Dear Neighbor,
It was a very enjoyable, humbling experience to attend last weekend’s commissioning of the USS Minnesota in Norfolk, Va.
This submarine is an incredible machine and is hailed as the Navy’s most modern warship. It is equipped with its own nuclear reactor and can house a crew of 135 for months at a time without resurfacing. Weighing 7,800 tons and stretching 377 feet, the USS Minnesota can reach more than 800 feet underwater and travel at more than 25 knots in submersion. It took five years to build, at a cost of around $2 billion.
The USS Minnesota is a tribute to our state and I was proud to be on hand for its commissioning, especially as a Navy veteran. Minnesota hasn’t had a Navy warship named after it since 1907, so it truly was a once-in-a-lifetime – or even better – experience.
A blog has been created with more photos and information about the USS Minnesota and the commissioning event. There is even a 1905 photo of the last USS Minnesota, a BB-22 battleship. Click here to see more.
Also, a fantastic USA Today video of our Navy’s new submarine in action is available at this link.
Good luck,
Jeff
P.S. As I mentioned in a previous email, I paid my own expenses on this trip.