Legislature Hosts USS MONTANA Update; Governor Affirms All Crew as Honorary Montanans (posted 4/2/21)

USS MONTANA Update event in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Montana State Capitol on March 31, 2021

Those who serve aboard the USS MONTANA in defense of our nation over her service life are, and will be, honorary Montanans.

That announcement by Governor Greg Gianforte was but one of the powerful take-aways from a special State Capitol event hosted by the Montana State Legislature and its leaders and members on March 31, 2021.

Statewide elected officials and others were present – including Montana submarine veterans – to hear from commanding officer Captain Michael Delaney about the construction and crew training progress toward commissioning of the MONTANA into the Navy fleet early next year. And they were there to honor the young sailors who will take the MONTANA into potentially dangerous places in defense of our nation and our allies.

Montana Senate President Mark Blasdel, who had met crew members and received a MONTANA emblem plaque from them when they visited the Flathead Valley two years ago, coordinated the update event.

In his introduction of Captain Delaney, Governor Gianforte highlighted the high percentage of Montanans from all backgrounds who serve and have served across the military branches. He reminded all of the commitment Montanans have to our veterans.

Of the USS MONTANA, the Governor said that, “…she will always embark with the support of all Montanans.” In addition to the five from various parts of the state who have already been among the crew, he said all who serve aboard her will be honorary Montanans. Said Gianforte to the MONTANA’s Captain Delaney, “May God keep her and your crew safe. May God bless you in all your missions.”

In addition to providing the update on completion of the submarine and the intense training of the crew that can increasingly be done pier-side now, Captain Delaney provided heart-warming examples of the remarkable support the crew is seeing and feeling from Montanans.

We encourage you to witness the event first-hand in the Legislature’s archived recording of the program including the first formal ringing of the USS MONTANA’s Oro y Plata ship’s bell in Big Sky Country — by clicking here.