NewsChannel 3 to broadcast sub commissioning live

My son is serving on the USS North Carolina. He is a part of the first crew ever to do so. We were supposed to get tickets for this event & travel to NC to attend. The tickets never arrived.
I was disappointed, but nevertheless, we support him, we thank the city of Wilmington for their support of him. He said that people were cheering when they came ashore. Lined the streets when they did their run. Had lunch w/WWII vets... amazing. The fireworks were a real treat he said. The citizens of Wilmington were wonderful. He told me stories of signing autographs, having his lunch/dinner paid for when they would go out.

Thank you Wilmington for your support.

In reference to the comment that I was personally invited to attend the event...WRONG! I Did NOT attend....however it was noted that the several children that were in attendance ( bored as their little minds might have been) their father's were serving on the Sub...it doesn't matter what anyone writes, someone somewhere will be unhappy..

Yes, there have been complaints about the handling of this event. Everyone could not have things the way they would have most enjoyed. Yes, everyone could not be included in all parts.
But yes, the firworks were incredible!
That was an inspiring part of the celebration where everyone could live the spirit of the celebration. WOW!

I realize that security needs to be tight around the new USS North Carolina. I am a retired USAF Master Sergeant. I served over twenty years fighting for my country to keep it safe and all who live here free. I maintained a Secret security clearance and I guess to some degree still carry that clearance. I was born in Gastonia NC, spent 20 plus years living in different parts of the good old USA and some foreign countries. I chose to return to North Carolina and Wilmington to make it my permanent home. It would have been nice to take part in an event such as this that my only take place once in a life time. I am sorry that after serving twent years protecting this country, I do not have the finances to secure a seat at the commissioning of The USS North Carolina. A dissapointed Veteran.

If security was the real reason then why did they GIVE AWAY several thousand tickets to people of influence to use to distribute for their own friends and such?

None of those ticket holders can be vetted for this. If security was a real reason then it would only be for the closely connected and vetted people that would pose NO security threat.

Instead, a whole bunch of tickets are given out to the public officials that are most closely associated with this event, and they are told to invite who they will, but no more than the number of tickets that they are given.

What if several of those tickets were given to terrorists that wanted to do something? Some were given to New Hanover County Commissioners that are clearly criminals, just not on trial yet. What is someone in a crowd like that going to be able to do?

I'd be more worried about terrorists seeking alternate methods. What if they had a RPG and wanted to shoot from the Hilton or the parking deck? How about some novice scuba bomber? Easier and cheaper than airline pilot training.

Much more likely problem might arise from the New Hanover County Commissioners overlooking the pollution in the Cape Fear River and the Northeast Cape Fear River and that crap (pardon the pun) seeping through the hull of the nuclear sub and hurting something. Biological warfare from a river born source from stupid county oversight or mismanagement.

Sailors don't slip, that water is brown for more than one reason. And you don't wanna drown in that crap!

This is the coolest thing that has happened in Wilmington, NC in a long time. I'm glad the Navy's new Virginia-class of submarine, USS North Carolina will be commissioned here! Estimated at over $2.6 billion, the nation's newest fast-attack submarine is the U.S. Navy's 4th vessel to be named North Carolina.

Only 5,000 tickets available for invited guests! This was a poor Public relations move. If you cannot allow all to attend, why have this in the first place. After all, we are all tax payers, many are vets. This is just another who’s who event in the Port City, another garden party?

Considering the state of security needed in our World today, I find it very fitting to have the added security. Lord knows we need to be as cautious as possible, PREVENTION helps "nip it in the bud" so to speak. For those of you NOT wanting to watch it televised live, please don't try to even justify it with selfish reasons.....BE SUPPORT OF OUR MILITARY that they fight for our freedom...including yours everyday!

I love how this event took so much work to bring the commonishing to NC , then alone Wilmington, I guess I misundertsood the vessels name U.S.S North Carolina, yet the regular people of North Carolina aren't even allowed to see this. Really gald all that hard work to bring it here has paid off.

I agree with the other response as to why we can't atleast see it docked. I really would be interested in seeing it from a far. Obviously the public can't get a tour of the inside and that is understandable. Oh well, I really don't think I will be watching the live coverage on TV. It's just not the same. Wilmington is such a historic place, so why not share these events with the people who live here?

Thanks for televising the commissioning, but there is no reason to exclude the public.

Who cares if it is being filmed live...WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO WATCH THE WHOLE THING IN PERSON!!!!!!!!!!

If you are going make such a big deal over this Sub at least let the public see it or take it back to Norfolk and commision it. We realize the public can not take a tour on, but what is the harm of letting the public at least look at it docked. I have a son who is 16 and interested in going in the Navy and wanted to see the Sub. If any body should be able to see the Sub it should be our young adults(future veterans) and veterans. How many people do you think is going to watch this on TV if they can't at least see it in person. None