Wednesday, a piece of history came to Hampton Roads, and the legendary warship with the impressive past is getting yet another chapter of life.

There were certainly larger ships and faster ones, too, but from the epic Battle of Iwo Jima there's only one vessel still operable over six decades later.

The Navajo Class Fleet Tug and Salvage ship USS Zuni earned four battle stars in that Pacific Theater engagement, and was decommissioned by the Navy in 1946.

For the next 48 years the newly re-christened Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa saved lives, most notably off Nantucket Island, as depicted in the movie, "The Perfect Storm."

Now begins what you might call the ship's third act, a new life dedicated to the idea of preservation and education.

This is all due, in large measure, to former Navy Senior Chief Harry Jaeger of Richmond, his wife Shirley, and their non-profit Zuni Maritime Foundation.

"Of the over 600 ships that were involved in the Battle of Iwo Jima providing men, supplies and support, this is the only ship of that fleet that is still alive, still around, even exists," said Mr. Jaeger.

"It is a passion,” said his wife. “We know what this ship has done. We've seen the fellas that have served on it, and we know, for their sakes and for all, we really got to save the ship."

The Jaegers have applied for state and federal grants, and they plan to turn the ship into a kind of floating classroom for Navy JROTC students and Sea Cadets, and into a tourist attraction.

There's no determination on exactly where in Virginia the Zuni will be placed. For now, she's tied up at the Newport News City Dock.