-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An aircraft carrier named after the first President Bush was commissioned Saturday in Norfolk , Virginia . Former President George H.W. Bush waves aboard the aircraft carrier named after him Saturday . `` Those who are sitting out there , where I was , 65 years ago , preparing to serve aboard your new ship , I wish I was sitting right out there with you , '' the carrier 's 84-year-old namesake told sailors at the commissioning ceremony . `` As you prepare to man this ship , I do know that you take with you the hopes and dreams of every American who cherishes freedom and peace , and you take with you the undying respect and admiration of the entire Bush family , '' he said . The 1,092-foot , 20-story USS George H.W. Bush was decorated with red , white and blue banners for Saturday 's ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk . Watch video of the aircraft carrier '' The 41st president joined the Navy at 18 and served as an aviator in World War II . He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for his Navy service in the Pacific during the war , according to the Department of Defense . His time in the Navy ended after about four years . About 17,000 people were expected to attend Saturday 's ceremony . Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , Defense Secretary Robert Gates , Vice President Dick Cheney and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine were there , as was Bush 's son President George W. Bush and his wife , Laura . '' Laura and I are thrilled to be here to help commission an awesome ship and to honor an awesome man , President George H.W. Bush , '' the president said . `` So what do you give a guy who has been blessed and has just about everything he has ever needed ? Well , an aircraft carrier . '' The ship , comprising 47,000 tons of structural steel and about 500 tons of aluminum , is the last of the Nimitz class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers . The ship 's construction began in 2003 . It was finished nearly three years later . The vessel will carry about 6,000 Navy personnel , the Department of Defense said . After the ceremony , the president left Norfolk for Maryland 's Andrews Air Force Base on what was probably his last Air Force One flight . From Andrews , he was expected to take a helicopter to Washington . White House spokesperson Dana Perino said the president was n't aware that it was his last scheduled flight on Air Force One until he was told by an interviewer . Read about features of Air Force One '' President Bush leaves office January 20 , and President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in .