USSVI - USS OMAHA PROJECT

For those of you who might be from Omaha, might have served on USS OMAHA or just want to help out please read on.

From: Mark Thompson [mailto:markat84@hotmail.com]

Subject: USSVI - USS Omaha Project

Greetings,

I am the current commander of of the USS Marlin Base here in Omaha. We are a relatively new and small organization (~2 years old / ~18 members). I am sending this email to expand on the notice sent out by USSVI national a couple of weeks ago.

Our base is actively engaged in a project to establish a USS Omaha (SSN-692) memorial here within the city. This is a concept that has been considered for several years. The initial plan (conceived about the time the ship was decommissioned) identified Freedom Park as the preferred site for erecting this memorial. While we have made significant progress towards achieving this vision, we have some pressing needs that I want to share with our fellow sub vets in the hope you can provide some assistance.

We have gained concurrence from the parties required to make this happen. The Navy approval was the first step and relatively straight forward. That approval was contingent, however, upon also getting a formal commitment from the city stating a willingness to accept the artifacts and preserve them in an honorable and respectful manner.

That effort was interrupted by last years flooding. We spent most of our efforts over the last 18 months working with the community to preserve Freedom Park. The park is located along the Missouri river and was covered with water up to 7 feet deep in places. Not only did this prevent us from working on the logistics necessary to get the USS Omaha artifacts to the site, but it also put the entire concept into question. While we had originally hoped to use the park as a focal point for fund raising activities, we found ourselves heavily engaged in efforts to protect the artifacts in the park, especially the two museum ships on display there; the submarine USS Marlin (STS-2) and the WWII era USS Hazard (AM-240). Given the severity of the situation, there was a period of time where it looked like the park would have to be declared a total loss.

Ultimately, with the help a several other organizations, we were able to preserve most of the park and the city decided to move it to another location in support this vision. This not only includes adding the USS Omaha display, but also reserves a place to build a similar memorial for the USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) years from now when her time comes. The city formally responded accordingly to the Navy this past December.

While we were dealing with the local situation, the Navy continued processing the USS Omaha unaffected by the flood. The end result is the major artifacts are now available but are also impeding routine operations at the shipyard. The Navy will be forced to scrap them rather than preserve them as desired unless we can physically secure them soon.

Now that the city has reaffirmed their commitment to this project, we can focus on the logistics in earnest. We recently partnered with Werner Enterprises, an international logistics corporation headquartered within the city. While their current operations do not enable them to directly move the artifacts from the shipyards to Omaha, they have offered their planning and coordination services as a charitable donation. They estimate the cost to transport the sail, rudder, fair water planes and miscellaneous items to Omaha at around $25,000.

Our short term goal is to ensure the items are not scrapped. The overall cost estimate to move the current Freedom Park, incorporate the USS Omaha display and eventually the USS Nebraska has yet to be determined. In the interim, the city has already made agreements to temporarily display the USS Omaha items at the Strategic Air and Space Museum until such time as they can be transferred to a permanent location within a relocated Freedom Park.

We have already initiated efforts to secure grants in support of this project, but the time lines associated with that process do not support meeting our near term need of securing these items before the shipyard is forced to scrap them. This is what has prompted me to contact all of you.

We are just now starting our direct fund raising efforts in earnest. If any base or individual member desires to contribute financially to our effort we have two 501.3.(c). accounts established; one with USSVI and another with the city parks foundation. I have cc'd our treasurer (Carol Applegate) and another base member who directly interacts with the city parks department (Bill Lee) who can assist in making sure any contribution is properly accounted for.

We are also about to start engaging in a direct contact campaign with businesses and individuals within our local area. If there are members of your base out there who think they know of individuals or businesses in your local areas that may be sympathetic to our efforts please let us know. We will contact them directly or coordinate with you or the base member to make contact on our behalf (depending on your preference/recommendation).

Given our relatively small numbers, we need to be very efficient in our fund raising / public awareness efforts. I ask you to forward this to your membership and any other potentially interested parties. Any suggestions are most welcome.

Please don't hesitate to contact me or any others from our base that I have cc'd on this email.

Your time and consideration is greatly appreciated.

As always, "Pride Runs Deep".

Mark

Mark Thompson

USS Marlin Base, USSVI

Omaha NE

402 294 1146 (work)

402 960 5303 (cell)