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Oct 14, 2024

USS Constitution underway, celebrates Independence Day | Norfolk Navy Flagship | militarynews.com

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. USS Constitution and its crew got underway from the ship's berthin Charlestown, Mass., July 4 to celebrate the United States'independence. Constitution's second underway of 2011 is

CHARLESTOWN, Mass.

USS Constitution and its crew got underway from the ship's berthin Charlestown, Mass., July 4 to celebrate the United States'independence.

Constitution's second underway of 2011 is one of the last majorevents of Boston Harborfest, June 29 to July 4.

"For nearly 214 years, Constitution has been serving our nationin one capacity or another," said Cmdr. Tim Cooper, Constitution's71st commanding officer. "Today, her job is one of education andoutreach. As part of that, we're excited to take the ship out intothe harbor to recognize our great nation."

The USO Liberty Bells kicked the underway off by singing the"Star-Spangled Banner." They later also recognized the 70thanniversary of the USO. The ship then departed pier-side at 11 a.m.with 552 guests, including the 2011 lottery winners inattendance.

Constitution officially opened its lottery program to the publicfor the first time in three years Feb. 1.

"I feel really lucky to have won," said Ray Darnell, whotraveled from Needham Market, England. "I think it's got to be anexperience of a lifetime, and unfortunately, we [British Royalnavy] didn't manage to take the ship back from you [referring tothe War of 1812].

"The ship is well maintained and is a credit to the U.S. Navy.We've also been very well looked after by the crew."

Sailors then began teaching guests about "Old Ironsides'"history. At 12 p.m. they performed a 21-gun salute near FortIndependence on Castle Island. Fort Independence is a state parkthat served as a defense post for Boston Harbor at one time.

Sailors performed a final 17-gun salute to the city of Bostonnear Coast Guard Station Boston and returned pier-side at 2p.m.

"This was my last underway aboard this great ship," said Yeoman1st Class (SCW) Chrishinda Dobbs, who will transfer to a differentcommand. "Doing it on the Fourth of July couldn't conclude myexperience here any better. I've learned so much, and it's amazinghow every time this ship goes out just how proud she makes people.They never forget her history. She really is special, and I will besad to leave her."

Harborfest is a six-day Fourth of July festival that showcasesthe colonial and maritime heritage of Boston. The festival strivesto honor and remember the past, celebrate the present and educatethe future with reenactments, concerts and historical tours.

Constitution Sailors have been performing 17th century-eraboarding pike and gun drills in the Charlestown Navy Yard sinceHarborfest began. They also hosted their annual Sunset Parade July1.

Additionally, Constitution's color guard will perform in theannual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at Boston's Hatch Shell atapproximately 8:30 p.m.

Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Bostonand is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomesmore than 500,000 visitors a year.

For more information on Constitution, visitwww.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution orhttp://www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial.

For more news from USS Constitution, visitwww.navy.mil/local/constitution/.

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Partly cloudy skies. High near 75F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Clear skies. Low 49F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.

Updated: October 14, 2024 @ 6:43 am

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