February 24, 2014 - CBS BROADCASTER JIM NANTZ ENDORSES EFFORT TO SAVE THE SS UNITED STATES

Three-time Emmy Award winning sportscaster Jim Nantz is supporting the effort to save America’s Flagship, the SS United States. Nantz joins the likes of tennis legend Billie Jean King and NFL coaching icon Dick Vermeil in endorsing the global effort to protect this irreplaceable piece of our history.The SS United States is the largest American ocean liner ever built and the fastest passenger liner in history, still holding the transatlantic speed record. Built as part of a top-secret Cold War program to create the fastest ship in history, she sailed from 1952 to 1969 and represented the height of American power, innovation and style. Today, the last of her kind, she awaits restoration and repurposing as a large, mixed-use destination and museum.“The SS United States is a true American champion, and I’m proud to support the Conservancy's efforts on this historic and patriotic project,” stated Nantz. “This ship is an important national symbol, and the Conservancy is working tirelessly to ensure a future for America’s Flagship. They are in a race against time and I’m encouraging all sports fans to help this champion of the seas.”At the core of Nantz’s philanthropic efforts is the creation of the Nantz National Alzheimer Center (NNAC) in 2011. The center is dedicated to finding innovative diagnostic discoveries for early and accurate detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other illnesses in hopes of one day finding a cure. For more information, visit nantzfriends.org.

February 13, 2014 - Olympian Herb Douglas Joins Effort to Save SS United States

Support for the SS United States is growing by leaps and bounds, and now more than ever the Conservancy is calling on all Americans to rally for our country's namesake Flagship. Now that the world’s attention is focused on the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, we are proud to announce that legendary Olympian Herb Douglas has answered that call and has pledged his support for saving the SS United States."I won my Olympic medal 66 years ago, four years before the SS United States won her own prize for breaking the transatlantic speed record, Douglas said.  “There are many great Olympic champions, but there is only one great American ocean liner still with us: the SS United States.  We must save her!"Douglas is the oldest living African American Olympian, having won a bronze medal at the 1948 summer games in London.  Douglas is renowned for his dedication to racial equality, integrity, and sports excellence.  The creator of the Jesse Owens Award for Peace, Douglas knows what it means to work hard and fight for what is right. This prestigious award has been bestowed upon world leaders such as the late Nelson Mandela and former US president George H. W. Bush.We're in a race against time to save our ship. With support from champions like Douglas, as well as tennis legend and member of the official US delegation to Sochi, Billie Jean King, we can win this race.  It will require hard work, perseverance, and generosity.  As Douglas explains, you don't have to be an Olympian to lend a hand: "I am so proud to lend my support to the Conservancy as it works to rescue and restore a true American champion, the SS United States."

January 23, 2014 - he Philadelphia Chapter Rings in 2014

Ravi Giberson's passion for the SS United States is infectious. Conservancy members and Big U fans will remember a speech he gave at a Conservancy event last summer. The Philadelphia Chapter was proud to have Ravi attend their January 2014 chapter meeting held on January 18, 2014 at Champp's restaurant.

Ravi's tireless work to spread the word about the SS United States continues with his article recently published in The Fallser, a local newspaper serving the East Falls suburb of Philadelphia. "I am a Philadelphian," he says, "and although the ship has been left to sit, I can see a happy ending." Read the full article on page 2 here.

Ravi will also be donating some of his SS United States collection to the Conservancy's upcoming SS United States: Charting a Course for America's Flagship exhibition opening March 7, 2014 at the Independence Seaport Museum. Members can help and contribute to ensure the success of this exhibit, for more information email us at ssunitedstateship@gmail.com.

The Philly Chapter extends a heartfelt thank-you to all of those who joined us on Saturday to celebrate the New Year and to toast this pivotal year for Big U's future. Want to join your local Conservancy chapter or start a one in your area? Contact us at info@ssusc.org.