10/12/2025
October 11, 2025
Greetings from the Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association.
Tennessee Submarine Memorial Ceremony
“Tolling of the Boats”
October 11, 2025
Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery
Nashville, TN
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – October 11, 2025 – The 4,000 American Submariners lost in the line of duty in the 125-year history of the U.S. Submarine Force were remembered today in a special ceremony, the Tolling of the Boats. A warm, sunny day greeted the members of the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Volunteer (Nashville) chapter and their friends, families and guests at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery.
The Tolling of the Boats is a traditional, solemn ceremony acknowledging each of the 62 submarines and their crews—including 88 Tennesseans-- who were lost and the manner of their demise. Most of those, 52 submarines, were lost in World War II, with over 3,500 men, killed in the line of duty. The last submarines lost were the nuclear-powered attack submarines USS Thresher and USS Scorpion both during peacetime operations in the Atlantic Ocean in the 1960s.
Mr. Jim Early of the Submarine Veterans welcomed the guests to today’s ceremony which included an honor guard from the Andrew Jackson VFW Post Young Marines Color Guard and a reading of the poem, “Lost Harbor,” by Leslie Nelson Jennings.
“There is a port of no return, where ships
May ride at anchor for a little space
And then, some starless night, the cable slips,
Leaving an eddy at the mooring place.
Gulls, veer no longer. Sailor, rest your oar.
No tangled wreckage will be washed ashore.
The Volunteer Base had received Proclamations from Governor Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell noting the 125th anniversary of the Submarine Force. An excerpt from the Governor of Tennessee: "American Submariners proved to be the tip of the spear in wartime ... and in peacetime with decades of nuclear strategic patrols deterring any potential adversary ... Tennesseans were among the courageous Submariners who volunteered for duty in some of the most demanding and dangerous environments at a cost of 88 men from the Volunteer State, who made the ultimate sacrifice."
Submarine Veteran Bob Woolf introduced Former U.S. Congressman Bob Clement who delivered the keynote remarks paying tribute to the lost Submariners, “There are many ways to serve in uniform—on land, in the air, at sea. But there is one branch of service that operates in quiet shadows, deep beneath the waves—where courage is tested not in the open light of day, but in the silent depths of the ocean.” He continued, “It takes a rare kind of bravery to climb down into that vessel, to sail the deep knowing that the only thing between you and the crushing weight of the sea is your faith—faith in your ship, faith in your fellow sailors, and faith in the country you serve.”
Mr. Clement said service is one of the highest callings a person can answer, adding, “And those who serve on submarines embody that calling in its purest form. They live each day with quiet purpose, always ready to give everything—even their lives—for others.”
Of the Submariners being commemorated today, Mr. Clement said there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s country, “The Submariners we honor today gave that ultimate gift. They left behind families, dreams, and futures—so that others might live in freedom.”
He went on to challenge those who heard his remarks, “So as we stand here today—beneath our bright Tennessee sky—let us remember their sacrifice, let us cherish their legacy, and let us pledge to live as they did: with courage in our hearts and faith in America’s promise.”
Mr. Woolf introduced and thanked several Nashville Metro Council leaders who joined the audience for the Tolling the Bells commemoration: At-Large member Olivia Hill; District 35 member Jason Spain; and District 22 member and former Vice Mayor Sheri Weiner.
Submariner Joe McGlaughlin opened the reading of the lost boats and tolling of the bell, “All who proudly wear Dolphins [Submariner insignia] today know that we stand on the shoulders of our Brothers who have gone before: ordinary men, from every walk of life, from every corner of our great Nation; ordinary men, who, in service to their country, in peace and in war, did extraordinary things. Ordinary men, who through their leadership, dedication, and example, became our heroes, as they continue to inspire and motivate us to this day. These are the men—our Brothers—that we honor and remember here today.
The first “boat”: “USS F-4 Skate SS-23,” followed by a single bell. “21 Men on board. Lost 25 March 1915, when she foundered off Honolulu, in the Hawaiian Islands. All hands lost.” Followed by two bells.
Down through the years through the evolution of submarines and the experiences of America’s wars, readings and tolling for all the boats, ending with the last one lost:
“USS Scorpion SSN-589.” A single bell. “99 Men on board. Lost 22 May 1968, off the Azores to an unknown cause, possibly a battery explosion. All hands lost.” Two bells.
The ceremony concluded with the poignant notes of “Taps” played by bugler Hayden Keith, and “Amazing Grace,” by bagpiper Gerald Myrick who walked off into the distance while playing.
The guests left with a final thought from Submarine Veteran Jim Early who reminded everyone, “And as we remember our Brothers, let us pray that no other U.S. Submarine, or any of her Officers and Crew, will ever be added to our list of Ships, and Shipmates, who have departed on their Final Patrol.”
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Note: Complete remarks of Congressman Clement can be found on the Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association web site: TennSub.org/news
