The widow of civil rights activist and Navy veteran Cesar Chavez will be on hand as the Navy christens and launches the ship named in her late husband's honor on May 5, according to the Department of Defense. Helen Fabela Chavez will also serve as the sponsor of USNS Cesar Chavez:
Continuing the Lewis and Clark class T-AKE tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy’s newest underway replenishment ship recognizes Mexican-American civil rights activist Cesar Chavez (1927-1993), who served in the Navy during World War II. Chavez later went on to become a leader in the American Labor Movement and co-found the National Farm Workers Association, which became the United Farm Workers.
The ceremony will take place at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.
USNS Cesar Chavez has been designated T-AKE 14. T-AKE ships help deliver supplies like food, fuel, and ammunition to other Navy ships at sea.
The christening ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. For more information click here.
