Supporting the Sea Services The Navy League has grown from its roots to become the foremost citizens’ organization to serve, support, and stand with all U.S. sea services – the Navy, Marine Corps, the Coast Guard and the U.S. Flag Merchant Marine. Decade after decade, the Navy League has demonstrated its leadership in advocating superior sea power to safeguard U.S. national security, protect American economic interests, and ensure freedom of the seas.

Our Mission
• To support the men and women of the sea services and their families
• To support policies and legislation that strengthen the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the U.S. Merchant Marines
• To educate and motivate U.S. citizens about naval matters
• To educate government officials on important naval issues

Founded in 1902, the Navy League supports a strong U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Merchant Marine as integral parts of a sound national defense. Through a number of programs, the Navy League educates and informs the American people about sea power in the nuclear age, work to better the conditions under which members of the sea services live and serve, supports the Reserve Forces and educations our youth in the customs and traditions of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Merchant Marine through the means of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Along with many other programs supporting the sea services, the Navy League sponsors commissionings, which are not funded by the U.S. defense budget, of warships such as USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

Christening and commissioning are two very different ceremonies. Once a vessel is christened with the traditional champagne, she slides down into the water and enters the final phases of construction. After the vessel has completed rigorous testing and sea trials, the shipbuilder then deems the ship capable of performing her design mission and prepared to join the fleet. Attended by heads of state, dignitaries, public official and media, the grand commissioning ceremony culminates with raising the commissioning pennant to the masthead. For all purposes of law and tradition, the vessel then becomes a United States Ship. The Commanding Officer and crew come aboard and are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining and operating their ship in peacetime and under conditions of war. This time honored tradition for a crewmember, to be pronounced a plankowner of a newly commissioned ship is a distinct honor and privilege. In late 2008, the U.S. Navy will commission the second aircraft carrier named for a living president. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). When this ship joins the fleet, it will be the most modern, sophisticated and technologically advanced aircraft carrier in the world. We welcome you to be part of history in the making along with honoring the Forty-First President of the United States, George H.W. Bush and Crew.