The Legislature of a state founded in 1791 has passed a resolution in honor of SSN 792, the USS Vermont, AKA ‘Big Sugar.’

The Vermont is a Virginia-class fast-attack ‘hunter-killer’ nuclear submarine. Construction began in 2014. She was christened in 2018 at her shipyard, Electric Boat in Groton, CT. 

At her christening, US Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said: “The future USS Vermont honors the contributions and support that the state of Vermont has given to our navy and Marine Corps team throughout the years. For decades to come, this boat and the sailors who will serve on it will stand as a tribute to the patriotic people of Vermont.”

Since then, crew and officers of the USS Vermont have made appearances in the Legislature and at Montpelier July 4 parades. 

The resolution, enacted annually, returns the love:

Whereas, the submarine VERMONT (SSN 792) was commissioned on April 18, 2020, and it is the third U.S. naval vessel to be named in honor of the State of Vermont, and

Whereas, April 18, 2024 marks the fourth anniversary of the commissioning of the USS VERMONT (SSN 792), and

Whereas, the superior performance of the officers and enlisted personnel serving on the USS VERMONT (SSN 792) has extended Vermont’s proud U.S. naval heritage to the Pacific as the submarine’s new home port is U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, and

Whereas, the officers and enlisted personnel of the USS VERMONT (SSN 792) honor Vermont traditions with the moniker Big Sugar and the motto Freedom and Unity, as they serve to protect our country and its freedoms, now therefore be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives: That the General Assembly designates April 18, 2024 as USS VERMONT (SSN 792) Day in Vermont.

The House sponsors were refreshingly bi-partisan:

Representatives Hango of Berkshire, Bartley of Fairfax, Birong of Vergennes, Boyden of Cambridge, Branagan of Georgia, Brennan of Colchester, Burditt of West Rutland, Chase of Colchester, Clifford of Rutland City, Demar of Enosburgh, Dickinson of St. Albans Town, Donahue of Northfield, Farlice-Rubio of Barnet, Galfetti of Barre Town, Goslant of Northfield, Gregoire of Fairfield, Harrison of Chittenden, Higley of Lowell, Hooper of Randolph, Hooper of Burlington, Labor of Morgan, Laroche of Franklin, Lipsky of Stowe, Maguire of Rutland City, Marcotte of Coventry, Mattos of Milton, McCarthy of St. Albans City, McCoy of Poultney, McFaun of Barre Town, Morgan of Milton, Morris of Springfield, Morrissey of Bennington, Mrowicki of Putney, Nugent of South Burlington, Oliver of Sheldon, Page of Newport City, Parsons of Newbury, Peterson of Clarendon, Shaw of Pittsford, Sibilia of Dover, Smith of Derby, Stone of Burlington, Taylor of Milton, Toof of St. Albans Town, Waters Evans of Charlotte, and Williams of Granby. 

Democrat Matt Birong represents Vergennes, the home of an early U.S. Navy shipyard that produced ships for the War of 1812 Battle of Valcour Island. Democrat Bob Hooper of Burlington is a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War era.

Senate sponsors were Republicans only: Senators Collamore, Norris, Weeks, and Williams.

According to Wikipedia, three ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Vermont in honor of the 14th state.

• The first USS Vermont (1848) was one of nine ships of the line authorized by Congress in 1816, but it was not launched until 1848, and only ever saw service as a receiving ship, from 1862 to 1901.
• The second USS Vermont (BB-20) was a Connecticut-class battleship
• The third USS Vermont (SSN-792) is a Virginia-class submarine

The Navy also built the SS Green Mountain State, an auxiliary Keystone State-class crane ship launched in 1964 and in ready reserve since 1992.