Great Sage of the Sea
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Location: Tucson, Arizona | Subject: SUBMARINE MEMORIAL PATCH DISPLAYS FINISHED AND WILL BE IN BRANSON 10/8/2009 come visit
Overgaard residents produce WWII sub vets display for museum
06/30/2009
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Overgaard residents Dick Jarenski and Sue Rainey stand with displays to honor WWII submarine servicemen. They displays, which they produced, are ready for transport to the VeteranÕs Memorial Museum in Branson, Mo.
During the winter, Overgaard residents Dick Jarenski and Sue Rainey produced, assembled and labeled six displays to honor the submarines of World War II. These will be permanently housed in the Veteran's Memorial Museum in Branson, Mo.
After a full day presentation to the public Oct. 2 at the Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library in Marana, they will be transported by cargo van and unveiled at the museum on Oct. 8.
Jarenski is a member of the USSVI White Mountain Base and a life member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans. He is commander of the USS Sterlet (SS392) Association, which has funded this project. The ceremony will be during their reunion in Branson Oct. 7-11.
On Oct. 8, an unveiling of six displays honoring all submarines and their crews that served during World War II will be held. This unique display of ship's patches will include a special display honoring the lost submarines and about 374 officers and 3,131 enlisted men still on "Eternal Patrol."
"It is to them and all that served in the Silent Service that we will dedicate this memorial," said Jarenski and Rainey, treasurer of the USS Sterlet (SS392) Association in Tucson.
After it was decided on how the project would be laid out and displayed, the Veteran's Memorial Museum, Branson Chamber of Commerce and Branson mayor's office were contacted. After receiving their support and final approval from Fred Hoppe, owner of the museum, the work on the display began.
It was during an August Reunion Planners Conference in Branson, known as the "Veteran's City," that Jarenski noticed that there was no tribute to the submarines of WWII. He and Rainey conceived the patch display project, and beginning in November 2008 Jarenski, began contacting veterans that served on these vessels for their thoughts and support.
By January, the patches started to flow in from all over the United States. It was a total landslide of not only patches but gratitude in support of this memorial to the submarines of WWII.
By March 15, all 326 patches were received. The frames for the displays were completed and only the labeling and final gluing were needed.
Those visiting Branson are invited to see this display at the Veteran's Memorial Museum at 1250 W. State St., Hwy 76, in Branson.
For more information on the museum, visit www.veteransmemorialbranson.com or call (417) 336-2300.
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SUBMARINE MEMORIAL PATCH DISPLAYS FINISHED AND WILL BE IN BRANSON 10/8/2009 come visit
