Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – A Jonesboro man is working to add pieces of Northeast Arkansas throughout a nuclear-powered submarine soon to be commissioned.
Richard Hartness, Sr., is a Jonesboro resident and member of the USS Arkansas Commissioning Committee. The nonprofit committee, formed in 2016, was created to honor the USS Arkansas, a nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine and the fifth boat bearing the state’s name. It is sponsored by the Little Rock Nine.
The committee works to welcome the ship’s crew to the state and raise funds for ceremonial events leading up to the ship’s commissioning, according to the committee’s website.
Hartness is one of the people collecting donations across the state that will raise funds for events to be held the week of the submarine’s commissioning in 2027. In exchange for a donation of $1,000, an embroidered logo of a city, county, civic group, or business will be placed on one of the boat’s 147 bunk curtains and will be on the boat over its 30-year lifespan.
Donations from Arkansas State University, A-State’s Army Alumni ROTC chapter, General Dynamics, Entergy, First Electric Cooperative, and the National Federation of Republican Women have been received, he said. Donations from individuals have also been received, and Hartness said several Arkansas cities, including Batesville, North Little Rock, and Heber Springs, have been promised.
Hartness also appeared Monday night before the Craighead County Quorum Court, asking Justices of the Peace for donations so a Craighead County logo could be displayed. He told members that while he understood the court itself couldn’t donate, he encouraged the members and those in attendance to donate.
He told JRN that Justices of the Peace passed around his USS Arkansas cap to collect cash donations.
“The QC members initially gave a total of $780 toward the $1,000. When I thanked them at the close of business, a couple of them and some from the audience made up the balance,” Hartness told JRN. “So, precedent-setting Craighead County becomes the first county to have its flag logo on one of the sub’s rack (sleeping bunk) curtains over the 30+ year life of the boat. Thanks to the patriotic spirit of our citizens.”
He added that another committee member, Kandy Hart from Walnut Ridge, who was selling USS Arkansas challenge coins, caps, and shirts outside of the Quorum Court meeting area, reported $200 in sales.
As for what’s next, Hartness told JRN he would be reaching out to other Northeast Arkansas cities, towns, counties, and Chambers of Commerce to see if he could speak during their meetings. He added that those who wish to donate, or want to learn more about the initiative, can call/text (870) 318-7298 or email rhartness@yahoo.com.
To learn more about the committee or the submarine, or to make a donation, click here.