bobdina
11-13-2009, 01:12 PM
Submariners' Pride Runs Deep
November 11, 2009
Navy News
KINGS BAY, Ga - Kings Bay Submariners welcomed the heroes of the submarine force; the World War II submarine veterans for a four-day event which included tours of submarines and the Trident Training Facility, a golf game, special dinners and lots of storytelling.
Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay, in conjunction with U.S SubVets of World War II, Georgia and Florida SubVets, Kings Bay Trident SubVets and the St. Marys Submarine Museum arrange the annual event.
"The event is a lot of work and it doesn't work without support … from the admiral to the lowest ranking Sailor working as a bus driver, but that is what makes us special at Kings Bay," said Command Master Chief James Schubert, NSB Kings Bay. "It's such a great event. To have these guys talk to you and to understand their sacrifices and under the conditions they made them, it is amazing. A lot of these veterans only served four years and they still wear their dolphins and support the submarine force. This is why we say submarines are a way of life, not a qualification."
The 21st Annual World War II Submarine Veteran's Memorial Service, held on Nov. 6, honored the Sailors and submarines lost during World War II, the bells are also tolled for the British submarines and Sailors who gave their lives for the Allied cause.
"Victory at sea did not come cheaply. In the cauldron of fire that was World War II, the submarine force lost 52 boats and 3,506 men," said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West, who served as guest speaker. "So please know that the generation of Sailors who ride our submarines today do so because your legacy is there to remind them of who they are and what they represent. Your unselfish and faithful service was instrumental in shaping our young submarine warriors in the past, present and into the future.
For Sailors, past and present, being a submariner creates a special bond. Even on the largest submarine, they live in tight quarters and have little contact with the outside world for months at a time; they become brothers. They know that the shipmates who proudly wear dolphins can be counted on to save their boat or even their life in an emergency.
USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) (Gold) opened their boat to approximately 220 visitors over four days. Crew members escorted groups of veterans and their guests on a tour that included control, auxiliary machine room two, crews mess, galley, berthing, wardroom and missile control. After the memorial service, the Trident Training Facility welcomed about 64 visitors to see how crews use enhanced computer simulators, that mirror the systems on board the submarines, as tools to keep their skill proficiency at the highest level.
USS Alaska (SSBN 732)(Gold) invited the most senior qualified submariner to participate in a dolphin pinning ceremony.
"Dolphins" is the common name for the submarine warfare insignia. The pin's design consisting of the bow view of a submarine, with bow planes rigged for diving, flanked by dolphins. To qualify, a Sailor must complete a qualification card, pass a test and a board. During each of these tasks the Sailor must show a working knowledge of damage control, navigation, propulsion, combat, electronic and auxiliary systems. The qualification board is made up of senior Sailors who are considered experts on their systems.
Pete Sococo joined the Navy at age 17 and qualified submarines in 1940. He was a steward aboard USS Stingray (SS 186) where he made 16 war patrols. Sococo rose to the rank of chief in his 31-year career. He pinned dolphins onto the newly qualified Electronics Technician 3rd Class Billy Dodson.
"When I was first told I was to be pinned by Pete Sococo, a very well known SubVet, I was excited. The honor and tradition that flows through us submariners goes back decades. Pete Sococo was a reminder to me of what it means to be an American citizen, a Sailor and more importantly a submariner in the United States Navy," said Dodson.
"I am invited to so many events and really enjoy every bit of it," said Sococo. "During the war, we really worked and suffered in the submarine service. It is great to see things today; I told him be a good boy and you'll go a long way."
November 11, 2009
Navy News
KINGS BAY, Ga - Kings Bay Submariners welcomed the heroes of the submarine force; the World War II submarine veterans for a four-day event which included tours of submarines and the Trident Training Facility, a golf game, special dinners and lots of storytelling.
Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay, in conjunction with U.S SubVets of World War II, Georgia and Florida SubVets, Kings Bay Trident SubVets and the St. Marys Submarine Museum arrange the annual event.
"The event is a lot of work and it doesn't work without support … from the admiral to the lowest ranking Sailor working as a bus driver, but that is what makes us special at Kings Bay," said Command Master Chief James Schubert, NSB Kings Bay. "It's such a great event. To have these guys talk to you and to understand their sacrifices and under the conditions they made them, it is amazing. A lot of these veterans only served four years and they still wear their dolphins and support the submarine force. This is why we say submarines are a way of life, not a qualification."
The 21st Annual World War II Submarine Veteran's Memorial Service, held on Nov. 6, honored the Sailors and submarines lost during World War II, the bells are also tolled for the British submarines and Sailors who gave their lives for the Allied cause.
"Victory at sea did not come cheaply. In the cauldron of fire that was World War II, the submarine force lost 52 boats and 3,506 men," said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West, who served as guest speaker. "So please know that the generation of Sailors who ride our submarines today do so because your legacy is there to remind them of who they are and what they represent. Your unselfish and faithful service was instrumental in shaping our young submarine warriors in the past, present and into the future.
For Sailors, past and present, being a submariner creates a special bond. Even on the largest submarine, they live in tight quarters and have little contact with the outside world for months at a time; they become brothers. They know that the shipmates who proudly wear dolphins can be counted on to save their boat or even their life in an emergency.
USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) (Gold) opened their boat to approximately 220 visitors over four days. Crew members escorted groups of veterans and their guests on a tour that included control, auxiliary machine room two, crews mess, galley, berthing, wardroom and missile control. After the memorial service, the Trident Training Facility welcomed about 64 visitors to see how crews use enhanced computer simulators, that mirror the systems on board the submarines, as tools to keep their skill proficiency at the highest level.
USS Alaska (SSBN 732)(Gold) invited the most senior qualified submariner to participate in a dolphin pinning ceremony.
"Dolphins" is the common name for the submarine warfare insignia. The pin's design consisting of the bow view of a submarine, with bow planes rigged for diving, flanked by dolphins. To qualify, a Sailor must complete a qualification card, pass a test and a board. During each of these tasks the Sailor must show a working knowledge of damage control, navigation, propulsion, combat, electronic and auxiliary systems. The qualification board is made up of senior Sailors who are considered experts on their systems.
Pete Sococo joined the Navy at age 17 and qualified submarines in 1940. He was a steward aboard USS Stingray (SS 186) where he made 16 war patrols. Sococo rose to the rank of chief in his 31-year career. He pinned dolphins onto the newly qualified Electronics Technician 3rd Class Billy Dodson.
"When I was first told I was to be pinned by Pete Sococo, a very well known SubVet, I was excited. The honor and tradition that flows through us submariners goes back decades. Pete Sococo was a reminder to me of what it means to be an American citizen, a Sailor and more importantly a submariner in the United States Navy," said Dodson.
"I am invited to so many events and really enjoy every bit of it," said Sococo. "During the war, we really worked and suffered in the submarine service. It is great to see things today; I told him be a good boy and you'll go a long way."