June 6, 2018
On May 26th and 27th, Florida's Space Coast Symphony Orchestra ended its ninth season with a very special program featuring "Atlantic Riband," a work by composer Kenneth Fuchs inspired by our nation's greatest and sole remaining ocean liner, the SS United States.

Describing the piece, which debuted in 2012 in Newport News, VA, Fuchs writes:
Composer Kenneth Fuchs in the studio. Courtesy of Kenneth Fuchs .
"Although a purely abstract musical composition, 'Atlantic Riband' pays tribute to the power and grace of our national ship of state...The shipping lanes of the North Atlantic were not only crucial to commerce and industry, but held promise for millions of immigrants. It is their hopeful struggle and ultimate victory of crossing the Atlantic in search of a new life that I wish to express in music."
Former passenger Renate Ludewig, with son-in-law Joe Bradley (left) and composer Kenneth Fuchs. Courtesy of Monika Bradley.
Renate Ludewig as a young woman. Courtesy of Monika Bradley.
One concert attendee, Renate Ludewig, was especially moved by the performance. Renate herself traveled aboard the SS United States from Germany to New York in November, 1955, to reunite with her fiancé in America. Following the event, Renate's daughter Monika Bradley enthused:

"The SS United States has always held a dear place in our hearts...Having your mother called out to stand and be recognized by the symphony conductor because she came to America on board that same ocean liner in 1955 — priceless!"

CLICK HERE to read more about this special event.
Help Us Save America's Flagship!
We are thrilled to share exciting news from the Conservancy's New York Chapter:

This month, Staten Island's National Lighthouse Museum will proudly present, in partnership with the New York Chapter of the SS United States Conservancy, " Full Speed Ahead to the Fabulous SS United States !" The exhibition, on display at the National Lighthouse Museum from June 14th to August 3rd, will "trace the life of the ship, from young speed queen and popular cover girl to aging star of yesteryear and nearly forgotten 'has-been,' and finally — with your help — to one of the great comeback stories in U.S. history."

Don't miss the exhibition's grand opening on Thursday, June 14th at 6:30 PM! CLICK HERE for more details.
Poster by New York Chapter co-chair Paul Stipkovich.
Former crew member Joseph Rota is presented with the Blue Riband Award by young SS United States supporter Ryan Miller, recognizing Rota's lifetime of advocacy for America's Flagship.
The recent SS United States Legacy Cruise was a week-long cruise featuring seminars and special events celebrating the irreplaceable SS United States. The event was an overwhelming success, raising awareness of the ship's historic importance, along with $100,000 in support of the ship's ongoing carrying costs, thanks to the the Pollin Group, philanthropist Jim Pollin and Legacy Cruise supporters.

Check out a few highlights below:
Susan Gibbs and founding Conservancy board member Mark B. Perry introduce a public screening of " SS United States: Lady in Waiting ."
Susan Gibbs and supporters Ryan, Scott, Matthew and Amanda Miller attend a festive event celebrating Blue Riband awardee Joseph Rota.
Cruise participants tour the National Museum of Bermuda with museum curator Deborah Atwood.
Award-winning author-illustrator David Macaulay presents from his forthcoming book on the Big U.
Interested in seeing more? Find more photographs from this incredible event on the Conservancy's Facebook page! Did you join us aboard the Legacy Cruise? Don't forget to fill out the Conservancy's passenger questionnaire.
“I am honored to support the Conservancy as a steadfast guardian of such an important moment in our nation's history.” — Steve Williams, Revere, MA
SS United States passenger Peter Dreher recently joined the Conservancy on a special limited-access curatorial tour of America's Flagship. Moved by the experience, Peter generously shared his photographs and memories:
"After 63 years, I stood again on the tourist-class deck where my dad had taken a family picture during our November 1955 crossing...As I stood there, so many decades later, I wondered how many languages had been spoken on this section of the ship where countless of hopeful immigrants saw Ambrose Lighthouse and the Statue of Liberty come into view."

CLICK HERE to read Peter's full reflection following his return to America's Flagship.
Former SS United States passenger Peter Dreher returns to the vessel that his family immigrated aboard in 1955.
Photographs courtesy of Peter Dreher.
Peter Dreher returns to the location of a 1955 family photograph.
The stories of the passengers and crew members who traveled aboard the SS United States are vital to the ship's incredible history.

Do you have your own SS United States story to share? CLICK HERE to learn how to preserve your memories as part of the Conservancy's Legacy Project, or drop us a line by email HERE.
Former passengers, crew and family members — tickets are also now available for our next curatorial tour, to be held on Saturday, June 30th.

General public access to the SS United States is highly restricted; we are excited to offer these special, limited opportunities to those with a personal connection to America’s Flagship, to assist in our ongoing Legacy and oral history projects. CLICK HERE to register.
Photograph courtesy of Lara Hetzel.
"[The SS United States ] was built at a time when 'made in America’ really meant something, and that is a legacy that cannot be lost.  — H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, Blue Riband Council