The ship’s sponsor Michelle Sterett Bernson gave the first order, “Man our ship and bring her to life!”
DDG-104 is commissioned during a 7 p.m. EST ceremony in Baltimore, MD, at the South Locust Point Marine Terminal.
The commissioning of a ship is an act or ceremony of placing a ship on active service. The ceremonies involved are rooted in centuries old naval tradition.
Picture of the Sterett Family at the Commissioning of DDG-104 August 9, 2008. Left to right – Greg Sterett (Diane’s son), Kent Sterett (Diane’s husband), Diane Sterett (Matron of Honor), Jeff (Diane’s son), April (Diane’s daughter-in-law), Ryan (Diane’s son), Zach (Diane’s son-in-law), Michelle (Ship’s Sponsor), and Amelia (Michelle and Zach’s daughter who was christened on DDG-104).
Commissioning Ceremony Programme – donated by John King (LTJG, 68-71)