2014 Tolling the Boats Ceremony - Part 1

Seattle USSVI Base held our annual Tolling the Boats Ceremony on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the Kirkland Marina Park pavilion. It was a beautiful warm and sunny day. We had a good turnout for the ceremony and pre-ceremony picnic.

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 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 from inside 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."

A last minute conference before the ceremony starts

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

John Roberts starting the ceremony

In addition to honoring the lost submariners and our World War II veterans, this year we wanted to remember the ladies: the wives and widows of World War II submariners.

WWII submarine veteran wives and widows being saluted by the Honor Guard as they are escorted to their seats

World War II submarine veterans (L to R) Ralph Sterley, John Baker, Paul Christofferson, and Fred Esslin

Admiral Horton and Lei-Lah Smith with our other World War II veterans

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

VFW Honor Guard presenting the colors

Music for the ceremony was provided by Kami McGrath. Kami helped start the ceremony by singing the National Anthem and provided music throughout the ceremony.

Kami singing God Bless America

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

Seattle Base Chaplin Andrea Geisler giving the invocation

After the invocation, Dick Gonzales, Seattle USSVI Base Commander, welcomed everyone and provided some opening remarks.

Dick Gonzales opening remarks

John Baker, World War II submarine veteran and Lockwood Chapter President, gave us a short history of the Lockwood Chapter of Submarine Veterans of World War II and talked about the closing of the chapter. John also brought the Lockwood Chapter’s bell for use in the Tolling Ceremony.

John Baker talking about the Charles Lockwood Chapter of Submarine Veterans of WWII

The Lockwood Chapter Tolling plaque and bell

Past USSVI National Commander Pat Householder gave a tribute to recently departed shipmates Ervin Schmidt and Robbie Robertson.

Pat Householder remembering Ervin and Robbie

Past Seattle Base Commander Keith Watson explained the significance and origins of the Tolling Ceremony, which led to the reading of the lost boats.

Keith Watson giving details about the ceremony

Bill Giese and Dave Schueler read the lost boats

Jim Harper tolls the bell for the lost boats

When the reading of the lost boats was complete, Teri Robertson, widow of Robbie Robertson, placed the memorial wreath to honor the lost submariners, then VFW Honor Guard provided the gun-salute and while Hunter Lillie played Taps.

Lois Mezek assists Teri Robertson in placing the memorial wreath

Hunter Lillie playing taps

Before concluding the ceremony, Seattle Base presented a memorial medallion and set of miniature dolphins to Kami McGrath, in appreciation for her work providing music for the ceremony over the past few years, and to Kirkland Mayor Amy Whalen, thanking her for all the work the city has done with the Seattle Base.

Dick Gonzales present Kami McGrath with the medallion and dolphins

Mayor Amy Whalen receives the medallion from John Roberts

After the ceremony we gathered the members of the Lockwood Chapter of US Submarine Veterans of World War II for a group photo.

Lockwood Chapter members

Thanks to John Roberts all those who helped make this year’s Tolling Ceremony a success.