BATH, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered remarks at the Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) christening ceremony at Bath Iron Works.

“As I think about this day, I think about an apparent conflict, but one which I believe is not so. We are here in the presence of a great weapon of war, but we are really creating an instrument of peace,” Senator King said. “Civilization takes work. Conflict is inherent. Throughout history we have gone through the process of conflict, so the question is: how do we deter it? How do we find peace? How do we sustain peace?”

“The best way to preserve peace is by deterring war through unassailable strength,” Senator King continued. “The men and women who built this ship and the men and women who will man it are doing the work of civilization, and that is the ultimate honor and recognition to Rafael Peralta – that his name will be born on a mighty instrument of peace for our country and the world.”

The Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), built at Bath Iron Works, is the 35thArleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer and is named in honor of Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta who was killed in action on November 15, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. Sergeant Peralta was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism and courage under fire. Specifically, he fell on a live grenade and absorbed the blast with his body to save the lives of his fellow Marines.

Senator Susan Collins, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin, as well as  Chief of Navy Reserves Vice Admiral Robin Braun, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley, and Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps General Robert Neller all spoke at the christening as well.

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