USS Oklahoma will get memorial
The Sooner State has released funds for the site in time for a Dec. 7 dedication
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY » A memorial for the USS Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor will be finished in time for Dec. 7 ceremonies after the Oklahoma Centennial Commission released $15 million on Tuesday for various centennial projects.
Blake Wade, the executive director of the commission, said he was informed by telephone last week by Oklahoma's state Attorney General Drew Edmondson and state Treasurer Scott Meacham that the commission could go ahead with releasing the money because Oklahoma's state Supreme Court had declined to issue an order blocking the funding.
Wade said he was happy to hear that the funds could be released for such things as finishing the USS Oklahoma Memorial being built in Oklahoma, which will be shipped to Pearl Harbor in time for a dedication on Dec. 7.
"This memorial should have been done years ago and now we have a chance to complete it in time for dedication on Pearl Harbor Day," Wade said.
Private funds totaling about $650,000 have been raised for the $1 million project. The rest will come from centennial funds.