Nauticus hosts time capsule ceremony for Battleship Wisconsin’s 80th anniversary
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Commissioned 80 years ago on April 16, the Battleship Wisconsin has been through a lot, from the Pacific Theater to Desert Storm. Many boarded the battleship turned museum Tuesday morning to celebrate the milestone.
Celebrate the Battleship Wisconsin’s 80th anniversary at Nauticus
For many there, the Wisconsin brought back memories. Veterans who served on the ship sat in the front row, some back on board for the first time since it became an iconic museum.
“It helps to reinforce some of the memories that I had, reminds me of the things I totally forgot about in 30+ years,” said Retired Marine LtCol, Kent Ralston.
Kent Ralston got a tour of his old general quarter station, remembering what it was like to be on the ship when tomahawk cruise missiles fired away. Old systems from the 1940’s were still operating well when he served in the early 1990’s.
“That was really quite a surreal night, something like I’ve never seen or experienced before or since,” Ralston recalled.
While talking about her many tours of duty, Vice Adm. John Gumbleton with the U.S. Navy also took time to acknowledge the conflicts going on now — reflecting on what our service members are enduring.
“Looking at a radar return with minutes to make a decision that tactical action off for the commanding officer, often 7 to 21 seconds on whether they’re going to launch a missile or not,” Gumbleton said. “That’s combat. That’s happening today. Our sailors, your sailors are proud to do it.”
To commemorate the occasion, veterans put items into a time capsule which will be kept on board for 20 years. The items include a U.S. flag from the ship, a menu from the 1944 commissioning dinner, part of the deck from the 1940’s, a commemorative coin, one of the 80th anniversary hats, an engraved sailor’s lighter, a letter from U.S. Senator Mark Warner and Battleship coffee beans from a local business.
An opening ceremony for the time capsule is planned for the 100th anniversary in 2044.
Check with WAVY.com for more updates.
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