Battleship New Jersey: Vets celebrate 80th commissioning anniversary
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Veterans and a South Jersey community came together Tuesday to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battleship New Jersey. An hour-long U.S. Navy commissioning anniversary ceremony was held along the Delaware River in Camden.
Throughout the ceremony, veterans, officers and the like from throughout the battleship's lifetime spoke.
The battleship served during World War II, the Vietnam War and Korean War among other conflicts.
Eighty years – countless memories – and never-ending pride came from the veterans CBS Philadelphia spoke with throughout the day at the Battleship New Jersey.
Many at one point served on what is known as "the most decorated navy ship still afloat."
Tuesday marks a day of remembrance and celebration for the Battleship New Jersey. On this date in 1943, the USS New Jersey was commissioned at the Philadelphia shipyard.
"Honor and respect for the military is very vital for this country. We're looking at some very difficult times around the world so getting people to support the military and what she stands for is very important for us," Phil Rowan, the CEO of the Battleship New Jersey, said.
In a nearly two-hour ceremony on the ship's fantail, veterans, their families and the public came together to mark the occasion.
From WWII veteran Bill Ryan to Captain Louis Ivey, who joined the ship as the first Black officer, veterans and officers shared their experiences serving on the USS New Jersey.
"When the war broke out in 1941, I was 17 years old," Ryan said.
"I came aboard the ship at night," Ivey said.
The event also included a memorial wreath ceremony and, of course, cake to celebrate.
"We have a veteran of each decade of the battleship service speaking here today, which is fantastic, we might never have that again," Rowan said.
Before the ceremony, 22 new banners honoring veteran heroes were unveiled along the promenade.
One of those vets honored was 99-year-old May Brill.
The great-grandmother originally from South Philadelphia was among several veterans celebrated and remembered during a ceremony on the ship's fantail.
"As a World War II veteran, I went in because my brothers were in the military and I said, 'What about me?' I am a girl and this is my country too," Brill said.
Rosella Johnson was also honored. The now-98-year-old living in Magnolia, New Jersey, started working at RCA Camden as part of the war effort.
"I'm glad to be here. I'm proud of this ship," Johnson said.
Brill adds she's on a mission to make sure the stories of female veterans -- whether they served on this ship or not – are told, remembered and honored, too.
"We want everyone to know that when they talk to the men, they forget the woman and there are many women that helped do whatever they could for the battleship and also for the people in the military," she said.
