Letter to the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

April 23, 2026

To the Sailors, Airmen, and Officers of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), and to her Commanding Officer:

On behalf of the Ford family and Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, we extend our deepest gratitude and highest praise for your valor and devotion to duty.

As you navigate the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, you carry with you more than just the name of our 38th President; you carry his legacy of integrity,_ good judgment, and courageous battle-tested leadership. Like Lieutenant Commander Gerald Ford, who served with distinction aboard the light carrier USS Monterey during World War II, you have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity.

Your service on the world's largest aircraft carrier and the most technologically advanced warship ever constructed is a testament to American ingenuity and strength. Add to these the profound personal sacrifice inherent in this recordbreaking deployment. Having been under way since June 24, 2025, you have surpassed 300 days at sea, setting a post-Vietnam War era benchmark for endurance and commitment to national security.

We are especially mindful of the approximately 4,500 men and women of the Ford and Carrier Air Wing 8 who have maintained a high state of readiness through every challenge, including the recent trials of shipboard repairs. Your pivotal role as the flagship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in Operation Epic Fury underscores the vital importance of your mission in maintaining peace and stability in a volatile region.

President Ford once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." Today, you are the guardians of that freedom. We stand in awe of your professionalism and are profoundly grateful for your service to the United States of America.

Fair winds and following seas.

David C. Hoogendoorn

Chairman

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation