Transfer of a retired warship to Presque Isle Bay would honor veterans, military heritage

The U.S.S. Michigan/Wolverine was the first iron-sided ship in the U.S. Navy. After being launched in Erie, Pennsylvania, she patrolled the Great Lakes for nearly a century. She was instrumental during the Civil War, and later became a training ship for most of the Navy's officers. Tens of thousands of sailors called the warship's homeport, Erie, their home. In fact, so many of these young men married women from Erie, that the town was given a lasting nickname: "The mother-in-law of the U.S. Navy."

Dear Navy — today your mother-in-law is calling to ask for your help. Please pick up the phone.

Erie needs approval from the Secretary of the Navy to bring a retired warship back to the shores of Presque Isle Bay to honor the Navy's heritage in the city and serve as a centerpiece in a planned museum dedicated to military veterans.

Most Americans are familiar with the classic painting of the triumphant Oliver Hazard Perry illustrating the victory over the British Navy's flotilla in the Great Lakes along the shores of Lake Erie in August 1813. Perry is transferring his "Don’t Give Up The Ship" flag to his new flagship, the U.S. Brig Niagara (which remains in Erie to this day), and Commodore Perry then famously declared in his report of the battle: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours."

This battle was one of the most important of the War of 1812, and likely sealed the fate of the Ohio Valley and upper Midwest. But often overlooked are the thousands of Erie craftsmen who built the ships in the shelter of the peninsula Presque Isle. And the hundreds of sailors and militia who volunteered to man the ships and defend the city. And the hundreds of Erie merchants who donated material, money, food, and arms to these brave patriots.

While the Battle of Lake Erie may be the most iconic and remembered in Erie's past, the Navy and U.S. military both have deep ties to Erie and northwestern Pennsylvania. That is why the Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring veterans, has applied to bring the decommissioned ex-U.S.S. Halyburton (FFG-40) — one of the 51 Oliver Hazard Perry-class Guided Missile Frigates built for the U.S. Navy — to Erie.

The Halyburton would be the centerpiece of a veteran's museum and display in Erie. And it is long overdue in my view.

The warship is named after WWII Medal of Honor recipient William Halyburton for his courageous acts in Okinawa. It was commissioned in 1984 and had 30 years in active service before being decommissioned in 2014. Since then, it has sat in a Naval Inactive Ship Facility in Philadelphia — awaiting its fate. Its transfer would be notable, as it would be one of the most modern ships to be donated to a city to date.

This would be momentous for both Erie and the Navy. The ship was considered home by thousands of sailors at one point and would be a terrific meetup place for Navy veterans who would like to walk the ship’s decks once more. For those who love history, they could visit Erie to see the ship that sailed the globe and was active in the Captain Philips hostage rescue from Somali pirates.

But this represents something bigger. It's a symbol of our nation's strength and reminds citizens in and around Erie that our heritage is important, and our sacrifice to our nation has made a difference.

Northwest Pennsylvania and the surrounding area revere our nation's military veterans. In fact, many from Erie are veterans themselves. According to the 2021 American Community Survey Census Data, Erie County alone has over 17,100 veterans, or nearly 8% of the adult population. This is a huge number, especially considering the nationwide average is around 6%. And that figure doesn't include other veterans in the region.

Further, veterans from Erie and northwest Pennsylvania have played major roles in nearly every single conflict in our nation's history.

• George Washington visited Fort LeBoeuf, in Waterford, Pennsylvania, as a major in the Virginia Militia to tell the French to leave British lands.

• Brigadier General Strong Vincent, also from Waterford, commanded the 3rd Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg and saved the union flank at Little Round Top.

• Army Corporal John Kelly, from Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, was awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II for his actions near Cherbourg, France, while assaulting an entrenched machine gun position.

• Army Private First Class Melvin Brown, from Mahaffey, Pennsylvania, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Kasan, South Korea, defending his platoon’s position.

• Army Private First Class Ross McGinnis, from Knox, Pennsylvania, was awarded the first Medal of Honor of the Iraq war for his heroic actions jumping on a grenade in his vehicle to save his fellow soldiers.

To honor these Erie servicemembers and the proud Navy ties to Erie, the Navy needs to agree to send a warship to Erie — specifically one from the class of Navy ships that bears the name of the hero of the Battle of Lake Erie — Oliver Hazard Perry.

In fact, the author of this piece is an Army veteran from Erie County — writing this with hat-in-hand only weeks removed from the Army vs. Navy football game — to highlight the importance and gravity of this request and make the case for Erie.

More: County Council endorses warship museum at Presque Isle Bay

Another view: The frigate proposal raises many questions

Secretary Del Toro: Erie and the U.S. Navy are forever linked with incredible history and a shared passion for our nation. Please help recognize Erie for its impressive Navy heritage, and the impact those from around the Erie area serving in uniform have, by approving the transfer of the Halyburton. The Navy's proud mother-in-law will be forever grateful.

Darrell Owens is from Waterford, and is the former National Security Advisor to U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA). He is also an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. 

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Retired warship would advance plans for bayfront veterans' museum