Fellow Shipbuilders,
Today we remember September 11, 2001 – a moment in time that changed us as people and as a nation forever. It was a day we saw firsthand the courage of fellow Americans and the tenacious resolve of our nation. As we reflect upon the challenges of that day, we should also reflect upon our mission and how our resolve as shipbuilders has the power to affect the future on a global scale.
Building ships for our country isn’t just a job. On any day, it is a commitment to purpose, an adventure, or a terrific frustrating puzzle to solve. However, every day, it is one of the most rewarding and powerful ways to serve our individual purposes for the much greater and farther-reaching good.
What we do here at Newport News Shipbuilding makes a difference, and if we do not do it, our world may very likely change. We saw this play out immediately following the attacks in 2001 as our ships – USS George Washington (CVN 73) and the first USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) – were positioned to defend millions of Americans in response to the attacks. As shipbuilders, we don’t back down from the fight. As our first responders run toward the danger, so must we rise to the challenge in front of us to ensure our nation is ready for whatever may come.
Please take a moment today to remember the civilians and first responders lost on this day 24 years ago. As Americans, many of us carry the memory of what it felt like to be attacked on our own soil. As shipbuilders, we also know that we have a responsibility to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
A fully dedicated American shipbuilder,
Kari Wilkinson
President, Newport News Shipbuilding
