Ozark Submarine Veterans :: Pride still runs deep!

AMERICAN LEGION POST 639 | 2660 SOUTH SCENIC AVE | SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI 65807 | 417.882.8639

U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.
(USSVI) Creed

"To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States Government."

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Welcome to Ozark-Runner Base in Springfield, Missouri

Welcome Shipmates to the Official Ozark-Runner Base website. E-mail me with any pictures, information, ideas and/or inputs you might have as feedback is always welcome. Please be patient and come back often because this site will change often as it is in permanent refit. Enjoy!

Captians Standing Order 6-02-1: All visitors must sign the Topside Sentry Log before proceeding below decks.

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BRANSON Veterans Day Parade

On the 11th of Nov, 2007 the OZARK-RUNNER BASE once again participated in the Branson Veterans Day Parade. This year the parade route was lengthened and even more spectators turned out to watch the parade. Again we were impressed with the patriotism of the crowd, and gratified by their thanks for our service. For all who missed it, we hope that you'll mark it on your calendar and join us next year.

Base Meeting

The next meeting of the Ozark/Runner Base will be on Sat 19 Jan at 1400 (2pm). We will meet at the American Legion Post 639 in Springfield.

2007 Base Election Results

Base Election Results
Base Commander: Ronald Athey
Base Vice Commander: George Mason
Base Secretary: Garth Greene
Base Treasurer: Allen Apperson
The Base Members also voted to change the Base Constituition and Bylaws to extend the elected officers terms in office to two year terms.
Congratulations Gentlemen.
Keep up the great work.

WARNING!!!

WARNING !!!
Some sick "spammers" have seen fit to desecrate the "comments" feature in this Web Site, dedicated to the memory of our fallen shipmates and to Submarine Veterans.
I have tried screening the comments but it is an unending task. It is with some reluctance that I have eliminated the "Comments" feature of each article.

2006 BRANSON VETERANS DAY PARADE

November 11th, 2006
A beautiful Fall day. The day was cool, and the sun was shining. A perfect day for a parade as members of the Ozark-Runner Base and their ladies assembled to participate in the annual Branson Veterans Appreciation Day Parade. Our friends at "Dogwood CanyonNature Center" once again provided us with a tram to ride in. Shipmates and their ladies, in town for a reunion of the "USS THOMAS A. EDISON" SSBN/SSN 610, accepted our invitation and joined us in the parade.
The parade was great. As usual a tremendous audience turned out to see the parade and to offer their thanks and respect for our service to our country. There must have been something in the air because several "misty eyes" were observed not only in the audience, but on the tram. One of our guests was heard to comment."We should hold our reunion here at this time every year". Once again we enjoyed a great parade and were touched by the thanks and respect that the citizens payed us for our service. Always emotional and humbling. And yes, we are looking forward to next year.
We are grateful to the people of BRANSON for this parade and for this opportunity. We would also like to thank the folks at "Dogwood Canyon" for providing the tram for us, our guests and our spouses. "Thank You Branson and Thank You Dogwod Canyon"

LAPON Sail Video Available

Ron Athey has compiled the videos that he and Penny took during the various phases of the LAPON Sail project into one video. The Ozark-Runner Base is proud to make this video avaliable to you in either VHS or DVD format. The video runs for 1hr and 45 mins. and covers the arrival, erection and dedication of the sail. Ron and Penny are new to videography, but we feel that they have captured the heart of the project.
The Ozark-Runner Base offers this video to you for a donation of $10 (plus $3 S&H) to the memorial fund. Please make your checks payable to Ozark-Runner Base and address your order to: Ronald L. Athey, 803 So 6th Ave., Ozark, MO. 65721-8618. Specify format (DVD or VHS) desired. We hope that you will enjoy this piece of history.

103 Comments

U.S.S. LAGARTO Memorial Service

On the afternoon of Saturday the 17th of Sept., 2005 the Ozark-Runner Base conducted a memorial service to honor 3 of the 88 crewmembers who were lost when the U.S.S. LAGARTO SS371 was sunk in early May of 1945. Our honored guests were the families of these three crewman, Cheif Radioman Wardour Britain, Cheif Pharmacist Mate Robert Spalding and Torpedomans Mate 2nd Class Wayne Simmerman. The ceremony was conducted at the newly dedicated "LAPON Sail and Submarine Memorial" located on the grounds of the American Legion Post 639 in Springfield, MO.
For these families this solemn service was the funeral service that they had never had. The service was conducted with all the formality of a full military service. A Color Guard was provided by the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. The Webster County Memorial Association provided the firing squad to fire a 21-gun salute. The Reverend Bob Moger of the Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church offered the opening invocation and closing prayer. Rosemary Jackson led all assembled in singing the National Anthem and sang the Navy Hymn.
Opening remarks were made by Ron Athey, Base Commander where-in he pledged that these men "have not been forgotten, nor will they ever be forgotten". Garth Greene, Base Treasurer then conducted the service. The families of these three American Submariners were formally presented with American Flags and other emblems of their brothers' service and sacrifice to our country. Engraved bricks were installed in the memorial walkway encircling the Submarine Memorial.
Folowing the memorial ceremony the 80 plus guests were invited and attended a "Tolling-of-the-Boats" ceremony.

29 Comments

Lapon Memorial Dedication

Friend and Shipmates,

The 2005 USS Lapon Reunion and Sail Dedication is now in the history books. All that remains are the fond memories, hundreds of pictures and one very special friend that will forever remain standing tall and proud for the world to see thanks to the efforts of many talented contractors and companies along with the many monetary donations from everyone who supported this project.
The weekend kicked off on Friday with a “Port Call” party hosted by the American Legion Post 639. The highlight of the evening was when Ozark-Runner shipmate Rick Stevens and Lapon Sail Project engineer Gary Bockman lit up the old girl for all to see. Emotions ran high as Lapon shipmates walked around the sail, taking pictures and reminiscing. Almost every man present felt compelled to touch the hard metal and remember good time and good friends. There were tears, laughter and the occasional sea story as everyone present felt the strings tugging on their hearts. You didn’t have to be a Lapon sailor to feel the emotion running high from those shipmates present.