In 1961, thousands of schoolchildren across North Carolina did something extraordinary. With jars of dimes and hearts full of purpose, they raised the $330,000 needed to bring the 728-foot USS North Carolina to Wilmington. Their small donations added up to a massive impact, saving the battleship from being scrapped and transforming it into a memorial for the 10,000 North Carolinians who gave their lives in World War II.
More than six decades later, the Battleship still stands guard over the Cape Fear River—but many of those original donors have drifted away from its story. The Dimes & Time campaign is a heartfelt effort to reconnect with them. We’re reaching out to the children who once gave their coins, now grown, and inviting them to share their memories, their pride, and their personal connection to the ship they helped save.
If you were one of those young donors—or know someone who was—we want to hear from you. Whether you remember collecting coins in your classroom, watching the ship arrive, or simply feeling part of something bigger, your story matters. These recollections will help us preserve not just the steel and history of the Battleship, but the spirit of community that brought it to life.
You don’t have to be a current member, volunteer, or visitor. This is about rediscovering a connection that began with a dime and still echoes today. Visit battleshipnc.com/dimes to share your story and help us honor the generation that rallied to save a ship—and shaped a legacy.