The Champion Submarine-Killing Submarine of World War Two

 

Volunteer Information

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The USS Batfish (SS 310) needs you.

 We are looking for volunteers to lend a hand.

 
       
 
A note from Park Manager Rick Dennis:

I am in need of all the help I can get.  There are day to day tasks that have to be completed from lawn maintenance to general janitorial services and counter work.  I am also looking for people that can plan events.   I am also looking for project specific people that are willing to put in some time working on the boat and equipment on the grounds including restoration projects, refurbishing park benches and cataloging and maintaining the museum collection.  Call me when you have time or we can set up a meeting.   Rick Dennis, Park Manager - 918-682-6294.  Email Rick at:  ussbatfish@sbcglobal.net

A note from Volunteer Coordinator Mark Allen:

If you want to come out once a year or every week, we can use your help. There is always something to do at the park. Our main project is the deck replacement, but if you'd rather inventory the museum or maybe your specialty is landscaping, I urge to you consider donating some time to help restore the BATFISH and keeping the park looking good. Visit the Current Events page for notices on work days and other things going on at the park. Email me at ussbatfish@yahoo.com with any questions and I hope to see you at the park soon.

 
       
 
 
       
 

The Reason Why We Volunteer:

 
       
  "To you who have devoted such effort towards preserving memories of this fine boat and her crew, I want to make sure you know that you are appreciated.  Bless you for your dedication.  The website gets better and better, and from the pictures on site, it appears that people from the local community and beyond have put there own time and effort into a monument that they have come to respect, understand, and relate to, for reasons that speak well of them, as Americans.  It is no easy task to promote and preserve a massive chunk of tubular steel resting (and always rusting) in a dry river bed, but you as webmaster, the working volunteers, and those who went before you have endeavored to do just that.  You obviously realize that it is more than a massive chunk of steel, especially to those who put her to sea for 7 war patrols, and during her years as a reserve boat following the war.  Yours is a labor of respect for those men living and passed, sentimental devotion to their sacrifices, and honest patriotism.  So honest, because there is no reward for your efforts beyond the satisfaction of knowing that what you have done and will continue to do helps preserve a small piece of big history.   Thank you, and may you get a million hits on your website, and may the entire free world pass through Muskogee, sooner or later."  (Tue, 22 May 2001, Curt Hingson, son of Lt. J.M. Hingson, Batfish commissioning officer)  
       
  "Please give the volunteers, the ones we met and those we didn't, Anne's and my sincere appreciation for their service to the Memorial. We all do things for different reasons but let them know the kids of Jake Fyfe expressly thank them for their dedication and hard work. It is quite obvious that without the volunteers, there likely wouldn't be a War Memorial featuring the USS Batfish." (Monday, 15 May 2006, Jay Fyfe, son of Batfish skipper #2 John K. Fyfe)  
       
 
 
       
 

Here are a few things that the Batfish Relief Crew (a.k.a. our Volunteers) have worked on (before: left, after: right):