Rescuing the SS United States: A National Call to Action

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The SS United States is far more than a ship—it is a living embodiment of America’s spirit, ingenuity, and greatness. As the fastest ocean liner in history and our U.S. Merchant Marine Flagship, she symbolizes the unity, strength, and determination that forged our nation’s identity.

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We at the SS United States Preservation Foundation, united with the SSUS Alliance, refuse to let this icon of American achievement fade into oblivion. This masterpiece—created by the hands of Americans from every state—represents the bold vision of our forefathers and the courage of a generation that dared to dream. She is not simply steel and rivets; she is the soul of America, carried across oceans and etched into history.

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The SS United States stands as the largest and last American ocean liner in existence today—a towering achievement of ingenuity and craftsmanship, forged during a bygone era. She is the brainchild of William Francis Gibbs, one of the greatest maritime architects of all time, who shattered conventional shipbuilding practices to create a revolutionary vessel. Her cutting-edge design and technological advancements forever redefined maritime standards, earning her a place on the National Register of Historic Places (reference #99000609).

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This iconic vessel now faces imminent danger. Okaloosa County, FL, has purchased the SS United States with plans to sink her in the Gulf of America as an artificial reef—a devastating fate that dishonors her legacy. To destroy such a masterpiece, coinciding with our nation’s 250th birthday, would be an unimaginable insult to the achievements and sacrifices she represents.

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To abandon the SS United States would be to forsake the very values she embodies—innovation, resilience, and the promise of greatness. Her name, proudly inscribed UNITED STATES, serves as a call to action and a reminder of her mission: “for all the people.” To let her sink would confine an irreplaceable piece of our heritage to history’s depths, robbing future generations of a powerful symbol of what America can achieve.

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While other nations honor their maritime heritage, we must act to preserve our own. The SS United States is not just a relic of the past—she is a vital connection to our history and a beacon for our future. Her preservation is more than an obligation; it is a testament to who we are and what we aspire to be as a nation.

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We will not stand idle as our nation’s namesake is unpatriotically consigned to the depths. Like the ship herself, we will rise above the tides of neglect and fight to restore her rightful place in history. Together, we will ensure that the SS United States remains a proud symbol of American ingenuity, unity, and greatness—forever standing tall above the waves.

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To strip this symbol of patriotism and unity from our heritage is to rob future generations of a powerful reminder of what America can accomplish. This Monument of Engineering deserves preservation, not desecration. We urge you to stand against this erasure of history and rally with us in saying “NO” to the destruction of our nation’s pride. Let us make clear to Congress that “We The People” demand protection for our history and refuse to watch our namesake sink beneath the waves for profit and vanity.

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The time to act is now. Sign the petition today and join the fight to ensure the SS United States remains afloat as a monument to American excellence. Let us honor her, protect her, and preserve her legacy—for our children, for their children, and for the enduring spirit of the United States of America.