USS Pampanito Lost Boat Ceremony 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Memorial Day "Lost Boat" Ceremony aboard SF's World War II submarine
A bell will toll 65 times as more than 200 submarine veterans gather aboard the USS Pampanito submarine, to honor the men and their submarines that never returned.

WHAT: "Lost Boat" ceremony

WHEN: 1 pm, Memorial Day, Monday May 28, 2007

WHERE: USS Pampanito submarine, Pier 45, San Francisco (Taylor and Embarcadero)

WHY: To honor submariners (pronounced "submarEENers") who served on submarines and never returned (65 lost boats on "eternal patrol")

The USS Pampanito served in World War II in the Pacific Theatre; it survived six war patrols and performed a dramatic at-sea rescue of 73 former prisoners of war

INFO: 415-775-1943, www.maritime.org

San Francisco, CA. -- This Memorial Day aboard San Francisco's World War II submarine, the USS Pampanito, submarine veterans remember comrades whose boats were lost at war and never returned to port.

This solemn yet colorful event features an individual bell toll for each of 65 boats lost and now on "eternal patrol," ("eternal patrol" is the submariner term for "fallen soldiers"), bagpipes playing, and more than 200 submarine veterans in attendance.

"We need to reflect on the loss of these submarines and the men who served and died on them performing their duties," says Harry Nystrom, a submarine veteran and trustee of the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association (SFMNPA), the organization that preserves and operates the Pampanito.

John D. Zimmerman, Commander of the USS Jefferson City submarine (based in Southern California) is Guest Speaker.

Immediately following the ceremony, the public is invited to tour the boat while the engines are running -- a rare opportunity for those who want to know what a WWII diesel engine sounds like.

The ceremony is co-hosted by the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association; the Dolphin Submarine Base (San Jose); Mare Island Submarine Base (Vallejo); the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II; and United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (Silverdale, WA)

Public information: 415-775-1943, http://www.maritime.org

Two high resolution photographs -- an historic B&W shot of the 1945 crew and contemporary color image are available.

ABOUT THE SUBMARINE USS PAMPANITO
Amazing! Thrilling! Authentic! describes the USS Pampanito. This submarine is a World War II Balao class fleet boat that survived six war patrols in the Pacific, and performed a dramatic at-sea rescue of 73 former prisoners of war. Now permanently docked at San Francisco's Pier 45 in Fisherman's Wharf, the Pampanito is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors from the City and around the world go down into the boat to see how the crew of 80 men lived in a miniature-like world for up to 75 days at a time.

ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION
The San Francisco Maritime National Park Association (SFMNPA), which preserves and operates the USS Pampanito, has been bringing maritime history to life for more than 50 years. A community-based non-profit organization with thousands of members, SFMNPA supports the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park -- the nation's only floating National Park at Hyde Street Pier. SFMNPA presents public education programs about the City's maritime heritage.

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For more information:
Director, SFMNPA
(415) 561-6662

http://www.maritime.org
Pampanito Home Page
Pampanito Fact Sheet.