KIRKLAND, Wash. — On Saturday, the ‘Tolling of the Boats’ was held at Kirkland Waterfront Park.
The ceremony honored the memory of fallen shipmates.
The U.S. Submarine Veterans gathered to pay their respects.
The day also marked the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. A 20-foot model of a nuclear submarine, along with historical memorabilia, was on display.
As the name of each lost boat was read, the ship’s bell was rung to ‘signify its passing,’ wrote organizers.
The U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc., Seattle Base writes:
<em>'Fifty-two American submarines were lost during World War II (another 12 in peace-time and one in WWII). Some men lost their lives individually, but by far the greater number died when their boats failed to return from patrol. In some instances, the cause of the submarine's loss was known, but in most cases, the report "submarine overdue – presumed lost" was the epitaph for both submarines and men.'</em>
KIRO
