Ronald Reagan's Remarks at the Recommissioning Ceremony for the U.S.S. New Jersey in Long Beach

Ronald Reagan's Remarks at the Recommissioning Ceremony for the U.S.S. New Jersey in Long Beach on December 28, 1982.
For more information on the ongoing works of President Reagan's Foundation, visit us at www.reaganfoundation.org.

[@imperialscot]

Without question, Regan was the only modern day Republican worth listening to! I am proud to have served on this GREAT Iowa Class Battleship, U.S.S. New Jersey BB-62!

[@genekinnick2174]

I was among those in Vietnam this great ship helped protect. Interestingly, my tour and hers began and ended at about the same time. I was a member of ground forces that was attached to the 3rd Marine forward combat bases and served at the DMZ from Dong Ha to Khe Sanh and then back to Dong Ha and Quang Tri, and any time the New Jersey was off shore from where we were, we heard her guns fire and her shells fly overhead, ripping the air as they went, some 20 miles inland from where she sat in the S. China Sea. It was an awesome and powerful ship, and we appreciated her presence. I agree with others here that the remaining Iowa Class BB's should all be re-fitted and brought up to current technologies and fire power capabilities, and how I wish we could somehow have President Reagan back to see that it got done and to help us restore our military might and Constitutional Republic. One of my nephews served aboard the Iowa for almost three years just prior to it's decommissioning, and was present in an adjacent turret to the one that blew up.

[@apieceofdirt4681]

First, you're the man!! Thanks for your service in Vietnam!!!! Second, I don't care how many people say they're obsolete; they thought the same thing each time they were decommissioned. These ships are STILL valuable assets. Captain EJ Snyder said in an interview, don't ask the people in congress or the senate if the Big J is an effective asset, ask the men on the front lines whom we protect. A front line marine that came aboard NJ for r&r told a news reporter "if it hadn't have been for the Big J, they'd have zapped our ass!!" The Navy could STILL make use for these warriors and I think at least 2 of them should be available at all times. Wisconsin is in excellent shape. Captain Mossally (dumbass) ruined Iowa and Camden hasn't taken that great care of NJ so that leaves the Missouri. I'd love to see our Navy get back into the business of building battleships but I know my "old school" way of thinking is out dated. However, NOTHING can compare to the IOWAS firepower!!

[@TheUsmc0802]

We need these two back!!! One is gone but not forgoten, the other could go a long way to restoring some pride that is missing!

[@MullinsMovies]

I turned 18 on election day, 1980. I went to the polling place and pulled the lever for the greatest President of my lifetime. I sorely miss him, and to paraphrase an old song, "our nation turns its lonely eyes to you." God bless Nancy.

[@TheUsmc0802]

31+ years ago we are right back we were. This needs to happen again! We are week again! My beloved Corps is going from 202,000 Marines to 174,000.

[@kempoguy7597]

refit the battlewagons again,,,

[@ctmale1956]

President Reagan --- we need you NOW!

[@rbarger71]

Granted it takes more people to run one of these battleships, and we already had them in service, but I just didn't understand why we would decommission them in favor of a smaller ship that cost 3x the amount that was spent to update the BB's in the 80's. These ships could have been updated even more over time. The only bad thing was they had to rob parts from some of the other BB's when they were brought back into service as nothing is made for them or hasn't been since they were originally built. Can anyone imagine all 4 of these girls with latest technology that the Arleigh Burke destroyers have in addition to what they already have??? I sure can.

[@gilbertnadeau7181]

+rbarger71 They cost to much to maintain and run. They were fast but very thirsty plus the expensive to repair. Remember all those turbines valves pumps etc were designed and built in the 40s. No one makes the parts any more and would cost way to much to updated the engineering plants.

[@marksolarz3756]

Please let this happen again!I've never seen the Navy so proud as when they got there battleship back!

[@unkillsam]

And yet the Navy is dangerously small yet again.

[@AmericanThunder]

p.s. Thank you for your service, sir

[@karlcampbell9644]

I was there serving on board

[@pjneslo8979]

Not only do I miss seeing these ships sailing the seas, but how much I miss this man as President Of The United States. We felt safe as a nation, Christmas felt like Christmas, if he were today no doubt would we be feeling those joyous times again. God Please Help this beautiful country the United States Of America now and forever !

[@apieceofdirt4681]

I'm right there with you. But now we are worried about offending each other's right, being politically correct and God being pushed out of everything. If we as a nation loose the core values we were built on, I fear the outcome. This current election scares me because neither candidate is worthy of the office. I don't think Trump OR Clinton are trustworthy. So where does that put us? Picking the lesser of two evils?? How about NO evil. And to me Sanders is just a flat out HELL NO!! I'm interested in what you think!!!

[@pjneslo8979]

It seems like the only ones that are offended at anything is either the liberals or the establishment. Remember once we lose a constitutional right (I hope we don't) we will never get it back. I feel sorry for the younger generations of our children.

[@drdoom1337]

easily the last real president we've had. this ship deserves to be in comission today, at least in a role similar to constitution.

[@hostak1026]

I was born during Regan's 2nd term I wish i was around to see him in action

[@Skarmy762]

u r right

[@THOMAS81Z]

greatest president in my lifetime

[@junjunbean12]

Yessss great shit live near this ship

[@mikajougasaki5954]

Dear Mr. President, please help the Philippines, the Obama Administration is not helping them against the bullying China

[@boxocoffee]

its nice to know that a president actually gave a shit about the navy .....