FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 11, 2005

Essay contest to highlight Quincy's connection
to 'Kilroy Was Here'

QUINCY--During World War II, Quincy shipyard worker James Kilroy scrawled the words "Kilroy Was Here" on the Navy ships he inspected, launching a global catchphrase that would become a powerful morale booster for Allied troops on land, air and sea.

Now, as America prepares to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Discover Quincy, The USS Salem and The Quincy Sun are sponsoring an essay contest to highlight Quincy's claim to fame as the birthplace of "Kilroy Was Here."

The contest - the theme of which is "What 'Kilroy Was Here' Means to Me" - has three age divisions: children in grades 4-7 and 8-12, as well as an open division for adults. (See contest details.)

"We hope that the essay contest will spur children to learn more about Kilroy, World War II and Quincy's role in building ships for the Allied war effort," said Jennifer Logue, executive director of Discover Quincy. "We also hope that adults will enter and share their memories of 'Kilroy Was Here' and World War II, both on the front lines and on the homefront."

Prizes will be awarded in each age division of the contest, with winners receiving their honors at the USS Salem's upcoming anniversary celebration, to be held Sunday, May 15 from noon to 4 p.m.

The essay contest is just the first in a series of events and promotions designed to raise awareness of "Kilroy Was Here" and Quincy's role in launching the phrase. Logue credited Quincy residents Frank and Kathy Hogan for suggesting last fall that the city play up its Kilroy connection.

Since then, a committee comprised of representatives from Discover Quincy, the USS Salem, the Hogans and Quincy Public Schools teacher Ron Adams have been meeting to plan ways in which the city could spotlight its role in the Kilroy story.

Other events and promotions planned for
the coming months include:

A Kilroy photo contest:
Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for a special "Kilroy Was Here" flyer in The Quincy Sun. "We hope residents will take this flyer with them on their travels and take a photo of Kilroy in fun, famous and interesting locations," said Michael Condon, director of the U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum aboard the USS Salem. "We'll do an exhibit of collected photos and post them online at www.whereiskilroy.com." Prizes will also be awarded for Most Exotic Location, Most Remote Destination and more.

Ship-Naming Campaign:
The Kilroy committee plans to launch a campaign to ask the Secretary of the Navy to name a ship the USS Kilroy Was Here. "The 60th anniversary of the end of World War II would be an appropriate time to recognize the tremendous morale boost 'Kilroy Was Here' provided to the Allied war effort," said Logue, who noted that the USS Salem will be printing pre-addressed postcards requesting the name that residents can mail to Navy Secretary Gordon England.

Postage Stamp Campaign:
Postcards are also being printed to urge the U.S. Postmaster General to issue a "Kilroy Was Here" stamp as part of its World War II series.

USS Salem Anniversary Celebration:
Kilroy will be featured at a special May 15 celebration marking both the anniversary of the Salem's commissioning as well as the 10th anniversary of the ship's opening as a museum.

"The essay contest is really a kick-off to what we hope will be a fun and educational campaign celebrating Quincy's unique role in the 'Kilroy Was Here' phenomenon," Logue said. For more information on the essay contest or other Kilroy events and activities, call Jennifer Logue at (617) 657-0527 or Michael Condon at (617) 479-7900.

Media Contacts:

Discover Quincy: Jennifer Logue, 617-657-0527, jlogue@discoverquincy.com