USS Enterprise: William Shatner to Attend Vessel's Retirement Ceremony
It's only fitting that Captain Kirk be at the retirement ceremony for the USS Enterprise.
William Shatner agreed to be at the inactivation of the famous Navy vessel on Saturday, which shares its name with the famous fictional starship from "Star Trek."
A representative for Shatner told the Daily Press that the 81-year-old actor will be present but not a part of the inactivation ceremony that takes place at Naval Station Norfolk.
Navy spokesperson Mike Maus said, "We sort of think he might be coming, but not as an official part of the ceremony."
Shatner's publicist said that the actor may give a short speech at the event. The actor, who portrayed Captain James T. Kirk in television and movies, isn't the only "Star Trek" cast member to take part in the historic USS Enterprise.
George Takei, who played Lt. Cmdr. Sulu, was onboard the nuclear-powered carrier when it came back from deployment and returned to its homeport in Alameda, Calif., according to the Naval History & Heritage Command.
USS Enterprise (CVN 65) was the world's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier. After its final deployment, it returned to Norfolk this month for its retirement ceremony. The carrier developed the nickname "Big E" and will end 51 years of active service with the United States Navy.
Tours of the ship will continue on Friday and the inactivation ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday with 12,000 attendees expected. Shatner will be in the area for a local performance in Newport News on Friday.
The inactive ship will be tugged to Newport News Shipbuilding next year as part of the process of decommissioning the vessel. The total process will take around four-years, in which the ship will be stripped and hazardous materials removed.
