Mother of warship's namesake in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. - As two decorated captains transfered command of the USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) on Friday morning at Naval Station Norfolk, 80-year-old Dolia Gonzalez was overcome with emotion as she sat in a place of honor during the ceremony.  The huge powerful ship bears her son's name, her only child.

21-year-old Marine Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez was killed in action during the Vietnam war, as he put himself at risk to protect the men in his platoon.

"It was like 12 days after he died," said Gonzalez. "I didn't even know he was dead. I went crazy."

Gonzalez' son was the first Mexican-American to be awarded the Medal of Honor. After the destroyer was named after him, his mother, who lives in Texas, began attending every Change of Command ceremony in Norfolk.

"It means a lot to me to be with the boys and the captain," she said.

Gonzalez looks on the outgoing and incoming commanders and all the ship's sailors, as her own children.

"Dolia is very special to all of us and every sailor that checks on board I tell them that Dolia is mother to all of us," said outgoing captain CDR Brian Fort just moments before he was relieved by incoming captain, CDR Lynn Acheson.

Gonzalez says the ship and her crew are never far from her mind.

"I wonder where they are, what they are doing, are they ok?" she said.

It's clear, no matter where in the world the USS Gonzalez and her sailors are called to duty, they will have a very special woman watching over them, a woman who gave her only child for her country.