CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Willie Ray’s Q Shack, based in Cedar Rapids, and a Marion resident are among Iowans participating in the commissioning of the USS Iowa this week.
Willie Ray Fairley’s popular barbecue will be served during a crew rally this Friday, April 4, 2025, as part of the events surrounding the submarine’s commissioning in Groton, Connecticut.
The restaurant at 266 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE is closed this week as Fairley and others attend the monumental event.
Marion resident Michelle Bell, a member of the commissioning committee, is also traveling to participate in the commissioning of the USS IOWA (SSN 797,) the Navy’s newest Virginia Class attack submarine.
Michelle Bell of Marion is a member of the USS Iowa commissioning committee. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Bell graduated from high school with one of the other committee directors, Mat Tanner, leading to her involvement with the group.
She previously helped coordinate services when sailors visited Iowa.
“They came after the derecho (in August 2020) and the Chief of the Boat brought his climbing gear to help with trees,” Bell said. “Sailors have served meals at Mission of Hope, repaired homes with Matthew 25, gone to a Kernels game and even ridden Ragbrai.”
The USS Iowa will be the first attack class submarine built specifically to accommodate both male and female service members onboard.
The USS Iowa, the Navy’s newest Virginia Class attack submarine, will be commissioned Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Connecticut. (courtesy photo)
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will give the keynote speech on Saturday, April 5, as the submarine is set to be formally placed in commission.
The USS Iowa was christened in 2023 by the ship’s sponsor, former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack, who will also attend commissioning events.
USS IOWA will be the 24th Virginia Class submarine placed into commission that will eventually include a total of 38 submarines, most of which are named after states.
This USS IOWA will be the fourth ship to bear the name of the Hawkeye State. The most recent was the former USS IOWA (BB-61), an iconic battleship that served from 1942 to 1949 and again from 1951 to 1958, and finally from 1984 to 1990 when she was officially decommissioned. That ship now serves as a museum in the Port of Los Angeles.
Iowans can watch the commissioning event live at any of several watch party locations around the state. Most of the venues will be offering refreshments provided by the Commissioning Committee.
Cities hosting watch parties are Ames, Anthon, Carroll, Centerville, Council Bluffs, Creston, Decorah, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Hiawatha, Iowa City, Jefferson, Johnston, Marshalltown, Mason City, Oskaloosa, Red Oak, Sioux City, Solon, Spencer, Waterloo, Waverly and Winterset.
A map that includes locations and contact information for each party is located on the
commissioning committee website www.SSN797.com or find locations here. A webcast starts at 8:45 a.m., Central Standard Time, April 5, with the event starting at 9 a.m.
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