Students in the life skills class at Carbon Career and Technical Institute in Jim Thorpe believe in Navy veteran Robert "Ski" Siesputowski's mission.

On Thursday, Siesputowski spoke to the class about his campaign to try to save the USS Independence, a decommissioned Naval aircraft carrier that has been tagged for dismantling next year.Siesputowski is determined to save the ship from becoming only a memory because he was part of the ship's first crew, having served as a second class radarman from 1959 to 1960.He told the class about what it was like serving in the Navy on an aircraft carrier and thanked them for taking part in his letter writing campaign to try to save the vessel. Students have the opportunity to write Gov. Tom Corbett, as well as state legislators.Siesputowski feels that the ship should be brought to Philadelphia and made into a floating museum because of its name."Just the name itself, 'Independence' should say it belongs here in Pennsylvania," he said.The students were intrigued by Siesputowski's story and asked a number of questions about the ship, being in the Navy and his tattoos.Lisa Lux, life skills teacher for the Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 at CCTI, said she read about Siesputowski's story "Saving his ship" in the Times News on Aug. 23 and liked his passion."We're so honored to have Robert speak with the class and to share his experiences with us," she said. "It's a great reminder of how important preserving our history is and about the sacrifices that the military has made for us."Siesputowski is still urging anyone who would like to help to write to state legislators, asking them to press the issue of bringing the Independence to Philadelphia.For the full story on Siesputowski's mission, visit

www.tnonline.com/ 2014/aug/23/saving-his-ship.