Submarine Ball

I had the opportunity to meet Ed Anderson, Commander of the USS Jefferson City

Welcome, Navy Submarine Veterans!  Our Capital City hosted a great event tonight, it was the Submarine Ball which honored submarine vets from WWII to present. 

The event was held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, and was a huge success!  The evening event was also a fundraiser for the new USS Missouri, SSN 780, and my buddy Sam Bushman who is the chairman if the USS Missouri Commissioning Committee organized the event – he and his wife Linda worked their tails off to make sure everything at the event was “smooth sailing”. 

Many guests were there from all over the world who have served and are serving for the US Navy.  We had a special treat as members of both the USS Missouri Crew and the USS Jefferson City were on hand for this special event.  I got to spend time with Dale Green, the Commander of the Missouri, and Ed Anderson, the Commander of the Jefferson City.   These vessels have FANTASTIC people as part of their crews, and it really made me proud to be with them. 

Of course a special shout out to Herman Smith who we honored for 67 years as a submariner – an absolutely incredible man, who beamed with pride.  Herman was one of several – yes several — vets there from WWII, and all of these guys are truly “the Greatest Generation”. 

My buddy George Bruss and Ed Irwin held a “tolling of the bell” ceremony which remembered and honored the men who have served and did not make it back of Submarines from the last 100 years.  It was very moving, something I never experienced at an event like this. 

Special guest also included Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, Rebecca Gates (wife of Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates) the sponsor for the USS Missouri, and of course our own Mayor John Landwehr and the first lady of Jefferson City, Peggy Landwehr.