the Captain's Dinner.  First Lady Laura Bush was the honored guest. These photos are courtesy of Juan Peña.
Earlier on Friday, Guidry News Service, along with other local, regional and national media who were to cover the event, were invited to a rehearsal of the ceremony. As part of the rehearsal, the officers and crew manned the ship as bells and whistles were sounded and the Navy Band played Anchors Aweigh.  Listen Download
Captain John Litherland, commander of TEXAS, visited with the news media following the rehearsal.  Listen Download During the tour, members of the crew talked about their specific assignments.  (Note, these recordings were made under very crowded conditions in very tight spaces, thus some of the audio quality may vary.) Listen Download
TEXAS arrived in Galveston on Tuesday, escorted into the harbor by a flotilla that included Texas' Tall Ship ELISSA and the Yacht El Grande. Lynda Guidry, who was aboard El Grande kept the public informed on the progress of the flotilla in a series of Podcasts.  Listen  Download
After docking at Pier 10, Captain John Litherland told reporters that the voyage was pleasant, despite the presence of a storm on the surface of the Atlantic.  Listen  Download "We had a beautiful, smooth transit," Litherland said.  "We ducked under Tropical Storm Ernesto just when she turned right and up the coast of Florida."
Litherland and his crew were officially welcomed at a dockside ceremony. Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas presented a key to the city  and State Senator Michael Jackson read a proclamation. Listen  Download Park Board of Trustees Chair Dianna Puccetti was among the crowd at the ceremony. Listen  Download
Galveston photographer Robert Mihovil took these photos from aboard the El Grande. For more Mihovil photos visit  http://www.mihovil.com
For more information on USS TEXAS, visit http://www.ussTEXAS.org Copies of this page on a CD that may be opened on your computer are available for $100.  Email news@guidrynews.com