Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Receives $3 Million Pledge from State Employees’ Credit Union Members

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WILMINGTON,
N.C.
– The Battleship
NORTH CAROLINA announced today a $3,000,000 pledge from State Employees’ Credit
Union (SECU) Foundation. The investment is the largest donation received in the
capital campaign in efforts to preserve the NORTH CAROLINA and her legacy for
generations to come.

Captain Terry Bragg,
Executive Director for the Battleship, states, “The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is
honored and humbled by the overwhelming support. Representing nearly 2 million
members, the SECU Foundation’s generous donation, will fund the construction of
a veteran’s memorial walkway around the ship, as recognition to the service and
sacrifice of all veterans.”

The Battleship NORTH
CAROLINA is a living memorial to those who serve their country. It is also a
center for education and inspiration to future generations of leaders.
Self-supporting, not tax supported, the Battleship relies primarily upon
admissions to tour the Ship, sales in the Ship’s Store, donations and
investments. No funds for its administration and operation come from
appropriations from governmental entities at the local, state or federal
levels.

Jim Barber, U.S. Navy
veteran and immediate past Chair of the SECU Foundation, shared his sentiments.
“As a proud Navy veteran, this project holds a special place in my heart and I
couldn’t be more thrilled that my fellow members are providing $3 million to
build the SECU Memorial Walkway. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA holds the
stories of many North Carolina veterans who fought for our Country’s freedoms,
and this Walkway will honor the legacy of this World War II Memorial for years
to come.”

“It was an honor to
be part of the Memorial Day service that took place on the deck of the USS
Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, in the presence of where so many World War II
veterans served their Country,” said McKinley Wooten, SECU Foundation Board
Chair. “The spirit, compassion and commitment of SECU members for our State’s
veterans is demonstrated through the funding of the SECU Memorial Walkway. This
Walkway will represent a path to lead future generations back in time to learn
the significance the USS Battleship NORTH CAROLINA holds for our great State and
Country.”

At the time of her
commissioning on 9 April 1941, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA was considered the
world’s greatest sea weapon. Armed with nine 16-inch/45 caliber guns in three
turrets and twenty 5-inch/38 caliber guns in ten twin mounts, NORTH CAROLINA
proved a formidable weapons platform. Her wartime complement consisted of 144
commissioned officers and 2,195 enlisted men, including about 100 Marines. She
is one of the most decorated ships of World War II.

About SECU and the
SECU Foundation

A not-for-profit
financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of
the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services
for close to 77 years. With 1.9 million members, SECU provides services through
254 branch offices, 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org. The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable
organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local
community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects
in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human
services.

About the Battleship
NORTH CAROLINA

The Battleship NORTH
CAROLINA is self-supporting, not tax supported and relies primarily upon
admissions to tour the Ship, sales in the Ship’s Store, donations and
investments. No funds for its administration and operation come from
appropriations from governmental entities at the local, state or federal levels.
Located at the junction of Highways 17/74/76/421 on the Cape Fear River. Visit
www.battleshipnc.com or follow us on Facebook.com/ncbb55 and Twitter.com/battleshipnc for more information. Relive with the
crew on the Battleship Blog http://seastories.battleshipnc.com/. The Battleship NORTH
CAROLINA is an historic site within the North Carolina Department of Cultural
Resources (www.NCCulture.com).

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