Fundraising for USS Oklahoma Memorial Begins

Survivors of the USS Oklahoma are closer than ever to achieving their dream of erecting a permanent memorial to the 429 crewmen who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The initial memorial design was formally unveiled at the State Capitol on Friday, which also marked the official kickoff of the fundraising effort.

Governor Brad Henry announced the Centennial Commission would provide $100,000 for the memorial project. It was also announced that the Inasmuch Foundation would donate $50,000 to the fund. Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin called on citizens to help contribute to the cause as well, and said if each Oklahoman would just contribute a dollar the goal of raising $750,000 would easily be met.

State Sen. Jim Reynolds has been working with USS survivors for several years on the memorial project. He said it was appropriate to unveil the design on the eve of Armed Services Day.

“I can’t tell you how excited all of us are that we’re on the verge of making this memorial a reality,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “I want to extend special thanks to Senator Jim Inhofe and Congressman Tom Cole for their help in getting the clearance we needed at the federal level to make this happen. The crewmen of the USS Oklahoma were heroes and they deserve this honor.”

Gov. Henry said a fitting memorial to those who perished on the USS Oklahoma was long overdue.

“The battleship sustained the second highest loss of life in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and yet there is still no monument to it. Now, all Oklahomans have a way to help ensure that a memorial is finally constructed to pay tribute to the Marines and sailors who died,” Henry said.

Ed Vezey, of Colorado, spoke on behalf of the USS Oklahoma Survivors organization. Vezey said he and his fellow survivors were glad that the day was coming when their fallen comrades would finally be duly memorialized.

“To me it means two things. One is that 429 people whose lives were snuffed out will be remembered in a permanent way. But to me, as much as anything else, it’s a memorial to the reality that freedom is not free. It costs—it costs lots,” said Vezey.

Lt. Gov. Fallin said she was extremely pleased to see the progress in the memorial effort.

“This is an effort that is long overdue – and as we know, it is one we need to complete as soon as possible. The youngest survivors of the Oklahoma are now in their 80s and they want to see this memorial in their lifetime,” Fallin said. “Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day. What a fitting time for Oklahomans to come together to honor the men who lost their lives on the ship named for our great state.”

The memorial was designed by prominent Oklahoma architect Don Beck. The USS Oklahoma Memorial Committee goal of $750,000 will pay for the memorial as well as provide perpetual maintenance funds under the direction of the National Park Service. The memorial will be located on Ford Island, near the location where the USS Oklahoma capsized.

“We wanted this to be more than just a marker or simple statue,” Beck said. “There will be 429 vertical, three dimensional elements that will include the name and rank of each soul lost on the USS Oklahoma. When people see this memorial, we want them to take a sense of the humanity and loss when they leave.”

Retired Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic is co-chairman of the fundraising effort.

"I'm extremely honored to be part of this project and strongly believe as Oklahomans, we should remember the sacrifice of these 429 sailors and Marines who paid the ultimate price of freedom on December 7, 1941, plus the other survivors who are with us today from our namesake ship who gave so much and now ask so little,” Slavonic said. “Sixty-five years later, it is time to recognize their service to our state, the Navy and our nation."

Tax deductible donations can be sent to: USS Oklahoma Memorial, P.O. Box 7734, Edmond, OK, 73083-7734.