I joined the Memorial in October, 2005, when the ship arrived in Evansville. I started as a tour guide at that time and continue to do so to this day, every weekend day. That is what I love, talking about the Grey Lady and where she’s been and what her part in our history is.

In the interim period, I ran for the Board and have been on the Board of Directors since about 2011 (not exactly sure). Starting in 2012, I became the point man in our relocation campaign. For those of you newer members, that has to do with getting our ship moved from the Marina Point location which was pretty much out in the sticks, to our current location across from the Bally’s Casino where everyone in the county is familiar with.

This project started in July 2012 and came to fruition in June 2020 when we moved to our new location. Long story short, Tropicana started the process by getting rid of their gambling boat and building the $50,000,000 land-based casino which is across the street from our ship.   Tropicana got the ball rolling with a one-million-dollar donation to get our ship moved to their location.  And the city sweetened the pot with a $2.5 million dollar investment in our Visitors Center and mooring facility. This was my proudest accomplishment.

I currently chair the Marketing Committee as well as the Local Events Committee. I also serve on the Local Operations Committee. Local events not only include such events as the Evansville Shriners fest each summer, but also a variety of film companies that have filmed on the ship.

My experience with film companies started in 2007 when the History Channel spent three days on the ship filming an episode for Hero Ships, LST. After that, the Smithsonian Channel was aboard in 2016, 2019, 2021, and recently in 2022, covering topics such as Weapons of D Day, Operation Tiger (Slapton Sands), Inchon Landings, Combat Ships episode, and naval explosions, LST 1167 in Vietnam. This exposure is worldwide.

My less glamorous duties on the ship include providing and maintaining the 2-way radios used on a daily basis. That is what I did for a living for 24 years in my previous life.

The Memorial has never shined as it does today. We’ve got an exceptional pool of talent on our crew, office staff, and our Board. What we have is exceptional when you consider that most are volunteers. Just like all of you, I do not take this for granted. I would appreciate your support as I run for reelection. Thank you.

Chris Donahue