Houston Chronicle
January 4, 2007
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Navy will name its next aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in honor of the president who was laid to rest Wednesday in his home town of Grand Rapids, Mich., officials said.
The Navy had not planned to make the announcement yet, but Donald H. Rumsfeld, the former defense secretary who served in the Ford administration, divulged the news during his eulogy at the funeral.
"How fitting it would be that the name Gerald R. Ford will patrol the high seas for decades to come in defense of the nation he loved so much," he said.
Later at the Pentagon the Navy confirmed that it would make an official announcement "in a few weeks." It said it was still working on details of the ceremony with members of the Ford family.
Ford served in the Navy during World War II.

Rest in Peace, President Ford.

Considering his service history, naming the next carrier after him makes sense.

when you're getting a ship named for you, that means you had an impact on the world.

RIP President Ford.

Damn shame if you ask me, all these new Carriers named after Republicans, one after the other.

And now starts my rant.....

Ronald Reagan said he was legally blind just to get out of Combat Duty during World War II, was never in the United States Navy, and he's got a Carrier named after him.
George Bush Sr. was a Navy Flier, good choice on the USS Bush, only trouble is the guy is still alive, the Navy should have waited until after he was in the ground awhile.
And now the USS Ford?
Sure, President Ford was in the Navy, but the man was never Elected President, or Vice President.
Meanwhile, The USS Kennedy is due to retire, that former President will no doubt need another Aircraft Carrier named after him, once the Democrats are in total control that is.
As a matter of fact, I can't wait to see all the Dem Presidents Ships come out once the Democrats regain total control of Washington D.C..
And watch the Republicans bitch about it, like they did with President Carter getting a measly Sub named after him, even though Carter was a Submariner, and elected to office, even though the Navy should have waited until after Carter was in the ground before naming a Sub after him.

Hell, come to think about it, not only Ships, but all new Government Buildings, and renaming all the Airports and such after todays Democrats, it is going to be one hell of a ride.

What ever happened to names like America and Independence?

I still say the naming of carriers after famous earlier navy vessels was a better system.

I knew they would name the first CVN 21 Class after a president, (little sooner than I expected)

Just think, Super Hornets, Ospreys, and Lighting ll s will be seen on new flight decks everywhere.

Originally Posted by masterblaster

I still say the naming of carriers after famous earlier navy vessels was a better system.

I agree, as there are plenty of proud names of Carriers to choose from.

LANGLEY (CV 1)
ESSEX (CV 9)
YORKTOWN (CV 10)
INTREPID (CV 11)
HORNET (CV 12)
TICONDEROGA (CV 14)
LEXINGTON (CV 16)
BUNKER HILL (CV 17)
WASP (CV 18 )
INDEPENDENCE (CVL 22)
VALLEY FORGE (CV 45)
UNITED STATES (CVA 58 )
SARATOGA (CVA 60)
RANGER (CVA 61)
INDEPENDENCE (CVA 62)
CONSTELLATION (CVA 64)
America (CVA 66)

Just to name a few.

Although I am not a US citizen, and therefore ineligible to comment on US related posts on this International Forum according to some civilian posters, I too would be saddened to see no Aircraft Carrier named after the great John F. Kennedy.

Regarding Ronald Reagan, whatever his faults in youth he perhaps more than made up for them as Commander-in-Chief and the evidence for that is perhaps two landslide Presidential election victories of well over 50 per cent of the popular vote.

Lastly, I thought the Democrats were in control of Washington DC - Marion Barry's current successor the Honourable Adrian Fenty.

I hope they dont name all of the Future CVN 21 sister ships after presidents, a few sure, but, not all.

They should hold generel selections or something for the Navy, like a large vote box on every naval vessle or something.

Or have service men and women write in names.

And then go from there.

I think we are due for another USS Enterprise.