The Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) is preparing to celebrate its 35th Anniversary and held a dedication of a new memorial to the private ship yard industry on the Portsmouth Path of History.
This National Historical Landmark is a one mile walking timeline representing the birth of the industrialized US Naval fleet. In his remarks to the more than 240 member companies of the Association, CAPT. Martin Staiger (Ret.) recalled the enormous risks and challenges he faced in preparing the private yards for the advent of the new Aegis class cruisers: “Everything back then was a handshake and a level of trust…we knew that without strong collaboration we would not have the capacity to maintain this new ship class.”
The day was a celebration of the collaboration of private shipyards with the Navy and the continued dedication of Virginia Ship Repairers to service of the US Navy fleet and being the “Strength Behind the Fleet.”