On November 11, 2023 at 11:00am Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base SUBVETS conducted our annual Veterans Day Commemoration ceremony at the JBPHH Submarine Memorial.
Similar to the first commemoration ceremony in 1960 conducted by the Submarine Veterans of WWII, members of Bowfin SUBVETS placed leis on the 47 bronze plaques mounted on the wall.
Base Commander Paul Jurcsak opened the commemoration. Followed by the Parading of All 50 State Flags by the Radford High School JROTC and Boy Scout Troops 97 & 797, and the posting of colors by National Sojourners Inc. members Roy Ota and Dennis Egge. The National Anthem was performed Pacific Fleet Band, Harbor Brass Quintet led by MU2 Tim Hutchens. Submarine Readiness Squadron 33 (formally, NSSC) Chaplain LT Jordan Dill, CHC, USN performed the invocation.
Base Commander Paul Jurcsak led the tolling of the bell for Submarines lost in WWII, while Chief of the Boat Gary Johnson, CMDCM(SS), USN (Ret) rank the bell. Led by Rear Admiral Richard Seif our keynote speaker.
This was followed by Wreath presentations by Bowfin Base, U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc., Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association, U.S. Submarine League, Aloha Chapter and Pearl Harbor Submarine Officers’ Spouses Association.
Our distinguished guest Rear Admiral Richard Seif, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, provided the keynote address.
We closed with the benediction by Chaplain Dill followed by a Three Gun Volley by the JBPHH Navy Honor Guard Detachment led by QMC(SW/AW) Gregory Flowers and the playing of Taps by MU3 Cory Johnson.
Following the ceremony Bowfin SUBVETS and invited guests moved to the Lockwood Lanai for a BBQ lunch.
Originally known as Armistice Day. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day the following year, November 11th became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became legally known as Veterans Day dedicated to American veterans of all wars. There are an estimated 20 million living Veterans today, with approximately 100K in Hawaii.
Veterans Day is a time to honor not just those who have fought for us in battle, but all of the outstanding men and women who served in our nation’s armed forces since our founding 241 years ago.
Not all veterans have seen war, but a common bond that they all share is the oath, to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, an oath that expressed their willingness to die defending this great nation. An oath that everyone of them will keep even after exciting active service.
Perhaps, most significant in preserving our way of life and defending freedom, are the battles that America does not have to fight.
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” — George Washington
We salute all our veterans who have made this great country possible.
God bless you, God bless Hawaii, and God bless America!
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 