USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.

Seven years ago, a hard-working and dedicated group of Jacksonville area residents launched an effort to save the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga from the scrapyard. They hoped to turn her into a museum and memorial commemorating the ship's 38-year association with Naval Station Mayport.

While this effort was not successful, it laid the groundwork for another project in Rhode Island, where the carrier is currently mothballed. Last October, the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc. submitted its formal application to Naval Sea Systems Command for donation of the ship as the centerpiece of a museum, educational facility and family attraction at the former Quonset Point Naval Air Station on beautiful Narragansett Bay.

Today, leaders of the Rhode Island group announced a program designed to recognize all those who donated to the Jacksonville "Save Sara" campaign. Letters will go to all donors of record acknowledging their previous contribution, and offering each donor a free membership in the Rhode Island museum project.

Foundation President Frank Lennon said, "We are writing to acknowledge the donations made to the previous Jacksonville effort, and to assure each donor that contribution was not lost. Those donations went to produce studies and designs that are still of value today. Those original donations are still 'alive', because the material we received is worth many thousands of dollars and has saved months of work. We intend to honor those contributions as if they were being made today."

As a first step, every donor of record will receive a complimentary one year membership in the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc. (RI). Previous donations of $500 or more will be recognized "in an appropriate manner" as fund raising efforts progress.

Previous donors who do not receive a letter should simply contact the Foundation and their names will be added, says Lennon. "We realize our list is probably incomplete. The goal here is to be inclusive rather than exclusive."

Lennon came to Jacksonville last year and met with the leaders of the "Save Sara" campaign.

"The leaders of the "Save Sara" effort offered significant help and encouragement," said Lennon. "They recognize that we have the same mission-to educate and inform future generations about the ships and aircraft which defended our freedom, the people who developed and built them, and the men and women who served in them.

"We all share a common goal, and that is to save Sara so she can help accomplish that mission, regardless of location," he concluded.

Retired Navy Rear Admiral Joseph Coleman, who served as Deputy Director of the "Save Sara" campaign, shares that view.

"Since we were unable to place Saratoga in Jacksonville, it is heartwarming to see Sara has found a home as a museum and memorial as she so justly deserves. I wholeheartedly support the Rhode Island effort to make Sara live in history," he stated.

The Jacksonville meeting with Coleman and others resulted in a number of good ideas, according to Lennon, a number of which have already been incorporated into future plans.

"For example, our exhibitry calls for appropriate and significant recognition of Sara's long association with Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville and Duval County," he stated.

Other ideas in the development stages include a preview weekend for Jacksonville area residents before the formal opening of the museum in 2002, as well as a permanent admission discount for everyone presenting proof of residence in the Duval County area. Lennon and other Rhode Island officials also plan to work with local tour operators to set up special travel packages to Rhode Island.

Retired Navy Captain William Kennedy, a Jacksonville resident who was the last commanding officer of USS Saratoga, also expressed his strong support of this outreach. Kennedy reminds everyone that "Super Sara will always live on in the hearts of the officers, chiefs and enlisted men who served on her through those many years."

According to Lennon, the Rhode Island group is now very close to achieving its goal. "With luck, we may be able to host the 'Last Cruise' of Saratoga across Narragansett Bay later this year," Lennon concluded.

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Last Updated:
9/29/01