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.
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| 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."
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Paul sharing his story |
Next, Seattle Base Commander Dick Gonzalez provided welcomed everyone and provided some opening remarks.
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| Seattle Base USSVI Commander Dick Gonzalez |
And Kirkland Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet also welcomed the group.
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| Kirkland Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet |
Our Keynote Speaker for the ceremony was State Representative and submarine veteran (qualified silver and gold Dolphins) Chad Magendanz.
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| 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.
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| Ric Hedman talks about the origins of the Tolling |
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| Former Seattle Base Commanders Cliff Nutter and Karl 'Dutch' Krompholz read the names of the lost boats |
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| 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.
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| Fred Ensslin placing the wreath |
Thanks to John Roberts and all those who helped this year's Tolling the Boats ceremony a success.
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