- WWRA Vice President George Knudtzon attended the 14 January meeting of the
PACNORWEST Submarine Heritage Committee. There were approximately 20 attendees
including representatives from COMSUBGRU 9, Trident Refit Facility, Trident Training
Facility, Strategic Weapons Facility, Naval Undersea Museum Keyport, Bremerton Naval
Museum, NW Navy Submarine League, PWD Subase Bangor, Naval Construction Battalion Unit
418, WWII SUBVETS, US SUBMARINE VETERANS Inc(USSVI) and WWRA. There have been five
previous meetings with little results as many of the players were transferred, etc.
However this meeting established a formal group with a clear mission and goals.
- Movement of the Woodrow Wilson SSBN624 Sail, Rudder and missile hatch from Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard via barge up to delta piers at Navsubase Bangor was delayed a week.
It is now expected to arrive on Friday January 23rd.
- CAPT Jack Francis, CSG9 Chief of Staff, provided the opening remarks that
included full support of the project by RADM Sullivan and others.
- CAPT Denny Wheeler, CSG9 Deputy Chief of Staff for Readiness and Training is
still involved with the committee.
- An initial drawing of the site concept was presented (copy on the WWRA Web
Site). This is an overhead view and there is currently a side view being worked up now
which will show a better perspective.
- Final completion and dedication is scheduled for April 2000 to coincide with the
Submarine Service 100th birthday.
- A display center (museum type with photos, memorabilia, etc.) will be
established inside the Trident Training Facility.
- The initial Engineering Design Proposal has not been completed yet. When that is
completed, hopefully by the next meeting, Subase will conduct and Envioronmental Impact
Study (EIS). All the existing trees on the site must be removed and new drainage
provided, etc. No work will be done on the site until the EIS is completed.
- The Woodrow Wilson Sail and Rudder should be in place by late summer 98,
assuming no delays caused by the EIS. There is some discussion on whether the
missile tube will be part of the display, or in another location near TTF. If we have our
reunion in the fall of 99, most of the work will be completed.
- Funding is a major concern. Initial estimates are about $250K, but a lot
depends on the final design. The local JAG is still going through the maze of
regulations affecting the project. However, some things are clear. Maximum
donation from any single group is $10K, but there may be a way around that. For
example, if the program is established as a series of specific projects, the $10K limit
may apply to each project. Navy funds are severly limited, but some funding may be
obtained for specific projects. The comittee is emphatic that all funding be done
legally.
- Initially, two subcommittees were established: (1) Fund
Raising/Advertising (2) Heritage Park. We are on the Fund Raising/Advertising
subcommittee headed by Ed Ferris. More subcommittees will be established as the
committee gets more organized. there may be a need for more WWRA folks to
participate in these groups.
- JAG will develop the documents to formalize the organization as a non-navy group
to allow for outside funding, etc.
- Regular scheduled meetings were established to be on the 2nd Wednesday of each
month at 1000 except for the next meeting which is on Feburary 18th due to previously
scheduled CSG9 activity.
- CAPT Wheeler and Master Chief Burson plan to attend the next WWRA breakfast
Board of Directors meeting in 2 weeks to meet our group.
- The committee is open to any suggestions on displays, funding, etc. Anyone with
ideas submit them via email to Suggestion.
- The Forty One for Freedom monument will be a part of the overall "Submarine
Heritage Park." Other submarine data, memorabilia, photos, etc. will be
included as part of the display inside TTF. This will include material from the old
Diesel Boats to the Trident Boats.
- Our Web Site will maintain updated information after the meetings each month.
Stay tuned.
Deterrent Park Status 10/98
Although typical Northwest Fall weather has slowed some
progress in preparing the ground, we are still on schedule. The foundation for the sail
should be completed the end of October and the WW sail is scheduled for relocation about
mid-November. We are working on a plan to move the sail using a military helicopter to
save time and money. If that works, we will have a photo in the next WWRA newsletter.
(Well have a photo anyway, but moving it by air will be more exciting.) Brick sales
are progressing, but not enough to fund all the construction planned for the next few
months. So far about 325 bricks have been sold; 130 to WWRA members and families. We are
still a long way from the 6000 needed to fill the Missile Deck. Planned national
advertising and promotion will help greatly, but that seems to be slow in developing. To
those that have ordered bricks, thank you very much! Your support is greatly
appreciated. For those that havent yet, break out that checkbook! Dont forget,
you can order bricks for your time on other boats, family members and others. We have many
dedicated to wives, children, parents and grandparents. These can also go in the WW
section. Our goal is to have 500 bricks in the Woodrow Wilson section. We previously had a
deadline of the end of September to get the WW section filled. We did get a lot of orders
in September, but, obviously, not enough. So, no more deadlines. Please get your orders in
as soon as possible. Other ships and organizations are requesting blocks for their
members, and I dont know how long we can keep our space before we have to give up
some room. Also, for those of you associated with wealthy companies, the PNWSHA can accept
large corporate donations. Special recognition will be given for donations of $10,000 or
more. Shake the trees! We need the money to complete this worthwhile project. Your WWRA
fully supports this project with time, money and other activities. In addition to the $500
check we presented at the groundbreaking ceremony in May, one-dollar from the sale of each
WW hull piece is donated to Deterrent Park construction. We are still on schedule to have
our own WWRA dedication of the Woodrow Wilson replica during the 1999 Reunion. By then the
sail will be in place and painted, the hull completed and bricks laid. The WW ships
bell is being relocated from SWFPAC to COMSUBGROUP NINE, and will be mounted on the sail
for special ceremonies, including ours. During our dedication we will toll the bell for
each departed shipmate.
Your Shipmate, George N. Knudtzon
- PLAN OF ACTION AND MILESTONE (POA&M) UPDATE;
- - Excavation, clearing and fill------------------------------- Complete
- - Sail foundation completion--------------------------------- 30 Oct 98
- - Sail move and placement----------------------------------- 15 Nov 98
- - Install fairwater planes/ masts-----------------------------25 Nov 98
- - Final sail painting----------------------------------------------30 Nov 98
- - Landscaping completion-------------------------------------May 99
- - Park and sail lighting installation--------------------------30 Oct 99
- - Turtleback brick work compeletion-----------------------Sep 99
- - Park dedication-------------------------------------------------Apr 00
- - Additional brick work and walkways----------------------TBD
- - Rudder placement plan---------------------------------------TBD
- - Missile hatch placement plan-------------------------------TBD
- - 41 for Freedom Memorial plan-----------------------------TBD
- Congressman Norm Dicks has agreed to accept a Co-Chairman position.
- Our Web Site will maintain updated information after the meetings each month.
Stay tuned.
Deterrent Park Photos
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