A proud moment for Alaska unfolded recently in the small port town of Whittier, where the United States Navy commissioned a new destroyer named in honor of the late Senator Ted Stevens, one of Alaska’s most celebrated and consequential public servants.
The commissioning ceremony marked the official entry of the warship into active naval service — a milestone that carries deep meaning for Alaskans who remember Stevens’s decades of dedication to the state. Known affectionately as “Uncle Ted,” Stevens served Alaska in the U.S. Senate for 40 years and was widely credited with securing federal investments that helped build the infrastructure, institutions, and opportunities that Alaskans rely on today.
Whittier, nestled along the shores of Prince William Sound roughly 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, provided a fitting Alaskan backdrop for the ceremony. The town’s deep-water port and dramatic mountain scenery made it a memorable setting for the occasion, which brought together Navy officials, dignitaries, and community members to celebrate both the ship and the man whose name it will carry across the world’s oceans.
Having a U.S. Navy destroyer bear the name of an Alaskan statesman is a rare and significant distinction — a lasting tribute that will keep Senator Stevens’s legacy visible on a global stage for decades to come. For Anchorage residents and Alaskans statewide, the commissioning is a source of genuine pride, a reminder that the contributions of their leaders can be honored in extraordinary ways.
The naming of naval vessels after prominent Americans is a tradition steeped in respect and history, and the USS Ted Stevens joins a distinguished fleet as a symbol of service — much like the senator himself.
Sources: Anchorage Daily News
