Irish Sisters Christen US Warship Bearing Their Hero Brother's Name

Three sisters of an Irish-born Navy Cross recipient christened a warship named after him on Saturday. The future USS Patrick Gallagher, a guided missile destroyer, is under construction at Bath Iron Works. It honours the Irish citizen and US Marine who sacrificed himself in Vietnam by falling on a grenade to save his comrades.

Pauline Gallagher, one of his sisters, addressed the crowd at the shipyard. She said the destroyer bearing her brother's name helps ease their mother's fear that his memory would be forgotten. "Patrick has not been forgotten. He lives forever young in our hearts and minds, and this ship will outlive all of us," she stated before invoking the ship's motto: "Life is for living. Be brave and be bold."

Irish Influence at the Ceremony

The event had a strong Irish influence. An Irish flag flew alongside the Stars and Stripes, and bagpipes played "My Gallant Hero." A large group of Gallagher's family and friends travelled from Ireland for the occasion. Seán Fleming, Ireland's minister of state at the Department of Foreign Affairs, was the keynote speaker.

Joined by her sisters Rosemarie Gallagher and Teresa Gallagher Keegan, Pauline smashed bottles of sparkling wine on the ship's hull. A Navy band played "Anchors Aweigh" as streamers filled the air. The ceremony also included a promise from Rear Adm. Thomas Anderson that the ship would visit Ireland after its commissioning.

Gallagher's Heroic Actions

Lance Cpl. Patrick "Bob" Gallagher was an Irish citizen from County Mayo who moved to America and enlisted in the Marines while living on Long Island, New York. In July 1966, he fell on a grenade to save his comrades; it didn't explode until he threw it into a river. Sadly, he was killed on patrol in March 1967, just days before he was to return home.

Teresa Gallagher Keegan described her brother as humble, trying to hide his service in Vietnam until he received the Navy Cross. She mentioned that their hometown had been preparing for his return. "Ironically, the plane that carried my brother's coffin home was the plane that would have brought him home to a hero's welcome," she said.

A Day of Remembrance

US Sen. Susan Collins spoke at the event, describing it as both a day of solemn remembrance and celebration. She noted that Gallagher was among more than 30 Irish citizens who lost their lives in Vietnam. A brother also attended the ceremony where Pauline secured a promise from Rear Adm. Thomas Anderson that the ship would visit Ireland after commissioning.

The 510-foot (155-metre) guided-missile destroyer is currently in dry dock as work continues to prepare it for delivery to the Navy. Displacing 9,200 tons, this Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is designed to combat submarines, surface warships, aircraft, and missiles simultaneously. The latest versions are being equipped for ballistic missile defence.

Outside the shipyard, police arrested nine protesters from a larger group of about 75 demonstrators from organisations including Maine Veterans for Peace and a group supporting Palestinians. According to Bath Police Department, these nine individuals were blocking vehicles and trespassing before the event began.

The ceremony concluded with an emotional note as Pauline Gallagher expressed gratitude for ensuring her brother's legacy endures through this warship named in his honour.