Battleship New Jersey and 2be1ask1.com

The USS New Jersey Battleship Commission was created in 1980 to provide for the preservation of the Battleship as an educational museum and memorial. As a museum it will provide a unique educational experience. As a memorial it will honor all those who served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East.

Constructed in Philadelphia, she is one of only four Iowa Class Battleships in the world. During World War II she was the flagship of New Jersey native Admiral William "Bull" Halsey. The USS New Jersey was the most decorated warship in naval history having served 48 years. She received 16 Battle Stars and 13 other citations, medals, and ribbons.

After all these years of service, the New Jersey has been retired. Saved from scrapping, initial funding to two the ship from Bremerton, Washington was raised, and she is now on her way back to New Jersey. Once here, suitable funding for maintenance and berthing needs to be acquired, all through private channels.

The Grand Lodge Committee for the Battleship USS New Jersey was created to be an operational and supervisory committee in promoting programs and awareness to New Jersey Freemasons for the return of this mighty ship to New Jersey.

This Committee, after a June 16, 1999 kickoff meeting, recognized each or the district Deputy Grand Masters as a Deputy Committee Member who will assist in the communicaitons and implementation of all suggested support programs to and through the Blue Lodges,and DeMolay Chapters in theirh respective Districts. HTe DDGMs will also appoint one active representative from each Blue Lodge in his District to represent him and the programs available for support of the Battleship USS New Jersey.

The Committee consists of six board members appointed by the Grand Master and the 21 DDGMs. Permanent Committee board members are John S. Ryan, Neil Kanbtor, Bill Shepard, John Perrotti, Larry Engels and Jack Darakjy.

The Committee will contact directly or through appropriate district members all Appendant Bodies in our Grand Jurisdiction including but not limited to: Scottish Rite, Grand Royal Arch, Knights Templar, Crescent Temple AAONMS, Salaam Temple AAONMS, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, New Jersey High Twelve International, New Jersey Order of DeMolay, Order of SCIOTS, Knight Masons, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, Order of the Eastern Star of New Jersey.

Please be attuned to events contributing to this common goal through your Lodge or appendant body. For those not within the state, please feel free to contact Bro's Warren or Jerry at 2be1ask1.com email below for additional details as to how your efforts may be channeled.