Volunteers are special to us!

The following people have gone over and above expectations in volunteer service! At the Battleship Missouri Memorial, our greatest assets are the people who give back to the memorial, donating their time and expertise. Each monthly volunteer awardee receives a free monthly parking pass, certificate, and special gift as a thank you for all the hard work and support.

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities aboard the Mighty Mo, please visit our volunteer page.

If you know any of the following volunteers, please help us in relaying appreciation for their outstanding efforts!

February 2012

The Volunteer Awards for 2011 are;

Truman Centennial Award for Outstanding Senior Volunteer: William Hennelly
USS Missouri Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year: Roy Tiara
USS Missouri Legacy Award for Outstand Military Support: Commander Submarines Forces Pacific Fleet First Class Petty Officer Association-David Carlisle
Big Guns Award for Jack of All Trades: David and Marilyn Zavas
Outstanding Volunteer Support: Amy Miller
Outstanding Adopt-A-Space: Naval Oceanography ASW Detachment Kaneohe Bay Hawaii
Outstanding Adopt-A-Space: Executive Transport Detachment Hawaii
Outstanding Group Volunteer Support:

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Kiwanis Club Pearl Harbor
• Pacific Islands Institute
• Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii
• Lifetime Volunteer Award (Military) Senior Chief Tony Chance
• Lifetime Volunteer Award (Civilian) Bob Albin

December 2011

It was with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to three volunteers and great friends this year.

In July, the USS Missouri Memorial Association gathered on the Missouri with the Honolulu Council of the Navy League of the United States, Navy Region Hawaii Chief Petty Officers and other family and friends in remembrance of retired chief boatswain’s mate and honorary Pacific Fleet Command Master Chief Harold B. Estes.

He is credited with reinvigorating the leadership and membership of the Honolulu Navy League, as well as helping to bring the USS Bowfin submarine and battleship Missouri to Hawaii (both iconic Navy vessels are now anchor members of the Pearl Harbor historic sites). Estes’ commitment to the Sea Services continued, as he frequently volunteered his time and even regularly hosted sailors of the USS Russell (DDG-59) on shore leave. In 2007, Adm. Gary Roughead, then-commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, promoted Estes to the honorary rank of Pacific Fleet Command Master Chief to recognize his decades of voluntary service as a Navy goodwill ambassador.

We will also greatly miss Patricia Blum, who was no stranger to being our volunteer of the month. And it was well deserved! Pat was a volunteer tour guide with the Battleship Missouri Memorial since 1999. What makes Pat’s outstanding work even more impressive is the fact that she was legally blind. She was frequently seen with her seeing-eye-dog, Dot, the Battleship Missouri’s “Canine Senior Chief,” cheerfully welcoming visitors on the ship’s Quarter Deck. Pat coordinated annual tours for the Hawaii Center for Deaf and Blind students, as well as community service projects onboard the ship. Pat was instrumental in assisting the organization with getting Braille deck logs, and played an important role in helping restore the radar stations, which her stepfather helped build.

Fely Sunio, affectionately known by everyone as “Aunty Fely,” is another member of our Mighty Mo family that we will greatly miss. Since 2009, Aunty Fely shared her story of the attack on Pearl Harbor with visitors, volunteers and staff. With a smile on her face, she would greet visitors at the entrance information booth or up onboard ship in the Wardroom. As Aunty Fely told everyone, she was about 10 years old when she and her little brother were playing with other children along the shore in Pearl City on December 7, 1941. They thought there were maneuvers going on until they saw smoke and explosions. A Japanese plane flew over them and the pilot waved at them. Eventually, her father came down to the water’s edge and told them to come home.

As we close this year, we salute each and every one of our volunteers who collectively spend thousands of hours assisting in preservation projects and education programs.  Thank you!

October 2011

August and September were very busy this year for our volunteers. The General Electric Elfuns returned and did their usual fantastic jobs. Bunks were pinned to keep them neat. Teak was cleaned. Equipment was put in racks in TACC. The passageway around Turret No. 1 was painted. A wooden mess decks table was refurbished, and they helped in the newly opened Battleship Missouri Research Center.

We would like to thank the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force and the Coast Guard for their participation at our “End of WWII” ceremony. Special thanks to NIOC for security detail, Senior Chief Chance for his outstanding supervision of the volunteers and Senior Chief Basat for his support. We also wish to recognize the LDS missionaries for their continued support. Aloha to Elder and Sister Freeman, you will be missed.

Mahalo to the CPO Legacy Academy for setup and breakdown and the chief selectees for their support. The chiefs really made the ship come alive while they were here.

Senior Chief Pierson and his selectees, NIOC KTA, NIOC Hawaii HI, JIOC, JEO, COMSUBPAC, ETD, PAYCOM, NHCH, FFG15 Army, 2nd BN 3rd Marine, 25th ID (Welcome back, Richard Helling!), Pearl City High School, Boy Scouts Pack 442, Job Corp and Kiwanis all have been here to support the Battleship Missouri in August and September.

To the many volunteers who are here weekly and monthly, we cannot say enough good things about you. Without your help, the Mighty Mo might not be so mighty today.

August 2011 – Sending a special thank you to the 55 individuals from Deloitte Services LP Hawaii who volunteered

Over the past few years, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has had many individual volunteers who have participated in the upkeep of the ship, but more and more we are finding ourselves fortunate to have groups volunteering their time.

These have included the Kiwanis, Youth Challenge, Road Scholars, General Electric, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Boy Scouts, Odd Fellows, and military groups such as NIOC, JIOC, NCTAMS ETD PAC, COMSUBPAC. These groups and so many others continue to aid us in our mission to preserve the Missouri as a fitting tribute to the people and historic events reflecting our nation’s legacy of duty, honor, strength, resolve and sacrifice.

On June 10 (Kamehameha Day), 55 individuals from Deloitte Services LP Hawaii worked on the ship and pier for seven hours. That comes out to 385 man-hours! Mr. Mark Gross was very instrumental in working with us to put the project together.

The group divided up, some painting Boiler Room No. 4, the Bridge, motor whale boat, projectiles, computer office and fire hoses. Others worked on the microfilm, scraped and cleaned teak (a very dirty job), and anything else that needed to be done. It was a good day and a lot got done.

We very much appreciate Deloitte Services LP Hawaii and all our volunteers who help keep the Mighty Mo ship-shape. Without them, the Battleship Missouri Memorial wouldn’t be what it is today.

June 2011 – Congratulations to Stew Williams!

The May volunteer of the month is Stewart “Stew” Williams. Stew is an Army guy from Kansas and has been volunteering for more than a year. Stew cleans, paints and helps supervise other volunteers. He has been so valuable to the team, that we had to take extreme measures to keep him volunteering … We hired his wife, Rachel, at our pier side Victory Store.

Thank you, Stew, for your dedication to the Mighty Mo!

February 2010 – Bimonthly Volunteer Recognition: Mahalo to all volunteers!

The Volunteer Department would like to thank NIOC Hawaii, NIOC NSSC, NIOC IDIV, NIOC NECCDET — (lots of NIOC!) — as well as the LDS Elders, Road Scholars, Hawaii Job Corp, Pacific Islands Institute, Pearl Harbor Chaplains, Mililani Middle School, USNS Kiska, John Lempke, Kiwanis, Pacific Academy, tour guide Ford Murray, Roy Taira, ETDPAC, Pat Blum and the rest of our regular volunteers for all their service.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial cannot function without your dedication. Mahalo to all the volunteers!

December 2010 – Mahalo to all volunteers!

It has been a very busy month for volunteers and volunteer groups. We wish to thank all the volunteers during these final months of the year and appreciate their important roles in helping the Mighty Mo end the year strong.

Mahalo to:

ETD Hawaii
USS Chafee
The Radio Volunteers (quite the rowdy bunch, but we like them that way)
The Crew of the USNS Kiska
NIOC
LDS Elders
Community Service
Veterans Day Volunteers (it was a wonderful job all around, and a special mahalo for the generous military support)
Chief Basat
Assets Schools
Honolulu Community College
Kiwanis Club
Auntie Fely
Al Escanlate
Regular Volunteers (you know who you are)

October 2010 – Congratulations to Ryan Murphy!

The Volunteer of the Month for October is Ryan Murphy. Ryan is a Navy petty officer who brings volunteers to the Missouri from NIOC Hawaii every Tuesday and some Thursdays. He and his group never hesitate to jump right into just about any work that needs to be done on the ship. We appreciate everything that Ryan and his group do. Mahalo, Ryan!

August 2010 - Mahalo to Adopt a Space Program Volunteers!

The response to the “Adopt a Space Program” has been going well. There are 15 spaces adopted so far. We would like to thank the following groups for adopting a space:

Pearl Harbor Chaplains, NCTAMS, USS Russell, NIOC Aloha Division, NIOC, NOAD, Executive Transport Detachment Pacific, COMSUBPAC and Kiwanis who are also among the many groups working aboard the ship.

We have also had various groups volunteering such as: Youth Challenge, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sea Cadets, Brigham Young University of Hawaii, and Juvenile Family Court.

Our regular volunteers are still doing their tremendous jobs: the Teak Deck Crew, Radio Crew, Hawaii Job Corps, Emi Ige, Auntie Fely, Sandy Gaston, General Electric ELFUNS and the Tour Guides.

In addition, the General Electric Elfuns will be here again in August and September, and it will be great to have them back.

The ship will need as many volunteers as we can get for the 65th Anniversary Celebration on September 2, 2010. So if you would like to participate we would love to accommodate you.

Mahalo to all our volunteers!

July 2010 – Congratulations to Charles Epperson!

Our volunteer of the month for July is Charles Epperson. Charles has
been flying to Oahu from the Big Island to volunteer in the Battleship
Missouri’s Radio Room for years.

Chuck has assisted in the procurement in all the equipment in the radio
room. Chuck has put in more than 80 hours of volunteer time exploring
Pearl Harbor’s inactive ships, retrieving more than 70 pieces of
historical equipment for our displays.

Congratulations to Charles Epperson for being the outstanding volunteer that he is!

 

JUNE 2010 – A little volunteering of her own!

The Battleship Missouri did a little volunteering of her own recently. On April 14, elite members of Navy “Visit, Board, Search and Seizure” (VBSS) teams boarded the Battleship Missouri Memorial. The battleship was the stage for a large VBSS exercise involving Sailors from Crommelin, USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77). (U.S. Navy photos)

APRIL 2010 – Congratulations to Fran Rodrigues!

Fran Rodrigues joined the Development Department as a full-time volunteer working Monday through Friday from December 2009.  Though she has been here only a relatively short time, she has seen and experienced considerable change.  Throughout the Dry-Dock to Battleship office move of the Development team and multiple fulfillment and data entry projects, she has always shone bright with a smiling face, positive demeanor, and excellent outcomes.  Moreover, Fran answers our main Development phone of valued member concerns with professionalism and deals directly with other members of our Staff and community with zest.  We commend her on her desire to solve issues and not pass the buck, even though she is “just” a volunteer.  She willingly accepts job assignments, meticulously asks the right questions, and proposes new, more efficient ideas so she can get the job done well.  We are so very fortunate to have Fran working with us.  She is very dependable and an outstanding example of the “perfect” volunteer!

MARCH 2010 – Congratulations to Fely Sunio!

Fely Sunio is our volunteer of the month for March. Aunty Fely has been volunteering for the information booth. She has more than 600 hours of volunteer services! We have learned that she witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. When she was 7 years old, she and her family saw the very first planes and watched the entire attack happen. 

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 2010 - Congratulations to Richard Helling!

Richard Helling is our volunteer of the month for February. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is fortunate to have the services of Richard Helling as a volunteer tour guide. Richard is a career soldier and has been faithfully donating his Saturdays to the association since August 2008. Along with an incredible professionalism and devotion to naval history he has successfully become a valuable member of our organization. In addition, he continues to strive to enhance his knowledge so that others might benefit from his studies.

JANUARY 2010 - Monthly Volunteer Recognition!

We were grateful to have had the expertise and resources of our staff, BAE Systems and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in the drydocking of the Battleship Missouri. Just as essential were the many civilian and military volunteers who chose to donate their time throughout the project. Physically, the ship looks spectacular — much like the day she was launched — with a fresh coat of paint and fortified against the elements for decades to come.

As a memorial, we cannot begin to express the level of appreciation for these selfless individuals. They included the hundreds of active-duty, reserve and retired service members who volunteered as line handlers for the Mighty Mo’s return to Battleship Row on Jan. 7, as well as those who stepped forward — with just a few day’s notice — to help us cast off and return safely during Universal Pictures’ filming at sea on Jan. 8.

The valuable time and skill of these selfless men and women were essential in these two historic movements of the battleship. It was inspiring to see them at work.

We could not help but recognize the symbolism: as one individual working alone, moving a vessel might be impossible. But working together, we can move battleships.

DEMBER 2009 - Congratulations to Tim Teseng!

The volunteer of the month of December is Tim Teseng. Tim Teseng is both a volunteer and volunteer supervisor over various projects, including the teak deck restoration, ship restoration, building the VOC and painting. He is extremely reliable and always willing to get the job done, without hesitation.

 

NOVEMBER 2009 - Congratulations to Laura Blum!

Congratulations to Military Programs Department volunteer Lara Blum, our volunteer of the month. Lara has been volunteering at the Battleship Missouri Memorial for a year, working closely with staff to help facilitate military ceremonies, including reenlistments, retirements, promotions, changes of command and commissionings.

Lara has supervised “set-up” and “breakdown” crews supplied by each command, as well as other memorial volunteer crews. She is so well trusted that she has served as ceremony point-of-contact and assisted with escorting dignitaries and Flag Officers.

Even though Lara is a volunteer and not paid staff, she is always punctual and faithful in her commitment to the Military Programs Department. In fact, when other team members introduce Lara, they address her not as an assistant but as their associate. This is because she is an integral, vital part of the department. She has been and continues to be invaluable in ensuring that each ceremony runs smoothly and is a memorable event for our active-duty and retired participants and their families.

OCTOBER 2009 - Congratulations to Jean Lesperance!

Our Volunteer of the month is Jean Lesperance from the Tour Department.

Jean Lesperance is a volunteer tour guide who works every Thursday at the Mighty Mo, rain or shine. Her bubbly personality on the quarter deck is a wonderful greeting for all visitors. Jean has been working with the Battleship Missouri Memorial for over a year now. Congratulations, Jean!

SEPTEMBER 2009 - In Memory of Dennis Murphy

It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to a loyal Battleship Missouri supporter and dear friend. In August, Dennis Murphy, who oversaw our Teak Deck Restoration Project, passed away.

A retired Colonel Air National Guard fighter pilot, Murphy was a native of Newport Beach, California. At the Mighty Mo, his volunteer crew was responsible for restoring the teak decks and ladders, and making display cases, models and plaques. He was not only an inspiration to the Teak Deck Crew but to all of our volunteers and staff. Dennis often went above and beyond, even travelling internationally to secure rare resources of teak that are so essential to the completion of the Teak Deck Restoration effort.

Just last year, Dennis was the recipient of the Battleship Missouri’s Super Supervisor Award, which is voted on amongst the volunteers as their favorite supervisor.

The Teak Deck Restoration Project will move forward in his name. In each and every newly refurbished teak plank, his spirit will remain. Farewell, dear friend.

AUGUST 2009 - Pat Blum

The Volunteer of the Month for August is Pat Blum. This is the second time Pat is being featured as Volunteer of the Month in “Broadside,” and it’s well deserved! Pat has been a volunteer tour guide with the Battleship Missouri Memorial since 1999. What makes Pat’s outstanding work even more impressive is the fact that she is legally blind. She is frequently seen with her seeing-eye-dog, Dot, the Battleship Missouri’s “Canine Senior Chief,” cheerfully welcoming visitors as they man the ship’s Quarter Deck.

Pat has coordinated annual tours for the Hawaii Center for Deaf and Blind students, as well as community service projects onboard the ship. Pat was instrumental in assisting the organization with getting Braille deck logs, and played an important role in helping restore the radar stations, which her stepfather helped build.

A few years ago, Pat was even featured in a TV news story, "Volunteer Tour Guide Overcomes Obstacles”, on KHNL News 8.

Pat is out on temporary leave right now, and we all wish her a hearty get well!

In Other Volunteer News…

• Check out the 5” mount on the port side forward to see what a great job the sailors from the USS Russell (DD-59) did in its restoration.
• Volunteers Aunty Fely and Iman are frequent fixtures at the memorial manning the Information Booth.
• Dave Hamilton has been putting in extra hours on the teak deck and Neil Yamamoto’s students did a tremendous job on stowing teak.

For information about volunteering at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, call 455-1600, ext. 224.

JULY 2009 - Marissa Kubo

Marissa Kubo has become a vital team member to the tours operation. She has worked as a volunteer at the Battleship Missouri Memorial for a year and in that time has become a critical member of weekend tours operations. She has conducted more than a 200 hours worth of tours for both large and small groups, and has accomplished this task with an incredible amount of enthusiasm.

Her knowledge of history and customer service makes her a tremendous asset to our organization. Her skills, knowledge and confidence will also serve her well as she takes on duties as a congressional page to Congressman Neil Abercrombie in the near future.

June 2009 - Rich Costick

Most Americans have heard stories of Paul Bunyan, a larger-than-life folk hero who embodied frontier vitality. He’s a symbol of might, with the willingness to work hard, and the resolve to overcome all obstacles. He’s had challenges in his life but never complained about it; life goes on.

Battleship Missouri volunteer Rich Costick is the Mighty Mo’s very own Paul Bunyan. A volunteer for more than 6 years, Rich is somewhat intimidating when you first meet him (a Paul Bunyan look-alike), but he’s really a teddy bear with a huge heart and a passion to serve. The Missouri’s staff and volunteers enjoy being around Rich because of his sense of humor, knowledge of history — especially WWII in the Pacific — and his willingness to be a team player. He’s a Vietnam veteran, having served in the Air Force, and his professional skills have been invaluable in helping with various projects in photos, graphic design, layouts and more. You can’t put a price on the skills he brings and the services he renders.

Rich, you deserve the title of “Mighty Mo Volunteer of the Month.”

‘A‘ohe lokomaika‘i I Nele I ke pana‘i (No kind deed has ever laced its reward)

May 2009 - Michelle Kanai

Michelle Kanai has been a volunteer in the Missouri's Development Department since August 2008. Since joining the organization, she has excelled in her daily activities and is essential to the department meeting its daily, weekly and monthly objectives. For those that do not know Michelle, she is a very kind person that always meets you with a smile. Her positive attitude, attention to detail and great personality exemplify the monthly volunteer recognition program. Michelle is truly this month's exceptional volunteer.

APRIL 2009 - Pauline Lynch

Please congratulate Pauline Lynch, Volunteer of the Month for April 2009. She has been with the Missouri’s Tours Department for over a year and is very dedicated. Her professional attitude and dedication to her job is commendable and her smile is infectious.

Since its arrival to Pearl Harbor, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has been supported by more than 55,000 volunteers who have donated nearly 100,000 hours of service towards the restoration, maintenance and sharing of the ship’s historic legacy with visitors. Those who are interested in lending their support are encouraged to volunteer as an individual or as a group and adopt a space on the ship as an ongoing community project. The memorial’s continued success is made possible by visitors’ support, grants, memberships and the generosity of donors.

We salute our April Volunteer of the month. Mahalo, Pauline.

March 2009 - Barry Birdsall

Barry Birdsall is the Volunteer of the Month for March. For the last 10 years Barry Birdsall has contributed his time and energy in conducting inspirational and quality tours of the Battleship Missouri.

A Vietnam Veteran himself Barry has been instrumental in upholding the core values of our association's mission statement even before he was made aware of what that statement was. His ready wit and knowledge of history, ship characteristics and general naval knowledge has given our department a valuable asset to draw from and made him a precious member of our team. He has also at his own expense provided refreshments of which he refuses to receive any compensation for. He is a valuable member of the tours team.

Congratulations Barry and mahalo for your dedication to the Battleship Missouri Memorial!

February 2009 - Clement Rodrigues

Even though Clement “Clem” Rodrigues is a paid employee of the Battleship Missouri Memorial, he also spends many extra hours helping the Volunteer Department in many ways.

Whether it’s supervising school groups (with more than their share of “excess energy”), making sure paint gets on the things intended to be painted instead of on the pier or elsewhere, or masterfully barbecuing for various groups, Clem does it with a good attitude and sense of humor.

We appreciate all the extra hours Clem puts in for us!

January 2009 - Pat Fetner

As a Teak Deck volunteer, Pat Fetner works rain or shine. Teak dust, caulking fumes, and working with Dennis Murphy do not deter Pat from coming to the fantail for work. Pat’s son, Brian, who works on the shipboard maintenance, has to keep on his toes when his mother is here. We commend Pat for her dedication and hard work towards the restoration and preservation of our ship.

December 2008 - Ann Berner

We would like to express our utmost gratitude and provide special recognition to Mighty Mo volunteer tour guide, Ann Berner. Ann has been a volunteer member of the tours department for nearly four years and is a tremendous asset to our team. Once a week she brings to the job a dependable, can-do attitude and is friendly and incredibly knowledgeable in all subjects pertaining to the Mighty MO. In addition to conducting tours aboard the memorial, Ann has assisted in encampments and at special events. Ann shares that her only regret is not being able to put in more hours with our organization! Mahalo nui loa for your volunteer service, Ann.

November 2008 - Brooks Outland

Volunteer of the month for November 2008 is Brooks Outland.

Brooks is a former crew member from 1950. Brooks has been helping with the Wounded Warrior Volunteer Recruitment Program. He also was a great speaker during the CPO Legacy Academy. He assisted with the Eagle Scouts on Saturday’s. During the our Fall "Film on the Fantail" movie night, Brooks will be recognized for his continued support of the ship and Volunteer programs.

October 2008 - Larry Castillo

Volunteer of the month for October 2008 is Larry Castillo. He is a member of the Teak Deck Crew. He has been a volunteer with us since the ship got here in 1998. He started out as a painter and eventually moved over to the teak crew. He has volunteered over 4,500 over the past 10years. Larry is a MSgt. in the Air Force Reserves and will deploy to Iraq spring 2009. When you see Larry, thank him for all his service to the association and for our country.

September 2008 - Gerry Allen

Congratulations to this month's volunteer, Gerry Allen! Gerry has been helping the Devleopment Department where she has taken on a project close to her heart. Once a dental assistant, Gerry took on the task of being the lead volunteer on the Dental Clinic restoration. Without all her hard work parts of the project would have been harder to achieve. Thank you Gerry for all your hard work and effort!

August 2008 - Charlie Wong

Congratulations to this month's volunteer, Charlie Wong! Charlie has been with the Tours Department since 2002, he started volunteering his time by going through visitor logs. Since then, had has gone on to becoming a volunteer tour guide and greeting the guests at the Quarterdeck. Charlie has accumulated an amazing 1,400 hours as a volunteer during his time here! If you see Charlie, congratulate him for his faithful service and loyalty to the ship. In addition to the acknowledgement of Charlie's dedication, there are a few others we would like to recognize for their service.

Thirteen of our volunteers receieved the President's Service Award. The President's Service Award is given to those who are volunteers age 15 and older who have placed over 250 hours this year. Those who were acknowledge received a certificate, a letter from the President, and a gold pin. From the Tours Department: Emi Ige, Major Richard Savage, USA, Ann Berner, Bill Snively, and Pat Blum. From the Teak Deck Crew: Bob Albin, Patricia Fetner, Wayne Ohashi, Jyio Debrum, BM2 David Kuefler, USN . From Ship Maintenance: ENCS Bruce Leech, USN, John Ridings. From the Radio Crew: Ned Conklin. Thank you to all who have volunteered their time aboard the ship!

July 2008 - Jyio Debrum

Our Volunteer of the Month for July is Jyio Debrum. Jyio is a teak deck crew member, and has been volunteering with us since Fall 2006. She has volunteered over 1,000 hours and is committed to assisting Dennis Murphy restore the deck. If you see Jyio walking the pier, shake her hand and extend a thanks for all her hard work and dedication to the ship.

June 2008 - Bill Kendall

Please congratulate June's volunteer of the month Bill Kendall. Bill has been a volunteer with the Battleship Missouri for five years and is a member of the Radio Crew. He is a radio operator and has volunteered over 500 hours worth of service. Bill also participated in the recent Museum Ship Weekend on the weekend of June 6. Museum Ship Weekend is a radio marathon where historic ships' Hamm Radio teams try to contact as many other radio operators around the world as possible. Thanks Bill for your commitment to the ship and the KHBB63 Radio Crew

May 2008 - Emi Ige

May’s Volunteer of the Month is Ms. Emi Ige. Emi has been volunteering since the ship got arrived in Pearl Harbor. She started as a volunteer Tour Guide from 1999-2004, giving tours 3 days a week. Starting in 2004, she has been volunteering her time as administration support twice a week in the Department. Emi was nominated by her department for all her dedication and continued support. For those who have not had the pleasure of her snacks, Emi is also known for her cookies, cupcakes and great baking skills. Please congratulate Ms. Emi and thank her for years of service and commitment to the ship and UMMA staff.

April 2008 - John Ridings & Bill Snively

Congratulations to our April Volunteer of the Month, John Ridings. John was nominated for his outstanding service and has been a volunteer since 1998. He volunteers his time as an electrician on the ship. The last two months he has been replacing old and installing new security lights along the tour routes and staff work spaces on the ship. John is helping to ensure the safety of our staff and guests. Mahalo John for your hard work and dedication to the USS Missouri!

In addition, Volunteer Tour Guide Bill Snively was recognized as an outstanding Senior Volunteer at the 42nd Annual Mayor’s Senior Recognition Awards. The awards recognized individual’s achievements in developing interests and attaining personal goals in the volunteer community. Bill was honored by the Mayor and received a certificate of appreciation at the awards ceremony on April 11, 2008 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

 

March 2008 - Patricia Blum

Pat has been a volunteer Tour Guide with the Battleship Missouri Memorial since 1999. What makes Pat’s outstanding work even more impressive is the fact that she is legally blind. She is frequently seen with her seeing-eye-dog, Dot, the Battleship Missouri’s “Canine Senior Chief,” cheerfully welcoming visitors as they man the ship’s Quarter Deck.

Pat coordinates the annual tour for the Hawaii Center for Deaf and Blind students, as well as their annual community service project onboard the ship. Pat was instrumental in assisting the organization with getting Braille deck logs, and played an important role in helping restore the radar stations, which her stepfather helped build. Pat was nominated by two of her supervisors for her continued support of the ship. For information about volunteering at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, call 455-1600, ext. 224.

February 2008 - Wayne Ohashi

For February, our Volunteer of the Month is Wayne Ohashi. Wayne is a member of the Teak Crew and has been a volunteer since 1998. He is a retired teacher as well as a volunteer wrestling coach and referee. Dennis Murphy nominated Wayne in recognition of his hard work on the continuing teak deck restoration, measuring the teak decks and converting the measurements into a CAD program for more efficiency and accuracy. If you see him, please congratulate and thank Wayne for his ongoing volunteer effort and support of the Teak Crew.

For Wayne’s commitment, he has use of the Volunteer of the Month parking space at the front entrance and will receive a special edition teak coin, and gift certificate. The Battleship Missouri is committed to the recognition and development of those who are helping achieve our mission: to create and maintain a fitting memorial to people and historic events that reflect our nation's legacy of duty, honor, strength, resolve, and sacrifice.

January 2008 - Richard Savage

Congratulations and a “Mighty Mahalo” to Major Richard Savage, U.S. Army Chaplin, the Battleship Missouri Memorial’s Volunteer of the Month. Major Savage is a volunteer tour guide who joined the Missouri this summer and has already volunteered for more than 500 hours. He qualified as a tour guide quickly in an impressive two days, and then soon after was upgraded to “Explorer Tour Guide-Qualified,” capable of leading premium tours. Major Savage was selected due to his continued and steadfast support of the entire Tours Department. Thank you, Major Savage, for all you do.

December 2007 - Edward "Ned" Conklin

When Missouri arrived in Pearl Harbor in 1998, a call went out for volunteers and Edward "Ned" Conklin signed up shortly thereafter. For several years, Ned was a dedicated volunteer and worked on general ship maintenance as that was what was needed most. In 2000 the Navy League donated some radio equipment to the ship, and since Mr. Conklin had an amateur radio license and considerable electronics experience, he had all the start of a vision for “Radio Central.”

With a number of other local radio amateurs Ned led and formed the Battleship Missouri Amateur Radio Club and began to restore the radio compartments on the ship. Much of the radio equipment had been removed when the ship was decommissioned, but his team was able to find plans indicating what had been there, and in a series of once-a-year visits to the mothball fleet in Pearl Harbor, they were able to find replacement equipment and install it in Radio Central.

This was a slow process, but by 2004 the Battleship Missouri had the main radio compartment looking the way it did in the 1980's and Radio Central was added to the tour route for visitors. Maintenance and restoration of shipboard electronics and antennas continues, but currently the main focus is on assisting the regular tour guides to explain Radio Central to visitors and operating an amateur radio station on board, with which we contact other amateurs all over the world who can't visit in person.

Edward Conklin is the 2007 November volunteer of the month. The Battleship Missouri is proud to showcase Ned in our first online newsletter edition. After thousands of hours and inspiring multiple volunteers to join in to help renovate, preserve, educate, and reach out to the community, the Battleship Missouri is proud to have Ned's time, dedication, passion, and leadership.

For Mr. Conklin's commitment he will receive a VIP parking pass at the Battleship, a certificate of recognition, and a gift certificate. The Battleship Missouri is committed to recognition and development of those who are helping achieve our mission: to create and maintain a fitting memorial to people and historic events that reflect our nation's legacy of duty, honor, strength, sacrifice, and resolve.