The Commissioning of

8 OCTOBER 2016PENN’S LANDING | PHILADELPHIA, PA

USS JOHN P. MURTHA

LPD 26

Heartfelt thanks to the dedicated shipbuilders and crew of the

USS John P. Murtha.

We Are Put On This Earth To

Make A Difference

FoundationMurtha

John P.

John P. Murtha Foundation_Commissioning Ad.indd 1 9/30/2016 11:44:23 AM

NAVY LEAGUE of the UNITED STATES PHILADELPHIA COUNCIL

COMMISSIONING COMMITTEE

Chairman Thomas R. Metzger Chief of Staff Michael D. Kearney Treasurer Michael W. DeLorey Public Relations Sherri R. Jones Invitations Stuart Abramson Members: James A. Donahue Dr. Vail P. Garvin Stephen J. Kiszely Michael D. Moss William H. Rorer Paul A. Trenholm Samuel B.Wheeler

OCTOBER 8, 2016 TO THE CREW OF THE USS JOHN P MURTHA When asked to be the chairman of the USS JOHN P. MURTHA Commissioning Committee, I was honored and gladly accepted based on the legacy set forth by Congressman Murtha. As a true Patriot, Warrior and Champion, Congressman Murtha was a shining example of how one person can make a difference to so many. Volunteering to serve his country in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, Congressman Murtha continued to serve as Pennsylvania’s longest serving Congressman.

After meeting with many of you and having the progress of bringing your ship to life, I am more proud than ever to play a small role in this process.

Your ship’s moto “ Make a Difference ” states the willingness of how you will carry out each mission. From this, it is very clear that you understand your role as the first crew of the USS JOHN P. MURTHA. We are confident you will rise with confidence and courage in carrying out your mission in defense of our country.

On behalf of the entire Commissioning Committee, we extend our sincerest thanks for your choice to become a significant part of the defense of our nation. We are all certain that you will carry with you the legacy of the patriot you represent and perform your duties with great pride and distinction.

We congratulate you on bringing this mighty ship to life and bid you fair winds and following seas throughout all of your upcoming missions.

Sincerely,USSJOHNP.MURTHACOMMISSIONINGCOMMITTEE

ThomasR.MetzgerChairman

To support commissioning efforts or to learn more, visit www.ussjohnpmurthacommissioning.org USS John P. Murtha Commissioning Committee PO Box 15041 Philadelphia, PA 19130 610-687-7699 To support commissioning efforts or to learn more, visit www.ussjohnpmurthacommissioning.org

USS John P. Murtha Commissioning Committee | PO Box 15041 Philadelphia, PA 19130 | 610-687-7699

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BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NAVY LEAGUE

USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) will be commissioned in Philadelphia on October 8, 2016. She is the tenth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. She is named in honor of Congressman John Patrick “Jack” Murtha (1932-2010) of Pennsylvania.

A retired United States Marine Corps Reserve officer, Murtha was a member of the Pennsylvania House from 1969 to 1974. He was the first Vietnam War vet-eran elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Murtha served as chairman or ranking minority member of the House Appropriations, Defense Subcommittee from 1989 until his death in 2010, two days after becoming the longest-serving congressman in Pennsylvania history.

Jack Murtha served in the Marine Corps from 1952-1955. He joined the Ma-rine Corps Reserve in 1959 and was assigned to the 34th Infantry Company in Johnstown, PA. Murtha graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1962 with a degree in economics. At the age of 33, Major Murtha volunteered and served in the Vietnam War in 1966 and 1967 as a battalion staff officer (S-2 Intelligence Section), receiving the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a colonel in 1990, receiving the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

The versatile San Antonio-class ships incorporate both a flight deck to accommodate CH-46 helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, and a well deck that can launch and recover landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The San Antonio class’ increased vehicle space and substantial cargo carrying capacity make it a key element of twenty-first century Amphibious Ready Groups, Expeditionary Strike Groups, and Joint Task Forces.

In addition to performing their primary mission, USS John P. Murtha’s sister ships have supported anti-piracy operations and provided humanitarian assistance and foreign disaster relief operations in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

Commissioning a US warship is a tradition that has been in practice since 1775. It is the most significant event in the life of the ship. Many dedicated volunteers have worked to ensure that John P. Murtha’s commissioning events are successful.

USS JOHN P MURTHA (LPD-26) TO BE COMMISSIONED AT PENN’S LANDING ON OCTOBER 8, 2016By Michael D. Kearney, USS John P Murtha Commissioning Committee

COMMISSIONING COMMITTEE

Chairman Thomas R. Metzger

Chief of Staff Michael D. Kearney

Treasurer Michael W. DeLorey

Public RelationsSherri R. Jones

Invitations Stuart Abramson

MembersJames A. DonahueDr. Vail P. GarvinStephen J. KiszelyMichael D. Moss William H. Rorer Paul A. Trenholm

Samuel B. Wheeler

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WE CONGRATULATE THE USS JOHN P. MURTHA

L-3 is honored to have provided

our systems and expertise to this

outstanding addition to the U.S.

naval fleet. We wish the USS John P.

Murtha and its crew great success.

L-3com.com

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SPONSOR LEVELS

ADMIRAL$50,000 and Above

USS Jophn P Murtha Commissioning Committee and our entire Navy League of the United States, Philadelphia Council membership are sincerely grateful for the support of ALL our sponors. You have made this commissioning and our support for this ship and her crew a tremendous success.

VICE ADMIRAL$25,000 - $49,999

CAPTAIN$5,000 - $9,999

WARDROOM$500 - $999

REAR ADMIRAL$10,000 - $24,999

COMMANDER$1,000 - $4,999

CREW$100 - $499

Rear Admiral

L3 SPD Electrical Systems, L-3 Maritime Systems, L-3 Power Paragon

Vice Admiral

Ingalls Shipbuilding; A Division of Huntington Ingalls Industries

Admiral

John P. Murtha Foundation

OUR SPONSORS

We regret our list may be incomplete due to our print deadline. Please refer to our website at www.ussjohnpmurthacommissioning.org for a complete list of donors.

Wawa Sheetz

Comcast NBCUniversal

National Defense Industrial Association, Delaware Valley Chapter

OUR SPONSORS

Captain

Firsttrust Financial Resources, LLC / Firstrust Bank

Liberty USO Navy Federal Credit Union

Global/SFC Valve Corporation Concurrent Technologies Corporation

Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition Philadelphia Gear – a Timken Brand

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems

Somerset Trust CompanyMcAllister Towing of Philadelphia, Inc.

We regret our list may be incomplete due to our print deadline. Please refer to our website at www.ussjohnpmurthacommissioning.org for a complete list of donors.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Tony Luke’sPhiladelphia Flyers Alumni

Philadelphia Eagles

OUR SPONSORS

Wardroom

Commander

We regret our list may be incomplete due to our print deadline. Please refer to our website at www.ussjohnpmurthacommissioning.org for a complete list of donors.

American Metal Bearing Company Baxter Foundation

Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center, Windber, PADerbyshire Machine & Tool Company

Derbyshire Marine Products, LLCFairbanks Morse Engine

Firstrust Financial Resources, LLCSusan & Sherwood (Woody) Goldberg,

Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Washington, DCJARI

Jack and Carol LiebermanJFW Defense

Life Cycle EngineeringMcKean Defense Group, LLC

Thomas R. MetzgerThe Pilots’ Association for the Bay and River Delaware

Saint Francis UniversityGlen S. Schneider, Navy League New York Council

Union League of PhiladelphiaUniversity of Pittsburgh, Johnstown Campus

Wessel & Company

1st Summit Bank

Frank and Mary Lou Burke

Lauren Coyle

Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie #1801, Somerset, PA

John Groenveld

Steve Kiszely - Delaware Valley Packaging Group

Kongsberg Protec Systems, USA

Mariners’ Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware

Michael Moss

National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining

Navy Federal Credit Union, Horsham Branch

Theodore C. Prettiman

Nicole Trenholm

We regret our list may be incomplete due to our print deadline.Please refer to our website at www.usssomersetcommissioning.org for a complete list of donors.

OUR SPONSORSCrew

Ruben Israel AbrahamStuart AbramsonGeorge AhernAlexandre ArchawskiJack & Mickey BaranekRick BaumGeorge J. Turak and Michelle A. BerkowitzBlue Star Mothers, Philadelphia ChapterJulius and Angelica BodrogStephen and Naomi BremanRichard BuckoFrank P. Cellucci IIICliff ClippMichael DeLoreyJames & Linda DonahueAnnamarie DonleyGlenn Dragon Joseph DunnDynalec CorporationCheryl FetterolfLucile FlournoyJames FlynnLisa FosterBridesburg FoundryWilliam and Maureen FreedVail GarvinRobert GeisherChristopher GianniniGirl Scouts Western PennsylvaniaCathy GreenbergH. F. Lenz CompanyRobert and Connie Hairhoger

Dale HickeyLarry Holman Sherri Jones Michael, Teréz & Boglárka KearneyKendall KingMark KnouseRenee and Norm LeBlancDavid and Joanne MajeskiPaul and Jean Marie MarchettoJohn and Suzanne McGrathWilliam G. McKelveyMcKelveyWolford TrustGerald J. and Mary Anne McNeffJoseph G. McQuillanWilma W. MurphyDonna S. Murtha, in memory of my dadAdrienne MusumeciAnne PutneyJeff ReedDouglas Rhodes Lisa RiehlJohn and Kitty Rok, Parents of LT Brendan K. RokWilliam RorerWilliam M. Schneider Somerset American Legion, S.S. Crouse Post 181Somerset County Commissioner and Mrs. John P. VatavukTony’s Bar and Grill, Ivyland, PA Joseph VillasenorGeorge WarrenJeff W. WhiteRobert G. Yancey, Jr.

We regret our list may be incomplete due to our print deadline. Please refer to our website at www.ussjohnpmurthacommissioning.org for a complete list of donors.