By Captain David Schnell

The vice president of operations for

Xerox's Electronic Tolling Collection

division, Captain David Schnell previously

spent nearly 30 years in the US Navy.

During his service, Captain David Schnell

commanded two warships, including the

USS Ford.

After a quarter of a century in operations, the USS Ford (FFG 54) was decommissioned on October 31, 2013. Commissioned on June 29, 1985, this Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate adopted its name from Second Class Gunner's Mate Patrick Osborne Ford. While serving during the Vietnam War, Perry saved two of his shipmates’ lives after rockets destroyed his Patrol River Boat. Killed by enemy fire shortly thereafter, he posthumously received the Navy Cross.

Over the past three decades, the 453-foot-long USS Ford took part in numerous operations. It aided the country with Operation Enduring Freedom, the Global War on Terror, and missions to stop narcotics and piracy. During the decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Everett, several people spoke about the boat and its namesake. Its final commanding officer Commander Joseph T. Shuler talked about the legacy of Ford, and the US Navy's “ship, shipmate, and self” continuum of priorities. Crew members remarked on the sadness of the occasion because of how the entire unit functioned as a family. Patrick Osborne Ford's surviving relatives were present as invited guests.