| 31 May 2002
NYS WWII SUBMARINE MEMORIAL RESPONSIBILITY The following note and my short speech was at the service yesterday May 30th in New Paltz NY. The NYS WWII Submarine Veterans Memorial maintenance and upkeep has been transferred to the USSV Hudson Valley Base. I have a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding. Pat Ulmen pulmen@juno.com
30 May 2002 NYS WII SUBMARINE WAR MEMORIAL TRANSFER NYS WWII President Edward Decker conducted the annual May 30th Memorial Day service in New Paltz at the NY VFW Post. During this service CDR Decker advised the approximately 80 persons attending that the NYS Submarine Memorial "upkeep and maintenance responsibility has been transferred to the USSV Hudson Valley Base thru a signed MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING". Signees are the Submarine Veterans of WWII NYS CDR Decker, USSV Hudson Valley Base CDR Jarvies, VFW Post CDR Rheal and Hudson Valley Chapter President Fulton. Additional major groups participating were the Fleet Reserve, Hudson Valley and Hudson Mohawk Submarine Veterans, USSV District Two CDR Schmitz, VFW Post members, Marine Color Guard and Rifle Detail and a Bagpiper. ERD Pat Ulmen was privileged to attend and speak. The memorial contains a Silver and Gold painted Mark 18 Torpedo, 68 stones inscribed with the lost boats and flag mounts for each, a center piece flag pole, several signs and stones with inscriptions, locators to hold wreaths and surrounding the area a white chain fence augmented with shrubbery. P Ulmen
30 May 2002 USSV WWII/USSVI/VFW NYS MEMORIAL TRANSFER MAY 30, 2002 [ Text of Pat Ulmen speech ] GOOD AFTERNOON .. REPRESENTATIVES OF NYS .. FLEET RESERVE ASSOC. MEMBERS .. NYS WWII SUBMARINE VETERANS CDR DECKER .. HUDSON MOHAWK CHAPTER PRESIDENT FULTON .. DIST. CDR SCHMITZ .. HUDSON VALLEY USSV BASE CDR JARVIES .. VFW POST CDR RHEAL .. U.S. MARINE COLOR GUARD & RIFLE DETAIL .. AND MOST SPECIFICALLY, U.S. SUBMARINE MEN VETERANS, AND FAMILIES. It is my privilige and pleasure to be here to witness this historic transfer of a symbol of our country’s sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy. Some may see this ceremony as a changing of the guard, some as a natural progression of time and technology. I see before me, 17, 18 and 19 year old men who long ago left H.S., jobs and career plans to learn a warrior skill to fight a mortal enemy of our country. President Roosevelt asked that a state of war exist between the U.S. And the Empire of Japan. The men we honor today thru the perpetuation and care of this memorial, are the hero’s who answered our country’s call without question. They stood the many bridge watches in all elements, in an engine room with pounding engines, in a torpedo room using a manual TDC or horsing a torpedo into tubes for firing, or on deck as a pointer or ammo server. They held the breach while the surface navy repaired itself after December 7th 1941. It cost dearly with over 3500 men lost in 52 submarines. They were young men like you see around you today or as i saw last week on USS SCRANTON a SSN fast attack submarine in Norfolk VA. They are young and smart and just as eager as these fine gentlemen were you see before you today. This memorial is being transferred for safe keeping and maintenance by the Submarine Veterans of WWII to the Hudson Valley USSVI base home ported here at this facility. I am sure you are all aware that many members of each organizations hold dual memberships. I would also like to thank the VFW for permitting this memorial to be located here. Another young man once wrote the following while faced with peril: WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, ESTABLISH JUSTICE, INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR A COMMON DEFENCE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, AND SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND POSTERITY, DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This of course is the preamble to the Constitution Of The United States. We all owe so much to these fine gentlemen gathered here. I charge you all to honor their sacrifices and help perpetuate this memorial to their unselfish gift to our nation. He stood watches with and for you, he helped train you, he had your back on the beach, he was your unquestioned friend, he was called "shipmate". There is no greater accolade than "shipmate". I would be proud to be called "shipmate" by any and all before me today. Many shipmates are still on station on eternal patrol today. This memorial speaks for them. Be advised that as we stand here today, the United States Navy Submarine Force is on duty, on patrol, on station following the traditions laid down by the sacrifice depicted thru this memorial. King Neptune guards those on eternal patrol. God bless these men and God bless America. Thank you. I salute you. P Ulmen USSV ERD |