Battleship USS ALABAMA Day

WHEREAS, the United States of America was drawn into World War II by the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; and

WHEREAS, America’s entry into World War II united the people of the United States in a common cause throughout that period; and

WHEREAS, the United States Government had the precautionary forethought as to design and construct modern warships to combat the growing threat of war prior to December 7, 1941; and

WHEREAS, the keel of the mighty Battleship USS ALABAMA (BB-60) was laid down February 1, 1940 and her construction took just thirty months at a cost of $80 million; and

WHEREAS, the “Mighty A” served valiantly in both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, earning Nine Battle Stars over an illustrious three year career during World War II, ending with BB-60 leading the American Fleet into Tokyo Bay at war’s end; and

WHEREAS, in 1965, USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park was opened in Mobile, Alabama to honor all Alabamians, living and dead, who have worn the uniform of all branches of the United States Armed Forces in defense of our country, and the park has become an internationally known attraction and symbol of the state of Alabama:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of her Commissioning into the United States Navy on this date in 1942, do hereby proclaim August 16, 2012, as

Battleship USS ALABAMA Day

in the state of Alabama, and call upon all citizens to observe this most significant occasion, particularly at the ceremonies that day aboard the Battleship USS ALABAMA in Mobile Bay.

 

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1st day of August 2012.

      

Governor Robert Bentley