On November 11, 2025 at 11:00am Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base SUBVETs conducted our 61st annual Veterans Day Commemoration ceremony at the JBPHH Submarine Memorial.
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 & 797G, and the posting of colors by National Sojourners Inc. members. Submarine Readiness Squadron 33 Chaplain CDR John B. Sears, CHC, USN performed the invocation. Everyone in attendance joined together in singing the National Anthem.
Base Commander Paul Jurcsak opened with a special tribute to WWII Submarine Veteran QM2(SS) Carlos Lopez who traveled to Hawai’i to mark his 100th birthday, and took the time to join us for our annual Veterans Day Commemoration. Carlos’ presence was a living testament to the values and sacrifices that built the Submarine Force. Heroes like him inspire all of us to uphold the highest standards of service and dedication.
Note: QM2(SS) Carlos Lopez served on USS Pilotfish (SS-386) during World War II and qualified submarines in 1944 during a war patrol, over 81 years ago.
Paul then led the tolling of the bell for Submarines lost in WWII, while Chief of the Boat Gary Johnson, CMDCM(SS), USN (Ret) rang the bell.
Similar to the first commemoration ceremony in 1964 conducted by the Submarine Veterans of WWII. Led by WWII Submarine Veteran QM2(SS) Carlos Lopez, members of Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base SUBVETs placed red, white, and blue kukui nut leis on the 47 bronze plaques mounted on the wall.
This was followed by Wreath presentations by Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base SUBVETs, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, U.S. Submarine League Aloha Chapter and Pearl Harbor Submarine Officers’ Spouses Association.
Our distinguished guest Captain Jeffrey Fassbender, Commodore Submarine Squadron 7, provided the keynote address.
We closed with the benediction by Chaplain Sears.
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 Hawai’i, and God bless America!
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 