Bob Walters of Cinnaminson, a Navy veteran who served on the ship from 1955 to 1957, said much of the excitement was simply due to old-fashioned patriotism. That was our pride coming up the river. It was American pride. State Sen. John Matheussen, R-Gloucester, said South Jerseyans greeted the battleship like a war hero coming home. Others believe a strong sense of competition helped cement support for the ship.
Southern Jersey has a bit of an identity crisis.
There are a lot of folks who live throughout South Jersey and have very fond memories of Camden. Observing his students and local families on the day of the battleship's arrival in Philadelphia, Jeffery Dorwart, a professor of history at Rutgers-Camden, saw the emotions the ship evokes. I sat on the river and watched grandfathers and fathers explaining to children. He said he believes many South Jerseyans share the bond his students felt with the ship. They were most impressed with the size and majesty of the New Jersey, one of the Navy's most decorated warships.