Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Ex-senator’s kin christen namesake ship
BATH, Maine — The future USS Carl M. Levin was christened Saturday by the late Michigan senator’s daughters, who smashed bottles of champagne against the warship’s bow at Bath Iron Works.
Erica Levin, Laura Levin and Kate Levin Markel honored their father, the longtime Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who died at 87 in July. Afterward, they waved from the ship’s deck as a band played “Anchors Aweigh.”
Levin’s nephew, U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich., said “Uncle Carl” was “overwhelmed by the honor.”
“I can honestly say, amidst all the accolades he received in 50 years of public service, this one meant most to him, and it truly captures his devotion to our nation,” said the congressman, who was joined by other family members, including Carl Levin’s wife, Barbara, and his older brother, former U.S. Rep. Sander Levin.
In 36 years in the Senate, Levin became an expert on defense matters and was praised at the event for his work on behalf of the military, service members and veterans.
“As a mentor and colleague, Carl was a model of integrity and commitment,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who counted Levin as a friend.
Others at the event were Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro; the current chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island; Maine Gov. Janet Mills; Maine’s other senator, Angus King; and Navy officials including the ship’s prospective skipper and crew.
Levin had visited the shipyard a couple of times to meet with the builders. He attended a ceremony marking construction of the ship in 2019, when he and his daughters donned visors and helped weld their names on a plate that went on the ship.
“I cannot imagine a greater honor that an American citizen can receive than to have a U.S. Navy ship bear his name,” Levin said at the time.