A Beloit native is named the U.S. Navy’s sponsor for a new warship whose diesel engines are built in Beloit.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced Wednesday that the secretary of the Navy has named Marcia Anderson, a retired U.S. Army major general, to the non-paid, ceremonial post of sponsor to the soon-to-be-built USS Beloit.
Anderson was the first black woman to be promoted to Army major general in 2011.
A ship’s sponsor participates in milestones in the life of her ship, including the laying of the keel, launch and commissioning.
The sponsor maintains a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew, maintaining contact by exchanging emails or holiday greetings and participating in sail-aways and homecoming events.
