Sixty years ago the U.S. Navy had submarines with names like FLASHER, TROUT, and SKATE that prowled the pacific, serving under the American flag and the Union Jack with 48 stars waging war on the Japanese.

Serving on these submarines were young men with names like Hal Ludy, Ted Beals, Pete McFadyen, and Deen Brown and many others. By the war's end, one out of every five submarines that departed on war patrols was lost with over 3600 of their shipmates.

But as time passes technology changes. Today those fleet boats are sadly long gone. They have been replaced by technological marvels that aren't even named for fish. Instead they are named for cities and states. Names like CONNECTICUT, PITTSBURGH, SAN JUAN and TOLEDo. All warriors who have recently returned from the war against Iraq. These submariners now serve for a flag that has 50 stars, and these submariners have reached back in history and serve under the DON'T TREAD ON ME jack flown on our first warships.

As time moved on those guys that manned those fleet boats have also moved on, and are now enjoying their twilight years as heroes. They have been replaced by young men with names like Rowe, Buechel and Torkelson. These younger men are living up to the heritage and high standards of their predecessors, and they are standing the watch in harms way at the pointy end of the spear.

In 1955 these Submarine Veterans of WWII started their organization so that the sacrifices of their shipmates lost during the war would not be forgotten. Later in 1964 on a small parcel of land donated by the CO of Subase New London, they established a memorial that included this conning tower and plaques to each of the lost boats.

The Subvets WWII later moved the memorial to this location and added to it. This memorial has stood the tests of time, and has become a beautiful tribute to their shipmates who made the ultimate sacrifice in submarines.

This beautiful memorial on these hallowed grounds not only pays tribute to those who died, but it also serves as a tribute to themselves. It is a symbol of their loyalty, dedication, devotion and many hours of hard work that has been put into this memorial. They have held many memorial services over the years here, and they have kept the torch burning, as well as keeping the legacy of the submariners who served between 1941 and 1945 alive. They have done an outstanding job in living up to their creed and perpetuating the memory of their shipmates.

Flying high in the shears of the FLASHER conning tower is a broom. As tradition will have it, this symbolizes a successful patrol, and a clean sweep. Members of Subvets WWII, you have had a very successful patrol of 39 years in maintaining this memorial, and are highly deserving of showing everyone just how succsessful you have been and i salute you..

As with all things, time moves on. Just like the nuclear fast attacks have replaced the fleet boats, and the younger sailors have relieved you of the watch in service in the submarine force for our country, after 39 wonderfull years the time has come to pass on the torch for the care and maintenance of the Submarine Veterans WWII National Memorial East.

As the Base Commander for U.S. Submarine Veterans Groton Base, i can tell you that we are very proud and honored that you have chosen us to relieve you. I assure you that we will live up to the standards that you have set in maintaining this memorial, and in keeping alive the legacy of the Submarine Veterans Of WWII. We will cotinue to pay tribute to you and your shipmates. We will not let the sacrifices of 3600 men who were lost during wwii ever be forgotten.

We are ready to relieve the watch.

I will now read a passage called "The Watch"

Subvets World War Two and Subvets Groton Base attention to orders.

Subschool atten hut

Shipmate Hal Ludy, the members of U.S. Submarine Veterans Groton Base are ready to relieve the Submarine Veterans Of World War Two of the care and maintenance of the National Submarine Memorial East.

(Hal Ludy) we are ready to be relieved.

We relieve you.

(Hal Ludy) we stand relieved

Shipmate Dean Brown as the senior member of Subvets World War Two, I’m proud to report that Subvets Groton Base has the watch.

Paul Orstad, as the senior member of U.S. Submarine Veterans Incorporated, I’m proud to report that Subvets Groton Base has the watch..