NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING TO WELD TIME CAPSULE INTO AIRCRAFT CARRIER GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., July 8, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

What:

The commemorative items placed under the island of the aircraft carrierGerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during the island landing event in January will be permanently welded into the ship in honor of

When:

10 a.m. Thursday, July 11 (Media to arrive by 9:30 a.m.)

Where:

Media representatives are asked to park in the second-shift area of Newport News Shipbuilding's North Yard parking lot. (Spots will be designated for media.) Participants will be transported by bus to the ship

Attire:

All media in attendance must wear long pants, shirts with sleeves covering shoulders, and flat,close-toed, close-heeled shoes. Hard hats and safety glasses will be provided.

Directions:

From I-64 (either westbound or eastbound) --

● Take Exit #264 to Interstate I-664 toward Downtown Newport News/Suffolk

● Take Exit #5 (35th Street) to Warwick Blvd.

● Travel approximately 3 miles on Warwick Blvd.

● Immediately after 69th Street, make a U-turn on to Huntington Ave.

● Merge into the right lane and continue to bear right on to Shipyard Drive

● Continue downhill and follow the signs to media parking

RSVP: Christie Miller, Huntington Ingalls Industries, (757) 380-3581

Christine.Miller@hii-co.com

Please RSVP by noon Wednesday, July 10.

On Jan. 26, commemorative items were placed by Navy leadership and Susan Ford Bales, the ship's sponsor and daughter of the late president, under the aircraft carrier's island prior to its placement onto the ship. Among the items was a sandstone piece cut from the same stone used in the construction of the White House and the U.S. Capitol. The piece, placed by Ford Bales, was embedded with a unique coin she designed, as well as five official seals representing her father's service to the nation.

The items will be welded permanently into the ship's newly designed island to remain during Ford's 50 years of service for the U.S. Navy.