Navy Names Ship for Civil Rights Activist Cesar Chavez

USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE-1)

This is cool.

YubaNet

May 18, 2011 - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the selection of the USNS Cesar Chavez as the 14th Lewis and Clark class of dry cargo/ammunition ships.

Continuing the Lewis and Clark-class tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy's newest underway replenishment ship honors the memory of Mexican-American civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. Chavez served in the Navy from 1944-1946 after which he became a leader in the American Labor Movement and a civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers.

"Cesar Chavez inspired young Americans to do what is right and what is necessary to protect our freedoms and our country," said Mabus. "The Cesar Chavez will sail hundreds of thousands of miles and will bring support and assistance to thousands upon thousands of people. His example will live on in this great ship."

Watch for the outcry from the wingnuts that our socialist President is naming US Navy ships after commies.

I think there's an understated tongue-in-cheek irony in naming a ship that carries large loads after a man whose claim to fame is that he organized laborers.

Since Chavez is still being built, maybe the wingers can get the name changed to one of their "large load" icons. May I suggest USNS Sarah Palin or Rush Limbaugh? There are not many larger loads than those.