USS Delaware Commissioning Commemoration

April 2, 2022

Two years ago the unit was preparing to participate in the USS Delaware’s Commissioning Ceremony in April of 2020. The ceremony was cancelled due to Covid and the USS Delaware was commissioned underwater. Saturday, April 2nd, a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the USS Delaware was held at the Port of Wilmington. Thanks to Senator Coons and Carper offices, William E Taylor Division received invitations from the US Navy to attend the USS Delaware Commissioning Commemoration held on April 2, 2022.

USS Delaware (SSN-791) - Virginia Class Nuclear Attack Submarine

Upon arrival at the USS Delaware an event coordinator was relieved at the unexpected help of Sea Cadets to help with the event to welcome guests, hand out programs and water, and to help direct guests to their seating sections.

Cadets were put into service handing out programs, water and directing guests to seating sections

Senator Carper’s office was instrumental in arranging for the division to be invited by the Navy to the event. Senator Carper was very engaging with our cadets, and we appreciated the time he took to talk with cadets one-on-one.

Senator Carper and his wife, with CO Elliott and cadets

William E. Taylor were the de facto welcoming committee for all guests attending the event as cadets manned the entry point for the event and greeted and direct guests.

Cadets ended up being the welcoming committee

The Executive Office of the USS Delaware was very engaging as well, interacted with cadets, and saw to it that the division would have an opportunity for a tour.

Cadets Osborne and Elliott with the XO of the USS Delaware

Weather for the ceremony was perfect, guests were bused in from Frawly Stadium from 0700 - 1100.

Stage is set, beautiful weather for the commemoration ceremony

William E Taylor manned the entry up until POTUS and other VIP’s arrived.

Arrival of POTUS and other VIPs

The crew of the USS Delaware were engaging - many of the crew are not much older than our senior cadets.

Crew of the USS Delaware

After POTUS finished his tour of the USS Delaware he stopped and met with the division and engaged with our cadets.

POTUS selfie with the division
POTUS on FaceTime with Cadet Laird’s mom, returning the call afcadet hung up on his mom so that POTUS could take a photo

After engaging with the cadets, XO presented a William E. Taylor Challenge Coin with POTUS, and received a POTUS coin in return.

The division also met the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, who loves the Sea Cadets, as he should.

Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy

The division rounded out the day with a full tour of the submarine, from control room, to torpedo room, to engine room and everything in between. There were no cameras beyond this point. Awesome crew gave tours and were very engaging.

Waiting to board the USS Delaware

It was an amazing day for the William E Taylor Division.


The Navy featured a picture with William E Taylor cadets on their Facebook and Instagram pages.