An important piece of the Navy’s history has returned to Naval Station Mayport.
John Lipscomb spent two years aboard the USS Saratoga and more than six years to get part of the ship back to the base.
“I knew I wanted to save the name plate. I knew that was the museum piece," said Lipscomb.
The Saratoga, the first aircraft homeported at Mayport, was commissioned in 1956 and then decommissioned in 1994.
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Most recently it was in Brownsville, Texas, set to be scrapped.
Lipscomb and his fellow sailors were able to salvage part of the vessel.
“Pulled the trailer and brought back this 16-foot by 3-foot piece of the stern of the Saratoga – along with two pallets of scrap steel," said Lipscomb.
An important piece of history is returning to Naval Station Mayport. Former crew members of the USS Saratoga spent years getting the ship's name plate back to base. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/adXkzcqWt3
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) January 17, 2019
The steel has been turned into memorial tokens.
The name plate is on display at the base for future sailors and the many crew members still living in the area.
“The ‘Sara’ brought us home safe and sound to our homeport of Mayport, so, it’s only fitting that we go down to Brownsville and bring the ‘Sara’s’ name place back to its final resting place," said veteran and former crew member T.C. Chastain.
The Saratoga Classic half marathon and 5K are set for Feb. 3. Click here to register. Use promo code ANJ for a $15 discount on registration.
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