WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than 60 years ago, schoolchildren across North Carolina helped save the Battleship North Carolina with their lunch money.
In 1961, students and community members from across the state collected nickels, dimes, and spare change to “Save Our Ship,” raising more than $300,000 to bring the USS North Carolina home to Wilmington. Their grassroots effort rescued the ship from the scrap heap and turned her into a living memorial honoring the 11,000 North Carolinians who gave their lives in World War II and the 9,000 crew members who served aboard.
Now, the Battleship North Carolina, part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is looking to reconnect with those original “North Carolina Navy” members, the children, families, and community leaders whose small donations made a lasting impact…