Crowds Gather for Commissioning of USS Mississippi

A cannon salute breaks the air during the June 2 commissioning of the USS Mississippi nuclear attack submarine at the Port of Pascagoula. More than 7,500 people attended the ceremony, which was delayed about 30 minutes to accommodate the tremendous crowd at the event.

Rocky Wood, Ron Elias and John Codella set up equipment for residents at Pascagoula River Park to hear the broacast of today's commissioning of the USS Mississippi. Good eyes, binoculars, long-lens cameras and video closeups made the viewing from Pascagoula River's east bank possible. Residents listened to WPMP 1580, and two other radio stations also broadcast the ceremony.

The U.S. Coast Guard had a continuous patrol at the Port of Pascagoula on the west bank of the Pascagoula River during the ceremony to commission the 377-foot-long nuclear attack submarine USS Mississippi, the ninth of the Virginia class. The 7,800 ton vessel arrived at the port May 25 to much fanfare and several thousand people at Pascagoula River Park.

Residents came early for the ceremony that started about a half hour late because of a back-up in traffic. The commission ceremony lasted more than 90 minutes, including numerous military and local and state officials including Gov. Phil Bryant and former Gov. Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy, who commissioned the vessel.

Ruth Bellman, right, and her family attended the ceremony. She, her daughter Arleen Schaefer and her husband Jack Schaefer and their Michael Schaefer found a wall spot during the morning heat that reached 81 degrees by the time the ceremony ended.

Ruth Bellman, 83, said, "I haven't been to a commissioning before. I thought this would be a good time to come since this is the (USS) Mississippi."

Ray Campbell of Moss Point and Annie Magee of Mobile said they attend a number of military and community events, such as ship christenings at Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard. "I just enjoy coming out to celebrations," he said. "Most times we go over to the west bank, but we didn't do that this time."

The crowd at Pascagoula River Park today place hands over hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance during today's ceremony for the $2 billion nuclear attack submarine, which was later manned and "brought to life." The submarine was built by General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn., and a partnership with Huntington Ingalls Industries in New Port News, Va.

The 377-foot long USS Mississippi submarine was draped in red, white and blue at the Port of Pascagoula for its June 2 commissioning.

Police detectives Lamar Underwood and Kim Stevens blend make themselves blend into the crowd while working their shift for the commissioning of the USS Mississippi this Saturday.

The crew of the USS Mississippi take their place atop the $2 billion submarine. The submarine is scheduled to leave Pascagoula on Monday, returning to Port Canaveral, Fla., where it will remain until it receives a homeport.

The more than 7,500 residents who attended the ceremony on the west bank of the Pascagoula River were invited to spend time with the crew, local and state officials, and military personnel following the commissioning. Some 400 family members of the submarine's crew attended the ceremony this Saturday morning. The USS Mississippi is the fifth ship to carry the state's name.

USS Mississippi Comes to Pascagoula Port

PASCAGOULA -- Angie Guy of Hurley and her family were too late for the celebration with the crowd who had gathered at Pascagoula River Park to see the USS Mississippi arrive at the Port of Pascagoula on Friday. The submarine had arrived more than an hour earlier than expected.

Still, she and her daughter, Carrie Allred of Columbia, Miss., were happy to see the sea ship docked across the river. "I was very excited to see this," said Guy.

"We brought my grandchildren to see this," said Guy, who said their attendance was for posterity. They picked up some posters provided by sponsoring corporations and photographs of the submarine.

"This is history," the grandmother said. "They are fixing to commission this USS Mississippi. It can go and be a hero. This is a once in a lifetime thing for me."

Allred had brought her children and those of her brother in Pascagoula to see the underwater ship --Logan Allred, Sawyer Allred, Hunter Guy and Fisher Guy. Angie Guy said she really hated they missed the arrival of the submarine.

"We found out this morning they were doing this and we decided to come down," said Carrie Allred.

Memorial Day Celebrations, Observations

Dotsie Fountain with Harold Jones VFW Post 2132 displays buddy poppies given to residents visiting Wayne Lee's Grocery and Market in Pascagoula today. Fountain said the poppies were free but donations were accepted to help with veterans. Sunday marks Memorial Day, when the country remembers military personnel who died in American wars and conflicts.

Dotsie Fountain said, "We can't do nothing overseas, we are doing it here. She and others, including 12-year-olds Breeauna Young and K'Leigh Young, spent Friday at Wayne Lee's Grocery in Pascagoula giving out buddy poppies to help raise money for veterans in honor of Memorial Day.

Jane Smith, Jason Achee and Shay Smith spent Friday morning at Pascagoula River Park waiting the arrival of the USS Mississippi submarine at the Port of Pascagoula. "It was a great experience," said Jane Smith. The arrival of the submarine, built at Huntington Ingalls Industries, was one of many activities this Memorial Day weekend.