CH resident takes part in 'tolling of the boats' Memorial Day ceremony

The "tolling of the bells' ceremony

The United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. Cod Base held Memorial Day services at 4 p.m. aboard the U.S.S. Cod submarine at East Ninth Street and North Marginal Road in Cleveland, May 28.

The service included a "tolling of the boats," for all the submariners lost in the 108 years of naval service, Cleveland Heights resident and veteran U.S. naval officer Sam Nigro said.

The tolling of the ship's bell is a time-honored tradition that reminds veterans of the reverence they owe to their departed shipmates and to those who guard the honor of our country while serving silently under the sea.

Nigro, who took part in the gun salute, was assigned to be medical officer on the first FBM submarine, the U.S.S. George Washington, SSBN598 GOLD, wherein his sick bay was alongside and encompassed nuclear missiles 5 and 7. He made two 90-day mostly-submerged war patrols and was the first submarine-trained physician to earn a Medical Officer Dolphin Award on a fleet ballistic missile nuclear submarine. He was then medical officer at the Groton, Connecticut, sub base where he also provided health care at the Sub Base Hospital.

Photos are courtesy Sam Nigro and Al Albergottie.

Heights Observer Staff


 

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Volume 4, Issue 7, Posted 11:42 AM, 06.07.2011