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

2013 Tolling the Boats Ceremony, Part 2

This blog entry has pictures from the pre-ceremony picnic and social time. We tried to get at least one picture of everyone, but we did miss a couple of the late arrivals.

We hope you enjoy the photos and remember to just click on a picture to see a larger version of it.

Dick Gonzales, Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride, John Roberts, and Fran Gonzales

Bob and Chris Opple

Josie and Fred Ensslin (WWII submarine veteran)

Paul (WWII submarine veteran) and Aecha Christofferson

Arlene 'Ritzy' Ritzhaupt and Pat Householder

Jay and Miri Davis with daughter Suz

Karl 'Dutch' Krompholz's family

And a close-up of Barbara and Dutch Krompholz

Don Ulmer and Chris Opple

Dave and Lynn Schueler

Jim Harper and Marilynn Birdsall

Sandra and John Roberts

Fran and Dick Gonzales

Tim Floresh and Doug Gilman

Schell and Av Harmon

Robbie Robertson (WWII submarine veteran), Fred Ensslin (WWII submarine veteran), and Teri Robertson

Steve and Lynda Shleton with Marilynn Birdsall

Judy and Keith Watson

Mary Tarabochia, Dani and Bob Haslan

Jo and Cliff Nutter

Gary English, Sam Ronnie and Lois Mezek

Special Guest Eileen Warren with the memorial wreath

'Cooks for the day' John Bush and Keith Watson

Preparing for the picnic

Barbara Krompholz, Marilynn Birdsall, Jim Harper, Dutch Krompholz, and Andrea Geisler

Our music provider, Kami McGrath-Trieder

Dave Schueler and Bill Lightfoot

Dutch Krompholz and Ric Hedman

Marilynn Birdsall, Lynn Schueler, Lynda Shelton, and Chris Opple

Dutch Krompholz Bill Lightfoot and Cliff Nutter

Thanks again to all those who organized and helped put on the Tolling the Boats Ceremony and to those who showed up to share lunch and remember our fallen shipmates.

Reminder: Cabela's Event Weekend

We want to remind you that Seattle Base will be at the Cabela's Tulalip store (9810 Quil Ceda Blvd Tulalip WA 98271) this Saturday and Sunday, August 24 and 25, for the Fall Great Outdoor Days. Be sure to check the store's website for a list of events.

Seattle Base Float at Cabela's in May

We will have the base float in the parking lot both days from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will need volunteers to help out. You don't have to be there all day, but every little but helps out. If you are interested in helping to 'Man the Rails', please contact Karl 'Dutch' Krompholz (by phone: 253-631-5736 or email) or you can just show up.

We had a great time in May and this one should be just as fun! We hope to see you there.

Reminder: Tolling the Boats Ceremony

The Seattle Base Tolling the Boats ceremony and picnic is coming up this Saturday, August 17. The picnic and ceremony will be held at Kirkland Marina Park Pavilion (25 Lakeshore Plaza Drive, Kirkland WA 98033), which is located at the end of Central Street on the water.

The picnic starts around 11:00 AM and the ceremony will start around 1:30. The VFW Post 2995 Honor Guard will be there to help us throughout the service.

The Tolling ceremony is an important part of our organization's creed. It is also an opportunity to honor our World War II brothers, each year we see their numbers getting smaller and we definitely to show our support for those who are there.

Handicapped parking is available near the Pavilion, contact John Roberts or the Base Officers for information getting a parking pass.

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

In Memoriam - Connie Abramson

It is with deep sadness that we pass along this information from Pat Householder.

Connie and Doug at the 2012 Holiday Luncheon

On August 8, in the presence of Doug and her extended family, Connie Abramson drew her last breath and her soul became one with the angels.

I knew both Doug and Connie for a very long time, ever since Doug and I served together aboard USS Redfish in the mid-60s. A sweet and kind person, Connie always was a loving and caring soul. When our base started doing the Tolling Ceremony, Connie and Doug created a wreath which we use to this day.

Now our shipmate Doug is alone with so many mixed emotions, happy that she no longer is suffering, and desolate from his personal loss of his loving life companion. He is such a good man and it is so sad that he must endure such a loss.

A private family service is being held on August 17, and a public celebration of life will follow several weeks later. We will let you know more information about the public service as it becomes available.

If you would like to expression your sympathy and support for Doug, you can find his address on the USSVI website or contact Base Editor Dave Schueler for the address.

News from National

 Here are a couple items of interest from USSVI National. The first is about a way to communicate with the National Officers and the second is about a way to get episodes of the old TV series 'The Silent Service.'

 

Announcing the USSVI Member Questions and Comments Bulletin Board System (BBS)

We are happy to announce that USSVI has a new Bulletin Board System (BBS), the USSVI Member Questions and Comments BBS at: http://bod.subvets.net/category-view.asp

This is a place where any member can ask a question, comment or make a complaint. Ground rules are: identify yourself, keep it clean, and fraternal. Got a problem? Offer a solution. We want to build a better and more satisfying organization for all our shipmates. Our mission is to remember our fallen shipmates, encourage fraternalism between subvets and benefit our submarine family. Your questions and suggestions to help achieve these ends will be very much appreciated.

There are six topic areas covered on the BBS:

• Constitution and Bylaws related questions and comments
• USSVI Membership questions and comments
• AMERICAN SUBMARINER related questions and comments
• Charitable Foundation Questions and comments
• National Convention questions and comments
• General Questions and Comments

To participate, go to the BBS and click the General Member Questions and Comments section. Find the topic you are interested in and click on it. From there you can read through the information in the thread and add your own questions and comments by clicking the Reply button.

Don’t forget to add the BBS to your bookmarks.

Your National E-Board

The Silent Service TV Series Available
Thanks to the generosity of USSVI Northern VA Base member Ray Stone, episodes from the submarine adventure series 'The Silent Service', which aired during the 1957-1958 television seasons, are available for downloading.

The Silent Service is a documentary styled anthology series about the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet and their missions during World War II and the Korean War. Every episode was fact based and the realism of the show was elevated by the use of actual combat footage from the files of the United States Navy.

The stories, which varied between the South Pacific during World War II, the Atlantic campaign and the Korean War, were the brainchild of Rear Admiral Thomas T. M. Dykers, himself a WWII submariner who commanded USS Jack (SS-259) and retired from the Navy in 1949 after 22 years of service.

Admiral Dykers also did an introduction for each episode, narrated the action and filmed a closing segment, usually with a member of the crew of the submarine that was highlighted on that particular episode.

Each season was comprised of 39 episodes. All of the episodes for season one are complete, however there are three missing episodes for season two. (If anyone has copies or knows where they are available, please let Ray know).

In addition to the episodes, Ray has included copies of the press kits that were issued to the stations along with the films. He also included episode summaries which are handy in preparing notices/programs for individual viewing.

All episodes are in MP4 format. Ray suggests downloading to your device rather than trying to view online. Each episode is about 30 min. in length so consider that when trying to download. To download the episodes, go to www.olgoat.com, scroll down and click DOWNLOAD to get to the Silent Service page. Then click the appropriate series (SERIES ONE or SERIES TWO), find the episode you want to download, right-click on the title and then select “Save Link As” to save the file.

For those interested in short-cutting this process, the entire series can be purchased on DVD from USSVI Member John Clear. Visit www.usssealion.com for more information.