Campaign aims to create USS Oklahoma City submarine tribute

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A campaign has been launched to create a tribute to Oklahoma’s naval history featuring the USS Oklahoma City submarine.

The Oklahoman reports that architect Don Beck will be presenting plans for the USS Oklahoma City Park to the city. The plans show the submarine surrounded by informational displays, a flagpole plaza and monument sign.

Beck has also teamed up with retired Rear Admiral Greg Slavonik and retired Navy Cmdr. Tucker McHugh to raise about $500,000 for the memorial.

Slavonik says he hopes the memorial will educate people about the state’s contributions to the U.S. Navy.

The memorial is planned to correspond with the decommissioning of the submarine. It’s scheduled to be taken out of service by 2019.

The USS Oklahoma City submarine was commissioned in 1988.