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| Photos courtesy of the Ash family |
PCU is a designation used by the U.S. Navy to describe crews aboard vessels under construction or undergoing sea trials prior to official commissioning.
The baptism, performed by Father Jeff, brought together Ash’s family, including his wife, Shayne Ash, sister, Renea Henderson, brother-in-law, nieces, mother and other loved ones, to honor both a sacred tradition and a connection to naval heritage.
Shipboard baptisms trace their origins to the British Royal Navy hundreds of years ago, when sailors at sea or in foreign ports would request blessings for their children using the ship’s bell as the baptismal font. Traditionally, the bell is inverted and filled with water for the ceremony, and afterward, the child’s name is engraved inside the bell to commemorate the event.
“Baptism is more than a ritual — it is a sacred bridge between generations, carrying forward faith, identity, and belonging,” said Henderson, Ash’s sister. “Within families, it becomes a moment of continuity and connection — a reminder that love, hope and devotion are not born in a single moment but renewed through tradition. Each baptism binds the present to the past, weaving together stories of ancestors who believed, prayed and hoped for those who would come after. In this way, baptism is not only an act of faith but also an affirmation of family — a shared declaration that we are part of something larger, rooted in grace and carried by those who came before us.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
The Razorback, a Balao-class submarine commissioned in 1944, served in both World War II and the Cold War before being transferred to the Turkish Navy and later returned to the United States as a museum ship. Today, it stands as a piece of living naval history along the banks of the Arkansas River.
For Senior Chief Ash, the ceremony was both personal and symbolic.
“Having my daughter baptized aboard Razorback was incredibly special,” Ash said. “It combined my family’s faith with my Navy career in a way that’s meaningful to all of us. To be surrounded by family aboard a submarine with so much history — that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Based in Virginia, PCU Arkansas is preparing to begin sea trials. Once commissioned, it will join the fleet as the newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.