[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3358]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                   USS ``THRESHER'' 50TH ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, on April 10, 1963, the submarine USS 
Thresher sank off the New England coast. The loss of 129 officers, 
sailors, and civilian technicians was a tragedy for the Navy, our 
Nation, and especially for the families of that gallant crew.
  The USS Thresher was built in Kittery, ME, at the Portsmouth Naval 
Shipyard. Each year, the people of Kittery and neighboring communities 
in Maine and New Hampshire gather on the anniversary of the loss of the 
Thresher to pay their solemn respects to those who made the ultimate 
sacrifice in defense of our Nation.
  This year is the 50th anniversary of that tragedy. On April 10, 2013, 
the USS Thresher Memorial will be dedicated. Located at Kittery 
Memorial Circle, this tribute features a flagpole rising from a black 
granite base. The height of the flagpole--129 feet--is a powerful 
reminder of those who perished.
  The memorial is made possible by contributions from throughout the 
region--from schoolchildren and civic organizations to such U.S. Navy 
veterans as President George H.W. Bush. The depth of support for this 
inspiring project demonstrates the gratitude the American people have 
for all who serve.
  The USS Thresher was the first of a new class of submarines for the 
Navy that was designed to be the world's most modern, quiet, deep-
diving fast-attack submarines. It was during deep-diving trials some 
200 miles east of Cape Cod when a crucial system failed.
  The loss of life on the USS Thresher was the worst submarine disaster 
in American history. Among the 129 lost were a veteran submariner whose 
service began during World War II and extended into the Cold War, 2 
brothers, and a young husband who had just learned he was to become a 
father. Each of the 129 men left behind a grieving family and a 
hometown in sorrow.
  They did not die in vain. The Thresher disaster directly led to the 
SUBSAFE program that ensures every submarine in America's fleet 
undergoes rigorous testing to safeguard our submariners. Every safe 
voyage and every crisis survived since that terrible time is the legacy 
of the USS Thresher.
  The courage and sacrifice of those aboard the USS Thresher exemplify 
the devotion of all submariners, past and present, and their commitment 
to the mission. The ``silent service'' is a critical component of 
America's defenses, and those who step forward to serve willingly take 
on one of the most challenging assignments in our armed forces. The USS 
Thresher Memorial in Kittery, ME, ensures that we will never forget 
those who are on eternal patrol.

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