I am pleased and excited to announce that the U.S. Navy has formally selected Saturday, November 21, 2015, as the date of the commissioning of the USS Milwaukee (LCS-5). On this date, the U.S. Navy will commission the 5th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) of the Freedom Class of modern warships in Veteran’s Park on the Milwaukee lakefront.
The commissioning ceremony celebrates the Navy’s official act of placing USS Milwaukee in active fleet service. The formal commissioning ceremony is rooted in century’s old naval tradition. It is an exciting event to hear the ship’s sponsor give the first order to the ship's company: "Man our ship and bring her to life!" The picture below depicts the commissioning of the USS Freedom (LCS-1) on the Milwaukee lakefront in 2008.
USS Milwaukee was launched in December 2013 and is currently undergoing comprehensive testing in an underway evolution referred to as “sea trials.” She is in the process of completing her final outfitting and will begin her transit down to Milwaukee from Marinette, Wisconsin, in mid-November.
We now have a date for the great event and it will not be long before the City of Milwaukee is burgeoning with Navy dignitaries, sailors, and guests. The ceremony will bring over 15,000 people to Milwaukee’s lakefront. It will provide abundant opportunity for corporations, small businesses, individuals, and institutions to collaborate and support the Great Lake’s naval legacy and our City and State’s important role in maritime technological advances. Most importantly we can show the world the support that the State of Wisconsin and the City of Milwaukee’s gives to our US Navy and the sailors that make her the world’s greatest Navy, projecting force and defending our freedom across the world.
This memorable celebration will only be achieved through your generosity. I ask that you please aid in the sponsorship of this important event. It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your support for our military personnel and the great people of the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin.
Information is included highlighting ways you can directly support the U.S. Navy’s Commissioning of USS Milwaukee. Please contact me directly at dirk@msigeneral.com or Alan Perlstein our Resource Development Action Team Leader at aperlstein@m-werc.org with any questions you may have about your contribution. Thank you in advance for your commitment and generosity.