The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Vail, CO and the Vail Valley in general, was represented by our own Father Brooks Keith and Deacon Steve Baird at the commissioning of the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford on Saturday, July 22, 2017.
READ FULL STORY IN THE VAIL DAILY JULY 28, 2017
The Commissioning is a time honored tradition which takes place approximately one year following the christening ceremony at the builder’s shipyard. After the ship has completed rigorous testing and sea trials, the shipbuilder then deems the ship capable of performing her designed mission and prepares to join the Fleet. The Commissioning ceremony is attended by heads of state, dignitaries, public officials, crew family members along with supporters of the ship’s namesake. The grand ceremony culminates with raising the commissioning pennant to the masthead and for all purposes of law and tradition, the ship then becomes a United States ship of the line. (Ref: http://www.ussgeraldrfordcommissioning.org)
Deacon Steve was the Supply Officer of the U.S.S. Nathaniel Greene nuclear middle submarine 1968-69.
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- Deacon Steve at the helm of the USS Gerald R. Ford.
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- USS Gerald R Ford’s Chaplain’s Assistant with Deacon Steve and Father Brooks.
