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 Many have communicated their approval of the concept of using the USS Saratoga as a centerpiece for the Air, Land & Sea Heritage and Technology Park, and have strongly supported our actions in bringing this project from a simple idea to a much more complex reality. Bear in mind that the push to use Saratoga began some years ago in Florida, and while it was unfortunate at the time that this effort was stymied, it now presents a marvelous opportunity for Rhode Island. All of the following testimonials and other statements of support were received in1998 (unless otherwise indicated).
 USS Saratoga...has honorably served around the world including deployments off the coasts of Vietnam, Lebanon, Libya and Iran. Her aircraft were there to make history in the deterrence of terrorism by intercepting the aircraft carrying the terrorists responsible for the Achille Lauro hijacking. Most recently she kept the watch in the Adsriatic, ever ready to answer the call to combat if necessary. I believe it is imperative to preserve her and honor her contributions... -Hon. Lawton Chiles, Governor of Florida, September 13, 1994
The USS Saratoga has been a source of pride, a home to thousands of sailors and a valued defense carrier for the United States Navy for many years during time of war and peace. Via satellite, as the world watched, our citizens had the opportunity to watch the USS Saratoga in action during the Persian Gulf War. Turning the USS Saratoga into a naval museum will allow its colorful history to be shared with all the citizens of the United States and future generations. -John C. Kowkabany, Mayor, Neptune Beach, Florida, June 24, 1994
Use of the USS Saratoga as a museum would serve as a significant educational resource for the students of Duval County. -From a Duval County, Florida School Board Resolution, March 1, 1994
A USS Saratoga museum will generate important and needed economic development for our community... -Board of Governors, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, May 18, 1994
Many segments of our community, led by the...Convention & Visitors Bureau, have recognized the potential of the USS Saratoga to our community as a major tourist attraction...[we] urge all interested parties to this effort...to work closely together to overcome any and all obstacles; to move forward quickly with this joint community effort; and to achieve our goal of making the USS Saratoga Museum a reality. -Board of Directors, Jacksonville Hotel & Motel Association, June 11, 1994
The historic significance of this vessel and its appeal as a cultural tourist destination make the concept inherently viable. In addition it will serve as a monument to [our] maritime past, making it a true community asset. Gillian Baker, Arts Assembly of Jacksonville, July 11, 1994
Your project sounds like a great idea. As they say, location, location, location is everything, and you have it at Quonset Point. Your plans call for such a broad spectrum of interest, it sounds like a "natural" for the New England market area. You have one thing that is essential, your runway that will be at your back door. Don't lose access at any cost. It was the one thing essential to anything that says "air" in its charter. The Saratoga will be the item you can key on, of course. It seems to me that your best card is your diversity of subject matter as listed in your 6/15/98 flyer; air, The Sara, National Guard, Firefighters, etc. From my vantage point, I think TALSHIP is an most worthwhile endeavor, one which promises a unique opportunity to depict the many aspects of military heritage, technology, and public service heritage of Rhode Island in particular and the nation in general.
COL Richard L. Uppstrom, USAF (Ret)
[This project] is a worthwhile endeavor from a historical perspective, from a fiscal perspective, and from an educational/community perspective.
Tom Alison Chief, Collections Division
[This project] is an exciting concept, and I wish you all possible success on bringing it to fruition.
Captain R. L. Rasmussen, USN (Ret)
Your proposal for a joint air/sea/land heritage facility on the site of the former NAS Quonset Point...is a very ambitious program and quite unlike almost all others of which I am aware around the world. The prospect of having an aircraft carrier docked in close proximity to an aviation museum which is, itself, on an active airfield merits very serious consideration.
Christopher J. Terry Director General
Congressman Bob Weygand letter to Governor Lincoln Almond: Knowing that you are interested in hearing other development ideas for the area I am confident that you will recognize the rare opportunity we may have here. The U S S Saratoga and the Air/Land/Sea Historic Park will create jobs, provide educational and recreational opportunities and attract tourists. This facility will surely be a source of pride to our residents while providing a valuable link to our heritage. As you go through the process of reviewing and editing the master plan draft, I hope you will see the potential benefit this proposal has for economic development. This project can add -greatly to the enjoyment of Rhode Islanders and our guests, in a very short period of time with minimal impact on any future development plans for the area. Many people and organizations have already given their support to this project. I hope that you will look favorably upon this proposal and give it every possible consideration.
As always, success will not come easy; however, the rewards are multi-fold. When you look back two years from now, remember that I forecast success for you and USS SARATOGA.
-James H. Scott (Retired Navy Admiral James Scott is the foremost authority on aircraft carrier museums in the world.)
It is exciting to hear about your plans for the development of a Historic Park and Technology Center at Quonset Point. The USS Saratoga aspect of your plan adds excitement and, in my view, distinction to a project that might otherwise become just another hangar full of old airplanes.
-Bob Ellis, Executive Director
The USS Saratoga carried servicemen from every state, and is therefore of great national interest. The park and technology center would serve as an important historic and educational resource for visitors for years to come. Congressman (Senator-elect) Charles Schumer, D-NY
The Center, once established, will be an important component to the economic development of the region and the State of Rhode Island in terms of job creation, attracting tourists and as a source of revenue...The Center could be a powerful part of the State's economic platform in attracting new industry and keeping current industry.
Edward Mazze
I am proud to support the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation and proposed Air, Land & Sea Historic Park and Technology Center because it will be a significant boost to Rhode Island's growing tourism industry and established tourist attractions, all of which stand to gain from this exciting new project. Having retired from 20 years of...service, and as a [Saratoga] crewmember during desert Storm, I'm obviously biased as to how "SARA" could be the jewel of any such attraction.
Douglas M. Serven
I am happy to inform you that the United Veterans Council of Rhode Island...endorsed your idea to build an Air, Land & Sea Museum at Quonset Point, RI. We believe your idea is worth supporting and we are ready to help. Irving H. Levin, President
Your proposal warrants serious consideration by the Economic Development Corporation and may be of great interest to the town of North Kingstown.
Topher Hamblett, Director of Advocacy
CCRI will be an enthusiastic supporter. Development of new skills will qualify students for higher-paying jobs and careers, and vocational training can be tied into a business incubator. Assessments CCRI has done in conjunction with the manufacturing community reflect "a clear need" for such services.
Robert Silvestre, VP for Academic Affairs
As a former commanding officer of USS Saratoga (CV-60), former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare and an amateur historian of aircraft carriers I most strongly support the need to preserve the CV-60 as a living memorial. Such action would serve not only to memorialize the contributions of the crews of the CV-60 to the winning of the Cold War and, by extension, the crews of the CV-3 to winning World War II, but it would also provide a vehicle for the continuing education of visitors, young and old, in history, technology, science and more.
Robert F. Dunn
I had the privilege of commanding USS Saratoga (CV60) from 1988 to 1990. Saratoga holds a special place in the hearts of those who served aboard her, whether as a member of ship's company or the embarked air wings and staffs. Saratoga symbolizes the heritage of American patriotism and bravery established at the Battles of Saratoga and extended through the several fighting ships that bore the name, including the first Saratoga aircraft carrier (CV3). There could be no finer ship to become the centerpiece of the project you envision in Rhode Island. You have my full support and backing in this project. Best Personal Regards,
James T. Matheny
I write to voice my support for the Saratoga Museum Project. The North Kingstown School Department is interested in the potential development of educational programs in coordination with the Saratoga Museum Project. I look forward to further discussions and a possible affiliation with the Museum Project in the future.
James M. Halley, Ed.D.
This letter is in support of the...Air/Land/Sea Historic Park and Technology Center at Quonset Point in North Kingstown. ...If a museum of the magnitude proposed could be incorporated into the mix, it certainly would add a much needed attraction to Rhode Island's tourism product. The USS Saratoga would attract large numbers of visitors to the area, and could be incorporated into a museum trail with the smaller museums in North Kingstown... and all of South County. Casey Farm, Smith's Castle, and Gilbert Stuart's birthplace are all just a few minutes from the Quonset location. Our tourism council will certainly work closely with you if the project becomes a reality. Our advertising program generates over 50,000 requests for information each season. The project would provide jobs and an economic boon for our area and the State of Rhode Island. Sincerely,
Ann O'Neill
I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations on your successful kick off of a SAVE OUR SARA campaign with the ultimate goal of establishing a maritime museum centered around the exUSS Saratoga (CV-60) at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. My best to you in this endeavor which will permanently preserve this very strong reminder of our country's commitment to peace around the world and to the sacrifices made by those in uniform. In 1994 and 1995 the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc., a Jacksonville, FL based not-for-profit corporation, mounted an unsuccessful campaign to preserve the ex-USS Saratoga as a museum in our city. The Foundation ceased all operations in the summer of 1995. During its existence, the Foundation generated a wide variety of financial and technical data, conceptual designs, promotional artworks as well as other materials relative to its campaign. Also, the Foundation achieved accreditations and established professional relationships which could prove useful in attempts to preserve the ex-USS Saratoga as a museum elsewhere, In an effort to bolster your campaign and help breathe life into the dream of SUPER SARA becoming a living museum for future generations to enjoy, I hereby grant your organization access to and utilization of all Foundation materials, including those archived, for the purposes of establishing a USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc., a Providence, RI based not-for-profit corporation. Mr. Preston Moses has volunteered to be your point of contact in Jacksonville in this matter. As you turn into the wind to commence operations, may each launch sortie to success and each recovery be "in the groove" for a prosperous recovery. I wish you traditional Navy fair winds and following seas as you sail for a successful completion to this endeavor. Sincerely
Don Davis
The USS Saratoga, along with the Quonset Air Museum and the proposed Sea Bee Museum would be a boon to South County's booming tourism industry, A "destination " such as you propose would in fact positively impact the entire State. The educational possibilities and opportunities, in my opinion, are limited only by one's imagination. The USS Saratoga throughout its life has been an inspiration to many and continues to be. The vessel is a living museum and it represents the potential to creating a cultural, historical and education center. Upon reading of the proposed Technology Center, my mind went immediately to the fresh water making facilities of the vessel and how that along with the other plumbing system could support an aquaculture and hydroponic lab for both marine and fresh water products the other facilities could support a whole "marine trades" center for kids and become the Marine High School and Continuing Education Program for the entire State of Rhode Island . Best wishes for success.
Ralph Boragine
The members of The Special Forces Association Chapter 48 have voted their support for the concept of an Air/Land/Sea Historic Park built around the USS Saratoga. They believe, like you, that a world class museum complex highlighting the significant military history associated with the Quonset Point /Davisville complex would be a boost to the State's Tourist Industry. Your plan for a multi-service museum will insure that all veterans will have a reason for coming. We are pleased to see that your proposal has received such favorable comment in the past several weeks and we look forward to your remarkable energy and optimism moving this project forward Sincerely,
Stephen Morin
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