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Cigars on Deck

Posted: Monday, November 01, 2004

By Michael Moretti

The USS Virginia was heralded into the U.S. Navy with the crack of a Champagne bottle and the spark of cigars.

The Virginia is the Navy's first boat in the new class of attack submarines. At the commissioning, the traditional rite marking the "beginning of the history of a ship," commemorative Montecristo White cigars were presented to Capt. David Kerns, commanding officer of the Virginia, as well as to each member of the 113-person crew. Altadis U.S.A. Inc., maker of the Montecristo White brand, was the sole provider of cigars for the event and is an official sponsor of the USS Virginia.

The ceremony played host to 5,000 dignitaries, guests and military personnel in Norfolk, Virginia. Featured speakers included Sen. John Warner (R-VA) and Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard B. Meyers, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark and Commander of Fleet Force Adm. William Fallon.

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