BB-64 April 13-16 2001

THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR SHIP

    On April 16th, 2001, the 57th anniversary of the ships christening, the USS WISCONSIN and the National Maritime Center-Nauticus celebrated their Grand Re-Opening. Participating in this grand re-opening were Richard Conti, Nauticus Director, Paul Fraim, Mayor of Norfolk, RADM Christopher Cole, Commander Navy Regional Mid-Atlantic, Mary Mosier, Captain, USN (RET), Operations Manager for Hampton Roads Naval Museum and over 400 crewmembers, friends and family.
    Monday morning started with a parade from City Hall, down Main Street, to Nauticus. Nothing was going to stop her former crew, they came with canes, wheelchairs and assisted by family members. They marched with their heads held high and a big smile on their face. They were going to see their MAGNIFICENT LADY. Among our marchers was
Jerry Blesch, Captain USN (RET) who recommissioned the Wisconsin in 1988. Mayor Fraim and RADM Cole delivered very short speeches before the doors to Nauticus opened.
   Prior to this event, on Sunday morning after a buffet breakfast and an Easter Service, we shuttled to Nauticus to Dedicate a plaque on behalf of the Wisconsin Association. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of all sailors and Marines who served in this proud and historic warship.    It is to be placed, if possible, aboard the ship. At the present time, it is on display at Nauticus, at the foot of the bridge leading to the Wisconsin.
Association members were then allowed to preview all of Nauticus' displays pertaining to the Wisconsin. Among the many displays is "City at Sea" with three movie screens depicting Life aboard the Wisconsin. They continually show short clips and still photos of crewmembers from the three eras that the ship was in service. You had to hear the "Wow!, that's me" "I know him" "That's what's his name" . If you want to relive your time aboard the ship, this is a "Must See". There were many other exhibits, Battlescope, Battleship X, etc. just to mention a few.   The Nauticus team has done a tremendous job in recreating our time aboard our ship. WELL DONE! Nauticus.
    By 1PM the bridge was opened to us. We walked her decks once more. She is beautiful and massive and powerful. We walked from bow to stern and back again, several times, just remembering and telling sea stories. Hampton Roads Naval Museum has to be commended for all their efforts in preserving the history of our ship. We met a few of the docents, some who were former crewmembers, all have a very good knowledge of the history of the ship.
For those of you who could not attend this celebration. I hope the following pictures will give you a feeling of being there. The first 106 photos were taken by Lil and Dom Menta.

1 Wisconsin in her new and hopefully permanent home	2	3	4
5	6	7 Mary Mosier, Any chance of me getting a duplicate set of keys for the Wisconsin?	8 Friday evening. As members were checking in. we wasted no time in gathering so that we could tell sea stories.
9 We talked and talked and talked and talked	10 RPV Remoted Piloted Vechicle 3 different views Do you believe the Iraqis surrendered to this?	11	12 Anyone have a white handerchief?
13 Comparison to a 16" shell in weight	14 Some Memorabilia	15 The start of the Wisconsin	16 Wisconsin in the Pacific War
17 Desert Shield	18 Sunday morning buffet	19	20
21 No. 4 Engine Room 1951-54 Bill Henson 1988-92 James Dickson	22 Our Dedication Service	23	24 Bill Frost-2 terms aboard 1951/1957 He can still blow that Bosn's Pipe
25 Bill Henson introducing our guest speakers	26 Carl Capestrain, Pres.	27 Our Plaque	28 Carl Capestrain & Charlie Hartig from the Mayor's office
29	30 Norfolk's Mayor Paul Fraim	31 Speakers in waiting	32 Carl Capestain presents the Busy Badger award to Jennifer Cashat from Armed Forces Reunion
33 Carl presenting pieces of numbered teakwood from the deck of the Wisconsin	34 Rich Conti	35 Jack Kavanaugh	36 Jerry Blesch
37 Listening audience	38 Media coverage including Jody Cox on left	39 The Gallery	40 Standing Room Only
41 Dave presenting Mayor Paul Fraim with a teakwood clock	42 Admiring the plaque	43 Rich answering some questions	44 Clyde Worley, Charles Bryant , Clyde Lewis
45 Dom Menta and Bill Lewis	46 Those beautiful 16" guns	47 Dick Hamann signing Kathy and Bill up for the cruise	48 Betty and Buck Frazier Jean and John Berry Marie and James Armstrong
49 Mrs. Morris, Claire Kokidko, Walt Morris, ??, Bob & Mary Griel	50 Is it a case of low chairs or high tables?	51 Albert Prichard, Leonard Goodman & Floyd Sheffler	52 Gathering for the March
53 The none marchers rode the bus to Nauticus	54 Lining up at City Hall	55	56 M Division Bill Henson, Fred Thibeault, Jackie Justice Guy Trigali, Frank Romatowki
57 City Hall	58 Marching toward Nauticus	59 Left, right, come on guys stay in step	60 Norfolk Police
61 They also ride bikes	62 Some of Norfolk's natives	63 3rd Graders from Tarrallton School	64 Girl Scouts
65 Copeland Mills, School of the Arts and the Boy Scouts in the rear	66	67 US Naval Sea Cadets Corp Tophatters Squadron	68 The Nauticus Crew
69 The US Navy Band	70 Here come the Marines	71 followed by the sailors	72
73	74	75	76
77	78	79	80 After looking at all these marching photos, I think we should have gone back to Boot Camp to practice marching.
81 The Dignitaries	82	83 We made it to Nauticus and the Welcome Flag is out	84 A final speech by Mayor Fraim
85 Lil and Jerry Would you believe, Lil is standing on a orange crate	86 John Rhine, Myron NelsonJohn Pritlow	87 Jerry O'Sullivan George Tully	88 Ed Lederer Jeff Cory
89 Ty Houser Jim Parker	90 Carl and Gabe strolling the deck	91 Carl and Gabe in the foreground is Dave Kohnan's wife and Mom	92 Jack Culp with his in-laws Betty's sisters
93 Tom Lowney, Ed Lederer with wife and ?	94 A view of the bow	95 The bridge from the ship to Nauticus	96 George Johnson looking over the Donor's list
97 Amy Waters Yarsinske signing her book "Forward for Freedom The Story of Battleship Wisconsin"	98 John Fox's memorabilia	99 Viewing a clip of the Ed Sullivan show May 22, 1955	100 Betty's sister & husband, Bill & Kathy Frost, June & Frank Crawley, Betty & Jack Culp, Standing, Sally Fiore, Kathy Capestrain, Lil Menta
101 Miriam Zimmerman, Carl Capestrain, Dean Giroux, ?,? Bob Zimmerman	102 Aren't they cute??	103 Bob McClure, Harold Seavers, Lin Daggett, Marge Daggett, Standing is Bob Fournier	104 Susan McClure 2nd from right
105 How about this bus?	106 Lil said I had to put this picture on because she took it.	107 Dignitaries on the march. Next 3 photos taken by Claire Hamann	108
109	110 ADM Cole gives a short speech prior to the start of the parade. Next 8 photos sent in by Paul Hartwigsen E Div. 1956-1958	111 Old Electricians.	112 Parade assembly.
113 Parade assembly.	114 Aft Dolphin station.	115 Dress Ship.	116 View from Nauticus 3rd deck.
117 View from Nauticus 3rd deck.	118 ADM Cole being interviewed. Next 2 photos sent in by Al Hilliard 1955	119 The one and only Al Hilliard. Look who's behind Al, it's Lil and Dom. Thanks Al for all the pictures you kept sending me showing the progress being made in the construction of the pier which is now the home of our Beloved Wisconsin.	120 Percy Sussex on the signal light. Next 3 photos sent in by Percy Sussex, Q Div. 1951-1955
121 That's Percy	122 Starboard signal bridge.	123 Photo by Keith Lanpher (c) GIS Bureau of the City of Norfolk GREAT SHOT!