[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Deployed submarine crew to enjoy a taste of Columbia and Mizzou tailgate

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Renee Graham
Public Communications Officer
(573) 874-7316


Deployed submarine crew to enjoy a taste of Columbia and Mizzou tailgate

COLUMBIA, MO (June 27, 2011) - When the USS Columbia submarine departed Pearl Harbor on June 21 for a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) region, its supply room held items for a CoMo-Mizzou tailgate and Mizzou football watch party to be held sometime this fall.

Anne Moore, chair of the Columbia Submarine Committee, says that boosting crew morale is a priority for the committee, which was appointed by City Council in 1994 to foster the namesake partnership between Columbia and the USS Columbia submarine.

"Keeping up morale is especially important when the submarine is deployed for months. Crewmembers miss being with their families and watching live sports broadcasts when they are out. And while we can't send them their families, we decided we can send them the supplies for tailgate and football watch party," Moore said.

Since the USS Columbia's mess hall is named Flat Branch Café, Moore and Chief of the Boat Don Williams arranged for chefs aboard the USS Columbia to work with Flat Branch Pub and Brewing to adapt recipes from the local eatery for use aboard the submarine. Flat Branch also sent hats and other items to be used as prizes during the tailgate.     

Coach Gary Pinkel and Mizzou athletics donated DVDs from the 2010 season as well as door prizes including a signed football and Mizzou sports apparel. Other organizations including the University Veterans Center and Columbia College sent T-shirts, hats, posters and other door prizes. Local entrepreneur David James, publisher of custom-designed playing cards, contributed several decks of Columbia and University of Missouri playing cards. Local committee members donated puzzles, trivia cards, hand-held games and two "Kindle" electronic book readers. 

Columbia, Mo., shares the namesake honor with Columbia, Ill., and Columbia, S.C. Crew from the USS Columbia has visited the community every year but twice since 1994. Chief of the Boat (COB) Don Williams was one of those visitors over Memorial Day Weekend in 2010. In November 2010, Commander Dennis Klein and two crew members visited Columbia. Crewmembers were unable to attend over the 2011 Memorial Day Weekend, as they were readying the submarine for deployment.

Before the Columbia's departure, Chief of the Boat (COB) Don Williams sent an email expressing appreciation on behalf of Commander Klein and the entire crew.

"The guys will be thrilled! It's hard to keep their spirits up sometimes and things like this really help. Please tell everyone I said hi, and I miss their beautiful town," he said.


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