FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATE: New Cold War Monument Heats Up in the Desert
PHOENIX, AZ — A new Cold War monument is set to be constructed in downtown Phoenix, featuring the sail and rudder of the USS Phoenix (SSN 702), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine. The monument is being built to “Learn, Honor, and Remember” the Cold War era, which lasted from 1946 to 1991. It will commemorate the military veterans, civil servants, and industry professionals who contributed during the Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf wars.
After 17 years of active duty between 1981 and 1997, the USS Phoenix was decommissioned. A group of veterans and community volunteers in the Phoenix area worked to save the submarine’s sail and rudder to create the monument. The Navy granted permission for these parts to be saved and given to the city. The salvaged parts, totaling 65 tons of hardened steel, are currently in temporary storage at Papago National Guard base.
Monument Location and Design
The monument will be located in Steele Indian School Park, adjacent to the Phoenix VA Hospital and the Arizona State Veterans’ Home, making it easily accessible to veterans. The monument project has been fully funded by the City of Phoenix. The 60% design review has been completed by the project management team and approved by the City of Phoenix. Notable features of the design include more than 27 informational signs, an entrance with eight columns the approximate size of a Mk 48 torpedo, a large metal canopy the same diameter as the hull of the USS Phoenix, and a torpedo door display, salvaged from USS Phoenix during her decommissioning. Structural engineers are working on the best methods for moving, restoring, and placing the salvaged sail and rudder in its final resting position.
Construction and Fundraising
Construction is currently estimated to begin in Spring 2026, following a period of permitting and approvals. The USS Phoenix (SSN 702) Cold War Foundation is continuing to raise money for creation of an endowment fund to support future maintenance of the facility after it is opened through their Veterans for Veterans-Twenty is Plenty donation program. You can also donate by becoming a permanent part of the monument through purchasing a custom-engraved brick for the flagpole entryway. With limited spaces available, now is the time to buy.
For more information on the Veterans for Veterans-Twenty is Plenty program or to purchase a brick, please visit the project website at www.ussphoenixmonument.org.
Courtesy of Edison L. Henry, LCDR, USN (Ret), USS Phoenix (SSN 702) Cold War Monument Boardmember
