As the gentle waves of the Delaware River lap against the hull of the mighty Battleship New Jersey, a sense of anticipation fills the air. The nation’s longest, fastest, and most decorated battleship, having been away for an extended period of meticulous preservation, is about to make her triumphant return to the Camden Waterfront.
On Thursday, June 20, 2024, the community is invited to join in a historic celebration as the Battleship New Jersey returns to her home port. The gates at 100 Clinton Street, Camden, NJ, will swing open at 11 a.m., welcoming attendees to a day rich with tradition, pride, and gratitude. Aboard the ship’s pier and promenade, a collective breath is held for the ship’s anticipated arrival at approximately 1:20 p.m.
The USS New Jersey (BB-62), an Iowa-class battleship with an impressive service record, earned 19 Battle and Campaign stars over her half-century of deployments. It’s not only the grandeur of her 887-foot length or her 45,000-ton weight that makes her stand out; it’s the stories and history she carries—a testament to the courage and resilience of those who served on her decks.
For a modest $10 donation—waived for children under 12—guests can immerse themselves in an array of activities. Live music will set the soundtrack for the day, infusing the air with melodies that speak to the heart of American spirit. Games will dot the promenade, and food and drink from a variety of food trucks will be freely available, courtesy of the donation. The celebration serves a purpose beyond festivity; it is a fundraiser for the Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial, ensuring this legendary vessel continues to educate and inspire for generations to come.
Some individuals have chosen to mark the occasion in an even more extraordinary way. A select few will have the unique opportunity to ride aboard the ship as she makes her final approach from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to the Camden Waterfront, with tickets for this privilege being a $5,000 donation per person. For the enthusiasts who seek to delve deeper, guided tours underneath the great ship in dry dock have been offered, complete with collectable hard hats as souvenirs.
Aboard the Battleship, there is an unspoken bond—a connection to the past that is felt as one walks her decks. The ‘Big J,’ as she is affectionately known, carries the weight of history with grace and might, having served her country in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Lebanese Civil War before retiring to serve as a floating museum and memorial.
Relevant articles:
– Battleship New Jersey to return to Camden waterfront from Philadelphia Navy Yard on June 20 , PhillyVoice.com, 06/01/2024
– Would You Pay $5K To Ride Battleship NJ? Tickets On Sale For Journey Back To Camden, Patch, 05/31/2024
– Battleship NJ Sets Return Date, With Celebration At Camden Waterfront, Cherry Hill, NJ Patch, 05/30/2024
– Why some Gardner-Webb students are headed to France, AOL, 05/30/2024
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