Trademark 2002

HSMPS and the IOWA have benefited from board based community support. We have seen members of the Confederate Air Force sortie from out-of state and from local airports, three fire boats came out at midnight to honor the IOWA on her arrival under the Golden Gate, the Presidential yacht POTOMAC greeted IOWA on her arrival in Suisun Bay, the Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team put their launch (equipped with a water gun) into the Bay to meet the battleship, the Port of San Francisco made available a free pier while Bay Delta Tugs offered their services gratis if IOWA was to stop in San Francisco on her way into Susiun Bay.  Unfortunately, IOWA did not stop in the City by the Bay, but all these efforts translated into powerful signs of public and municipal support for the Navy.

HSMPS is extremely proud of the Bay Area community's support for the IOWA and has made every effort to show our gratitude.  The photos that follow evidence our gratitude and outreach to the community:

HSMPS THANKS POTOMAC ASSOCIATION

On July 11, 2001 HSMPS and the Navy League of the United States, Marin County Council, presented the Potomac Association Certificates of Appreciation. This in recognition of the special role the Presidential Yacht Potomac played during IOWA's arrival, taking veterans and former IOWA crew members out to greet the battleship.  There can be no doubt that the Potomac added special historic meaning to IOWA's arrival.  It was the Potomac that transported President Franklin D. Roosevelt to meet IOWA, when he boarded the battleship in 1943 to cross the Atlantic to attend a World War II conference with Allied leaders Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and Chang-Kai Shek.  In recognition of Potomac's significant efforts to be available for IOWA's arrival, HSMPS Director Merylin Wong presented Certificates of Appreciation to Potomac Association Executive Director Linda Brewer.

HSMPS SALUTES THE

SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT

On the evening of February 14, 2002 (Valentine’s Day), HSMPS, Marin County Council of the Navy League, in conjunction the Veterans Association of the U.S.S. Iowa made a public presentation to the San Francisco Fire Department.  With the Fire Department Commission, Fire Chief Mario Trevino and his captains present, the Fire Department was thanked for their constant support of the sea services through fire boat welcomes, especially the Department’s fireboat welcome of the U.S.S. Iowa during the battleship’s midnight arrival under the Golden Gate Bridge on April 20.  The Department appears very supportive of the City's request for the battleship’s use as a disaster command and control facility.  The Department was presented a lithograph of the IOWA and fabulous photograph, taken from the bridge of CGC MUNRO, of a Coast Guard helicopter hovering above one of the Department’s fireboats. We would like to thank Merylin Wong, Al Martino, and Bill Stephens for making this presentation.  The photo above shows IOWA crew member Al Martino presenting an IOWA lithograph to Fire Chief Martino. 

HSMPS APPLAUDS THE

OAKLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT

Another great assist was provided by the Oakland Fire Department, whose fireboat not only met IOWA at midnight but accompanied BB-61all the way to Suisun Bay.  This amounted to almost a 12-hour escort. What a great statement for Bay Area support.  This stellar salute to the Navy is the stuff legends are made of.  There can be no question that our community fire departments are crewed by some of the most patriotic and generous as well as supportive folks in our nation.  Merylin Wong visited their facility and presented the Department a plaque from HSMPS expressing our thanks for the Oakland Fire Department's honoring the IOWA and the United States Navy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more examples of community recognition, click here.

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