​USS Columbus Parade Float Gets New Lease On Life - Fyda Freightliner Columbus Body Shop, NAPA And Martin Senour Paints Team Up To Repair Submarine Replica For USSVI Columbus Base

July 2016

Columbus, OH… For the last several years, the USSVI Columbus Base has been thrilling local communities and national audiences during parades with their 1/16th scale replica of the USS Columbus, a nuclear submarine currently on deployment and stationed in Pearl Harbor. Through time and weathering, the submarine had lost her shine and was badly in need of repair to bring her back to her former glory. That's when the Fyda Freightliner Columbus body shop team, NAPA and Martin Senour Paints stepped up, donating time and materials to make it happen in time for Memorial Day 2016.

The restoration project itself was managed by Linton Kelly, Fyda Columbus Body Shop Manager, with him and body shop technicians Bobby, Terry and Mike performing the body and paint work. The project took several weeks and over 80 man hours to complete. The body work was completed with high grade materials and finishing to ensure that the repair stays solid through time. In order to ensure that the paint finish stays as fresh as new for decades to come, NAPA territory sales manager Kevin May, and Martin Senour Paints district sales manager Chris Harmeyer, specified a base and clear coat combination in Universal Black and Victory Red geared toward maximum shine and protection. The new repair project will only require one waxing per year to maintain shine and stability.

Fyda Freightliner is a lifelong supporter and friend of the military, with founder Walter F. Fyda and current president and son Tim Fyda both veterans of the U.S. Air Force. Tim is an active supporter and pilot with the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC), a non-profit organization which provides airlift services to injured veterans and their families free of charge. The Fyda family has built generosity into the culture of Fyda Freightliner, so it was natural for the company's employees to volunteer their time, expertise and resources to repair an item so important to Columbus Base veterans.

NAPA and Martin Senour Paints are long-time suppliers working in partnership Fyda Columbus to ensure top finishes on vehicles repaired in the body shop. When offered the opportunity to participate in the USS Columbus restoration project, NAPA and Martin Senour Paints managers were excited to participate and immediately provided their expertise and materials free of charge.

The newly refurbished USS Columbus made its parade debut in the Worthington Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30th with several Columbus Base veterans marching in recognition and remembrance of their fellow shipments who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms that we enjoy today.

About USSVI Columbus Base

The United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. was formed to perpetuate the memory of Submariners who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country, and that their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. All USSVI organizations engage in various projects and deeds that bring about the perpetual remembrance of those Submariners who have given the supreme sacrifice, and endeavor to educate all third parties about how their sacrifices made possible the freedom and lifestyle enjoyed today. www.USSVI.org

Columbus Base covers the greater Columbus and surrounding metropolitan areas of Midwestern Ohio. The group meets one Saturday a month at the Worthington VFW Hall, and hosts activities and participates in events around the region. Columbus Base members visit local children's hospitals with their Caps for Kids program, and the group supports the Boy Scouts of America Sea Scouts. This past weekend, Columbus Base members placed over 1,000 flags on veterans' graves at Resurrection Cemetery on Route 23 North of Worthington, and also marched in the Worthington parade to commemorate Memorial Day.

Columbus Base membership is open to all active, retired or separated personnel who qualified in submarines. Other persons interested in submarines may join as associate members. Currently, Columbus Base has about 80 active members and is hoping to connect with many more area Submariners who may not be aware of USSVI Columbus Base. For further information or to join Columbus Base, please visit www.columbusbase.com or contact Rick Freeman, Membership, at (614) 207-6861 or mailto:[email protected]

About Fyda Freightliner

Since 1954, Fyda Freightliner has been committed to partnering with customers in the commercial vehicle industry to help them succeed. Today, the company is an award-winning and nationally-recognized dealer of Freightliner and Western Star trucks and Sprinter commercial vans, with dealerships located in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our Unifying Principles, we work hand in hand with our customers to provide the best service possible. The Customer is First at Fyda Freightliner.

Fyda Freightliner operates dealerships in Columbus, Zanesville, Cincinnati and Youngstown, Ohio; and Pittsburgh (Canonsburg) and Barkeyville (Harrisville), Pennsylvania. A new dealership is slated to open in Walton, Kentucky in 2017. For more information, visit us online at www.fydafreightliner.com



Caption: Members of USSVI Columbus Base receive their newly-refurbished USS Columbus submarine replica at Fyda Freightliner Columbus (Walcutt Road, Columbus), pictured with Tim Fyda (Fyda Freightliner President) and Fyda body shop personnel, Kevin May (NAPA), and Chris Harmeyer (Martin Senour Paints).