USS Freedom Celebrates National Freedom Day
Story Number: NNS090206-02
Release Date: 2/6/2009 7:12:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie Matyascik, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- For most people Feb. 1, is a day like any other. But unknown to many, Feb. 1 is National Freedom Day, a day honoring the outlawing of slavery in the United States.
For Sailors aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1) that makes their current duty station special.
Freedom's Main Propulsion Assistant, Lt. Robert Briggs believes freedom allows us the right to chart our own course in life and to follow our dreams.
"Freedom is for the development of society. People need the ability to follow their dreams, to become what they want," Briggs said. "When people do what they love to do it is only for the betterment of society. Whether it is being a great artist to being a Sailor, you have the freedom to be what you want."
Chief Culinary Specialist Anthony Blackledge who was once stationed aboard a submarine prior to being attached to Freedom likes the similarity of the two types of commands. He also believes freedom is something to fight for.
"I love it. It's a real fun ship and it's a lot like submarines, which is what I was aboard before this," said Blackledge. "Everything we do in the military is for freedom and we go out there and fight and strive for freedom for our families."
The ship's namesake identifies the aspirations of the American people and insures the freedom of the seas and nation.
"I take a lot of pride in serving aboard this ship," said Briggs. "The ship is named after one of the better ideals that we have in the United States which separates us from people who don't have the freedoms that we have in the United States. I think it is cool we serve on a ship that is named after such an ideal."
Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Naomi Jackson, who was born in England and became a naturalized citizen of the United States, is proud to be part of the crew who mans the Freedom.
"My idea of freedom is being able to be myself," said Jackson. "Whether it is the way you talk or the clothes you wear - just to be yourself in society is freedom. It is truly an honor to serve on this ship. Being the first of its class we have made a lot of accomplishments as a ship and as a crew."
The ship is the first of two LCS sea frames being produced. It is being manned by one of two rotational crews, blue and gold, similar to the rotational crews assigned to Trident submarines. The crews will be augmented by one of three mission package crews during focused mission assignments.
Freedom and her crew will be called upon to sail into harm's way and will defend the righteous cause that the ship is named for, insuring the freedom of the seas and nation by protecting our country from enemy threats in the littorals.
