I am a Plank Owner of the United States Navy Memorial Foundation. Plank Owner is a Navy term for a crew member who was on board before a ship (or Organization) was Commissioned. I became involved with the initial fund raising for the Memorial in the early 1980’s and have continued to give my financial support over the years. I believe that the Memorial serves the U.S. Navy very proudly and I shall do what ever I can to support it in the future.

The Foundation celebrated it's ‘Tenth Anniversary’ of the opening of the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. in 1997. It is a beautiful tribute to America’s Sailors, Marines, and Merchant Mariners. Located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue just North of the Mall. The U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, is a not-for-profit educational foundation. It was organized in 1977 for the purpose of creating the Navy Memorial. Construction began in the mid eighties and the memorial was opened on the Anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy in 1987.

The center point of the Memorial is the 100 foot diameter granite map of the world set in the plaza. A half-circle wall of 22 bronze reliefs sets off the granite map, and there are pools and fountains containing water from all the oceans and seas of the world. The Lone Sailor statue stands to one side and watches over the plaza. Another part of the memorial, located inside a nearby building is, The Naval Heritage Center. Inside which is located the ships store and the memorial log room which lists the names and service records of more than 200,000 current and former Sailors and Merchant Marines. Also within the building is the Arleigh and Roberta Burke Theater. Here, many times each day the film “AT SEA” is shown on two story by 52 foot screen.

The Navy Memorial is used by many members of the U.S. Navy for re-enlistments and retirements. Numerous reunions are also held here each year, and various Military bands perform on the plaza throughout the summer.