Newport News Shipbuilding celebrated the 237 members of the Master Shipbuilder Class of 1984 during a recognition ceremony Friday night.

Master Shipbuilders are employees with 40 or more years of continuous service. Xavier Beale, vice president of Human Resources and Trades Administration, praised the group as a constant, positive force since they walked through the gates 40 years ago.

Their leadership has enriched a new generation of employees who are still early in their careers, he said.

“At a time when thousands of new shipbuilders are entering our workforce, we have an even greater appreciation for your skill, your knowledge and your commitment to our noble cause,” Beale said.

President Jennifer Boykin praised the Class of 1984 for its unwavering commitment.

“To serve your country the way you do for more than 40 years is a degree of loyalty like none other,” she said. “And our company, our Navy and our country are all the better because of it.”

In a video celebrating the class, several Master Shipbuilders reflected on their journey.

“A Master Shipbuilder is someone who is reliable,” said Steve Cannard, a sheet metal specialist. “They do a high-quality job right the first time.”

Linda Carrithers, a process improvement analyst, recalled that her annual salary when she began work was about $16,000. During that first year, NNS christened Los Angeles-class submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721), while two more Los-Angeles class boats built at NNS were commissioned: USS Salt Lake City (716) and USS Olympia (SSN 717).

The shipyard also marked two aircraft carrier milestones within days of each other, christening USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) on Oct. 27 and authenticating the keel for USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Nov. 3.

See a list of names from the Class of 1984. View a gallery of images from the celebration here.