MILWAUKEE - After thousands braved the cold temperatures at Veterans Park, the words they came for were spoken. "I hear by place USS Freedom in commission," said Don Winter, Secretary of the Navy. And it is a day Eric Gereau fought to be a part of. "They got tired of listening to me in San Diego and sent me here," said Gereau. As soon as he heard about it, this naval officer from Ontario, Wisconsin wanted on this ship, in large part because it's moving history; the first ship of its kind. "I've been trying to get my foot in this door in this program when I first heard about it in 2004," he said. And now he's here on this historic day talking only to us about it. "So what's it like to have this commissioned here in your home state," asked TODAY'S TMJ4's Jay Olstad. "It's awesome. I've had a great time since I got here and Milwaukee has really rolled out the red carpet for us. They've been treating us really well," he said. And because the Navy commissioned the USS Freedom in Wisconsin some of Gereau's family members were able to be here to celebrate the day with him. "They're all from Wisconsin so it worked out good for us," he said. His family not only saw their son but the dozens of other sailors board the USS Freedom. It's a ship that's smaller, sleeker, and able to maneuver in and out of pretty much any location. "So when you say there's no other ship like it, you mean it," said Olstad. "I mean it, no other ship like it. It's not just of a new class but first in a new concept," said Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations. He says the Navy wants to build at least 53 more like, perhaps right here in Wisconsin. That could bring millions of dollars and tons of jobs to northern Wisconsin. But first they'll sail this one. It leaves Monday morning. "May God bless and guide this war ship and all who sail in her," said Winter. And one of those along for the ride just happens to be from Wisconsin. "I'm very excited," said Gereau.