On Veterans Day, West Chester residents gathered at VOA Metropark to celebrate the opening of the USS Cincinnati Memorial, a full‑size replica of the city’s namesake nuclear submarine. The exhibit, assembled by the Submarine Cincinnati Memorial Association, brings the hidden history of Cold War undersea service into the public eye.
Local Heroes Bring History to Life
Bob Viney, vice president of the association and a former submarine officer, led the dedication ceremony. “Never seen, never heard,” Viney said, recalling the quiet, unseen sacrifices of the crew who patrolled the oceans during a tense era. “These are the people who served on our namesake submarine. Look at the service and the sacrifice they provided for us and for the country,” he added.
Viney’s personal connection runs deep. He walked off a nuclear submarine in 1974 and, after decades in civilian life, helped make the memorial a reality. “I was the officer of the deck on a nuclear submarine doing special operations patrols when I was 23, 24,” he recalled. “My father commanded a submarine, so service runs in my family.”
Education and Inspiration for Future Generations
The memorial is more than a static display; it is an educational platform. Viney emphasized the importance of STEM education, warning that without a pipeline of young talent, the nation could lose its edge in both the international economy and national security. “If we don’t get more kids involved in science, technology, engineering and math, we’re going to lose our lead in international economy and also in national security and global security,” he said.
Visitors can explore the replica at any time via a self‑guided tour, and on weekends veteran volunteers lead guided walks, sharing personal stories that bring the exhibit to life. The centerpiece is the authentic emergency diesel generator, nicknamed the “Big Red Machine,” a nod to the Cincinnati Reds’ championship teams of the 1970s.
Community Support and Ongoing Stewardship
The project reflects a broader community commitment to honoring those who served quietly and far from the public eye. Local businesses, civic groups, and families have contributed time and resources, ensuring the memorial remains a vibrant part of West Chester’s cultural landscape.
As the memorial opens its doors, it stands as a reminder that the sacrifices of submarine crews—often unseen beneath the waves—are now visible and celebrated in the heart of the city that bears their name.
How to Visit
The USS Cincinnati Memorial is located at VOA Metropark, West Chester, Ohio. Admission is free, and the site is open daily for self‑guided tours. Weekend tours are led by veterans who share firsthand accounts of life aboard a nuclear submarine.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
