Kelly Sullivan, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan and ship sponsor for USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), and the Sullivans Association visited the Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) for a namesake ship visit on Naval Station Mayport, Sept. 27.

The Sullivans (DD 537/DDG 68) Association is a non-profit group that promotes the memory of the five Sullivan Brothers who gave their lives while serving in the Atlanta-class light cruiser USS Juneau (CL 52) during WWII.

The Sullivans (DDG 68), commissioned in April 19, 1997, in Staten Island, New York, is named to honor the five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa who served together aboard USS Juneau (CL 52) during World War II. The Sullivan brothers lost their lives during the Battle of Guadalcanal Nov. 13, 1942 when Juneau was sunk by a Japanese submarine.

Kelly Sullivan, accompanied by three generations of her family, along with former commanding officers and crew members of the Fletcher-class destroyer The Sullivans (DD 537), have gathered in the Jacksonville area as part of a multi-day reunion.

"I’ve been doing this for quite a while and I think so much about what they’ve been through," said Kelly. "You see the ship and all these emotions come up. You see the Sailors and you see how hard they work and all they do. It’s so hard to describe, but you always need that down time because it’s so emotionally intense."

As part of the ship tour, crew members unveiled their newly-restored mess decks that were renovated during their maintenance period and includes murals of the Sullivan brothers.

"Job well done to the ship’s leadership and supply department for seeing this project through," said Rear Adm. Roy I. Kitchener, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, who participated in the tour. "They ensured it highlights the significance of the Sullivan brothers and all they did for our nation."

During the tour, the Sullivan family and the Sullivans Association shook hands and shared a cake with crew members.

The Sullivans (DD 537), was commissioned Sept. 30, 1943 and served until January 7, 1965. It was, sponsored by Thomas F. Sullivan and Alleta Sullivan, parents of the five Sullivan brothers. It was the first ship commissioned in the Navy that honored more than one person.

The Sullivans Association periodically schedules reunions to foster fellowship and camaraderie among descendants of the Sullivans family and namesake ship’s company.

This has been the largest group of Sullivan family members aboard since the ship was commissioned in 1997.

The Sullivans (DDG 68) is homeported in Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

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