Dr. Jill Biden Sponsors and Christens the USS Gabrielle Giffords

On Saturday in Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Jill Biden took part in the christening ceremony for the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10). The ship is named after former Congresswoman and Navy spouse Gabby Giffords. In the words of Dr. Jill Biden, Gabby is part of “an incredible military family, who gives true meaning to the ideals of honor, courage, and commitment.” Dr. Biden, a proud military mom herself, was asked to be the ship’s sponsor. 

Dr. Jill Biden breaks a champagne bottle across the bow of the future USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10) during the ship's christening ceremony held Saturday, June 13, at the Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, AL. Watching Dr. Biden christen the ship are, from left: Mr. Craig Perciavalle, President, Austal USA; CAPT Mark Kelly, USN (Ret); and his wife and the ship's namesake, the Honorable Gabrielle Giffords, former U.S. Representative, Arizona's 8th District. June 13, 2015. (Official White House Photo by SSGC Public Affairs Officer David Stoltz)

In her remarks at the christening ceremony, Dr. Biden reflected on the inspiring nature of Gabby Giffords in her ability to overcome adversity and her refusal “to let tragedy overshadow the ideals that define her.” Dr. Biden said Gabby “represents the same qualities the Navy embodies.” Noting that, “wherever the USS Gabrielle Giffords travels—the world will know it is unrelenting, it is unstoppable, and it is the full definition of a patriotism that defines the greatest, most powerful country in the world.”

Dr. Biden also commended the brave men and women who serve with distinction in the Navy for their sacrifice and resilience. With that, Dr. Biden recognized what an honor it is to “sail with you… and to be your shipmate for life. I am deeply committed to serving all of you as well as you serve our country each and every day. May the USS Gabrielle Giffords and our Navy family who are associated with her, forever sail with fair winds and following seas.”

The future USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10) is moored at the dock awaiting the start of the ceremony to mark its christening on Saturday, June 13, at Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, AL. June 13, 2015. (by SSGC Public Affairs Officer David Stoltz.)

The USS Gabrielle Giffords is the sixteenth U.S. Navy ship to be named for a woman and the thirteenth since 1850 to be named for a living person. The ship is expected to be delivered to the Littoral Combat fleet by 2017.