2013 Tolling the Boats Ceremony, Part 1

Seattle USSVI Base held our annual Tolling the Boats Ceremony on Saturday, August 17. The day started out a little cloudy and breezy, but the weather cleared up for the picnic and Tolling Ceremony. There was a nice turnout for the ceremony and pre-ceremony picnic.

The decked out float drew a lot of attention from people in the park, as usual, and a number of them stopped by the pavilion to ask questions and some stayed for the ceremony.

Seattle Base Float by the Kirkland Marina Pavilion

A view of the float from inside the pavilion 

A close-up of some of Ric Hedman's photos on the float

We have a bunch of pictures from the picnic and the Tolling Ceremony, so I've split them up into two blog entries. In this entry, I'm including pictures from the Tolling Ceremony. You can click on a picture to get a larger view of it.

The Tolling the Boats Ceremony is a memorial service to honor our lost submarine brothers who made the supreme sacrifice while performing their duties with valor, integrity, and courage. This ceremony is a fundamental part our creed as members of U.S. Submarine Veterans, "To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in pursuit of their duties while serving their country."

Tolling the Boats Memorial Wreath

John Roberts acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the Tolling.

John Roberts checking to make sure everything is following the plan

The Honor Guard from VFW Post 2995 was on hand to 'Present the Colors' and provide other honors for the ceremony.

VFW Honor Guard

Music for the ceremony was provided by Kami McGrath-Trieder. Kami helped start the ceremony by singing the National Anthem. She would later sing The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy and provided other music.

Kami McGrath-Trieder sings the National Anthem

Seattle Base Chaplin Andrea Geisler provided the invocation for the ceremony.

Andrea Geisler reads the invocation

After the invocation, Steve Shelton welcomed everyone and provided some opening remarks.

Steve Shelton welcomes everyone to the Tolling

A view of the audience

Then our World War II veterans were piped aboard and escorted to their seats.

Fred Ensslin being escorted to his seat

All the World War II veterans

Ric Hedman gave a short presentation about the USS R-12. He talked about the loss of the sub during World War II, the recent discovery of the sub and the efforts to create a documentary about R-12. We will have more information about how to donate to the project at future Seattle Base meetings.

Ric Hedman talking about the lost boat USS R-12

Pat Householder explained the significance and origins of the Tolling Ceremony, which led to the reading of the lost boats.

Pat Householder talking about the significance of the Tolling Ceremony

This year's Tolling readers were Dick Gonzales and Dave Schueler with Jim Harper ringing the bell.

Dick Gonzales preparing to read the list of lost boats

Dave Schueler and Jim Harper

When the reading of the lost boats was complete, special guest Eileen Warren (Eilieen's husband was a Corpsman on submarines during World War II) placed the memorial wreath to honor the lost submariners, then VFW Honor Guard provided the gun-salute and Taps presentation.

Lois Mezek and John Roberts give the memorial wreath to Eileen Warren

Eileen Warren placing the memorial wreath

The VFW Honor Guard then saluted the World War II veterans.

VFW Honor Guard members salute the WWII veterans

Then the they conducted a flag folding presentation and Andrea Geisler provided the Benediction to conclude the 2013 Tolling Ceremony.

After the ceremony we gathered the Seattle Base members and submarine veterans for a group photo.

Group photo by the Seattle Base float

Thanks to John Roberts and Dick Gonzales for taking over the reins of the Tolling Ceremony and thanks to all those who helped make the Tolling Ceremony a success.

Bravo Zulu to John Roberts and Dick Gonzales