News release - USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee welcomes U.S. Navy Sailors to the Treasure Valley and Long Valley, Jan. 23-31 2023
Tue Jan 24th, 2023
For the sixth time over the past two years, the USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee will welcome a contingent of the first U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the under-construction USS IDAHO to the Gem State. It is a core mission of our committee to familiarize the sailors with our state and to establish a bond between Idaho’s citizens and the sailors who will take the USS IDAHO to sea as a crucial part of our nation’s military strategy. The USS IDAHO, a Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine under construction in Groton, CT, is scheduled to be christened in 2024 and commissioned into U.S. Navy active duty in 2025. This is the first Navy vessel to be named after Idaho in over 100 years. A committee of Idaho volunteers is working to plan for the warship’s christening and commissioning activities under guidelines set by the Secretary of the Navy. More information on the committee, its goals and activities can be found at https://ussidahocommittee.org/ Visitors to the website will also find a wealth of information about the submarine and its capabilities. During this trip to Idaho, the committee has planned a number of activities for the 6 crew members to include visits to the Idaho Legislature and the McCall Winter Carnival, visits and public receptions with a number of civic organizations as noted below and a snowmobile trip to Burgdorf Hot Springs. Our committee's advisory board chairman, former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, will take part in a number of these events. Public & Media opportunities: The USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee would like to invite Idaho media outlets to cover portions of the sailors’ visit to The Gem State during their visit. - Tuesday, Jan. 24 10 a.m. - Idaho Veterans Cemetery, Boise - Tour of the cemetery, led by Former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. This is not a public event, but reporters are welcome to cover it. It will take place in the cemetery's upper level.
12:30 p.m. - Caldwell High School(This school event is only open to the media, not to the general public)Carrie French memorial assembly - USS IDAHO sailors will honor the memory of Caldwell High School graduate Carrie French during a school assembly. Specialist French, 19, was killed in an improvised explosive device attack on her vehicle convoy in Kirkuk, Iraq in 2005 while she was deployed with the Idaho Army National Guard's 116th Brigade Combat Team. 3:30 p.m. The crew members will attend an event at the Idaho Veterans Garden, 305 W. Belmont St., Caldwell 7:00 p.m. - USS IDAHO Night at the BSU vs. Fresno State basketball game, BSU Campus - Wednesday, Jan. 25,11:00 a.m.: The crew members will be introduced to a session of the Idaho House of Representatives
- Wednesday, Jan. 25
11:30 a.m.: The crew members will be introduced to a session of the Idaho State Senate
7:00 p.m.: USS IDAHO Night at Idaho Steelheads vs. Wichita Thunder Hockey game, Boise The crew members will attend and can be made available for media interviews upon request.
- Thursday Jan. 26 2:00 p.m. - Weiser High School (This school event is only open to the media, not to the general public)The crew members will attend a school assembly to honor World War II submariner ClarkSyme, a Weiser resident who served aboard the USS DACE. - Friday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m.Cascade Post 60 American Legion reception105 E. Mill St., Cascade
- The sailors will arrive at 5 p.m. for a chili feed and will address the Legionnaires at 6 p.m. - Saturday, Jan. 28 noon to 2 p.m.The crew will participate in the McCall Winter Carnival parade. Afterwards, the public is invited to come and meet / greet the USS IDAHO crew at an informal gathering on 2nd Ave. in McCall, between the Chevron station and the Manchester Ice Center.
- Sunday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m.
Ceremonial start of the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge, McCall Activity Barn, 141 Moonridge Dr., McCall
- The crew will participate in this ceremony. The race is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
### About the USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee:- We serve as the state’s agent for the planning, preparation, funding and conduct of traditional and celebratory lay down, christening and commissioning activities under the guidelines of the Secretary of the Navy.- We conduct a statewide outreach of social, informative and educational activities to create the bond between the people of Idaho and those who serve in defense of our great state and nation on the USS IDAHO.- We identify and implement a sustainable program so that the crews of the USS IDAHO, from the first crew to all future crews, see tangible ongoing support from the people of Idaho to the crew and families.More information on the committee, its goals and activities can be found at https://ussidahocommittee.org/ Visitors to the website will also find a wealth of information about the submarine and its capabilities.
