You know how sometimes when you really anticipate something, when the event happens it’s a little less than what you hoped for? Often the hype and anticipation can create expectations that are difficult to meet. That didn’t happen April 12. The USS Zumwalt was christened in a ceremony that was beyond belief.

A bit of background. My son is an officer on this brand new, state of the art ship being built in Bath. She was scheduled to be christened last October but because of the government shutdown, the christening was cancelled and the ship went into the water with no ceremony a few days later. I was blessed to be there that day, on the pier with my son. Fast forward to spring, 2014.

After a brutal winter, April 12 was an absolutely beautiful day. We arrived early for a reception and meet-and-greet with the crew. There was a briefing of how the event was going to go, and a light breakfast. It was nice to socialize with some of the crew, but it was obvious that their minds were elsewhere. Elmo “Bud” Zumwalt was Chief of Naval Operations during part of the Vietnam War and the crew conducted a ceremony for members of the River Boat Crews from that War. They were also recognized at the formal ceremony. That was especially touching as Vietnam era veterans never got a welcome home.

At the appointed time, the crew, families and friends gathered and walked down Washington St. with a police escort to the yard. It was so very special to have our family, Jesse’s wife’s family and my Godfather Parker Laite, all there to celebrate this special day. The Laite and Packard families have been quietly connected back to the days on Bayview St. in Camden. Two very touching things happened as we walked as a group into the event. A young boy in the crowd timidly approached Jesse, and then backed away. At the encouragement of the adults, he came up again, shook Jesse’s hand and thanked him for his service. As we got closer to the seating area, a gentleman asked if Jesse was part of the crew. When Jesse replied “yes” the gentleman shook his hand, wished him well and told him to treat the ship right.

The crowd was huge, but we had seats up front. After the opening ceremonies, they introduced the Captain and brought him to the podium. At that point, the crew began to march in singing ‘Anchors Aweigh.’ It was one of those moments that made you proud to be an American. All the dignitaries were there, and they gave wonderful speeches. Each one seemed to build on what the previous one had to say. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus was the keynote. His comments were very personal about Admiral Zumwalt, his own Navy experience and where the Navy is today.

You would think that after the keynote there would be a few words from the sponsor(s), the actual christening and that would be it. Not on this April afternoon.

“Bud” Zumwalt’s son was the first of the family. He directed his words to the daughter of the captain of the Zumwalt, Captain James Kirk. He remembered sitting in the audience of the christening of the USS Dewey that his father would captain and compared his feelings that day with hers today. Then, he shared his thoughts about the man that would captain the ship named after his dad. He told how he wanted to meet this person and how impressed he was when he had him as a dinner guest in his home.

Larry Berman wrote a book about Admiral Zumwalt and had researched and researched the Admiral to learn all he could about him for his book. Mr. Berman told Jim Zumwalt that Captain Kirk was a lot like his dad. Jim agreed.

Now it was time for Jim’s sisters to speak and they both gave wonderful, heartfelt presentations. Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers addressed the families and spoke of growing up in a Navy family. They moved 40 times in 33 years. The family knows the crew. Ann was the last to speak before the actual christening and as she commented on various members of the crew, she choked up when she mentioned a single mother of two children on the crew, and how her father had championed equal treatment of women and minorities in a time when it was not as accepted as it is today.

The champagne bottles were broken over the DDG1000 number on the bow, “Anchors Aweigh” was played again and the ceremony came to a fitting close.

Nearly every speaker commented on the quality of work and respect that Navy has for BIW. It’s easy to drive over the bridge, glance toward the yard and not understand and appreciate the impact that has on the United States of America. This shipyard in Maine, builds the best ships in the world. The Navy knows it and acknowledged it today, time after time. I’m good with that. If my son is going to sea, he should go to sea on the very best built ships. And he has. Two tours on the USS Winston S. Churchill, and now the USS Zumwalt. History was made that day in Bath and I was blessed to be a part of it.  

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Bill Packard lives in Union and is the founder of BPackard.com.  He is a speaker, author, small business coach and consultant.