The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor will host Indiana’s first Navy vessel commissioning ceremony for the new littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis on Oct. 26.
The commissioning of USS Indianapolis marks the fourth time a Navy ship will bear the name of Indiana’s capital city, according to a statement from The Ports of Indiana.
Previous ships named USS Indianapolis date back to World War I. The last USS Indianapolis ship was SSN-697, which was decommissioned in 1998.
“As governor and as a veteran of the United States Navy, it is a great honor to celebrate and commemorate the lives of all who have served on the first three Indianapolis ships,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb. “The USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) will be a proud representation of the spirit of service embodied in the lives those of us who have called Indiana and Indianapolis our home.”
USS Indianapolis (LCS17), a Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), was built in Marinette, Wis. by Fincantieri Marinette Marine for Lockheed Martin.
“Commissioning a new Indianapolis ship represents our capital city, our state, as well as all of the previous sailors that have served on Indianapolis,” said Ray Shearer, chairman of the USS Indianapolis Commissioning Committee. “This will truly be an once-in-a-lifetime event that will give the general public an opportunity to see and experience an historic celebration.”
Anyone interested in attending the USS Indianapolis’ commissioning can find more information online at http://ussindianapolislcs17.org.
The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor opened in 1970 and is operated by Ports of Indiana, a statewide port authority, which operates three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan.
