Ms. Birgit Smith -- Ship's Sponsor

Naval tradition holds that every ship entering the United States Navy fleet shall have a sponsor. 

                                            

The ship's sponsor for USS Freedom is Ms. Birgit Smith, widow of Army Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith.  Sgt 1st Class Smith was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the first in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  To learn more about Sgt 1st Class Smith's heroics, go to www.army.mil/medalofhonor/smith.

Ms. Smith's role as ship's sponsor began with her participation in the laying of the keel of Freedom.  See  http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=18629  She wrote her initials on the hull, which were then welded into the ship.

Ms. Smith was also present for the "stepping of the mast" ceremony.  In keeping with Navy tradition, she placed two coins at the base of the mast.  The first was a coin minted from the metal of her and her husband's wedding bands.  The second was Sgt 1st Class Smith's Saint Christopher Medal.

Next, Ms. Smith launch the ship on September 23, 2006 and christened her USS Freedom.  See http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=25737 for story and accompanying photos.

The crowning event for the ship's sponsor is the commissioning.  After the ship has been certified to join the fleet, Ms. Smith will issue the call, "Man our ship and bring her to life."

Until the ship is struck from the registry of the United States Navy, Ms. Smith will continue to be involved in the life of USS Freedom.