goofy
November 29th, 2007, 21:51
Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:30:03 GMT
Search for home for USS Iowa may be over
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) The search for a home for the USS Iowa may soon be over.
The Navy has declared that Mare Island off the coast of Vallejo, Calif., is the only practical option for the USS Iowa Memorial and Museum.
The Iowa was first launched in 1943 and made tours during World War II and the Korean War, earning 11 battle stars. It was decommissioned in 1990.
The Navy's announcement is good news to Merylin Wong and others with the Vallejo-based, nonprofit Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square.
Wong's organization has spent 10 years working to get the Iowa battleship. The bidding process, which took much of the past year, included presenting the Navy details about logistics, funding, dredging, pier improvements and ship restoration.
San Francisco and Stockton also sought to become the Iowa's permanent home.
The next step is for the nonprofit group to provide evidence of firm financing to the Navy, which will then further consider the application.
About $15 million to $20 million is needed to give the battleship a permanent home. Wong said her group is requesting donations.
Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/
Search for home for USS Iowa may be over
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) The search for a home for the USS Iowa may soon be over.
The Navy has declared that Mare Island off the coast of Vallejo, Calif., is the only practical option for the USS Iowa Memorial and Museum.
The Iowa was first launched in 1943 and made tours during World War II and the Korean War, earning 11 battle stars. It was decommissioned in 1990.
The Navy's announcement is good news to Merylin Wong and others with the Vallejo-based, nonprofit Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square.
Wong's organization has spent 10 years working to get the Iowa battleship. The bidding process, which took much of the past year, included presenting the Navy details about logistics, funding, dredging, pier improvements and ship restoration.
San Francisco and Stockton also sought to become the Iowa's permanent home.
The next step is for the nonprofit group to provide evidence of firm financing to the Navy, which will then further consider the application.
About $15 million to $20 million is needed to give the battleship a permanent home. Wong said her group is requesting donations.
Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/