a ship named for Alaska

Alaska is about to host a Navy commissioning ceremony for the first time in over a decade. A guided-missile destroyer is heading toward its official commissioning in Whittier later this year, and it carries a name that means something in this state.

A Navy advance team is already on the ground in Alaska, preparing for the ceremony. When it happens, it'll be held at the cruise ship dock in Whittier, a location chosen for its military history and its connection to Alaska. The exact date hasn't been announced yet.

The ship is named for Ted Stevens, who served Alaska in the United States Senate for 40 years. He was known for his military service, his role in Alaska statehood, and his decades of work on the Armed Services Committee. For a lot of Alaskans, that name is personal.

The commissioning ceremony runs about 90 minutes. It ends with the ship's sponsor calling on the crew to man the ship and bring her to life. Navy officials say that moment, the run aboard, is one of the most powerful in military ceremony.

A limited number of Alaskans will be able to attend, and sign-up information hasn't been released yet. The last time a Navy ship was commissioned in Alaska was 2013. For a state that's always had a close relationship with the military, watching a destroyer named for one of our senators come to life in our waters is something worth paying attention to.