11 l 15 l 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
NNS Christens New Jersey
Vaccine Deadline Extended
Newport News Shipbuilding christened Virginia-class submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) Saturday, Nov. 13. “The christening is a Navy and shipbuilder tradition that celebrates the hard work and dedication of the women and men who are building this magnificent submarine, readying her for the next phase of construction, which includes launch, testing, sea trials and delivery to the Navy,” said NNS President Jennifer Boykin. “We commemorate these American builders during a challenging time in our nation’s history.” Dr. Susan DiMarco, who is a New Jersey resident, retired dentist and wife of former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, serves as the ship’s sponsor and performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the submarine’s bow during the ceremony. “As citizens today, we are more divided and disconnected from one another than at any time in our last 50 years, but the efforts that went into building New Jersey say otherwise,” DiMarco said. “In order to complete this great ship there must have been... CONTINUED ON PG 2
The federal government recently extended the vaccination mandate deadline for federal contractors such as Newport News Shipbuilding from Dec. 8 to Jan. 4. As a result, all policies and processes NNS established to help shipbuilders meet the original mandate deadline are being assessed based on new guidance. NNS is working toward a Jan. 4 deadline for the second shot. The NNS Vaccination Site will remain open. A series of cash raffles for employees who are fully vaccinated has resulted in two more winners. Larry Sinclair (O46) and Eric Wurster (E84) each won $2,500 in a drawing held Nov. 12. The final weekly drawing will be held Nov. 19 and will result in two more employees winning $2,500 each. In addition, NNS will hold one more raffle at the end of November for a reserved Zone A parking spot, good for one year.