 |
MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS |
|
| RELEASE:
IMMEDIATE (3 September 1999) |
||
Battleship New Jersey to Depart from
Bremerton, Washington
***Media Event/Photo Opportunity***
WHAT: The NJDMAVA will honor the USS New Jersey in a ceremonial casting off of the lines before its departure from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Crowley Marine Services will tow the battleship with its tugboat, Sea Victory, from Bremerton back to its namesake state.
WHEN: Friday, September 10, 1999
Immediately following a wreath ceremony by USS New Jersey veterans at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington
WHO: COL Michael Warner, New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA)
U.S. Navy Representative
Todd Busch, Crowley Marine Services
Chaplain Erwin Sledewski, USS New Jersey plank owner (original crew member)
DETAILS: The USS New Jersey will leave Bremerton on Sunday, September 12, 1999 and travel to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard via the Panama Canal.
Anyone planning to attend the September 10 event must RSVP no later than September 7 by calling (609) 530-7088. All media must check in at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard front gate entrance by 10:00 a.m. Anyone arriving later will not be permitted into the shipyard.
Shipyard personnel will escort all media to a designated area near the USS New Jersey. Due to the bailment agreement, no one is permitted on the battleship at any time.
Chaplain Erwin Sledewski will perform a blessing of the ship during the ceremony.