NORFOLK, Va. — The crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) held a decommissioning ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, Sept. 16, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) public affairs said in a release.
Plankowners, including the ship’s commissioning commanding officer Capt. Joel Heaton, as well as former crew members, joined hundreds of attendees to celebrate the ship’s distinguished 32-year history of naval service.
“Unique to the Navy, when we serve on a ship, it becomes part of us — I mean who we are, how we act, think and live. Similarly, we all in turn become part of that ship — it is a tremendously powerful legacy. This is most definitely the case with USS Monterey, she is certainly a testament to her excellent crews and she has been ‘rough in battle and ready in peace,'” said Vice Adm. Jim Kilby, deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
“Monterey executed 14 deployments, many availabilities, and as many training cycles. She was modified over her life to continue to be a relevant and a key ship in our fleet. She will leave a great legacy for many years in the future as those who proudly call themselves Monterey Sailors continue to serve our Nation.”
Monterey’s current Commanding Officer, Cmdr. David M. Schaller, spoke of the powerful bond between Sailors and their ships and the lives shaped aboard.
“Nobody joins the Navy to decommission a ship,” said Schaller. “The Monterey crew performed their duties of putting her to rest in the most professional and exemplary manner, honoring her storied history and service to our nation.”
Monterey was built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, and commissioned in Mayport, Florida, June 16, 1990. Monterey’s namesake commemorates the battle fought Sept. 20, 1846, in the war with Mexico.
“She has served her crews and her nation well and rightfully takes her place among the ships that, for well over 200 years, have played an indispensable role in protecting the United States of America and serving her strategic interests across the world,” said Schaller. “This ship and her crews will forever share a legacy that will be felt across the fleet for years to come.”
