2015 Tolling the Boats Ceremony - Part 2

This blog entry has pictures from the pre-ceremony picnic and social time. We hope you enjoy the photos and remember to just click on a picture to see a larger version of it.

Be sure to look at the Tolling the Boats Ceremony photos at this blog post.

Our sign letting the public know what was going on

Cooks Doug Abramson, Steve Shelton, and Bill Thompson (although I don't think Bill did any cooking)

Thanks to Diane Giese, Barb Krompholz, Lynda Shelton, and Marilyn Harper for helping with the picnic

WWII veteran Buell and Gloria Hembree

Pat Householder and Ken Durrance

Recently discharged SubVet Ying Ye with his wife Valeree and son Elias

Paul Christofferson and Larry Abbott

Marc Vellat and Dick Gonzalez

Linda Peterson, WWII Veteran John Baker, and Karl Peterson

WWII veteran Fred and Josie Ensslin

WWII veteran Bill Lightfoot and Don Ulmer

Western District 4 Commander Al Durkee

Cliff Nutter and Schell Harmon

Judy and Keith Watson

Tolling organizers John Roberts and Lois Mezek

Kimberly Brooke and Sylvia Brooke-Ferris

Larry Aasness

Pat Householder and Andrea Geisler

Teri Robertson and daughter Sue Greenfeld

Pierre Bruneau, Dani and Bob Haslan

Our picnic food line

Everyone had a good time at the picnic. It is always great to catch up with old shipmates and share a few sea stories over some good food as we prepare to remember submariners on Eternal Patrol.

2015 Tolling the Boats Ceremony - Part 1

Seattle USSVI Base held our annual Tolling the Boats Ceremony on Saturday, August 15, 2014 at the Kirkland Marina Park pavilion. We had a good turnout for the ceremony and pre-ceremony picnic. The day started out a little cloudy, cool and breezy, warmed up as the day went on.

We have a bunch of photos 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 Seattle Base float drew the attention of people in the park, as usual, and a number of them stopped by the pavilion to ask questions.

A view of the Seattle Base float by the pavilion

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."

John Roberts acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the event

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

Presenting the Colors at the start of the ceremony

After which, we our World War II veterans were escorted to their seats and the audience gave them a round of applause.

World War II vets (L to R) Fred Ensslin, Buell Hembree, Paul Christofferson, John Baker, and Bill Lightfoot

World War II SubVet Paul Christofferson shared a short remembrance with us about almost being left topside during a dive.

Paul sharing his story

Next, Seattle Base Commander Dick Gonzalez provided welcomed everyone and provided some opening remarks.

Seattle Base USSVI Commander Dick Gonzalez

And Kirkland Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet also welcomed the group.

Kirkland Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet

Our Keynote Speaker for the ceremony was State Representative and submarine veteran (qualified silver and gold Dolphins) Chad Magendanz.

Chad Magendanz

Past-Base Commander Ric Hedman explained the history and significance of the Tolling the Boats ceremony, which lead to the reading of the lost boats.

Ric Hedman talks about the origins of the Tolling

Former Seattle Base Commanders Cliff Nutter and Karl 'Dutch' Krompholz read the names of the lost boats

Jim Harper rings the bell for each lost boat

When the reading was complete, World War II submarine veteran Fred Ensslin laid the memorial wreath to honor the lost submariners and the VFW Honor Guard provided a gun salute.

Fred Ensslin placing the wreath

Thanks to John Roberts and all those who helped this year's Tolling the Boats ceremony a success.

Reminder: 2015 Tolling the Boats Ceremony

Seattle Base's annual Tolling the Boats ceremony and picnic is set for this Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Kirkland Marina Park Pavilion (25 Lakeshore Plaza Drive).

Set up will start around 10 AM, the picnic starts around 11:30 and the ceremony will get underway around 1:15.

The featured speaker this year will be Washington State Representative, Submariner, and fellow Seattle Base member Chad Magendanz.

The Tolling ceremony is an important part of our organization's creed. It is also an opportunity to honor our shipmates on Eternal Patrol

We hope to see you on Saturday and be sure and bring your family and friends.

August 2015 Commander's Corner

Shipmates,

The Tolling the Boats ceremony and picnic are set for Saturday, August 15 at the Kirkland Marina Park. The picnic will start between 11:30 - 12:00 and the Tolling the Boats ceremony will start at 1:15 PM. This year’s event promises to be the best ever. Kirkland’s splendid pavilion and park facility offers a spectacular view over Lake Washington. It is a befitting site to honor our brothers on Eternal Patrol.

We are grateful for the work of so many of our shipmates like our Vice Commander John Roberts, Lois Mezek, and Bill & Diane Giese to name a few.

In attendance will be the city of Kirkland Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet, offering a welcome message, our WWII veterans and wives, and our keynote speaker Chad Magendanz, State Representative for the 5th Legislative District. Chad is also a member of the Seattle Base, and former submarine LCDR and qualified on the USS Georgia (SSBN/SSGN-729) in 1988.

Ric Headman, past Base Commander, will offer the significance of the Tolling Ceremony. Cliff Nutter and Dutch Krompholtz will read the names of the lost boats, while Jim Harper rings the bell.

Our vocalist, Kami McGrath, will offer her rendition of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful. Redmond VFW Post 2995 will provide the ceremonial honor guard for the event, which will be enhanced by Neil Hubbard’s playing of the Scottish bagpipes.

Laying the Wreath and the honor guard rifle salute will highlight the ceremony and it’s significance.

We plan to have a great lunch set up before the ceremony; this is one event you will want to invite your family and friends.

Again, we can’t name everyone who helped to make this event possible but we recognize whom they are, for this we thank them.

Finally, don’t forget we will not have our usual meeting during the month of August due to the picnic and Tolling the Boats ceremony.

Dick Gonzalez
Commander, Seattle USSVI Base