Monday, August 3, 2015

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

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