Family of Sullivan brothers visits ship named in their honor Friday morning

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kelly Sullivan boarded the USS The Sullivans, a ship stationed at Naval Station Mayport, on Friday morning.

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“When I walk up on the pier and I see that shamrock, I always cry,” Kelly Sullivan said.

She’s the granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, one of five brothers who died after their ship was destroyed in WWII.

Albert was onboard the USS Juneau serving with his four brothers, Joe, Frank, Matt and George when a Japanese torpedo sunk the ship, killing him and all of his brothers.

Kelly Sullivan and her family traveled from Waterloo, Iowa for a special tour onboard the ship that shares her family’s name and legacy.

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She even brought her father, Jim Sullivan, who hasn’t seen the ship in 23 years.

“I’m always glad to see the ship, you know that’s one of the biggest reasons I came this time, so I can see the ship, but it makes me feel good,” Jim Sullivan said.

Inside, they were greeted by a new mural showing the five faces of the brothers whose lives were lost during the war so everyone will know their sacrifice.

Kelly Sullivan was in New York when they commissioned USS The Sullivans back in 1997.

Even as the years go by, she said it still feels like home every time she returns.

“This ship has been my rock and this crew has been my rock for all these years and even after 23 years, it doesn’t change,” Kelly said.

Cox Media Group