Tolling of the Boats 2021 | Videos

TOLLING OF THE BOATS

Every year the Tolling of the Boats Ceremony commemorates those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country while serving aboard U.S. Navy submarines.

The U.S. Submariners fo the Volunteer Base of USSVI in association with the Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association hold a tolling every October at the Middle Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery.

The videos of our October 2021 memorial ceremony are in two parts. The first includes remarks about the tolling ceremony and keynote remarks from Ambassador Charles Bowers. A transcript is HERE.

Part I – Tolling of the Boats – Speakers/Remarks

Fifty-two U.S. submarines including 374 commissioned officers and 3,131 enlisted members were lost at sea during World War II, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command’s web site. The tolling of the boats commemorates their sacrifice as well as those submarines lost before and after World War II.

During the ceremony, a short description of what happened to each submarine is read, followed by the number of sailors lost on the boat. A ceremonial bell then is rung in memory of each submarine as part of the observance. The observance is held to honor and never forget those who gave their lives to protect the nation.

TENNESSEE SUBMARINE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION

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