Battleship New Jersey Celebrates 72nd Anniversary Of Commissioning
By John McDevitt
CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- The Battleship New Jersey celebrated its 72nd anniversary of its commissioning Saturday and remembered those who gave their lives serving their country.
The Commissioning ceremony featured speakers, including a purple heart recipient and a casting of a memorial wreath into the Delaware River, remembering crew members who have passed.
Sally Glasser was visiting the battleship from Michigan. She said she can't stop thinking about the country's military heroes when on board.
"It really puts it foremost in your mine and becomes real," Glasser said. "Instead of something you read about."
Ninety-year-old Russ Collins of Camden was enjoying a piece of cake. He served on the ship during World War II.
"It's been a great ship to me and it will always be a great ship," said Collins. "She took me to war and she brought me home, so I can't ask for anything more than that."
Retired Navy Captain Walt Urban is the military liaison for the battleship. He says most people don't focus on the real meaning of Memorial Day.
"That is tragic because obviously the freedoms we enjoyed today are because the fact that so many have died to preserve our freedom," said Urban. "I wish people would spend a little of time focusing on that instead of the hamburgers and hot dogs."
The Battleship New Jersey's motto is Firepower for Freedom. It's the most decorated battleship in the history of the U.S. Navy.