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An American Flag that once flew over our nation's capitol is unfurled aboard the SS United States
to commemorate the National Flagship Celebration. Photo courtesy of Patrick Murphy.
IN THIS ISSUE: - Philadelphia Philanthropist Gerry Lenfest Partners with SS United States Conservancy to Prevent Ship's Scrapping
- Recent Developments receive extensive media coverage
- July 1 National Flagship Celebration a huge success
- Support for Conservancy needed now more than ever
Dear Conservancy Members and Supporters:
As many of you already know, the SS United States Conservancy made an important announcement at our July 1st National Flagship Celebration. Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest has pledged up to $5.8 million to the SS United States Conservancy. These funds will be used to purchase the vessel from its current owner, Norwegian Cruise Line/Genting Hong Kong and maintain the ship in its current berth for up to 20 months while redevelopment plans are solidified. To read the Conservancy's media advisory containing the key details on this important development, please CLICK HERE.
On this Independence Day, we are celebrating several important
milestones. We are paying tribute not only to the spirit of our great country, but
also to the 58th anniversary of the maiden voyage of our national
flagship. We would like to
express our gratitude to everyone, from Gerry Lenfest to our newest
Plank Owner, for the spirit of unity and commitment which made our
recent public announcement possible.
To all of
our supporters, we convey our deepest gratitude and ask for your
continued faith and support as we work to redevelop the SS United States. While we are deeply relieved that our national flagship has been granted an 11th hour reprieve, the Big U has not been saved. She has been granted a crucial 20-month stay of execution. Her story is far from over. We have a long and complicated
journey before
us, and there are no guarantees that our dreams for
the ship will be fulfilled. We need
your support now more than ever if we are to
achieve our goal of securing the ship's future for generations to come.
In gratitude,
SS United States Conservancy Board of Directors
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NATIONAL FLAGSHIP CELEBRATION A HUGE SUCCESS
|  The SS United States Awaits Illumination. Photo courtesy of Patrick Murphy.
Throughout the afternoon of July 1st, there was the buzz of excitement as a big tent was erected in the parking lot of Columbus Commons and a team from Atlantic Logistics worked with artist Robert Wogan to prepare for the evening's lighting. Filmmaker Bob Radler of Big Ship films, Director of SS United States: Lady in Waiting, was busy filming interviews and chronicling event preparations.
The official event kicked off shortly after 7 PM with a presentation of the colors by the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. This volunteer military unit, first organized in defense of the colonies in 1774, has served on peace keeping missions in Bosnia and Egypt. Next, members of Philadelphia's Orpheus Club, including Conservancy board member Steven Ujifusa, sang a rousing rendition of the national anthem. Conservancy Executive Director Dan McSweeney then welcomed and thanked the enthusiastic crowd.
Conservancy Board President Susan Gibbs presented Gerry Lenfest with the National Flagship Champion Medal. Gibbs noted that the first Medal was awarded last summer to Walter Cronkite, who called the ship's neglect "tear-jerking" and a "crime against history."
 The National Flagship Champion Medal.
Photo courtesy Patrick M. Dobson.
Gibbs then said that saving the Big U would require "lots of hard work and imagination and financial support. But thanks to Gerry Lenfest, our new National Flagship Champion, we are certain that we can - and we must - save the SS United States."
 Conservancy President Susan Gibbs with Gerry Lenfest and Mayor Nutter. Photo courtesy
of Josimar de Souza and The SS United States Group.
Upon accepting the National Flagship Medal, Lenfest declared: "The Conservancy has a big job
ahead. All I did was to create the opportunity and prime the pump so they can
go out and raise the money to restore the vessel. We are all behind her,
and we all wish the Conservancy great fortune in doing it."
 "My father was a naval architect,"
Lenfest continued. "I believe he built the watertight doors that went on this ship, and
she is still floating! We have a great opportunity here. We are sitting
across from the greatest ocean liner ever built. She's worth keeping. She's worth saving. If you look at her, at least
from a distance, she is still the most majestic and most beautiful ship
afloat."
(Photo courtesy of Patrick M. Dobson)
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter thanked Lenfest and declared that the SS United States is "a national treasure... This ship
must be saved. Let us pledge that we will not allow any tragedy to
befall this ship," Mayor Nutter continued. "This is the most important landmark on the water
anywhere in the city of Philadelphia. This is not just about the ship ...
this is part of our national history."
| John Reynolds and Nick Manzi of Atlantic Logistics were presented the National Flagship Corporate Champion Award for their continued care and stewardship of the vessel. After Conservancy board member Charles Anderson made the presentation, Reynolds graciously dedicated the award to all of the workers who built the ship, all of the officers and crew who sailed on her during her service career, and all of the volunteers and supporters who have been working so tirelessly to save her.
On behalf of state senator Larry Farnese, chief of staff Anthony Mannino presented the Conservancy with a citation in recognition of its efforts. Congratulatory letters were also presented to the Conservancy from New York Senator Chuck Schumer and New York Representative Scott Murphy, who also provided the Conservancy with the flag that was mounted on the SS United States' radar mast. The flag had previously flown over the
National Capitol.
 Robert Wogan's "United Radiance." Photo courtesy of Josimar de Souza and
The SS United States Group.
Finally, as darkness fell, a recording of the ship's whistles sounded and powerful floodlights illuminated the ship's funnels, radar mast, and bridge, bringing artist Robert Wogan's "United Radiance" to life for the third time since its inception in 1999. Crowds lined both sides of Columbus Boulevard as news choppers circled overhead. This dramatic event was followed by an outdoor screening of the acclaimed film SS United States: Lady in Waiting, introduced by producer and Conservancy board member Mark Perry.
Many traveled from near and far to attend the National Flagship Celebration, including Philadelphia notables Lynne
Abraham, former Philadelphia District Attorney, Judge Thomas Watkins and his wife Penelope, Frank DeGiulio from Palmer, Biezup & Henderson, James McDermott, executive director of the Philadelphia
Regional Port Authority, Bill
Walsh, District Manager for Congressman Joe Sestak, Joan Aitken, Chair of
the Philadelphia Design Advocacy Group, Philadelphia police Captain Mike Weaver, and Laura Spina of the
Philadelphia City Planning Commission.
We also welcomed actor David Conrad of Ghost Whisperer, former crewmember Jim Green and his wife Frieda, former bell captain Bill Krudener, Michael Harrington and Ed Michalski from Gibbs & Cox, and Mario Alvarez-Garcillan, who flew all the way from Madrid, Spain to attend the festivities, to name just a few.
Finally, the Conservancy was delighted that key members of our legal team were in attendance, including Frank Nolan from Vedder Price and Christopher Bell from Sidley Austin. The Conservancy is very grateful for the generous pro bono services being provided by these top-tier firms. Vedder Price is providing legal counsel in corporate structures, acquisition and development of the vessel. Sidley Austin is representing the Conservancy on environmental issues. |
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THANK YOU TO ALL OUR EVENT SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS
AND VOLUNTEERS!
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Photo courtesy of Gerard Dailey.
| The SS United States Conservancy would like to thank all of the supporters, donors and volunteers who made our July 1st National Flagship Celebration such a resounding success! We would particularly like to thank our event team leaders: Arlene Ingram, Joan Elsasser, Kevin Trapper, Brandyn Bissinger, and
Steven Ujifusa. We'd also like to give a shout-out to Ray Griffiths, Rita
deVecchis, Susan Caccavale, Dan Callahan, Mark Brooks, Jennifer Braxton, Gerry Dailey, Steve Perry, Bill Magee, Alex Lyda, Susan Fino, Jodie and Ava Henry, and Frankie Campione. We'd also like to acknowledge the members of the Conservancy's board of directors: Charles Anderson, Susan Gibbs, Jeff Henry, Robert Jones, John Milligan, Gregory Norris, Mark Perry, Joe Rota, Steven Ujifusa, Mary Villalba, and last but not least, the inspired leadership of the Conservancy's executive director, Dan McSweeney.
Our event's generous corporate sponsors included:
Event Underwriters
INGRAM JAÉN, LLC
PECO
Rhoads
Industries
Food and Beverage Sponsors:
Burger
King
Cavanaugh's
(Rittenhouse)
Chik-Fil-A
Frankford
Candy & Chocolate Co.
IKEA
Papa John's #3287
Pat's King of Steaks
Philly Soft Pretzel Factory
Pepsico
Product Donors and in-kind Contributors
Atlantic Logistics
CREATE
Architects
Dollar
Tree
Five Below
Goldenberg Group
Local
333, United Marine Division, ILA, AFL-CIO
Lowes
The Philadelphia
Phillies
The Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Flyers
Art and Memorabilia Auction Item Contributors
Craig Billow
Phillip
Buehler
Scott
Dennenberg
Rita deVecchis & deVecchis Galleries
Ron
Pisco
Gregory Prestegord
Greg
Shutters
Carl Weber and The SS United States Group on Yahoo
Robert
Wogan
Thank you one and all!
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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW MORE THAN EVER!
CONSERVANCY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
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| The generous donation by Mr. Lenfest will secure the ship for only a short period of time. Now more than ever, we need your financial support to facilitate the long term future of the SS United States. The
Conservancy's national campaign titled "Save Our Ship"
(SOS) offers a customized e-mailed "Plank Owner" certificate for tax-deductible
donations of at least $25 via its DONOR WEBSITE.
Please click on the link above and give as generously as you can. If every American contributes even a modest amount, the SS United States can be saved for future generations. Your patience is also deeply appreciate as each certificate is created and e-mailed manually.
We are also preparing to mount a nationwide membership drive. Annual Conservancy memberships are available at a range of levels. To download a membership application, CLICK HERE.
If you have already become an SS United States Conservancy member and Plank Owner, please help us spread the word among your friends, colleagues and family members. If you have a Facebook account, please "like" the SS United States Conservancy's Facebook page so that we can keep growing our ranks and building more momentum!
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For the latest news about the SS United States,
please visit our Save Our Ship blog
P
Please visit our bookstore on Blurb.com.
Please support our efforts to save
the SS United States by
visiting our store.
SS United States Conservancy
P.O. Box 32115
Washington, DC 20007
(888)-488-7787
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