VSRA Dedicates New Memorial in Portsmouth....
A one-mile walking timeline on the Portsmouth Path of History was dedicated on Sept. 17, during VSRA’s Founder’s Day celebration. This timeline, which is a National Historical Landmark, represents the birth of the industrialized U.S. Naval fleet.
More than 240 member companies listened to remarks from VSRA’s Founding Navy Visionary CAPT Martin Staiger (Ret.) and Founding President CAPT Leo Marshall (Ret.). Other distinguished guests representatives from the offices of Congressmen Bobby Scott and Randy Forbes; Portsmouth Mayor Kenneth Wright; City Manager, John Rowe and Director of Museums, Nancy Perry.
Mr. Marshall was the Founding Executive Director of the Tidewater Maritime Training Institute in 1981 and South Tidewater Association of Ship Repairers, Inc. In 1984. He was succeeded by CAPT. Mal Branch (Ret.) and STASR became the Virginia Ship Repair Association. and TMTI became Virginia Ship Repair Foundation. The helm was taken over by CAPT William W. Crow (Ret.) in September 2012 and the Association is quickly growing under his direction.
In addition to recognizing VSRA’s origins, Founder’s Day also celebrated the collaboration between private shipyards and the Navy, and their dedication to providing quality service to the U.S. Fleet. The founders, guests, and member companies witnessed the unveiling and inscription reading of the monument, and later adjourned to the site for photographs.