| Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center 5101 N. Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205-6199 |
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Spokane Sea Services Museum
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A permanent memorial to the USS SPOKANE is fittingly located in Spokane, Washington, at the Spokane Sea Services Museum. Starting as just a few display cases in the passageways of the local Reserve Center in 1987, the museum has grown to occupy its own building with a special room dedicated to the USS SPOKANE.Ship's memorabilia at the museum include the ship's bell, a life ring, holiday Union Jack, Storm Ensign, Watch Quarter, Station Bill, Battle Efficiency Plaque, official ship photographs, news clippings, original programs from the commissioning, sea stories, copies of the ship's newspaper "The Spoke," boiler room information plates, and a picture of the first CO with the USS SPOKANE Silver Service. (The museum did try to obtain the silver service or at least some pieces from it. The Navy replied it is one of the best services still in use and denied the request, but did send some photographs of the set.)
The museum was at the forefront of efforts in 1995 for a week-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the USS SPOKANE's launching. Although there were no former crew members in the eastern Washington area, the museum was able to contact 28 of the SPOKANE's crew for stories and materials. The museum opened its exhibit of USS SPOKANE artifacts, which were well-received by the public, on 16 September 1995. The Mayor of Spokane declared the week of 16-22 September USS SPOKANE WEEK and 22 September as USS SPOKANE DAY. With the support of the Spokane Navy League Council, a commemorative banquet was held on 22 September 1995 and attended by 124 people - including actress Patrice Munsel (who sponsored the ship) and others who were present at the launching and commissioning.
Thank you to LCDR William L. Aller, USNR (Ret.), founder, director and historian of the Spokane Sea Services Museum, who provided the above information.
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