BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park has reached a historic milestone. The Park announced the Save the Sullivans Campaign has surpassed the $1,000,000 fundraising goal. This represents the largest fundraising initiative for the Park since its founding more than 40 years ago. The announcement was made by Terence McGuire, Chairman, Buffalo and Erie County Naval &
Military Park Board of Directors.

“I am thrilled to announce we have surpassed our goal to raise $1,000,000 to save USS The Sullivans.” commented Terence McGuire. “This historic accomplishment would not have been possible without the leadership and passion of many people. On behalf of the board of directors, I want to thank Kelly Sullivan and Douglas Jemal who served as campaign Co-Captains, Dr. John Long, along with Scott Bieler and Brad Hafner of West Herr Auto Group for their leadership gift early in our campaign. And a special thank you to young Arrow Swartwout, who emptied his piggy bank to donate to the campaign.”

Launched in March 2021, the Save the Sullivans Campaign raised $535,000 from a variety of sources including individuals, foundations, corporations and government entities. West Herr Auto Group provided a lead gift of $50,000 representing the largest single private donation. In October, the Park received a $499,000 Save America’s Treasures grant bringing the campaign total to $1,034,000.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the local community and from around the world. The campaign received donations from across the United States, Canada and six other countries.” commented Paul Marzello, president and CEO for the Park. “The money raised from the community allowed repair work to begin in earnest this summer to save this historic ship. It is fitting that we make this announcement today, 15 November 2021, 79 years almost to the day that the five Sullivan brothers paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.”

USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a 78-year-old Fletcher-Class destroyer that saw action in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War is a major attraction at The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. USS The Sullivans is named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers who, serving together on the light cruiser USS Juneau, were all killed in action on its sinking around November 13, 1942. The ship was christened by the fallen brothers’ mother, Alleta Sullivan, and is a National Historic Landmark. It holds a special place in our nation’s military history and a special place on the Buffalo Waterfront.

In February of 2021, damage to the ship’s hull resulted in leaks that put the ship in danger of sinking. The Naval Park launched a special fundraising campaign, Save the Sullivans, to raise the $1,000,000 needed to complete hull repairs. Douglas Jemal of Douglas Development volunteered to act as Campaign Captain of Save the Sullivans. Kelly Sullivan, the granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, the youngest of the five Sullivan brothers, is Campaign Co-Captain with Jemal. Kelly Sullivan, sponsor of USS The Sullivans DDG 68, is a third grade school teacher in Waterloo, Iowa.

Repair work of the hull is being performed by BIDCO Marine Group, a locally owned specialty marine contractor. BIDCO previously conducted a full bow-to-stern survey of the hull and developed the repair plan which includes applying a two-part epoxy coating to the entire hull below the waterline and the installation of a cathodic protection system that will prevent further corrosion of the USS The Sullivans, the USS Little Rock, and the USS Croaker.

About the Buffalo and Erie County Military & Naval Park
The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is the nation’s largest inland naval park and the home of four U.S. Naval vessels: USS The Sullivans, USS Little Rock, USS Croaker, and PTF-17. Located on Buffalo’s Waterfront, this unique family destination is committed to its mission, which is to honor, educate, inspire, and preserve. The Buffalo Naval & Military Park also features a museum, United States military exhibits, and a beautifully manicured Veterans Park with 14 monuments and memorials dedicated to those who served our country.

More information about the Buffalo Naval & Military Park is available at BuffaloNavalPark.org.

BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park has officially launched the largest fundraising campaign in the 40-year history of the Park. With a goal of $1,000,000, Save The Sullivans is set to raise the money needed to make permanent repairs to the hull of the USS The Sullivans.

USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a 78-year-old Fletcher-Class destroyer that saw action in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War, is a major attraction at The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. USS The Sullivans is named in honor of the five Sullivan brothers who, serving together on the light cruiser USS Juneau, were all killed in action on its sinking around November 13, 1942. The ship was christened by the fallen brothers’ mother, Alleta Sullivan, and is a National Historic Landmark. It holds a special place in our nation’s military history and a special place on the Buffalo Waterfront.

“Decades of harsh weather in Buffalo have taken a toll on the ship. The severely weakened hull was recently compromised below the waterline and the ship began taking on water,” commented Paul Marzello, president and CEO for the Buffalo Naval Park. “A full bow-to-stern survey of the ship’s hull was conducted, and an engineered plan developed for the necessary repairs. It involves applying a two-part epoxy coating to the entire hull below the waterline and the installation of a cathodic protection system that will prevent further corrosion of the USS The Sullivans, the USS Little Rock and the USS Croaker.”

Douglas Jemal of Douglas Development has volunteered to act as Campaign Captain of Save the Sullivans. “It is an honor for me to be a part of the effort to preserve this ship and honor the service and sacrifice of the Sullivan brothers,” commented Jemal.

The official launch of the Save the Sullivans campaign will be marked by a private fundraiser hosted by Jemal on St. Patrick’s Day at the Naval Park. The invitation-only event will be the first major push toward raising the $1,000,000.

Kelly Sullivan, the granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, the youngest of the five Sullivan brothers, is making a special trip to Buffalo to attend the Save the Sullivans party. Douglas Jemal is covering travel and accommodation costs for Kelly to be in Buffalo for the event. Kelly, sponsor of USS The Sullivans DDG-68, is a third grade school teacher in Waterloo, Iowa.

Sullivan’s Brewing Company is also jumping on board the campaign effort. Michael Meade, a Buffalo native and CEO of the Kilkenny, Ireland based brewery, was instrumental in bringing Sullivan’s beer to North America and launching in Buffalo a few years ago. “Buffalo is a second home for Sullivan’s. When we heard about the need to save the USS The Sullivans, it was a natural for us to get involved and help,” commented Meade. In addition to donating beer for the event, a team from Sullivan’s including brand ambassador and voice of the Buffalo Bills John Murphy will be on hand pouring Sullivan’s for guests.

Calling all Sullivans. In an effort to draw in more participation to the Save The Sullivans campaign, the Naval Park is asking all people with the last name Sullivan to contribute to the effort by making a $5.00 donation.

Contributions to the Save the Sullivans campaign can be made securely online at SAVETHESULLIVANS.ORG or by mailing to Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, ATTN: Save the Sullivans, One Naval Cove, Buffalo, New York, 14202, or by calling the park directly at 716-847-1773, EXT 10.


About the Buffalo and Erie County Military & Naval Park

In 1976, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency and a group of community supporters gathered together to create a non-profit organization in order to submit a request to the U.S. Navy for a decommissioned naval vessel as part of a waterfront development plan.

The Navy granted their request and, in 1977 donated a destroyer and a guided missile cruiser to the City of Buffalo. After two years of fundraising and restoration, the newly formed organization opened to the public on July 4, 1979. In subsequent years The Park has added substantially to its collection of military artifacts.

The current collection includes a Fletcher-Class Destroyer, USS The Sullivans (DD-537), named after the five Sullivan brothers who died aboard ship while serving on the USS Juneau in 1942; the only Cleveland-Class Light Cruiser left in existence, USS Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4/CG-4); Gato-Class submarine, USS Croaker (SS/SSK/AGSS/IXSS-246); Vietnam-era PTF-17 boat; UH-1 Huey Helicopter; Nike Hercules Missile and launcher; M-41 Walker Bulldog Tank; F101 Voodoo Jet, and much more.

The Park is the largest inland naval park in the country.  Western New York is home to one of the largest concentrations of military veterans in the United States making The Park a popular attraction as well as a center of pride with this stakeholder group.

More information about The Park is available at buffalonavalpark.org.

BUFFALO, NY – Officials from the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park were already facing a difficult winter offseason due to lost revenue from the pandemic. Now, harsh Buffalo winter weather and damaging winds have created a serious situation for the largest inland naval museum in North America. USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a 78-year-old Fletcher-Class destroyer and major attraction at the Naval Park, is in danger of sinking unless emergency repairs can be made to her hull.

“Routine hull maintenance is required with ships of this age.” commented Paul Marzello, president and CEO of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. “The harsh Buffalo winter weather has severely damaged the hull of USS The Sullivans below the waterline so there is significant water coming into the ship. She is currently listing to port quite noticeably. If we cannot repair the hull and stop the water, she will sink.”

The Naval Park has a plan for long-term repair to the hull of The Sullivans that was scheduled to begin in the spring and summer of 2021. With a cost of more than $1,000,000, the Naval Park is awaiting final funding from a number of sources.

The Naval Park is using pumps to remove water from the ship; however they are struggling to keep up and more damage could occur. “We expect another four to six weeks of tough weather ahead, so there is potential for even more hull damage. At this point the ship requires $100,000 in emergency repairs just to keep her afloat until we can begin the long-term repairs. We are asking for help from the public to raise the $100,000. We need All Hands on Deck to help.”
added Marzello.

The Park, which welcomes more than 70,000 visitors in a typical year is a major tourist attraction for the region. The Park saw a significant decline in visitors and revenue due to the pandemic restrictions. In July of 2020 the Naval Park launched a major fundraising campaign called All Hands On Deck to raise money to support Park operations. Given the urgent need to pay for the emergency hull repairs, the Naval Park is extending the All Hands On Deck campaign and asking for donations from the general public. Contributions can be made securely online at keepingourshipsafloat.org or by contacting the Naval Park at 716-847-1773.

About the Buffalo and Erie County Military & Naval Park
In 1976, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency and a group of community supporters gathered together to create a non-profit organization in order to submit a request to the U.S. Navy for a decommissioned naval vessel as part of a waterfront development plan.

The Navy granted their request, and in 1977, donated a destroyer and a guided missile cruiser to the City of Buffalo. After two years of fundraising and restoration, the newly formed organization opened to the public on July 4, 1979. In subsequent years The Park has added substantially to its collection of military artifacts.

The current collection includes a Fletcher-Class Destroyer, USS The Sullivans (DD-537), named after the five Sullivan brothers who died aboard ship while serving on the USS Juneau in 1942; the only Cleveland-Class Light Cruiser left in existence, USS Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4/CG-4); Gato-Class submarine, USS Croaker (SS/SSK/AGSS/IXSS-246); Vietnam-era PTF-17 boat; UH-1 Huey Helicopter; Nike Hercules Missile and launcher; M-41 Walker Bulldog Tank; F101 Voodoo Jet, and much more.

The Park is the largest inland naval park in the country. Western New York is home to one of the largest concentrations of military veterans in the United States making The Park a popular attraction as well as a center of pride with this stakeholder group.

More information about The Park is available at buffalonavalpark.org.

BUFFALO, NY — The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park announced the Park and the historic Naval ships moored on the Buffalo Waterfront will be open for public tours through Labor Day, September 7, and will then shift to weekend operations for the remainder of the month. After Labor Day, the Naval Park will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 4:00pm, with the last ticket sold at 3:00pm each day.

Visitors seeking to tour the exterior main decks of USS The Sullivans, USS Little Rock, USS Croaker, and the Naval Park’s museum can do so at a reduced rate for the remainder of this season. Admission is limited through timed ticketing with advance online ticket purchase at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/buffalonavalpark.

The final day for visitors of the 2020 season will be Sunday, September 27th. This is approximately one month earlier than in the past. The Park plans to use the additional time for exhibit maintenance and development of new programs and events that will build on the safeguards instituted this season.

“It is no surprise opening this summer was a challenge for the Naval Park as it was for many attractions,” commented Paul Marzello, President and CEO of the Naval Park. “Our staff and volunteers went above and beyond to get the Park open and safe for visitors. Attendance has been steady through the summer. We did not see the volume we did last year, but we are full-steam ahead with our plans for 2021.”

In an effort to help raise much needed funds to offset the losses in revenue resulting from the COVID pandemic, the Naval Park has launched an All Hands On Deck campaign. With a goal of $100,000, the All Hands On Deck campaign includes a general fund drive through direct mail, email and online giving, as well as support from corporate sponsors. The Naval Park is also selling limited edition All Hands On Deck Challenge Coins. Only 1,000 Challenge Coins were minted and appeal to collectors in Western New York and across the country. To date, the Naval Park has reached nearly 45% of its goal to raise $100,000.

Information about the All Hands On Deck campaign, Challenge Coins and how to give securely online can be found at buffalonavalpark.org/allhandsondeck.

The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park and The Battle Within Foundation are joining forces to host a socially distant Memorial Day weekend salute. Throughout Memorial Day weekend, 7,300 flags will blanket the grounds of the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park to represent the United States Veterans who have lost their battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Despite the best efforts of family, friends, the VA, and scores of dedicated Veterans-based organizations, approximately 20 Veterans each day are lost to us due to complications from wounds and injuries we cannot see. That’s 7,300 brave men and women a year who swore an oath to protect and defend our country, and experienced the unimaginable in our name. Unfortunately, they made it through one war, only to come home to fight another – PTSD.

Paul Marzello, President and CEO of the Buffalo Naval Park, stated: “It is a fitting tribute to be commemorating our fallen heroes on Memorial Day at the Buffalo Naval Park under the grand and glorious flag that flies above us. In addition, we are reminded by the 7,300 flags planted in the grounds around us that the pain and suffering of war continues long after our soldiers return home. Let us keep them all in our prayers.”

The historic war memorials at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park’s Monuments Garden provide the quintessential place to honor several lifetimes of service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Located in a green oasis along the waterfront, the Monuments Garden is home to many monuments including the Iraq-Afghanistan Monument, Vietnam Memorial, Purple Heart Memorial, Hispanic and Latino Memorial, and The Battle Within PTSD Monument. This space serves as a quiet place for remembrance and reflection.

“It is our sincerest hope that this display of flags will in some small way help educate the public to this ongoing tragedy, provide a lifeline to the suffering, and honor our heroes for their service, regardless of where they died,” stated Dr. Mark Donnelly, The Battle Within Foundation President.

Anyone who wishes to make a $20.20 or greater donation to the Buffalo Naval Park will receive one of the flags from the One Life – One Flag installation along with a certificate. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Battle Within Foundation to help provide resources for Veterans who are struggling with PTSD. Additional information can be found at buffalonavalpark.org/event/onelifeoneflag.