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listed by State - Connecticut
Posting Date: 29 May 2003 From: John Carcioppolo - CDR Groton Base - USSVI Subject: Report of Transfer of U.S. SUBVETS WWII National Memorial East Memorial Day 2003 - Report - Groton, CT Shipmates, I'm very proud to report that our Memorial Services this year were very special. In addition to the traditional Tolling of the Boats, the members of U.S. SUBVETS WWII Thames River Chapter, and the members of USSVI Groton Base conducted a "Changing of the Watch" Ceremony where the responsibility for the care and maintenance of the U.S. SUBMARINE VETERANS WWII -NATIONAL MEMORIAL EAST located in Groton CT was passed to SUBVETS Groton Base. Unfortunately we could not do the service at the Memorial site on Memorial day as the sky was very gloomy in Groton and we were pounded with heavy rain.
Because of the weather we moved the Memorial Service indoors (with the support of Mayor Popp) at the City Municipal Building. The Memorial site was brought to the Municipal building anyway by using a picture of the FLASHER Conning tower that was projected on to a huge screen for all to see. Thanks to Dick Cordero. There were approximately 260 people in attendance, plus Sailors from Basic Submarine School, and the Griswold High School Chamber Choir. The ceremony was very moving, starting with some outstanding remarks by Roger Dumont, a retired Master Chief with over 34 years of Service. Roger covered the whole spectrum of Submarining from the heroic actions of WWII, through the actions of the Cold War, to the actions of today's Submariners fighting the war on terrorism, through to the Submarine Students who are the Submariners of the future. Roger reminded everyone that the primary reason we were there was for the Tolling of the Boats and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. After Roger completed his remarks, myself, Hal Ludy (President of the Thames River Chapter), Deen Brown (Deputy State Commander SV WWII) and Paul Orstad(USSVI D-1 Cdr) conducted a formal "Changing of the Watch" patterned after the U.S. NAVYs long time tradition of Change of Command, where we relieved the watch. The next thing on the agenda was a Tolling of the Boats. with a nice job done by SUBSCHOOL CMC Kevin Crisman, and NSSF CMC Scot Fusco, and students from Naval Submarine School dipped the lost boat flags. Adding to the solemn occasion was a stirring performance from the Griswold High School Chamber Choir, who sang the National Anthem, Navy Hymm, and America the Beautiful. All in all, despite the gloomy weather, it was a very inspiring ceremony that marked the end of one era and the start of another. The members of SUBVETS Groton Base "have the watch" for the SUBVETS WWII National Memorial East and we are most honored by our Shipmates from SUBVETS WWII with this trust. We are committed to continue the high standards that they have set in taking care of this Memorial, and we will continue to pay honor and tribute and to continue the legacy not only of the heroes who were lost during WWII, but also to the heroes who survived the war: those heroes from SV WWII who initially established and maintained this Memorial as a tribute to their Shipmates on Eternal Patrol. Thanks to everyone who supported or helped to make this Memorial Day such a success and such an inspiring, memorable event. A Special note of thanks: The members of the Memorial Committee (Ed Childs, Fred Stafford, Ray Briggs, Jack Lemke, Peter Gunn and others) did an OUTSTANDING JOB preparing and painting the memorial for this event. If you get an opportunity this summer please get down there and take a look around at just how nice it is at the Submarine Veterans WWII - National Memorial East. Gumba CLICK HERE
for full text of remarks at ceremony by John Carcioppolo
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