CLEVELAND — Throughout history, four U.S. Navy ships have borne the name USS Cleveland. The latest is still being built in Wisconsin with the goal of being commissioned here in Cleveland in 2024.
The Cleveland, designated as Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 31, will be the next in the line of Lockheed Martin's Freedom-variant class. Lockheed Martin describes the LCS as "a resilient, flexible warship, designed from the keel up to affordably take on new capabilities including advanced sensors, missiles and cutting-edge cyber systems. Its speed, strength and versatility make it a critical tool to help sailors achieve their missions."
Once the USS Cleveland is commissioned, the warship will head south to Mayport, Florida to join Littoral Combat Ship Squadron TWO.
While we wait for the USS Cleveland to make her maiden voyage, the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation is steering the effort to support the ship and her crew by providing "Welcome Aboard" sea bags, sponsoring a sailor during their tour of duty, hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the crew and their families, and sending care packages to the ship when she's deployed.
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Forrest Faison, who is from Rocky River, applauds the effort.
"Because we know if we take care of the crew and show them what a great place Cleveland and Northeast Ohio is to live, then they'll come back here when they finish their military service," Adm. Faison tells 3News' Monica Robins.
Admiral Faison spoke at NEOMED on Thursday about veterans affairs. He hopes Northeast Ohio gets behind the effort to help the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation achieve their goals. One of those goals is also to have the ship return to Cleveland upon her retirement from active Naval service to serve as a memorial and museum to honor all U.S. Navy vessels that have carried the name Cleveland.
Click here to find out more about the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation and how you can help by making a donation.
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