USS Batfish holds an open house

For more than 30 years the USS Batfish has called the Port of Muskogee home. The Batfish is one of most highly decorated warships left from World War II. <br/><br/>Monday was open house at the submarine

Monday, October 10th 2005, 10:54 am

By: News On 6

For more than 30 years the USS Batfish has called the Port of Muskogee home. The Batfish is one of most highly decorated warships left from World War II.

Monday was open house at the submarine in Muskogee. News on 6 reporter Rick Wells tagged along on a guided tour.

Open house day at the USS Batfish. Several guys in blue vests were visiting the sub and are all sub veterans, a rare opportunity to talk to some men who lived on board submarines like the USS Batfish.

Lester Bottoms: "We still celebrate their lives on these memorials." Lester Bottoms of Wagoner served aboard the USS Pompon. He's a regular at the Batfish. He just celebrated his 80th birthday and is showing his younger brothers around.

They've never been on a submarine and it's a chance for him to show them what he did in the war. "I went to sub school and became an electronic technician." Everyone's first impression of the inside of a submarine is the same, it's so small. A room full of bunks stacked three high, crew members got one small locker. That was 60 years ago but some memories never fade, to keep dress uniforms pressed they'd sleep on them. Lester Bottoms: "we'd lift up the mattress and put it underneath to keep it good and sharp."

What recreation time there was spent in the mess room. Lester Bottoms: "This is our rec room and eating area. We had checker boards."

For the sub vets there is a special bond. Lester: "We love each other we all have the same experiences."

And for a younger brother a guided tour provided a renewed admiration for his brother's service. Garrell Bottoms: "Makes you appreciate how much these fellas had to go through." It does indeed.

War Memorial Park and the USS Batfish will close for the season after this Saturday. To find the USS Batfish, take exit 33 off the Muskogee Turnpike and follow the signs.