HSMPS attends  IOWA'S              Crewmember Reunion 

Trademark 2002

The Veterans Association of the U.S.S. Iowa is one of the largest crew member associations in the world.  HSMPS's relationship with the crew dates back to 1998, when we first boarded IOWA in the Philadelphia Naval Yard and they offered to give us a "cook's tour" of their ship.  Ever since that time, HSMPS has bonded and worked closely with the Association, attended every crew member reunion, worked diligently to keep them informed.  They have proven an invaluable source of energy, support and commitment in moving IOWA to the Bay Area and in working toward preserving IOWA as a premier naval museum and memorial.  From the beginning, the crew have pitched in at every opportunity to help.  At every crisis, they stood firm.  IOWA's relocation is their victory.  HSMPS is honored to have this Association represented on its Board, to work side by side with these great men and their families, to share the dream of making the IOWA one of the nation's greatest naval memorials to the liberty loving sailors of this great nation and their sacrifices.  

Thus it was with great pleasure that HSMPS traveled to the crew's reunion in Scottsdale, Arizona in June 2001.  The captivating feeling of camaraderie engulfed us as we were again reunited with these men (many whom we know on a first name basis) and their families.  In some cases, wives, daughters and sons of former crew attended, representing their dads.  Such is the powerful way of the "IOWANS".  For HSMPS, this was a wonderful opportunity to address them as IOWA had just arrived in the Bay Area.  In the packed auditorium (photo left), we felt proud to relate the tremendous progress made toward ensuring IOWA's future.  Some set with tears in their eyes, other wore smiles that bespoke a timeless love, all with rap attention, as we described and showed video footage of IOWA's arrival under the Golden Gate and her transit through San Francisco Bay to the Maritime Administration inactive ship facility near Vallejo.

Incredibly moving was the moment when one, then two, then ten, then virtually the whole gathered assembly in the auditorium stood up and began donating money to support the effort to save their ship.  In rows three deep, they stood, waiting to give--what a statement of faith and solidarity!  What an incredible crew!  Many of us began to feel tears of pride.  With this kind of support and commitment, IOWA will become a naval monument of enormous stature.  This was another powerful moment in an incredible history, the history of the U.S.S. Iowa.  There are times when the human spirit grows, such is the endeavor for securing IOWA's future as a memorial and museum in San Francisco. (Photo left, L-R, shows Association President John Schultz and standing next to him HSMPS officers Bill Stephens and Merylin Wong answering crew member questions.)

That evening's dinner was held against the back-drop of a huge screen that played footage of IOWA's transit through the Panama Canal  and San Francisco Bay.  The guest speaker was none other than the Navy League's National President, Rear Admiral Jack Fisher, USN (ret), seen here in the adjacent photo with Association and HSMPS Board Member Paul Gomez (left).  Rear Admiral Fisher and the Navy League had vigorously supported IOWA's relocation to San Francisco to the Navy.  Rear Admiral Fisher even accompanied HSMPS on a briefing at the Pentagon.  Thus it was a great honor for us to see him as the guest speaker for the crew's reunion only a few weeks  after IOWA's arrival under the Golden Gate.  Repeatedly during the evening Admiral Fisher commented on the evident enthusiasm and commitment  of the crew for their ship and the high turnout.  In his presentation that evening, Admiral Fisher gave the crew a fresh evaluation of the status of the Navy and the Navy League's role in supporting the sea services.  He described the quality support the Navy League generated for preserving the naval legacy and expressed his great pleasure that IOWA  was at last in the Bay Area.  This was a mission successfully completed, a project that had won the day, a stirring tribute to the efforts of the Navy League, the Navy, and IOWA's crew.  There can be no higher reward.  For those of us in HSMPS and the Veterans Association that also belong to the Navy League, this was a moment of true synergy.  The Veterans Association of the U.S.S. Iowa enjoys the distinct honor of having the support of one of the nation's oldest naval and maritime organizations, the Navy League of the United States. (Photo above right, shows the crew, HSMPS, and Navy League.) 

This reunion celebrated the amazing faith and strength of IOWA's crew.  This gathering commemorated the great men who crewed IOWA and showed the nation that IOWA remains a fundamental and influential force within the Navy.  There can be no doubt but that the "IOWANS" will succeed, that their ship will persevere.  HSMPS and the Veterans Association of the U.S.S. Iowa are a team that is making history.

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