The U.S. Navy lost 52 submarines in World War II and two boats in the Cold War
Submarines were the first atomic-powered ships, and a submarine fired the first shot -- a missile -- in the war in Iraq.
But for all the stories and 104 years of history associated with American submariners, they have never experienced something they'll get Saturday: a parade in their honor.
'In World War II and any other time, they didn't get one. They were still out on patrol,' said George Gasser, former state and county treasurer and a sub vet who's one of the organizers for this week's convention.
Gasser expects about 2,000 people -- veterans and their spouses and guests -- to attend the U.S. Submarine Veterans Convention Wednesday through Sunday in locations around Saratoga Springs.
Gavin Landry, executive director of the Saratoga County Convention and Tourism Bureau, said conventioneers have already rented more than 900 hotel and motel rooms and about 200 camping spots for recreational vehicles.
It will be the largest national convention held in Saratoga Springs since the days when Union veterans of the Civil War came here. Local boosters say it's a test of whether the city can handle a crowd this big, and they hope to leverage success with the sub vets to attract other groups.
Public celebration
The public will get a chance to hear all about the submariners' 'silent service' this week at public events. There will be memorabilia on display at the state Military Museum and Veterans Resource Center on Lake Avenue. The Schuylerville Elementary Orchestra will perform at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in Congress Park, while the U.S. Navy Band and a USO tour group will perform.
For the parade, Gasser promised six or seven bands, including the U.S. Navy band, along with floats including a torpedo and a model of the USS Saratoga aircraft carrier. Sailors from the submarine base in Groton, Conn., will carry flags representing the boats lost since World War II.
In Navy lingo, submarines are boats, not ships, torpedoes are called 'fish' and a 'boomer' carries ballistic missiles.
During the week, veterans will demonstrate radio-controlled submarines in the hotel pools at the Prime Hotel and Holiday Inn. Al Singleman, a model builder and head of the local chapter, or base, of submarine veterans, said the models even dive.
'Some even send fish,' he said. 'There is a little blast of air.'
Demonstrations are at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday at the Prime Hotel and Thursday and Saturday at the Holiday Inn.
Vets to see the sights
Gasser said the sub veterans' convention doesn't have a lot of meetings and seminars like other conventions. There is only one general membership meeting Friday evening and a grand banquet Saturday night.
'They are here to have fun,' Gasser said.
That means testimonial luncheons and reunion meals for the crews of specific boats. There will be vendors and memorabilia rooms.
Also, the sub vets are planning a bus trip to Groton, Conn., and have suggested side trips to Saratoga Springs' Congress Park and Saratoga Spa State Park, Fort William Henry in Lake George, Fort Ticonderoga, the birthplace of the U.S. Navy in Whitehall and the USS Slater, a World War II destroyer docked in Albany.
http://www.saratogian.com/site/news...=1169&PAG=461&dept_id=17708&rfi=6
Submarines were the first atomic-powered ships, and a submarine fired the first shot -- a missile -- in the war in Iraq.
But for all the stories and 104 years of history associated with American submariners, they have never experienced something they'll get Saturday: a parade in their honor.
'In World War II and any other time, they didn't get one. They were still out on patrol,' said George Gasser, former state and county treasurer and a sub vet who's one of the organizers for this week's convention.
Gasser expects about 2,000 people -- veterans and their spouses and guests -- to attend the U.S. Submarine Veterans Convention Wednesday through Sunday in locations around Saratoga Springs.
Gavin Landry, executive director of the Saratoga County Convention and Tourism Bureau, said conventioneers have already rented more than 900 hotel and motel rooms and about 200 camping spots for recreational vehicles.
It will be the largest national convention held in Saratoga Springs since the days when Union veterans of the Civil War came here. Local boosters say it's a test of whether the city can handle a crowd this big, and they hope to leverage success with the sub vets to attract other groups.
Public celebration
The public will get a chance to hear all about the submariners' 'silent service' this week at public events. There will be memorabilia on display at the state Military Museum and Veterans Resource Center on Lake Avenue. The Schuylerville Elementary Orchestra will perform at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in Congress Park, while the U.S. Navy Band and a USO tour group will perform.
For the parade, Gasser promised six or seven bands, including the U.S. Navy band, along with floats including a torpedo and a model of the USS Saratoga aircraft carrier. Sailors from the submarine base in Groton, Conn., will carry flags representing the boats lost since World War II.
In Navy lingo, submarines are boats, not ships, torpedoes are called 'fish' and a 'boomer' carries ballistic missiles.
During the week, veterans will demonstrate radio-controlled submarines in the hotel pools at the Prime Hotel and Holiday Inn. Al Singleman, a model builder and head of the local chapter, or base, of submarine veterans, said the models even dive.
'Some even send fish,' he said. 'There is a little blast of air.'
Demonstrations are at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday at the Prime Hotel and Thursday and Saturday at the Holiday Inn.
Vets to see the sights
Gasser said the sub veterans' convention doesn't have a lot of meetings and seminars like other conventions. There is only one general membership meeting Friday evening and a grand banquet Saturday night.
'They are here to have fun,' Gasser said.
That means testimonial luncheons and reunion meals for the crews of specific boats. There will be vendors and memorabilia rooms.
Also, the sub vets are planning a bus trip to Groton, Conn., and have suggested side trips to Saratoga Springs' Congress Park and Saratoga Spa State Park, Fort William Henry in Lake George, Fort Ticonderoga, the birthplace of the U.S. Navy in Whitehall and the USS Slater, a World War II destroyer docked in Albany.
http://www.saratogian.com/site/news...=1169&PAG=461&dept_id=17708&rfi=6