USS Cleveland commissioning will make Ohio history

Driving the news: The USS Cleveland (LCS 31) is the fourth Navy vessel to carry the city's name and the latest addition to the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship fleet.

The big picture: Ships in this class are speedy and can operate in both "near-shore" and "open-ocean" combat environments.

• The USS Cleveland will support the U.S. military's "forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe," per the Navy.

Zoom in: The vessel carries Northeast Ohio ties beyond its name.

• Steel used in the ship's construction came from Cleveland-Cliffs. Local manufacturing giants, including Lincoln Electric and Sherwin-Williams, contributed additional products and materials.
• The ship's motto, "Forge a Legacy," is a nod to Cleveland's industrial heritage. And its crest, featuring an anvil and a red stripe, honors the city's steel manufacturing roots.

What they're saying: The ship is "Cleveland in spirit and Cleveland in its bones," Tim Daley, a USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation historian, told WKYC.

State of play: The vessel was greeted by a flotilla on Lake Erie and hundreds of watchers on land when it arrived in Northeast Ohio over the weekend.

• Public ship tours continue through Wednesday, though reservations are currently booked.

What's next: The ticketed commissioning ceremony begins at 10am Saturday at North Coast Yard near Huntington Bank Field.

• The event will also be livestreamed.
• The ship is expected to depart Cleveland on May 19 and will head to its home port in Mayport, Florida.