U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd
Class Charles Gaddis IV from the Navy Public Affairs Support Element,
Detachment Northwest offers the below report:
SILVERDALE, Wash., May 26,
2017 — Submarine Group 9 sailors, veterans and visitors yesterday gathered in
remembrance of the sailors and submarines that were lost during war at a
“Tolling the Boats” observance held at Naval Base Kitsap's Deterrent Park here.
In the Navy, a submarine is
referred to as a boat.
The observance is held as
part of a Memorial Day observance in remembrance of the sailors and submarines
lost at sea during World War II.
Honoring Fallen Submariners
Fifty-two U.S. submarines
including 374 commissioned officers and 3,131 enlisted members were lost at sea
during World War II, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command’s web
site.
During the ceremony, a short
description of what happened to each submarine is read, followed by the number
of sailors lost on the boat.
A ceremonial bell then is
rung in memory of each submarine as part of the observance.
Presently, the observance is
held to honor and never forget those who gave their lives to protect the
nation.
‘We Can’t Ignore Our Past’
“We can’t ignore our past,”
said Navy Capt. Ted Schroeder, chief of staff of Submarine Group 9. “It’s
important to remember where we came from and to honor the men and women whose
legacy we’ve inherited.”
Sailors and veterans came
together to salute the fallen.
"This is the best part
of the Navy,” said Paul Christoffeson, a World War II veteran. “I joined when I
was 17, and my first sub was SS-270 [the USS Raton].”
“We wouldn’t have the
freedoms today without the sacrifices of the families and the heroes that we
are remembering today,” said Navy Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Corcoran.
