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Master and Commander
Posts: 1008
Location: NE Florida | Subject: Submarine Vets To Hold Memorial Ceremony
Submarine Vets To Hold Memorial Ceremony
By Daniel Carson, Panama City News Herald, June 17, 2009
PANAMA CITY BEACH – A local group of military veterans are holding a dedication ceremony for a new memorial that honors submarine veterans.
The Panama City Beach-based Seawolf Base of United States Submarine Veterans', Inc. will hold a dedication service for its new memorial June 23 at the Bay County Veterans Memorial, located at Pier Park.
Darrell Peugh is the Seawolf Base commander.
He said the group began to discuss the memorial 18 months ago as a way to honor men lost in submarine battles.
"Our purpose is to keep these men in memory," Peugh said Monday.
Joe Wilderman, a Seawolf Base member who lives in Bonifay, said the general public does not realize what submariners did for the war effort in World War II and other 20th century wars.
He said that the U.S. submarine fleet was responsible for sinking more than 50 percent of Japan's naval and merchant fleet during World War II.
The inscription on the submarine veterans' memorial reads: "This memorial dedicated to all the men lost while serving in the U.S. submarine force past and present. Victory at sea did not come cheaply. 52 submarines and over 3,600 men lost their lives during WW II. Nearly 200 were lost before WWII. Over 300 lost their lives after WWII September 2, 1945 to present."
Peugh said the two-and-a-half foot high granite memorial stands just outside Pier Park's Veterans Memorial circle.
He said the Seawolf Base was the first local veterans' organization to inquire about putting a marker at the memorial circle.
"It's very prominent. You can't go around the circle without seeing it." Peugh said.
Commander Mark Matthews of the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit will deliver the keynote speech at the ceremony.
Peugh said the Seawolf Base will also honor members Richard Brooks and John Coleman at the ceremony.
Brooks was the former commanding officer of the USS Picuda, while Coleman did seven WWII patrols aboard a submarine.
Peugh said that, for elderly veterans who might have difficulty walking to the Veterans Memorial, there will be two golf carts available for transportation from nearby parking lots
The ceremony starts at 11 a.m.
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 6180
Location: Summerville, SC | Subject: RE: Submarine Vets To Hold Memorial Ceremony
Good Ole Joe Wilderman.....Owen when you see Joe and that sawed off Johnny Duncan please give them my regards. They both were real good SS-408 sailors.  |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 597
Location: Tucson, Arizona | Subject: RE: Submarine Vets To Hold Memorial Ceremony
What a wonderful project. I think the honor of our Veteran's of WWII that served so gallantlty is a wonderful tribute of how we hold them in such high esteem. All those that contributed to the project are to be congratulated and hopefully remembered for their contribution to them. A big contratulations form the USS STERLET SS392 Associatioin. Hope to one day visit it and see it in person. Please give all at the Seawolf Base my Congratulations and gratitude to what they have accomplished.
Dick Jarenski
Commander/Secretary USS STERLET SS392 Association
Tucon, Az. |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1008
Location: NE Florida | Subject: RE: Submarine Vets To Hold Memorial Ceremony
Ralph Luther - 2009-06-18 7:05 PM
Good Ole Joe Wilderman.....Owen when you see Joe and that sawed off Johnny Duncan please give them my regards. They both were real good SS-408 sailors.
I'll see them at the ceremony and bring your note with me. O |
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Submarine Vets To Hold Memorial Ceremony
