Hi everyone; this is Kevin. Today is Thursday, May 26th.
As we head into Memorial Day weekend, and the unofficial start of summer, I hope you’ll all have the chance to relax with family and friends. I also hope you’ll take the time to honor those who have fallen in service to our country.
The freedoms we enjoy were fought for and earned by men and women who put country before self, by those who lost their lives fighting to establish our nation and the successive generations who fought to protect it. Whether at one of the many ceremonies taking place across the region, or in a few moments of personal reflection, I hope you will acknowledge our freedom with gratitude and sincerity this Memorial Day.
Remember, that as an Electric Boat shipbuilder, you play a critical role in protecting our nation’s submariners. The work you do every day ensures our sailors can successfully execute their missions and return home safely to their families. I’m proud to be a shipbuilder, and I hope you feel that same sense of pride. When we work as a team and commit to excellence every day, we’re united in our mission to give our submariners every unfair advantage we can so that they stay safe and equipped to defend freedom the world over.
This Saturday I’ll take part in the commissioning ceremony for USS Oregon, the 21st and newest ship of the Virginia class. As always, it will be an honor to represent all of you at this event, and I feel the pride that comes with seeing such an extraordinary machine, really a technological wonder, join our nation’s fleet. I know you do too. Navy leadership has been clear—the fleet needs her, and the multiple ships you are building today in the face of consistent threats from our adversaries around the globe.
Thank you for the work you do each day to defend our nation and for honoring the memory of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll talk again soon.
