| May 29, 2001
Governor John Rowland
Subject: Request for Designation of a Highway for UNITED STATES SUBMARINERS Dear Governor John Rowland, My name is John J. Carcioppolo and I reside in Gales Ferry, Connecticut. I'm writing this letter as a citizen, as a veteran of 22 years in the UNITED STATES Navy, and as the Base Commander for UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS Inc. (USSVI) Groton Base. USSVI is a nation wide organization that was originally chartered in the State of Connecticut in 1964. The organization was formed separately from the UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS WWII (USSV WWII). The organization has grown to almost 8,000 members and 75 bases across the country. Groton Base was the first Base of USSVI and it is presently the largest Base in the organization, with almost 1400 members. The USSVI Creed is " To perpetuate the memory of our Shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States government." With that said, the purpose of this letter is to request your support, and the support of the State of Connecticut in designation of part of a highway within the State to recognize the men and families of those who have served in the U.S. Submarine Force. In recent travels around Connecticut, I have come across several highways that have been designated for different veterans groups, paying tribute to those groups. For example, on Connecticut 20 between Bradley Airport and I-91, that road is designated the 82nd Airborne Memorial Highway. On I-91, between Hartford and New Haven, parts of the highway are designated the All Airborne Memorial Highway and the Century Division Memorial Highway. On I-95, North of Exit 70, the highway is designated as the Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway. And on Route 2, heading out of Hartford, the road is designated as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Highway. However, to the best of my knowledge, there is no highway in the State of Connecticut to honor men who have served in the U.S. SUBMARINE FORCE. I feel this is an unfortunate oversight, especially since Groton and New London are the home of the largest U.S. Submarine Base. Groton, Connecticut is designated as the Submarine Capitol of the World, yet there is no highway to honor the men who have served in this elite group. For 101 years, Groton and New London have been important parts of the Submarine Force. All men entering into the Submarine Force are trained at Naval Submarine School in Groton. The Base has been homeport to many Submarines over the years. Additionally, for many years a Submarine Tender and many Submarines were home-ported at State Pier, now Admiral Shear Pier, in New London. Most of the U.S. Submarines have been built in Groton at Electric Boat with thousands of people serving in billets on the Base, supporting these Submarines. Finally, there are many people like myself, who, after their service to the Submarine Force and their country, have chosen Connecticut as their home. At one time in the late 1980s - mid 1990s, the total number of Navy Billets in the Groton New London area was estimated at around 15,000 people. This was just active duty personnel and didn't include those who either retired or chose to live in Connecticut after their service. All of these people have served their country and they and their families have also contributed to the economy of the State of Connecticut and the local economy in the many towns in the general vicinity of Groton and New London. Yet we do not have a highway to honor them. Please understand that I am not looking for any personal recognition for myself, USSV WWII, or USSVI. I am simply looking for the due recognition for the thousands of Submariners who, over the last 101 years, have, for some period of time, called Connecticut home. It would be a fitting tribute to designate part of a highway in the State of Connecticut as "U.S. SUBMARINERS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY". This would recognize all Submariners in the past that have served in the U.S. Submarine Force, present Submariners who operate out of Groton, and the future Submariners who will call Groton, Connecticut their home. My suggestion as to where the "U.S. SUBMARINERS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" should be designated is naturally in the Groton - New London area on Interstate 95 on the approaches to the Gold Star Memorial Bridge spanning the Thames River. More specifically, my recommendation would be that a sign with this name be placed on the South bound side of I-95, just prior to Exit 86 for Groton, and on the north bound side of I-95 just prior to Exit 83 for downtown New London. On this 3-mile stretch of road, one can see the ADM. Harold E. Shear Pier, Electric Boat, and the National Submarine Memorial to the south; the Nautilus Museum and the Naval Submarine Base to the north. Additionally, this bridge and this stretch of road has served as a symbol of departure and welcome home for Submariners coming and going to Groton, both by land and by sea. I'm not asking that the bridge be renamed, just the highway. I have no specific time frame as to when this designation should be accomplished. I know that it takes time to fully evaluate this request, but if it could happen coinciding with either the Navy Birthday on 13 October or Veterans Day on 11 November, that would be very appropriate. If for some reason, it takes longer for this request to be processed and approved past Veterans Day, designation of this highway for U.S. SUBMARINERS on 11 April, 2002 the day that is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of the U.S. SUBMARINE FORCE, that would be even more appropriate. Please note that letters requesting Designation of a Highway for UNITED STATES SUBMARINERS have been sent to the following: Governor John Rowland, Senator Catherine W. Cook, Representative Nancy DeMarinas In closing, I hope you will take this request under serious consideration and support this recognition to U.S. SUBMARINERS to designate a highway as "U.S. SUBMARINERS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" in recognition of their support for their country and residence in the State of Connecticut. I'd like to thank you for your time and consideration of this request. Respectfully, John Carcioppolo cc: |