Norfolk, virginia. It is the first of a new class of Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier. Ships company, attention. Will the guests please rise and remain standing for the arrival of our platform guests. Military honors to the president of the United States, our National Anthem, and the invocation. We welcome and thank the United States Fleet Forces Band and the naval station norfolk saluting gunnery for assisting us today. Ladies and gentlemen, our platform guests. Commander steven barstow, chaplain corps, United States navy, our ships chaplain. Ms. Maryellen baldwin, president and ceo, Hampton Roads navy league. Mr. Greg willard, white house staff assistant to president ford and commissioning committee cochairman. Mr. Byron cavaney, commissioning committee cochairman. Mr. Douglas devos, committee cochairman. From Huntington Ingalls shipbuilding, mr. Matthew mulherin, who most recently served as president of Newport News Shipbuilding. Rear admiral bruce lindsey, United States navy, comma
The festivities kicked off with the annual flag raising ceremony, representing NATO's 30 member nations, while the United States Fleet Forces Band performed, demonstrating strength and diversity.
A local favorite, the Virginia International Tattoo, runs April 28 through May 1. It is returning to Scope in Norfolk with international military bands, pomp and circumstance.
"Well, it's an extraordinary and delightful experience, once again, to be downtown Norfolk with NATO celebrating the fantastic partnership we have with the city," said Vice Admiral Paul Bennett, Chief of Staff to Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.