Official Statement from the Board of Directors of SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc. For several months, a small faction of online commentators has engaged in a continuous, unprovoked campaign of defamatory statements targeting this organization. Out of respect for our mission, we have previously chosen to ignore this digital harassment. However, we will no longer permit the public record to be distorted by individuals who pretend to be victims the moment their months of unprovoked attacks are met with resistance. Let us be entirely clear: The SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc. is a legally compliant not-for-profit corporation operating in perfect, active standing with the State of Florida. As validated by the Florida Department of State certificate attached below, our organization is fully active, up-to-date, and completely open to official oversight. We do not merely welcome scrutiny of our corporate compliance; we invite it. We have absolutely nothing to hide. For the sake of complete transparency, as we have always done, we are proactively providing this official state document to completely dispel these commentators wrongful and malicious accusations. To those individuals who have spent months manufacturing these narratives regarding our organization, the Board issues a final, binding challenge: PRODUCE THE EVIDENCE. If you possess verifiable, physical proof of financial impropriety or regulatory non-compliance by this Foundation, file a formal report with the Florida Attorney General’s Office or the Florida Division of Corporations immediately. If you cannot or will not do so because your claims are built entirely on internet conjecture and personal malice, any further public dissemination of these false allegations will be treated as deliberate corporate libel. With this matter firmly established, the Foundation addresses the catalyst for this recent discussion: The unapproved, personal comments made by our Treasurer, Erik James, on his private social media account do not reflect our corporate stance or organizational values. The Foundation does not condone the use of personal profiles to engage in public feuds, regardless of the months of intense provocation that preceded them. The Board has strict corporate policies governing affiliate conduct and is actively addressing this internal matter thoroughly and privately. This statement serves as the Foundation's final, conclusive word on this matter. Our official corporate channels are the only authorized platforms where the views and positions of our organization are presented. Moving forward, any further bad-faith baiting or defamatory statements targeting our organization or its officers will be referred directly to our legal counsel for immediate litigation. Our focus remains entirely on protecting the legal status and historic legacy of the SS United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Remember: Certified facts outlive unverified commentary. Respectfully, Carlos Camacho Jr. Co-Founder & Chief Communications Officer SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc

TODAY, ON LABOR DAY, WE HONOR WHAT AMERICAN HANDS BUILT Before she became a legend, she was steel, shipyard staging, blueprints, and a promise. That promise was fulfilled by thousands of American workers whose names may never appear in history books, but whose labor created one of the greatest maritime achievements our nation and the world have ever seen: the SS United States. Many of her builders were veterans of World War II. After helping defend America, they returned home, entered the shipyards, and began building America’s future. More than 5,000 workers at Newport News Shipbuilding joined hundreds of naval architects, marine engineers, and designers at Gibbs & Cox. Her construction was a true national undertaking, supported by more than 800 American firms, with contributions reaching across all 48 states then in the Union. Shipfitters, welders, machinists, electricians, pipefitters, painters, draftsmen, engineers, and craftsmen worked behind the scenes, often in difficult, dangerous, and unseen conditions. Piece by piece, weld by weld, and deck by deck, they transformed American steel into a maritime masterpiece, and one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century. The SS United States was engineered not only as a passenger liner, but as a naval auxiliary capable of serving America during a national emergency. Much of her performance and national-defense capability remained classified for years. If called into wartime service, she could be rapidly converted to carry nearly 14,000 troops and steam 10,000 nautical miles without stopping to refuel or reprovision. At her heart was an extraordinary four-shaft propulsion plant: eight oil-fired boilers supplying high-pressure, high-temperature steam to four Westinghouse geared steam-turbine sets located in two independent engine rooms. Her machinery was rated at 240,000 shaft horsepower at maximum continuous output. During trials, the plant produced an astonishing 247,785 shaft horsepower and drove the ship to 38.32 knots. But sheer power was only part of her achievement. Her finely formed welded-steel hull was engineered for speed, strength, and seakeeping. Her extensive aluminum superstructure dramatically reduced weight above the waterline. Her independent machinery spaces increased reliability and survivability. Her designers pursued unprecedented standards of fire resistance, electrical generation, fresh-water production, climate control, and hydrodynamic efficiency. More aluminum was used in her construction than in any previous project on land or sea. She brought together the finest American advances in naval architecture, marine engineering, metallurgy, propulsion, and fire safety. She demonstrated, on an unprecedented scale, what lightweight construction, immense power, redundancy, and precision engineering could achieve, and established benchmarks for the high-performance ships that followed. Then the world witnessed what American labor had created. On her maiden voyage in 1952, the SS United States crossed the Atlantic eastbound in just 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, capturing the Blue Riband from Britain’s Queen Mary. On her return passage, she broke the westbound record as well, shattering Queen Mary’s records in both directions. Nearly 75 years later, those records for an ocean liner remain unbroken. Throughout 17 years of service, she never missed a scheduled crossing because of mechanical failure. Think about what that means. Thousands of workers, most never publicly recognized, built a vessel of such power, precision, and reliability that their achievement remains unequaled nearly three-quarters of a century later. The SS United States also stands as the symbolic flagship of the United States Merchant Marine. For 17 years, American Merchant Mariners served aboard her, navigating her across the North Atlantic, operating and maintaining her powerful machinery, and carrying out the demanding work required to sustain her renowned speed, safety, and reliability. Beyond her decks, American Merchant Mariners carry our commerce, deliver essential goods, provide military sealift, and answer the nation’s call in war, emergency, and peace. Like the shipbuilders pictured here, they perform work vital to America even when much of America never sees it. The SS United States is not merely steel and rivets. She is the surviving work of American hands. Every plate in her hull, every weld, every shaft, and every frame carries the legacy of the people who built her. Today, their creation stands in jeopardy. The threat is no longer distant. Within a matter of weeks, Okaloosa County, Florida, could carry out its publicly stated plan to deliberately sink the SS United States in the Gulf of America as an artificial reef and diving attraction. During the very year our nation commemorates its 250th anniversary, one of the greatest surviving achievements of American labor could be intentionally placed beneath the waves, forever beyond the reach of future generations. Let that sink in: during America’s 250th anniversary, instead of honoring what American labor built, Okaloosa County intends to sink it. If that happens, one of the greatest surviving monuments to American maritime labor and ingenuity will be lost forever as a living, accessible part of our national heritage. Future generations will be denied the opportunity to experience what American workers built. We cannot claim to honor American workers while accepting the deliberate destruction of what their labor created. A maritime masterpiece built to serve America deserves more than a burial at sea. She deserves a future. Today, on Labor Day, stand with us for the shipbuilders who forged her steel, the Merchant Mariners she represents, and every American worker whose unseen labor built this nation. Join the SS United States Preservation Foundation and add your name to the fight: ssuspreservationfoundation.c… Support Operation Liberty Shift and help give America’s Flagship a future: gofundme.com/f/save-the-ss-u… They gave her their strength, their skill, and their labor. They built an American triumph. Now it is our generation’s responsibility to ensure that their masterpiece remains above the waves, and that their legacy remains within America’s reach. #LaborDay #SSUnitedStates #SaveTheUnitedStates #OperationLibertyShift #AmericanLabor #AmericanShipbuilding #USMerchantMarine #MaritimeHistory

🇺🇸 “If America forgets her past, she risks her future.”🇺🇸 The SS United States Preservation Foundation is proud to join a growing national coalition of Tribal Nations, preservation and conservation organizations, museums, historical societies, professional associations, and local governments urging Congress to protect and strengthen Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. For our Foundation, this issue is not abstract. Section 106 gave the SS United States and those fighting for her preservation a formal voice before an irreversible decision is made. Our experience demonstrates why this essential safeguard must be protected, respected, and strengthened. Read the Foundation’s official press release: ssuspreservationfoundation.c… Want to become more directly involved? Membership in the SS United States Preservation Foundation is free. Join us, stay informed, and become part of the next phase of our fight to save the UNITED STATES. ssuspreservationfoundation.c… #SSUnitedStates #HistoricPreservation #Section106 #SaveTheUnitedStates #Don'tGiveUpTheShip

THE NEXT PHASE BEGINS. With the Section 106 review now concluded, the future of the SS United States enters a new phase. The SS United States Preservation Foundation remains committed to historic preservation, public education, research, responsible stewardship, and meaningful public participation concerning this National Register-listed historic property. We recognize that artificial reefs can provide environmental, recreational, and economic benefits when projects are properly evaluated and responsibly carried out. Our focus remains specifically on the SS United States, the circumstances surrounding her proposed deployment, and our belief that this historic vessel deserves consideration for a better future. As that work moves forward, the Foundation is expanding its membership and inviting additional supporters to become more directly involved. Membership is free. Members can receive updates and briefings, learn about upcoming events and outreach, and take part in opportunities involving research, preservation, education, advocacy, public engagement, and other Foundation initiatives. Whether your connection to the SS United States is personal, historical, professional, educational, maritime, or simply rooted in a desire to see this important vessel receive the consideration she deserves, there is a place for you in this effort. Our commitment has not changed, and our work continues. If you want to do more than follow what happens next, we invite you to join the SS United States Preservation Foundation. There is no requirement to donate. For those who choose to contribute, donations help support and advance the Foundation’s ongoing work. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… Do not simply follow the next phase. Become part of it.

A Statement on the Current Environmental Review, Permit Status, and Proposed Reef Deployment of the SS United States As Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer of the SS United States Preservation Foundation, it is important to clarify several matters concerning the current regulatory status regarding the proposed sinking of the SS United States as an artificial reef in the Gulf of America. While the Section 106 historic-preservation review has concluded, Section 106 represents only one component of the federal process associated with the proposed sinking of the SS United States. Its completion should not be confused with completion of environmental review, resolution of outstanding environmental concerns, EPA approval, or final federal authorization to sink the SS UnitedStates. There seems to be a great deal of confusion between what has actually been documented by the federal agencies and what some simply assume has already occurred. So, rather than debate opinions, let's stick to the record. The Section 106 historic-preservation review has concluded, and a Memorandum of Agreement has been executed. That is a fact. But a Section 106 MOA is not an environmental approval, an EPA determination that the vessel is safe to sink, or by itself a final authorization to sink the SS United States as an artificial reef. Likewise, the March 13, 2026 USACE Public Notice was exactly what the Corps called it: "a public notice concerning an application/request" that included proposed permit modifications and a requested 10-year extension. A public notice requesting public comment on proposed agency action should not be confused with the final agency action itself. That distinction is particularly important here. The written permit issued in 2016 identified an expiration date of March 10, 2026. The Corps' 2021 modification retained that expiration date. The March 2026 Public Notice was then issued three days later, on March 13, and included a "request for a 10-year time extension." There have also been statements concerning an extension through December 2026. But statements and assumptions are not substitutes for the administrative record. If a written USACE instrument formally extending the permit has been issued, it should be straightforward to produce it. The same applies to any subsequent final permit modification or authorization. The environmental questions deserve the same standard of evidence. Claims that EPA has already “signed off,” or that the environmental concerns surrounding this particular vessel have somehow been “disproved,” should be supported by the actual EPA determination, scientific findings, or official federal documentation establishing that. A County statement is not an "EPA determination." A consultant's opinion is not an "EPA determination." Completion of Section 106 is not an "EPA determination." And preparations aboard the vessel do not themselves establish "final federal authorization." Comparisons to vessels that sank decades ago don't answer these questions either. An accidental or historic shipwreck is not evidence that deliberately sinking a particular vessel into the marine environment today will have “zero effect,” nor does the existence of old wrecks eliminate the regulatory requirements governing an intentional deployment. There is another important distinction when comparing vessels sunk decades ago to the deliberate sinking of this vessel today. The regulatory landscape, environmental standards, and understanding of legacy toxic coatings have changed substantially over time. Materials and coating systems once commonly used on ships are not treated the same way under modern environmental standards. Zinc-chromate coatings, for example, belong to an older generation of corrosion-control systems that were progressively replaced in many applications by alternatives such as zinc-phosphate and newer coating technologies as health, environmental, and occupational concerns surrounding chromates became better understood and became more heavily regulated. What may have occurred with vessels decades ago whether intentional or accidental therefore does not establish what is acceptable, lawful, or environmentally appropriate for an intentional deployment today. Whether someone believes reefing is the most dignified outcome, whether restoring the vessel would have been economically feasible, or whether reefing ultimately proves to be her fate are separate discussions. None of those questions determines whether the sinking of the SS United States proposed today has satisfied the applicable federal requirements. This isn't about being for or against artificial reefs. Responsible artificial reefing can provide real benefits. It is about something much simpler. If the approvals exist, produce them. If EPA has signed off, produce the EPA documentation. If the environmental concerns have been scientifically disproved, produce the scientific findings. If the permit has been formally extended or modified, produce the federal instrument that did it. Those documents either exist or they don't, a simple black and white truth that deserves transparency and accountability, both of which have not been provided to date by neither the County, public commentators, or the federal agencies. Until then, there is an important difference between saying a project is expected to move forward and demonstrating that every federal review and authorization necessary for it has actually been completed. The administrative record, not repetition, assumptions, or inevitability will ultimately answer that question. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Carlos Camacho Jr. Co-Founder & Chief Communications Officer SS United States Preservation Foundation, Inc.

🇺🇸 On This Day in History - June 23, 1951 🇺🇸 Seventy-five years ago today, the SS United States was christened at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, marking the beginning of the remarkable journey of what would become one of the nation's greatest maritime achievements ever created. Designed by renowned naval architect William Francis Gibbs and built under extraordinary secrecy during the early years of the Cold War, the SS United States embodied the very best of American innovation, industrial capability, and national purpose. Her revolutionary design, fire-safe construction, and strategic capabilities pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible at sea. Far more than a luxury liner, she was conceived as a strategic national asset in times of war that was capable of transporting 14,000 troops more than 10,000 nautical miles without stopping, refueling, or reprovisioning. The following year, she would capture the Blue Riband, securing her place in history as the fastest ocean liner ever built, a record that she still holds to this day. Yet the legacy of the SS United States extends far beyond records and statistics. She represents the ingenuity of American shipbuilders, the service of generations of merchant mariners, and a period in our history when the United States dared to achieve the extraordinary. At the SS United States Preservation Foundation, we believe that legacies of this significance deserve thoughtful stewardship. We will continue to fight for a future that embodies that very principle. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the christening of the SS United States invites us to reflect on something greater than a ship. It asks a simple but defining question of our nation: If one of the greatest maritime achievements ever created an enduring symbol of American ingenuity, service, and national purpose is allowed to be needlessly lost, what does that say about how we value the achievements and heritage entrusted to our care? Acta Non Verba. 🇺🇸⚓️ #RethinkTheSink

FACT CHECK: JUNE 16, 2026 For months, the public has been presented with repeated characterizations of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the Section 106 consultation process, and the federal review surrounding the SS United States that have not been reflected in the contemporaneous agency record. This is yet another example. On June 15, 2026: - Florida SHPO stated that it had recently provided feedback on a third MOA draft and that a final draft was still forthcoming. - The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) stated that Section 106 consultation remained ongoing. - Later that same day, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) confirmed that it was still developing a Final Draft to be sent to all consulting parties. The slides below simply place public statements alongside the contemporaneous agency record and allow readers to compare them directly. Despite those June 15 agency statements, Okaloosa County proceeded on June 16 with a vote authorizing execution of what its agenda characterized as a "final Memorandum of Agreement." The status of a federal review process is not determined by private commentary, social media interpretations, local characterizations, or speculation. It is determined by the federal agencies conducting the review and by the contemporaneous administrative record they create. As always, the SS United States Preservation Foundation remains committed to factual accuracy, primary-source documentation, and the integrity of the administrative record. Dated documents. Contemporaneous record. The record speaks for itself. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Carlos Camacho Jr. Co-Founder & Chief Communications Officer SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc Federally Recognized Section 106 Consulting Party Representative USACE Permit SAJ-1996-03565 - SS United States #TheRecordSpeaksForItself #DocumentsMatter

We have received an alarming number of messages from supporters who experienced confusion or difficulty participating in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ public notice and comment process for the SS United States. Many people have also reported that public statements from the County and the pro‑reefing community created additional confusion about the status of the project and how Section 106 actually works. To ensure the administrative record accurately reflects the public’s experience, we are documenting these issues. If you had trouble locating the Corps’ notice, opening it, understanding the comment window, or submitting comments, please email your experience and questions to: cco@ssuspreservationfoundation.com We are also documented your recent concerns: • "you were unsure whether comments were being accepted" • "you felt the timeframe was unclear or too short" • "you believed the project was already approved based on public statements" • "references to LAARS B, reefing announcements, or pro‑reefing messaging affected your understanding" • "you felt unable to comment until now" • "you were confused about how Section 106 works" • "you believe a public hearing would have improved your ability to participate" Your statements will be compiled and forwarded to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so the record reflects the public’s actual experience with notice, clarity, access, and participation in the Section 106 process. As a reminder, the current (15-Day Public Notice Comment Period) expires on March 28, 2026, so be sure to write in so your voice is heard. Please keep your remarks focused on public notice, clarity, access, and your ability to participate. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. - SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc. Federally Recognized Consulting Party for Section 106 Review - Department of the Army Permit, SAJ-1996-03565

Dear Supporters, Public Comment Period Now Open - SS United States The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has initiated a 15-day public comment period as part of its ongoing federal review of the proposed sinking of the SS United States. This review is being conducted under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which applies to actions affecting historic properties. The Corps has determined that the vessel remains historically significant and that the proposed action would result in adverse effects. The public comment period is limited to 15 days and will close on March 28, 2026. Public input is now being accepted and will be included in the official record before any final decisions are made. How to submit a comment: 1. Visit: rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs/publi… 2. Under “State,” select Florida (FL) 3. In the search bar, enter: SAJ-1996-03565 4. Click the comment icon next to the notice 5. Complete and submit the form Every submission becomes part of the federal record. The future of the SS United States is now open for public input. As a federally recognized Consulting Party, the SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc. is providing this information to ensure the public has access to and can participate in this process. We remain fully committed to pursuing all available paths to protect and secure a future for the SS United States. Thank you for your continued support to preserve history for future generations. - SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc.

For Immediate Release SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc Releases Video Comparing County Statements to Submitted Environmental Findings North Palm Beach, FL — February 2026 — The SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc has released a documentary‑style video excerpt from the January 6, 2026, Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners meeting, highlighting the contrast between statements made during the meeting and the environmental findings submitted into the public record. During public comment, Foundation Vice President Steve Perry submitted independent laboratory results from York Analytical Laboratories documenting the presence of Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6) aboard the SS United States. These findings were provided to the County as part of ongoing discussions regarding the vessel’s proposed reefing. The video presents, in sequence: Statements made by County officials regarding available environmental reports The publicly released County memo referencing PCB sampling An email from a county aide describing the documentation in hand The independent laboratory results submitted by the Foundation The County’s response during public comment The purpose of the release is to allow the public to review the statements and materials side‑by‑side, in full context, as they were presented during the meeting. “Florida law guarantees the public the right to speak at local government meetings,” said a Foundation spokesperson. “This video simply documents the exchange as it occurred and provides the public with direct access to the materials referenced.” The Foundation emphasized that all documents shown in the video are public records or publicly released materials. The video contains no editorial commentary; captions are limited to factual labels identifying documents, timestamps, and meeting context. Its structure allows viewers to independently compare what was said with what was found. The full meeting video is available at: myokaloosa.com The Foundation’s excerpted documentary segment can be viewed at: piped.video/-ShEmVHIBwY Related scientific testimony from Dr. Todd Osborne, PhD, submitted separately for public transparency, can be viewed here: piped.video/pe5NzpU7_D8?si=eAFX… The SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc remains committed to transparency, public engagement, and the responsible handling of environmental information related to the vessel’s future. Media Contact: SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc info@ssuspreservationfoundation.com ssuspreservationfoundation.c… piped.video/-ShEmVHIBwY?si=rqp8…

Tonight, as America enters her 250th year, we remember the generations who carried this nation forward when the odds were long and the future was unclear. They built a country through courage, sacrifice, and a belief that history would judge their actions worthy of the moment. Their spirit is the inheritance we carry into this anniversary. The SS United States, our First Lady of the seas, stands as a reminder of what America can achieve when its people refuse to let their legacy fade. She embodies the strength, innovation, and resolve that defined our rise as a nation. That story deserves defenders. This milestone calls us to rise with the same conviction. We stand against the tides that would erase our heritage. We stand for the truth that America’s story is preserved by those who choose to act when it matters most. America’s legacy is not a relic. It is a responsibility. We call on Congress and the President to adopt Resolution 649-A, enact the America 250 Maritime Heritage Act, and sign the Great American Comeback Executive Order. Let America 250 be remembered for the legacy we strengthened, not the opportunities we allowed to slip away. And so, we ask a question worthy of this anniversary. How will history write your name in this moment when the legacy of a nation hangs in the balance? Join the fight to protect America’s legacy. Visit our website, add your name to the petition, make a contribution if you’re able, and contact Congress and the White House to demand action. Every voice strengthens the cause. ssuspreservationfoundation.c… #America250 #SSUnitedStates #SaveTheShip #AmericanLegacy #MaritimeHeritage #WeWontGiveUpTheShip #GreatAmericanComeback ❤️✊🇺🇸 @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @VP @JDVance @FLOTUS @WhiteHouse @GovRonDeSantis @RepDonaldsPress @Interior @DeptofWar @USDOT @DOTMARAD

Official Public Statement Regarding the SS United States Reefing Project and Regulatory Compliance My fellow patriots and preservationist, Many of you have been asking about the recent letter issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on October 3, 2025. We welcome that interest—and we believe the public deserves clarity. The letter states plainly: “Best Management Practices are to be followed additionally, not solely.” This sentence is not just a formality—it is a direct clarification that best practices alone do not constitute full compliance. State and federal regulations still apply, including those we have formally outlined and submitted to the county. These are not opinions—they are enforceable legal standards under Department of the Army permit SAJ-1996-03565, which governs the establishment and use of three Large Area Artificial Reef Sites (LAARS) in the Gulf of America. While we recognize the county’s stated intentions, the record shows that key regulatory obligations remain unaddressed. The removal of the funnels while the Section 106 review was still active and while an emergency injunction was filed raises serious compliance concerns. Any further action taken without full adherence to applicable law will be addressed through the appropriate legal channels and upheld in a court of law. This is not just a matter of historic preservation—it is a matter of public health and safety. The materials used, the timing of removal, and the lack of full environmental review carry implications for surrounding communities and ecosystems. Transparency and compliance are essential to protect lives, livelihoods, and legacy. Federal entities including the White House are now reviewing this matter. What once flew under the radar is now being seen, documented, and evaluated. Public transparency is not optional—it is a legal and ethical obligation. To those who continue to spread misinformation despite the facts: we do not speak to be seen—we speak to be heard. Our mission is rooted in integrity, direct communication with government officials, and a commitment to truth. Attempts to discredit our work or affiliations do not change the facts, nor do they erase the consequences of what’s unfolding. This is not about opposition—it is about accountability. The push to reef this historic vessel without full compliance carries serious repercussions—not just for the Gulf, but for public trust, environmental safety, and historic preservation. We remain committed to walking this path with clarity, evidence, and conviction. And this is only a fraction of the work happening behind the scenes. We are working tirelessly—with boots on the ground—to ensure full compliance is met, public safety is protected, and good stewardship of our national heritage is upheld throughout this project. Justice will have its day in court. And we, the people, will prevail. Throughout history, many historic properties that still stand today were saved in the eleventh hour—because voices like ours refused to be silenced. Because people like you stood up, spoke boldly, and defended what mattered. Let history remember that we stood watch. That we spoke truth. That we did not back down when legacy, law, and lives were on the line. To the commissioners: We welcome a more formal engagement to discuss this matter. A sit-down is encouraged—so that three-minute formats can give way to open dialogue, where good stewardship and well-placed intentions can truly serve the public and honor our shared heritage as we approach America’s 250th. As one of our board members recently reminded us, quoting President John F. Kennedy’s moon landing speech: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” Let us choose the hard path—not because it is convenient, but because it is right. Because it is what this country, and this mighty vessel, America's Unsung Hero deserves. And now, we ask you to look inward. When history calls to speak your story, what will it say about how you stood in this moment? Did we act with courage, despite the adversity? Or did we stand silent on the sidelines and watch history—and our children’s inheritance—slip quietly beneath the waves? This is our hour. Not to retreat. Not to waver. But to rise. To speak boldly. To stand firmly. To protect what is sacred and preserve what is ours. Let it be said that when the tide came in, we did not run. We anchored ourselves in truth. We fought for legacy. And we lit a fire that could not be extinguished. Most Respectfully, Carlos Camacho Jr Co-Founder & CCO SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc.

We Don’t Just Speak for Her — We’re Legally Authorized to. In light of recent commentary surrounding the SS United States, we the SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc. issue this official statement to clarify who holds legal authority to speak on matters related to her reefing, preservation, and federal review. The SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc. is a federally recognized nonprofit, listed with the IRS and governed by documented fiduciary authority. Our board members are fiduciaries — legally and ethically responsible for representing the Foundation’s mission, finances, and public statements. This fiduciary authority is not symbolic. It is binding. It is what gives us standing to engage federal agencies, submit formal correspondence, and speak publicly on matters affecting the SS United States. Fiduciary authority is not granted by proximity, passion, or personal title. It is earned through documented governance, IRS recognition, and legal accountability. Chapter-level volunteers — including chapter chairs — are not listed in governance filings, do not carry fiduciary responsibility, and are not recognized by law or federal agencies as consulting parties in Section 106 review. That distinction matters — and it is not negotiable. Recent commentary has misrepresented who holds national leadership within the SS United States Conservancy, creating confusion about who is authorized to speak on her behalf in federal and preservation matters. To clarify, we must distinguish between informal roles and those recognized by law. Just as our Foundation’s fiduciary authority is grounded in documented governance, the same standard applies to the SS United States Conservancy. When referencing “national leadership,” we are referring specifically to the Conservancy’s executive officers and board of directors — those individuals listed in official governance filings who bear legal and fiduciary responsibility for the organization. These are the only individuals authorized to speak on behalf of the Conservancy in federal, legal, or preservation matters. Chapter-level volunteers, regardless of title or tenure, are not recognized by federal agencies as consulting parties and do not possess the legal authority to represent the Conservancy in official proceedings. This was formally acknowledged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in October 2025. In direct correspondence, the Corps confirmed its intention to invite our Foundation as a consulting party under 36 CFR § 800.2(c)(5), citing our demonstrated interest and formal request submitted in June 2025. This recognition is procedural, legal, and indisputable. Statements made by individuals who do not hold fiduciary authority or legal standing in relation to the SS United States are expressions of personal opinion — not official representation. These individuals are not listed in governance filings, are not recognized by federal agencies as consulting parties, and do not bear legal or ethical responsibility for her preservation. While anyone may speak publicly, their commentary should not be taken seriously in official matters. Authority is not self-declared — it is documented, accountable, and earned through lawful stewardship. The SS United States deserves more than speculation. She deserves to be spoken for by those entrusted to protect her. We are aware that recent commentary has included false and disparaging remarks directed at members of our Foundation and its supporters. While we will not engage in personal disputes, we must note that under Florida law, defamation includes false statements made with negligence or actual malice that cause reputational harm. Volunteer immunity does not apply in cases of willful misconduct or reckless disregard for the rights of others. Should defamatory or misleading commentary persist, we reserve the right to pursue appropriate remedies to protect our members and our mission. The SS United States deserves truth, not titles. She deserves stewardship, not spectacle. And she deserves to be spoken for by those who are legally authorized to do so. We thank our supporters for standing with us in unity and purpose as we continue to defend the last American-built, owned, operated, and U.S. flagged ocean liner in our nation’s history — SS United States, symbolic flagship of the United States Merchant Marine. — SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc.

For Immediate Release: The SS United States is federally listed. Toxic materials are confirmed aboard. A government shutdown halts oversight, blocks preservation grants, and silences the agencies meant to protect her. Our Foundation is calling on Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution before America’s heritage is lost. This is not a partisan issue — it’s a patriotic imperative. Read our official statement below. #SaveTheSSUnitedStates #America250 #PreserveHistory #Noshutdown #historicpreservation #nationalregisterofhistoricplaces #toxicship #FederalOversight #StewardshipMatters @WhiteHouse @America250 @NatlParkService @EPA @Interior @NOAA @USACEHQ

We, the SS United States Preservation Foundation Inc., submit this statement in full and unwavering opposition to the ongoing government shutdown. This shutdown isn’t a pause — it’s a threat. It endangers public safety, national heritage, and environmental integrity. Our mission to protect the last U.S.-built, owned, operated, and flagged ocean liner—a nationally registered historic property and enduring symbol of American pride—has been abruptly halted, and right on the doorstep of America 250. Certified lab results documenting hazardous materials, including hexavalent chromium, and maritime safety violations now sit unanswered. Federal oversight is blocked. Key agencies have ceased operations. The Army Corps cannot advance its historic review. The EPA cannot respond to toxic threats. NOAA cannot assess maritime risks. America 250 planners are unreachable. Oversight has stopped. Over 750,000 federal workers have now been furloughed — including those in the very agencies tasked with protecting our environment, heritage, and public health. Without federal oversight—which is now blocked—local entities are afforded the opportunity to introduce avoidable, man-made crises that would otherwise be exposed and mitigated by the very agencies now locked out. Our case is not isolated. It is one of millions now stalled, silenced, or endangered by the absence of federal review. From environmental protection to historic preservation, from public health to national planning—critical missions across the country are hitting roadblocks that threaten long-term harm. Congress must end this assault and return to stewardship — or risk millions of battles like ours falling through the cracks without review or consideration. This statement is submitted for public record. We speak not just for one ship — but for every mission now silenced. @WhiteHouse @POTUS @America250 @EPA @USACEHQ @SavingPlaces @Interior @NOAA @PublicCitizen @NatlParkService @Reuters #GovernmentShutdown #America250 #PreserveTheSSUnitedStates #PublicHealth #environmentalsustainability #AccountabilityMatters

This shutdown is not a delay—it is a danger. It threatens our history, our health, and our honor. The SS United States is the last U.S.-built, owned, operated, and flagged ocean liner still standing—a nationally registered historic property and symbol of American pride. Her fate now hangs in the balance because the federal agencies responsible for protecting her have gone dark. We’ve submitted certified lab results and environmental warnings to federal authorities—documenting hazardous materials including hexavalent chromium (Cr6), maritime safety violations, and the urgent need for oversight. But just as help was within reach, the shutdown halted everything. The Army Corps of Engineers cannot advance its historic review. The EPA cannot respond to toxic threats. NOAA cannot assess maritime risks. America 250 planners are unreachable. Thousands of advocates have been silenced. Contaminated food may reach American tables if this plan is allowed to proceed. The SS United States has not yet been sunk—but without federal oversight, unchecked toxic materials not meant to be submerged beneath the waves could enter the marine ecosystem, affecting fisheries, food chains, and coastal communities. This is not just a preservation crisis. It is a public health emergency in the making. This shutdown has: – Frozen environmental and preservation efforts – Delayed ceremonial inclusion – Silenced thousands of advocates and petitioners We are not just losing time—we are losing history. And if this shutdown continues, we will lose her. As Jacqueline Kennedy once asked: “Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud monuments, until there will be nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children?” That truth echoes louder than ever today. The SS United States is more than steel and rivets—she is a living monument to American ingenuity, sacrifice, and pride. Her legacy belongs to every child who deserves to understand where we’ve been, so they can shape where we’re going. The government must return to Washington and get back to work. Federal oversight must be carried out before irreversible harm is done. This egregious act must be halted. Federal stewardship is required. Accountability is essential. This matter demands immediate review. @WhiteHouse @POTUS @EPA @USACEHQ @NOAA @America250 @congressdotgov #governmentshutdown2025 #shutdown2025 #America250 #PublicHealth #enviromental

instagram.com/reel/DN_CJDFCh… ANNOUNCEMENT We proudly support this powerful video by Beyond Florida, which documents the historical loss of the SS United States and the urgent environmental threat posed by her proposed reefing in the Gulf of America. This ship is not just steel—it’s a living symbol of American innovation and maritime legacy. The video highlights our foundation’s ongoing research and preservation efforts to keep her above water and out of ecological harm’s way. Reefing the SS United States would not only erase history—it would release toxic materials into one of America’s most fragile marine ecosystems. Watch. Share. Take a stand. Let’s protect our heritage and our waters—before it’s too late. #BeyondFlorida #SSUnitedStatesPreservationFoundation #SaveSSUnitedStates #America250MaritimeHeritageAct #America250 #PreserveHistory #MaritimeLegacy #EnvironmentalJustice #StopTheReefing #ProtectOurWaters #AmericanIcon #ReefingRisks @POTUS @FLOTUS @SecDuffy @SecretaryBurgum @SecRubio @EPA @USDOI @NatlParkService @fema @usachp @NOAA @USFWS @WhiteHouse @EnvDefenseFund @NRDC @Earthjustice @CenterForBioDiv @smithsonian @America250 @SavingPlaces @sidrosenberg19 @JudgeJeanine @FoxNews @CNN @NEWSMAX @CBSNews @nytimes @washingtonpost @NBCNews @ABC @dbongino @charliekirk11 @SebGorka @JackPosobiec @IngrahamAngle @Bannons_WarRoom @TuckerCarlson

instagram.com/reel/DN_CJDFCh… Above the Waves: A Nation’s Choice For seventy-five years, the SS United States has stood as a silent sentinel of American greatness—unmoving, unyielding, and above all, afloat. She is not just steel and rivets. She is memory. She is sacrifice. She is the embodiment of a nation that once dared to dream faster, reach farther, and stand taller. But today, she faces a fate unworthy of her legacy. The vessel is coated—inside and out—with zinc chromate, a compound of hexavalent chromium, one of the most toxic and carcinogenic substances known to science. Alongside it lies lead-based paint, a silent killer that bioaccumulates in marine life, poisons fragile ecosystems, and threatens endangered species. These materials have remained stable above water, inert and contained—just as they have for three-quarters of a century. But if submerged, they will activate like a battery—leaching toxins into the Gulf, electrifying a chain reaction of ecological collapse. This is not preservation. It is pollution. It is a violation of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. It is a betrayal of our duty to protect what is sacred—our waters, our wildlife, and our shared history. And yet, despite recent actions by local authorities to erase her from the National Register of Historic Places—Reference No. 99000609—it is not too late. We can still reverse course. We can still choose honor over haste, legacy over landfill. The America 250 Maritime Heritage Act is that choice. It is the alternative that treats and monitors these toxins responsibly, above water, where they pose no harm. It transforms the SS United States into the National Center of Maritime Excellence—a living monument that serves veterans, educates youth, and protects the environment. It is not just a plan. It is a promise. We call on all Americans—coastal and inland, young and old—to rise. To raise your voices. To reject the tyranny of erasure and the lure of short-term gain. To prevent the Gulf of America from suffering the worst environmental disaster since the BP spill. This is all preventable. But it begins with each of us. One voice becomes many. And many voices become change. As our 250th anniversary approaches, let us remember the courage of our Founders—who, with ink and conviction, defied the powers of their day and gave birth to a nation. Let us now strike ink to parchment once more. Let us mark our place in history as those who stood firm against the tide of destruction and fought for a legacy worthy of our children. She is still afloat. She is still America. And she belongs above the waves. To learn more about the America 250 Maritime Heritage Act, sign the petition, and donate to protect our maritime legacy, visit: ssuspreservationfoundation.c….