"It has been the most amazing journey."
In those few words Pauline Gallagher is describing a first thought to the ultimate, fulfilling, act.
The first thought was of a United States Navy ship named after her brother Patrick, a County Mayo native and U.S. Marines hero of the Vietnam War.
Patrick's name is now that of an Arleigh Burke-Class destroyer which Pauline and her sisters Rosemarie and Teresa formally christened at Bath Iron Works in Maine on July 27.
Once the final finishing work is complete and the ship fully crewed the USS Patrick Gallagher is slated to be stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, this according to the Navy website now dedicated to "DDG 127."
"I want to again thank all the people who signed the petition to have the ship named after Patrick. Every signature counted to make the 10,000," said Pauline.
"Then there was the wonderful support of Senator Charles Schumer, who recognized a great hero and
who wrote to Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer.
"The christening was more that we could even imagine with 2500 people at it. To think of all the people who supported this is overwhelming and we are so grateful Martin Durkan and Marius Donnelly who thought of this great idea. We look forward to commissioning and the ship coming to Ireland
"Most importantly, Patrick has not been forgotten and the ship sails for all the Irish men who died in the service of the United States."
And indeed the 510-feet long USS Patrick Gallagher, named after the Navy Cross recipient, will sail to Ireland for a courtesy visit at some point in the future.
During the christening ceremony, Rear Admiral Thomas Anderson said that the ship would visit Ireland once it is commissioned.
It remains in dry dock for final fitting out and the formal ceremony of taking aboard its captain and crew.
The U.S. Navy's dedicated website states in part that the Patrick Gallagher "is the last Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-Class guided missile destroyer in the fleet and is slated to be homeported in Norfolk, VA.
"DDG 127 is getting her finishing touches under NAVSEA direction at Bath Iron Works located in Bath, ME. A common saying in the Gallagher family was 'Life is for living, be brave and be bold.' Cpl Patrick Gallagher lived this out in every aspect of his life, and the crew is reminded to do the same
"As holding the title of being the last Flight IIA in the fleet, we are bound to uphold the legacy of the Navy’s most versatile platform. Patrick Gallagher is on the path to execute a wide variety of missions at a moment's notice, and serving at the Navy’s tip of the spear to defend the United States and its allies."
The website also speaks of Patrick thus: "The ship’s namesake, Cpl Patrick 'Bob' Gallagher, was a distinguished Marine who fought bravely in the Vietnam War. As an Irish citizen, from County Mayo, he moved to the United States and was drafted to serve in the United States Marine Corps.
"During the summer of 1966, he saved his fellow Marines from two grenades by kicking away one and jumping on the other. Cpl Patrick Gallagher survived this attack and was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions.
"Near the end of his deployment in March of 1967, he volunteered for a patrol to provide security for local farmers under threat of attack from the Viet Cong. Unfortunately, his team was ambushed and he ultimately lost his life along with seven others. A common saying in the Gallagher family was 'Life is for living, be brave and be bold.' Cpl Patrick Gallagher lived this out in every aspect of his life, and the crew is reminded to do the same."
