18 December 2009
NEWSLETTER
___________________________________

2010 USS Wisconsin BB-64 Reunion
September 8-12, 2010 Olympia Resort, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
_City of Oconomowoc Home Page
_______________________________________________________
THIS IS THE NEWS WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR

Norfolk officially takes over the Wisconsin at Nauticus
Press release from The City of Norfolk:
City of Norfolk Assumes Ownership of Battleship Wisconsin

BB64 to be included in Nauticus admission

 

Norfolk, Va—Transfer of the Navy’s last and largest battleship—the USS Wisconsin—is now complete, paving the way for the public to see interior areas of the ship within the next three years.  Navy officials signed papers on Monday, December 14, transferring ownership of the ship to the City of Norfolk.   Nauticus will now handle the day-to-day operations of the ship and will continue in partnership with the Navy, through the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, for some uses, such as naval ceremonies. As a result of the transfer, care for this major icon of naval sea power lies in the hands of the entire Hampton Roads community.

 

“Nauticus is excited about taking over stewardship of the Battleship Wisconsin,”said Nauticus Executive Director Hank Lynch. “It’s been a long time coming, and we are anxious to give the public more access to this American treasure and icon of the City of Norfolk.”

 

The Battleship Wisconsin, long homeported in Norfolk, serves as a focal point for visitors to Downtown Norfolk. The long-range goal of the City and Nauticus is to preserve, maintain, and improve this beautiful ship for countless future generations. To that end, the City has set aside $6.2 million in capital improvement funds for immediate environmental and ship’s systems upgrades. But, to fund routine maintenance and preservation, the battleship will become part of the existing Nauticus paid experience. Starting Saturday, December 19, battleship access will be included in Nauticus’ current admission of $10.95 for adults, and $8.50 for children ages 4-12.  Children age 3 and under are admitted free. 

 

Admissions and special events rental revenues will also help Nauticus improve the interpretation of the ship’s interior.  Some spaces of the ship are expected to be open for guided, hard hat tours, by next spring. Over time, more and more of the ship will be prepared for visitors to experience.

 

Naval ceremonies, including re-enlistments and retirements—will continue to be offered on the ship free of charge..  However, a suggested donation of $64 may be requested – any such donations will go directly to the Wisconsin Preservation Fund for ship’s maintenance costs.

 

Over the coming weeks, visitors to the battleship will experience new interpretive signage and additional programs to assist with understanding the significant role that the Battleship Wisconsin has played throughout history, including her service in World War II, the Korean War, and Operation Desert Storm. As before, the docent force of veterans and Battleship lovers will be on board to tell the story of this great ship. Long term plans call for diverse educational programming and access to the combat information center, berthing areas, wardroom and barber shop. Oral histories will also blend with innovative technology to tell the personal stories of veterans who served on the ship.

                                                                                                  ________________________________________

Additional reading:  December 16, 2009 The Virginian-Pilot 

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/12/norfolk-officially-takes-over-wisconsin-nauticus

 

 

 

 REUNION INFORMATION WILL BE MAILED OUT BEGINNING THE FIRST WEEK OF
JANUARY 2010 
Reunion information will only be mailed to those people who are CURRENT members of the association.  That means that if your membership expires on December 31, 2009
you will not receive your reunion information until you renew your membership. 

 

A large number have already mailed in their dues and their new membership cards will be mailed out with the reunion information so that we can save on postage. 
Those members whose membership does not expire at the end of the year will have their reunion information mailed the first week of January.

 

I'm sure all of you read Bill's article in the Badger and have questions concerning the Great Lakes graduation.  At this time, there are only 100 seats available and our association has those seats reserved.  The seats for the actual ceremony will be assigned to the first 100 former crew members who sign up for the tour. 

 

If we are able to secure additional seats former crew members still will have first priority for those seats.  No seats will be confirmed until you check in at the reunion.
The bottom line is for anyone to have a chance to attend the ceremony you must purchase the tour tickets.  All deadlines apply so please pay attention to your reunion information paperwork when it arrives. 

 

____________________________________________________________
Please keep your email address up to date with LaDonna
even if you don’t want it posted online.
  Please contact LaDonna Bradshaw, bb64members@aol.com. Or (601) 693-4614
____________________________________________________

 
                              

FROM MY PERSONAL LOG

 

 

TEE SHIRT AND PIN DESIGN

Deadline for the design of the reunion pin and tee shirt is February 1^st. 
The contest is open to all association members.  The prize is a free room for 1 night at the reunion.

 

Please mail or email your design to:

 

Tom Bradshaw

PO Box 227

Marion, MS  39342

bb64bt1retired@aol.com

(601)693-4614

Good luck and get your design in as soon as possible.
                                          

__________________________________________________________________

PLEASE REMEMBER TO INCLUDE IN YOUR PRAYERS,
OUR SICK AND DEPARTED SHIPMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS