USS Gabrielle Giffords

[GunnyG]

Originally Posted by Ocikat

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't it used to be that ships could only bear someones name if they were deceased ? I agree with Navy Dood, as far as I know Gabrielle Giffords hasn't ever served in the military

USS George H. W. Bush ring a bell? He's still alive!

[evan]

Originally Posted by GunnyG

USS George H. W. Bush ring a bell? He's still alive!

True words here---but at least he was a prez.

I think the navy was just having a tough time coming up with new names for ships, that is my guess. Or maybe they told the senator "hey, if you don't make us pay you for a year we will name a ship after you!?" Yup, thats gotta be it, hand it to the big wigs on our budget for coming up with such clever ways to save money! :p

[goval]

Originally Posted by evan

True words here---but at least he was a prez.

I think the navy was just having a tough time coming up with new names for ships, that is my guess. Or maybe they told the senator "hey, if you don't make us pay you for a year we will name a ship after you!?" Yup, thats gotta be it, hand it to the big wigs on our budget for coming up with such clever ways to save money! :p

Carriers are named after presidents. Destroyers are named after deceased Sailors, or an active duty military enlisted..

Amphibious ships (LHD, LHA, LPD) are named after deceased Marines.

Makes sense?

Oh and Submarines are named after U.S. states

I think naming this ship after this senator was strictly political. I'm not sure on her history, but maybe she was very much involved with the military... VA Affairs, etc... Who knows? I seriously doubt it was strictly political though... The Navy has a lot of tradition and I doubt they would just let a ship be named after a senator, regardless if she got shot or not.

[evan]

In reality, goval is probably right. The traditions for naming/commissioning/decommissioning a vessel has a lot of people and ceremony involved. I've been to a few commissioning and decommissioning ceremonies. In the ceremony, there was usually a woman who was involved in congress somehow, a governor, or other political position, or they were the wife of one of those politicians. The woman who commissioned my sub in 76 came to the decommissioning this past year.
My point is, maybe the Navy figured it was time to name it after one of those women; and who wouldve been a better selection over a woman who was shot while doing her duties as a senator?

Maybe I'm nuking it tho :p

[GunnyG]

A little about CONGRESSWOMAN not SENATOR Giffords. Is it enough to get a ship named after her?...probably not, enough to rant about?...probably not, either.

She won an award from the National Guard Association of the US in 2009. Ms. Giffords is a member of several boards, such as the 162nd Air National Guard Fighter Wing Minuteman Committee. Furthermore, Gabrielle established five community advisory councils with both veterans and active military. Part of the congresswoman’s accessibility to her constituency includes hosting for military academy days—connecting high school students with recruiters from the military academies. Gabrielle Giffords endorsed three military-related acts of Congress: (1) The Combat Troops Tax Relief Act (HR 3808), (2) Improving energy consumption by the armed forces (FY 2010)—National Defense Authorization Act, and (3) Provisions to provide increased access to veterans centers for guardsmen and reservists—the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.

The lady was shot in the face and almost died for Christ's sake. Her husband is a retired Naval Aviator, and astronaut. The only member of our Congress with an active duty, military spouse. Political?..maybe, but no one seemed to want a USS Newt.

[evan]

At first glance I'll admit, I wouldnt've wanted it named after her either. But i also knew nothing about the woman or her family. Now though, maybe it is a deserved name.

[Ladybugsmom]

Originally Posted by Ocikat

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't it used to be that ships could only bear someones name if they were deceased ? I agree with Navy Dood, as far as I know Gabrielle Giffords hasn't ever served in the military

Thirteen ships have been named after living people. Seventeen ships have been named for women. I don't know the statistic on how many have been named for non-military people...

I understand where you're point is coming from Navydood, but please be sure not to place blame on Gabrielle Giffords - as someone already pointed out, SHE didn't name the ship.

[Ladybugsmom]

Originally Posted by GunnyG

A little about CONGRESSWOMAN not SENATOR Giffords. Is it enough to get a ship named after her?...probably not, enough to rant about?...probably not, either.

She won an award from the National Guard Association of the US in 2009. Ms. Giffords is a member of several boards, such as the 162nd Air National Guard Fighter Wing Minuteman Committee. Furthermore, Gabrielle established five community advisory councils with both veterans and active military. Part of the congresswoman’s accessibility to her constituency includes hosting for military academy days—connecting high school students with recruiters from the military academies. Gabrielle Giffords endorsed three military-related acts of Congress: (1) The Combat Troops Tax Relief Act (HR 3808), (2) Improving energy consumption by the armed forces (FY 2010)—National Defense Authorization Act, and (3) Provisions to provide increased access to veterans centers for guardsmen and reservists—the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.

The lady was shot in the face and almost died for Christ's sake. Her husband is a retired Naval Aviator, and astronaut. The only member of our Congress with an active duty, military spouse. Political?..maybe, but no one seemed to want a USS Newt.

Gunny, thanks for sharing more info on Ms. Giffords. She is one tough lady, who deserves respect regardless of our opinions on whether a ship should be named after her.

[Transfusion]

The ships sponsor will be the mother of the 9 year old girl who died in the shooting.
I couldn't understand if all of the victims names will be included in the hull or just some.
Looks like a PT boat on steroids.

[evan]

the LCS is a pretty ridiculous ship for sure.

[L99SS]

I'm betting the reason people feel slighted over this is because of how many other people in this great nation do so much good in their own communities. There are plenty, and how many who do good in their community are shot, are victims of crime, are killed driving to work, but not nearly as applauded as this one?

That, I believe, is why there is some chapping with this decision. Although former Congresswoman Giffords does/did all these things, she was an elected official and survived a serious attempt on her life. Whether one supported her positions on political matters or not, this was her job. Mrs. Giffords was not forced into serving her country, she ran of her own choosing, chose freely to serve, and chose freely to accept whatever risk comes with the job.

The fact an attempt was made on her life is a shocking one; the fact she survived is one of joy and inspiration, but it does not mean we as a nation must gush and woo over her at every possibility.

Let me put what I have just said in perspective:

Countless random people perform commendable acts every day, even risking their own life or well-being, but they don't expect a vessel named after them; they don't look to receive a medal for it; they don't want national recognition for their act. Everytime such a person is asked about it the first thing out of their mouth is, "I did what anybody would do, SHOULD do. I don't deserve a medal or anything. If I had to do it all over again, I would." And they weren't paid a cent for it. Now that is praiseworthy.

[ron10]

i think it falls under the heading called politics.

[2ndgenz28]

cough Jessica Lynch cough

[evan]

Originally Posted by L99SS

I'm betting the reason people feel slighted over this is because of how many other people in this great nation do so much good in their own communities. There are plenty, and how many who do good in their community are shot, are victims of crime, are killed driving to work, but not nearly as applauded as this one?

That, I believe, is why there is some chapping with this decision. Although former Congresswoman Giffords does/did all these things, she was an elected official and survived a serious attempt on her life. Whether one supported her positions on political matters or not, this was her job. Mrs. Giffords was not forced into serving her country, she ran of her own choosing, chose freely to serve, and chose freely to accept whatever risk comes with the job.

The fact an attempt was made on her life is a shocking one; the fact she survived is one of joy and inspiration, but it does not mean we as a nation must gush and woo over her at every possibility.

Let me put what I have just said in perspective:

Countless random people perform commendable acts every day, even risking their own life or well-being, but they don't expect a vessel named after them; they don't look to receive a medal for it; they don't want national recognition for their act. Everytime such a person is asked about it the first thing out of their mouth is, "I did what anybody would do, SHOULD do. I don't deserve a medal or anything. If I had to do it all over again, I would." And they weren't paid a cent for it. Now that is praiseworthy.

What you are referring to is being humble. That, is a dying trait in man-kind.