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Give me a holler Rusty, I'd like to be there on opening day and walk her decks yet again. If finances and time permit I'd help with the restoration as well.
I have to ask this as a matter of record - after she's restored an in place as a museum, will former crewmembers be given access to spaces not normally viewable by the general public?
Oh, Rusty - one specific request that should be easy to honor since it's a museum now and not a warship...
At the bottom of turret 2, the center gun elevator - the 1" armored plate shaft around it is bowed out at least 10 inches on each side. Please don't fix that - it's a result of 4/19 and may very well be the only thing left (besides the 'people soup' smell) that'll prove it ever happened aboard.
UNITED STATES NAVY DONATES USS IOWA TO PACIFIC BATTLESHIP CENTER
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus Announces the Award of the Battleship USS Iowa
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced today that the United States Navy has donated the Battleship USS Iowa to the Pacific Battleship Center, a Los Angeles‐based nonprofit on course to turn the ship into a permanent museum and memorial at the Port of Los Angeles.
The donation of the USS Iowa to the Pacific Battleship Center, under the Navy’s ship donation program, is the culmination of years of work by many dedicated volunteers. The USS Iowa is the only Iowa‐class battleship that has not been saved and turned into a permanent museum,and was the last battleship available for donation.
“We want to thank the Secretary of the Navy, and the entire United States Navy, for the donation of the USS Iowa to the Pacific Battleship Center,” stated Robert Kent, the President of the nonprofit. “With this award, the USS Iowa will become a permanent museum, memorial and educational center. We can now move forward with the work necessary to restore the ship and to bring her to the Port of Los Angeles.
”The Pacific Battleship Center acknowledged the support and thousands of hours volunteers have contributed to this project. “Without the support of our volunteers, the people of the Los Angeles area and the people of the State of Iowa, this dream would not have become a reality,”stated Kent.
While there are too many people to thank for this great achievement, we do want to make special mention of the efforts of Congressman Buck McKeon, Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles City Council and their President, Eric Garcetti, the Los AngelesHarbor Commission and their President, Cindy Miscikowski, and Craig Nelson of Torrey‐PinesBank. This award also would not have happened without the tireless support of former LosAngeles City Councilwoman and current Congresswoman Janice Hahn. “Without the persistence of Congresswoman Hahn, the USS Iowa would not be coming to the Port of LosAngeles,” remarked Kent.
The people of Iowa were also instrumental in making this day a reality. We would like to thankGovernor Terry Branstad and the Iowa Legislature for their support in appropriating $3 million this year for the restoration of the USS Iowa. The entire Iowa Congressional Delegation also supported the efforts to bring the USS Iowa to Los Angeles. Robert Kent commented, “I would like to particularly thank Congressman Tom Latham and Senator Charles Grassley, for their special efforts to help ensure that the USS Iowa becomes a permanent memorial for all of our citizens.”
As the Pacific Battleship Center moves forward with the restoration and relocation of the USS Iowa, there are still numerous opportunities to be part of this historic project. You may contact the USS Iowa’s new caretakers at USS IOWA | A New Home in Los Angeles.
Good job, Rusty; obviously, I would've preferred she stay up here in NorCal at Mare, but I think you guys "down south" will take better care of her (plus, the weather's better!). Keep up the good work!
"There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you're not there any more." -Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge
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