For Immediate
Release: September 23, 2004
Audio Clip
Sen. Jim Reynolds
Sen. Reynolds Announces New U.S.S.
Oklahoma Exhibit
State Sen. Jim
Reynolds announced a new permanent exhibit about the
U.S.S. Oklahoma will be dedicated on December 7, 2004 at
the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Oklahoma City Republican has worked on various projects
with survivors and family members of those who served on
the U.S.S. Oklahoma.
“During these past few years it has been my great
honor to get to know these American heroes. This exhibit
is important because it will help make sure their story
is told but we’re still working on securing an appropriate
memorial site for these brave men and for their brothers
who did not survive the attack on Pearl Harbor,” Reynolds
said.
The U.S.S. Oklahoma was one of three large battleships that
never sailed again after that day. It sustained the second
largest loss of life, with 429 men killed. Of those three
battleships, only the U.S.S. Oklahoma does not have a permanent
memorial at Pearl Harbor.
“But this exhibit is an important step. We wanted
to let people know about it so if they wanted to attend
the dedication they would have time to make plans,”
Reynolds said.
The display will include two panels, including one depicting
the U.S.S. Oklahoma from the time of its Christening in
1917 through World War I and the years leading up to the
attack on Pearl Harbor. The second panel will depict what
happened to the ship on December 7, 1941.
“One thing in our favor now is that Oklahoma’s
Congressional delegation is aware of the situation and of
our efforts to help these survivors. Sen. Jim Inhofe and
Rep. Tom Cole have been especially supportive and we’re
very grateful for their help. It has made a huge difference,”
Reynolds said.
“But we still need Oklahomans and Americans from across
the nation to get involved. The youngest of the 149 remaining
survivors has now turned 80—that means time is critical.
I think it would be shameful if this country failed to erect
a permanent memorial in their lifetime.”
For more information, contact Sen. Jim Reynolds at 405-521-5522,
or by email at reynolds@lsb.state.ok.us.
For
more information contact:
Senate Communications Office -
(405) 521-5774
