USS IOWA (SSN-797) COMMISSIONING COMMITTEE

THE CHRISTENING AND COMMISSIONING CEREMONIES FOR A NAVY SHIP ARE LONG-STANDING AND REVERED TRADITIONS THAT PROMOTE PATRIOTISM AMONG THOSE WHO ATTEND AND DEMONSTRATES TO THE CREW OF THE VESSEL THAT THE PUBLIC APPRECIATES THE GREAT SACRIFICES THEY MAKE TO DEFEND OUR NATION. A COMMISSIONING CEREMONY IS COSTLY, AND CONGRESS ONLY PROVIDES VERY LIMITED FUNDS FOR BASICS SUCH AS BUNTING, ATTENDEE STANDS AND BUS TRANSPORTATION FROM A LOCAL HOTEL TO THE CEREMONY. TO GIVE THE CREW AND THE PUBLIC THE PROPER CEREMONY, THE COMMITTEE MUST RAISE THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO ORGANIZE VARIOUS EVENTS SUPPORTING THE CEREMONY AND THE ACCOMPANYING CELEBRATIONS. DONATED FUNDS ARE USED TO PURCHASE ITEMS FOR THE CREW THAT ARE NOT SUPPLIED BY THE NAVY, SUCH AS EXERCISE AND ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT TO BE USED BY THE CREW WHILE AT SEA, AND OTHER AMENITIES THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE CREW AS THEY ENDURE MONTHS AT SEA IN CLOSE QUARTERS, AND AWAY FROM HOME AND THEIR LOVED ONES, IN DEFENSE OF OUR NATION. FUNDS ARE ALSO USED FOR PLAQUES AND OTHER EMBLEMATICS AND MEMORABILIA THAT HONOR THE CREW FOR BEING 'PLANK OWNERS', WHICH ARE THE FIRST CREW MEMBERS TO MAN THE SHIP. ADDITIONALLY, SOME OF THESE FUNDS ARE USED TO HELP ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT THE COMMAND'S FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP TO PROVIDE ASSETS/RESOURCES TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE CREW THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. DONATED FUNDS ARE USED TO DEFER THE COSTS OF BRINGING CREW MEMBERS BACK TO IOWA TO PARTICIPATE IN INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP EVENTS SUCH AS THE IOWA STATE FAIR, IRISH FEST, VETERAN'S AND MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES AND RAGBRAI (THE REGISTER'S ANNUAL GREAT BIKE RIDE ACROSS IOWA) TO INCREASE AWARENESS AMONG THE CITIZENS OF IOWA REGARDING THE NAVY AND USS IOWA; CREATING A LIFELONG BOND BETWEEN THE CITIZENS OF IOWA AND THE CREW THAT WILL MAN THEIR NAMESAKE U.S. NAVY VESSEL, AND; TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) SUBJECTS IN EDUCATING OUR YOUTH.