This weekend, the U.S. Navy is commissioning a new Virginia Class fast-attack submarine, the USS Iowa, and the Carroll American Legion invites the public to join them Saturday morning for a watch party of the ceremony. The USS Iowa will be the 24th Virginia Class submarine and the third Navy vessel to carry the Iowa name. The first was a battleship that saw service during the Spanish-American War and WWI, and the second was the lead ship of the Iowa Class battleships commissioned early during WWII and also served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. There was a third ship under construction in the 1920s to be named the USS Iowa that was canceled before it was completed. Doors open for the launch party Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) at the Legion Hall on Heires Avenue. The commission ceremony in Groton, Conn., begins at 9 a.m. and features former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack and Governor Kim Reynolds. Snacks and refreshments will be available for attendees at Saturday’s Carroll American Legion Hall watch party.
