'Integrity at the helm'
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew J. Sneeringer Sailors man the rails of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during its commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Ford is the lead ship of the Ford-class aircraft carriers, and the first new U.S. aircraft carrier designed in 40 years.
Courtesy photo Donal and Cheryl Kirby, of Athol, flank their son, Shawn Kirby, while attending the commissioning ceremony for the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier. Shawn, a 2015 Timberlake High School graduate, serves aboard the ship.
By EDWARD LUNDQUIST
Special to The Press
A Navy man from Athol is serving aboard the U.S. fleet’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, which was commissioned on Saturday at Norfolk, Va.
Master-at-Arms Seaman Shawn Kirby, the son of Donal and Cheryl Kirby of Athol, is one of 2,800 crewmembers aboard the ship. He serves in the security department.
President Donald Trump addressed more than 10,000 people who attended Saturday’s commissioning ceremony.
“Wherever this vessel cuts through the horizon, our allies will rest easy and our enemies will shake with fear because everyone will know that America is coming and America is coming strong,” Trump said. “Our true strength is our people. Our greatest weapon is all of you. Our nation endures because we have citizens who love America and who are willing to fight for America.”
Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley recalled President Theodore Roosevelt, who used to say, “Walk softly, and carry a big stick.”
Stackley then turned to Trump and said, “Mr. President, I present you with a big stick.”
An aircraft carrier has often been described as a small city with a fire department, hospital, police department, electricity and telecommunications utilities, a gym, 7-11 and Starbucks. And this city, the USS Gerald R. Ford, will have an airport — a pretty busy airport. It’s different from a normal city because this one will go to sea for months, travel around the world and will always be prepared for any contingency, including combat, that may be required by the nation and the U.S. Navy.
Kirby, a 2015 graduate of Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake, received training as a master-at-arms. MAs provide security and physical protection for servicemembers; conduct patrols; man entry control points; conduct waterborne security patrol and interdiction operations; provide protective service to high ranking dignitaries and government officials; conduct investigations and crime prevention programs. The Gerald R. Ford’s security department constitutes the ship’s self-defense force.
“I could not be more proud of Ford sailors and the effort and skill they have put into getting this warship ready for delivery to the fleet,” said Capt. Richard McCormack, the ship’s commanding officer. “The role of plankowner is an important one. Getting a ship ready for service is a challenging business, and it is a challenge Ford Sailors have risen to meet head-on. No matter where they go in their career, they will always remember the experience and teamwork that goes into going from a Pre-Commissioning Unit to a United States Ship.”
And for the crew of Gerald R. Ford, they have higher purpose because of the constant inspiration provided by the ship’s namesake, the 38th president of the United States. The ship’s motto is “Integrity at the Helm.”
Capt. McCormack said the motto means “taking care of, and looking out for, our shipmates.”
“It is at the forefront of all that we do,” said Capt. McCormack. “It means that we operate — both in and out of uniform — with great character, that we do not take the easy way out, and that we make an ongoing commitment to give our best in all that we do. “
“I’m very proud of my ship, and to serve as a member of this crew,” Kirby said.
The Ford maintains a crew of 2,600 sailors and cost $13 billion to build.
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Edward Lundquist lives in Springfield, Va. His cousin, Donal Kirby of Athol, is Shawn Kirby’s father.