Hello,
On behalf of our Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation.
Established in 2021 to support the commissioning of the fourth U.S. Navy vessel in American history to bear the name Arizona, our vision is to honor, expand, and nurture the memory of the USS Arizona battleship BB-39 while forging the future legacy of the USS Arizona Virginia-class fast attack submarine SSN-803.
Our mission is three-fold:
- Celebrate the addition of the USS Arizona submarine to our Naval Fleet in grand style with a series of festivities and community events.
- Educate the next generation about the history and significance of Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona battleship, and her gallant men.
- Support the crew of the USS Arizona submarine and create an enduring bond between them and the citizens of Arizona for the life of the boat.
You might be curious about the timeline. Well, construction is underway! The keel laying for SSN-803 took place on December 7, 2022, in Rhode Island. Our ship’s sponsor, Nikki Stratton, the granddaughter of USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton, made us proud as she welded her initials onto the keel plate. Commissioning is anticipated for late 2025. In the meantime, we will be busy with our education programming, crew support, and fundraising.
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It’s rare that opportunities come along when you can truly be a part of history, but this is one of those times. I hope you will join us.
Hooyah!
Tanya Wheeless
President & CEO