Name: Stuart M. Cowan
Tele: (808) 533-1767
Fax: (808) 239-9885
Email: stuartgm@juno.com
Ship: USS Los Angeles CA-135

Name: Lewis E. Davis Jr. (Audrey)
Tele: (215)-723-7519
Email: davis.lew@verizon.net
Ship: USS Wilkes-Barre CL-103

Participants at the Memorial Tree and Plaque Dedication were, left to right:
Rear Admiral David P. Sargent, Jr., USN, Association Secretary Ronald J. Maciejowski, Association Maryland Representative and Coordinator for this event Lawrence S. McLean, Association President Chief Signalman Edward J. August, USN (Ret.) and U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation President and Chief Operating Officer, Rear Admiral Henry C. McKinney, USN (Ret.).

Arlington National Cemetery was the site for a moving ceremony held by the United States Navy Cruiser Sailors Association.

On Saturday, 25 April 1998, beneath clear, blue, sunlit skies, over 150 association members, and guests, attended the dedication of a memorial tree and granite marker that were placed in honor and remembrance of all who served aboard U.S. Navy cruiser ships.

The ceremony opened with the presentation of colors by a U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Color Guard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Edward J. August, USN (Retired). This was followed by the invocation, given by Captain Robert H. Warren, CHC, USN (Retired).

Rear Admiral David P. Sargent, USN, the Navy's Program Officer for Expeditionary Warfare, brought the well wishes and greetings of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jay L. Johnson.
Rear Admiral Henry C. McKinney, USN, (Retired), President and CEO of the United States Navy Memorial Foundation, made remarks on the significant contributions of Navy Cruisers to our naval heritage.

Four survivors of the sunken vessels were in attendance:
Otto Schwarz, USS Houston CA-30
Michael N. Kujryla, USS Indianapolis CA-35
Robert M. McGuiggan, USS Indianapolis CA-35
Eli Ferguson, USS Vincennes CA-44.

Association Secretary, Ronald J. Maciejowski, planted the memorial tree. Member, Lawrence McLean, sprinkled the tree with water taken from all seven seas of the world. The planting was followed by a tribute led by Chaplain Warren, to the ten cruisers and their crews lost in battle during World War II, in the South Pacific.
As each Cruiser's name was called, a ship's bell was rung the traditional three times by a U.S. Navy Bandsman.

This Marker and a Living Tree, an "October Glory" Maple, were dedicated in Honor and Remembrance of all who served aboard U.S. Navy Cruisers. The Memorial Ceremony concluded with the playing of Tap by a Navy bugler, and the Benediction by Chaplain Warren.