Home of the free because of the brave.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Independence Day and Happy 250th!

To join in the celebration of the overhaul’s completion, several members of the Association travelled to Hawaii to visit with the crew. Arriving on Monday June 29th, they were treated to an extensive tour of the Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific. They spent several hours seeing the Ships Control trainer, bridge trainer, and fire control tracking trainer. Several staff members including the Center’s Commanding Officer, Captain Ron Hatt, spent time explaining the facilities and generously answering all of our questions. Afterwards they had lunch at the picturesque 'The Lanai at Mamala Bay' restaurant near Hickam Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a view of Diamond Head in the distance. Many thanks to Marci Reeves, the CO’s wife, who was our escort for this day.

The boat held a picnic on the pier for the crew and families. This was the first opportunity that family members had to tour the boat since entering the shipyard. Afterwards they held an assembly on the pier to advance several petty officers to the next grade and presented various awards to crew members for their contributions to the overhaul’s successful completion. At the conclusion members of the Association presented special challenge coins commemorating the overhaul completion to each crew member.

With the recent completion of sea trials, USS Colorado finished their nearly two-year overhaul at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard 29 days early. This is a significant achievement, especially in view of the recent backlog of shipyard maintenance availabilities and returns the COLORADO to the Navy’s operating forces.

The ship’s Commanding Officer and the Shipyard’s Project Superintendent attributed this achievement to excellent communication between ship’s force and shipyard personnel and attacking any problems that arose head on.

Great big THANK YOU to all of our members and friends who purchased items for the annual USS Colorado crew party. The party was amazing and gifts were much appreciated!

We are so greatly to all of our wonderful supporters!

“All Hands on Deck: Life and Legacy of the USS Colorado Battleship” is an experience you won’t want to miss. This immersive exhibit explores the remarkable story of the USS Colorado (BB‑45)—a battleship launched in 1921 that served across the globe for 24 years, from searching for Amelia Earhart to supporting major operations in World War II. 

The exhibit runs March 6, 2026 – January 6, 2027 and is included with general admission.  

Whether you're a history buff, a maritime enthusiast, or simply curious about Colorado’s unexpected naval connections, this exhibit offers a fascinating journey from the mountains to the open sea.

Join History Colorado and experience the legacy of a ship that carried Colorado’s name—and spirit—around the world.

More information on the exhibit can be found here: https://www.historycolorado.org/exhibit/all-hands-deck-uss-colorado 

Please welcome aboard LCDR Evan Parrish aboard the USS Colorado as Executive Officer.  LCDR Parrish relieved LCDR Stromme in October 2025.

Lieutenant Commander Parrish is a native of Clayton, North Carolina and a graduate   from North Carolina State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical   Engineering. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies from Naval Post   Graduate School (NPS).

  His sea tours including division officer assignment aboard USS Albany (SSN 753 and       Engineer Officer aboard USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) and USS Connecticut (SSN 22).   During these tours, he completed two overseas deployments in support of operations in   Pacific and Central Command Theaters as well as an Engineering Overhaul Docking   Availability and an Extended Drydock Selected Restricted Availability.

His shore assignments include division officer USS Delaware (SSN 791) in Norfolk, Virginia and Submarine Group Eight Engineer Officer in Naples, Italy.

He is currently serving as Executive Officer of USS Colorado (SSN 788) during its Extended Drydock Selected Restricted Availability.

His personal decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals as well as other unit and campaign awards.

Ken Jones was invited to the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX on Saturday, December 6, 2025 for the Grand Reopening of the George H. W. Bush Gallery - the main exhibition space for the history of the Pacific War. Mr. Jones cut the red-ribbon during the ceremony to officially reopen the museum.

Ken is a veteran of Battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) which earned seven Battle Stars for service in WWII and was present in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese Surrender. Ken was a participant in the 2018 Commissioning Ceremony of USS Colorado (SSN 788)

as the veteran who passed the long glass to the oncoming watch.

Since its original debut in 2009, the George H. W. Bush Gallery has been recognized as the nation's leading account of the Pacific War. The recent renovation enhances that experience by refreshing the environment, clarifying the narrative flow, and incorporating new forms of interpretation.

The Grand Reopening event featured remarks from George P. Bush, former Texas Land Commissioner and grandson of President George H. W. Bush and a ribbon-cutting ceremony by WWII veterans - which included Ken Jones.

Frank Weber, a 101-year-old World War II veteran, resides in Scappoose, Ore., and continues to reflect on his remarkable naval career.

Born on May 25, 1924 in Kansas City, Kans., Weber joined the navy at 17, inspired by his cousins.

He began boot camp at Great Lakes near Chicago on Nov. 27, 1941, just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

His training was cut short due to the war, and he was assigned to the USS Colorado, the only battleship in the Pacific fleet not at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7.

More information on this link: https://katu.com/news/local/wwii-veteran-frank-weber-reflects-on-storied-naval-career-at-age-101-living-in-oregon-portland-scappoose-centenarian-uss-colorado-world-war-two-veterans-day 

Best wishes for a prosperous and Happy New Year. We remain profoundly grateful for your unwavering devotion and look forward to continued support in 2026!