ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN

Preserve. Honor. Educate. Inspire.

These words comprise the mission statement for the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park. We honor the service of Veterans and active duty military. We educate the public about the meaning of sacrifice and service. We inspire our citizens with a sense of patriotic pride and an appreciation for the rights and freedoms that have been fought for and we now enjoy. Perhaps most importantly, we accomplish these goals by ensuring that we preserve the three Veterans we care for: USS Little Rock, USS The Sullivans, and USS Croaker.

2020 will mark the 75^th anniversary of the end of World War II, and our mission feels more important than ever. For 40 years our staff and a dedicated team of volunteers have devoted their time to tell the stories and maintain the spirits of these larger than life Veterans. However, it has not been an easy task. These ships, built quickly in the midst of the Second World War when their services were desperately needed, were not built to last.  And just like all our aging Veterans, our ships now need extra care. They bear a tremendous amount of weight- the stories of the over 30,000 men who served aboard them, the thousands of miles sailed by them, and the 17 battle stars shared between them.

The service of these steel sailors has continued long after their decommissioning. They serve as a beacon of hope, as teachers, as a place of solace, a homecoming, and an inspiration to future generations. But without your help, these ships will not be preserved for our children’s children. These ships breathe, bleed, and feel, and with each passing year preservation efforts become more critical. Decades of exposure to the elements has wreaked havoc on the three vessels- holes in the hull have plagued The Sullivans, water has seeped into the crevices of the Little Rock, and erosion on the conning tower of the Croaker presents new challenges.

Please help us continue to preserve and honor these unique Veterans by making a gift to the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park. Your support will ensure that we can carry on our mission for decades to come. As a thank you for your donation, we’ll send you a small token of our appreciation so that you can display your support proudly.

Yours in Service,

Paul J Marzello & Terry McGuire

Honor our veterans and support the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park by contributing to the Annual Fund Campaign. With less than 5% of our operating budget coming from government sources, we have to earn every dollar through admissions, gift shop revenue, special events, private grants & individual donations. Please consider supporting the Park during our Annual Fund Campaign.

Donate Online

Donate By Mail

Complete the form below and mail it and your check to:

The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park.

One Naval Park Cove

Buffalo, NY 14202

Download Form Here