(Camden, NJ) – The Board of Trustees of the Home Port Alliance for the USS New Jersey, Inc. announced they voted unanimously at this evening’s Board meeting to name the pier on which the Battleship New Jersey is moored on as the Patricia Egan Jones Battleship Pier. The recognition is in honor of Jones’ decades-long career in public service and her unwavering dedication to the Battleship New Jersey – the most decorated Battleship in the 243-year history of the United States Navy.

“As a veteran of the Battleship New Jersey, I can say first hand that on behalf of all of the ship’s veterans, we appreciate and thank Pat Jones for all she’s done on behalf of this great ship and museum,” said Steve Sheehan, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and a Vietnam Veteran of the Battleship.

Jones, who announced earlier this year that she will be retiring from the New Jersey General Assembly from the 5th Legislative District, has a long and storied career of public service, spanning decades as a staffer, Barrington Councilwoman, Camden County Freeholder, and Camden County Surrogate.  Her role with the USS New Jersey began in 1998, co-founding the Home Port Alliance for the USS New Jersey, Inc. as a founding member and provided guidance and oversight in the development of the ship donation application to the Navy to bring the BB62 to the Camden waterfront.  During the past 20 years, she has provided leadership and an unwavering commitment to growing the Battleship New Jersey into a world-class Museum and Memorial. Pat has also served as the HPA Board’s chairperson, and she continues to serve on the Board and is a member of the Executive Committee.

“Since 1998, the Battleship has had incredible support from may incredible military, civic, and political leaders — but Pat Jones contributions are in a class of its own, ” said Marshall Spevak, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Her nickname, ‘Battleship Pat’ is so fitting because she’s always been of the ship’s most staunch advocates, and I know she will continue to be for years to come. I’m grateful for her public service, her mentorship, and her passion for Camden City, it’s kids, and the Battleship New Jersey.”

“I joined the Home Port Alliance in 1998 with Pat, and I’ve seen her passion and dedication ever since. Her service to the BB62 is unparalleled, and without her, I know the ship would not be in the stable and thriving condition it is today,” said Phil Rowan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Battleship New Jersey.

The mission of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is to restore, preserve, exhibit and interpret the history of the USS New Jersey and her veterans. The Home Port Alliance for the USS New Jersey. Inc. is the organization responsible for the restoration and management of the Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial, our country’s largest and most decorated Battleship.

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