President Biden hailed his wife, Jill, as an “incredible partner” in a brief three-minute address Saturday at the commissioning ceremony of the USS Delaware, the Navy’s newest nuclear-powered submarine.
“Jill has overseen the progress of the USS Delaware for years,” Biden assured. Jill Biden was named the ship’s official sponsor in 2018 when she slapped a bottle of champagne over the hull to christen her as construction neared completion.
“She always keeps the military and their families close to her heart. And that’s not an exaggeration, that’s real,” Biden added.
The submarine’s black turret loomed behind Biden as he spoke from the flag-covered platform in bright spring sunshine.
Jill Biden was on hand to speak the traditional words that formalized the Delaware’s status as a battleship — despite having been at sea and in service for the past two years.
“Mann our ship and bring it to life,” she ordered the crew.
“Aye aye, ma’am,” they replied.
When the original commissioning ceremony was canceled in April 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Delaware became the first Navy ship to ever commission underwater.
The 377-foot submarine, one of 19 Virginia-class fast attack submarines in the U.S. Navy’s fleet, arrived in its namesake state at the port of Wilmington this week for it and its crew to finally have its traditional welcome A limited audience of 1,500 could get in front of a tight reception.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/02/joe-and-jill-biden-preside-over-commissioning-of-uss-delaware/ Joe and Jill Biden direct the commissioning of the USS Delaware
