Ship Ahoy: Welcome USS Jason Dunham

Welcome to the neighborhood!

The Navy destroyer, USS Jason Dunham will arrive at the Flynn Cruiseport on the afternoon of Thursday, March 14th at 2 pm!   Public tours will be available on Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. There will also be a Mass at Our Lady of Good Voyage on Saturday at 3 pm in the ships honor. Be on the lookout for the USS Jason Dunham sailors during the parade. If you are attending the Evacuation Day Banquet on Friday, March 15th at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center you’ll see the sailors there too!  A special wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Mass Fallen Heroes Memorial in the Seaport on Saturday, March 16th at 4:30 pm. 

See press release below:

The South Boston Allied War Veterans Council (SBAWVC) is honored to announce that the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, will be visiting Boston during St. Patrick’s Day weekend for a port call. The arrival will occur on Thursday, March 14th at 2 pm at Flynn Cruiseport in South Boston. The SBAWVC would like to ensure the USS Jason Dunham receives a warm welcome for their arrival into Boston Harbor, and we invite the community to its arrival at the Flynn Cruiseport for the event. We kindly request that those attending bring with them a small American flag to ensure our servicemembers receive a special welcome.

History of the ship

The USS Jason Dunham was built by the Bath Iron Works in Bath, ME and was commissioned in 2010. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is named in honor of Corporal Jason Dunham of the United States Marine Corps. Corporal Jason Dunham was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during combat operations in Karabilah, Iraq on April 14th, 2004. During a struggle with an insurgent, Corporal Dunham covered a grenade that the insurgent had released, and absorbed the blast with his Kevlar helmet and body, saving the lives of his two fellow Marines. As a result of his injuries, Corporal Dunham died eight days later, having paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to save the lives of his fellow Marines.

Honor and celebrate

SBAWVC is proud to organize the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day / Evacuation Day Parade.  The parade is intended to celebrate, not just the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, but also Evacuation Day and to honor the service of our armed forces. With that in mind, the SBAWVC places a strong emphasis on facilitating such occasions, in partnership with the Navy League. Please help us honor and celebrate the USS Jason Dunham by joining us for the following events:

• Arrival Ceremony: Flynn Cruiseport on Thursday, March 14th at 2 pm
  
• Ship Tours: Flynn Cruiseport on Friday 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
  
• Catholic Mass: Our Lady of Good Voyage Church on Saturday, March 16th at 3 pm
  
• Wreath Laying: Mass Fallen Heroes Memorial in Seaport on Saturday, March 16th at 4:30 pm
  
• South Boston St. Patrick’s Day / Evacuation Day Parade: Sunday, March 17th at 1 pm