USS Montana presentation set at Northern Wednesday

Staff and wire

People have a chance Wednesday to see the replica of a historic bell that will be aboard the first U.S. Navy ship commissioned as the USS Montana since 1908 and to learn about the new USS Montana attack submarine and its crew.

The USS Montana presentation will be at Montana State University-Northern's Student Union Building Wednesday starting at 6 p.m., a release from Havre's American Legion Post #11 said.

The presentations are by the USS Montana Commissioning Committee, a group of volunteer Montanans from across our state who support the future commissioning of the USS Montana - SSN 794 - a new Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarine, and all those who sail aboard her in defense of the nation. The release said members of the committee are making the presentations across the state.

The presentations include a showing of the unique Oro y Plata ship's bell that will be aboard the Montana, the release said, and having "for perhaps the only time a personal opportunity to hear its powerful ringing."

The bell is a submarine-sized replica of the bell that was aboard the first and only other USS Montana, armored cruiser No. 13 commissioned in 1908, that protected U.S. interests in the Mediterranean Sea during the Ottoman Empire, brought the sailor, soldier and Marine dead back from the invasion and occupation of Vera Cruz during the Mexican Revolution and escorted Atlantic convoys during World War I.

"But the bell's symbolism goes further, to the connection between the Navy and our state motto, Oro y Plata - Gold and Silver," the release said.

Melted into the bronze from which the bell was cast are gold and silver dolphin pins worn by qualified submariners, gold by officers, silver by enlisted sailors. Also in the bronze are real Montana gold and silver. And on the bell are not only the markings of the original, but also the official and uniquely symbolic emblem of the new Montana.

It is rung during presentations in honor of veterans, future veterans and first responders, the release said.

The statewide tour of the bell is part of the informational presentation program of the USS Montana Committee, the official commissioning committee for SSN 794 as designated by our state's governor and legislature, the release said. In addition to ensuring that Montanans know about the warship that will bear the state's name, including its capabilities and missions, committee presentations explain the work underway to support the Montana over its three-decade service life, and how anyone may become involved.

The release said, typical 35-45-minute presentation sessions include:

• Information on SSN 794, including its high-tech stealth and lethal mission capabilities,

• An overview of potential adversary nations' naval capabilities that drive the nation's need for warships like the Montana,

• Fast-paced video clips of the Montana's construction, christening, and floating (launching) in preparation for its recent sea trials,

• Updates on the crew, including Montanans, and their training,

• A retrospective look at the original USS Montana and its legacy for SSN 794,

• A summary of work accomplished by, and still ahead of, the USS Montana Committee, including commander and crew visits to Montana, enhancements to the interior living areas of the submarine, including to reflect Montana's history and culture, commissioning events, and laying the foundation for long-term crew support,

• Information on how Montanans can attend the forthcoming commissioning of the Montana,

• Time for questions and answers.