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It's hard to beat someone who never gives up, and that was Ted Stevens.
In 2026, America will see the most powerful warship of our time, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, commission into the U.S. Navy fleet as the “Ted Stevens.” The ship will be part of the backbone of a navy powerful enough to keep the peace in the world. The ship's namesake, legendary Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, is widely regarded as the greatest leader in the state's history.
On August 19, 2023, the pre-commissioning unit USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) was christened in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The U.S. Navy considers the ship to be the most advanced and powerful warship in the world. Incoming Commander Capt. Mary Katie Hayes said, “The greatness of this ship is worthy of the greatness of its namesake, Captain Ted Stevens.”
The commissioning ceremony marks one of the most significant ceremonial milestones in the ship's life as it officially joins the U.S. Navy's active fleet and transitions from a ship bearing a hull number to a ship bearing the name and spirit of USS Ted Stevens. The Navy will select a host port community for the event in the coming months.
Ted Stevens was born on November 18, 1923. He died in a plane crash in southwest Alaska in 2010. His life was marked by storms and tragedies, but through it all he had an unmatched reserve of sustained, unwavering courage that united the country for Alaska statehood and the advancement of our people.
It is a flaw that haunts us, as we often forget the debt of gratitude to those who came before us for their achievements and sacrifices that ensure our common interests today. Without a doubt, the USS Ted Stevens will carry on “Uncle Ted's” honored legacy for generations of Americans to come.
Mr. Stevens has greatly benefited America and his home state of Alaska through his work as a World War II aviator, Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, U.S. Attorney for the Territory of Alaska, a passionate advocate for Alaska statehood, a U.S. Department of the Interior attorney, and a U.S. Senator for more than 40 years. His groundbreaking legislative achievements are unmatched in scope and importance.
These include the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which created today's powerful Alaska Native corporations; Title IX, which bans gender discrimination in federally funded institutions; the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Act, which would harness Alaska's vast oil resources to contribute to our nation's energy security; the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, which created the 200-mile limit that allowed the United States to end the exploitation of our fishing resources by foreign fleets; and the creation of the United States Olympic Committee.
Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan recently commented that Ted Stevens shaped or enabled most of the everyday events that matter to Alaskans. Yes, he was a great man. It is no wonder that the official motto of the USS Ted Stevens is “Lead with Courage.”
Ted Stevens recognized for our nation the strategic role Alaska plays in the Arctic and that understanding the Arctic is key to our national security. In 2022, the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies will open at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where America will train the next generation of Arctic leaders, conduct research focused on U.S. security interests in the Arctic, and build important domestic and international partnerships.
Today, Alaska is recognized as the sentinel for our nation's western and northern gateways, with 332 million Americans depending on Alaska for their safety and survival. It is only fitting that the flag of the USS Ted Stevens, carrying the spirit of its namesake, hoists high out to sea, demonstrating that America's vitality and vitality are intact, our resolve is strong, and our perseverance is enduring.
The Navy does not have the authority or funds to hold the traditional celebrations surrounding a ship's commissioning ceremony, so this unique commissioning ceremony is being funded entirely through donations to the USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee, a non-profit organization created for this purpose. The committee invites all individuals, groups and organizations who wish to honor the ship and crew of the USS Ted Stevens to support this once-in-a-lifetime commissioning ceremony. This indomitable spirit of man is embodied in this ship and calls us to honor the men and women who fought for Alaska, protected America, and served our country.
Chuck Kopp and Shelley Currie are Alaska natives and public policy consultants and mediators. They serve on the board of the USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee. For more information on how to donate, volunteer or support the commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens, please visit https://usstedstevens.org.
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