September 2008 USS Vesole Memorial Service:

     During our reunion in Washington, DC in September 2008, we held a Plaque Dedication and Memorial Wreath Laying Service was held.  It was a beautiful, sunny day, however the volume of participants required the Service to be held in the Auditorium  of the U.S. Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue.

    The ceremony began with the playing of the National Anthem, an invocation by Vesole Association Chaplain  Mark P. Muller.  Remarks by Mimi Pollow extended from welcoming us, explaining the mission of the U.S. Memorial, a short trip in history of Vesole from 1945 through 1976, then thanking the Association for Dedicating the Plaque. 

Chaplain Mark P. Muller then conducted the Memorial Service.  We proceeded with the memorial by ringing the Ships Bell.

Each deceased shipmate, in turn, was called by name. As the Ships Bell was rung in his honor, a carnation was inserted into the Memorial Wreath. The Vesole sailor inserting the flower saluted and returned to his place. Thirty Seven Vesole shipmates were honored.

There was a group hand salute as Taps was played. We finished by singing the Navy Hymn "Eternal Father".  Upon the end, the U.S. Memorial staff took the wreath outside to the Plaza and and displayed it next to the Lone Sailor statue.

Our assembled shipmates and spouses had a sense of peace after the service.

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Keep a firm hand on the rudder, Chaplain Mark