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On Saturday, April 10, 2010 a memorial service will be held at the R.W. Traip Academy honoring the loss of 129 crew members, US Naval Submarine Officer Observers, and civilian support personnel aboard the USS Thresher during sea trials off of the New England coast 47 years ago to the day on April 10, 1963.

The Memorial Service will begin at 1300.

The R.W. Traip Academy front doors will open at 1130 and remain open until 1500.

USS Thresher

Memorial Service Program

The Memorial Service consists of two parts. The first part consisting of the speakers and the Tolling of the Bells Ceremony is is held in the R.W. Traip Academy Auditorium. The second part is the Wreath Laying Ceremony. It is held directly behind the R.W. Traip Academy along the Piscataqua River.

The Memorial Service Program is shown below

Invitations

Invitations to the 47th Memorial Service will been mailed by to the USS Thresher Family Members, former USS Thresher Crew Members, Submarine Veterans WWII & all Thresher Base Submarine Veterans. When you receive your invitation, please RSVP to attend with the number in your party to Kevin Galeaz via email: ThresherBase@comcast.net, or via phone at 603.785.6464. If you have not received an invitation and would like to attend, please contact Kevin Galeaz.

Reserved Seating for Family Members

The seats in the front rows will be reserved for family members of those lost aboard the USS Thresher, and for former USS Thresher crew members. When you arrive, please identify yourself and your party to the Sailors on usher duty for escort to your seats.

Directions to the R.W. Traip Academy
12 Williams Ave., Kittery, Maine

The R.W. Traip Academy is located directly across from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard at 12 Williams Avenue, Kittery, Maine.

For directions, click on the following image:

For a satellite view of the location of the R.W. Traip Academy, click on the following link: R.W. Traip Academy Satellite Image

Guest Speakers


Captain L. Bryant Fuller III
Commander, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
United States Navy

Captain L. Bryant Fuller III, Commander, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Captain Bryant Fuller was born and raised in Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1984 with a degree in mechanical engineering.  After graduation Captain Fuller entered the United States Navy and in June 1985 received his commission through the Navy’s Officer Candidate program.

Upon completion of Officer Candidate School and Surface Warfare Officer training, Captain Fuller reported aboard USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG 2) where he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer and served in a variety of engineering and combat systems assignments. Following sea duty, Captain Fuller was stationed at Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Jacksonville, Florida, where he was selected for re-designation as an Engineering Duty Officer. 

Following a brief assignment as a Ship Repair Officer at Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Jacksonville, Captain Fuller entered Naval Postgraduate School in September 1991 and upon graduation earned his master of science degree in mechanical engineering.  

In June 1994, Captain Fuller reported to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard where he served as the Assistant Project Superintendent and Project Superintendent for numerous CGN, CG and SSBN projects. He was then assigned to Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 04) as the Deputy Director for Shipyard Operations.  In February 2000, Captain Fuller was selected for the Engineering Duty Dolphin program and subsequently served aboard USS WEST VIRGINIA (SSBN 736) GOLD earning his Submarine Engineering Duty Officer Qualification.

In October 2000 Captain Fuller reported to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he served as Operations Officer and Project Superintendent for USS ALEXANDRIA (SSN 757) DMP.  From September 2003 through July 2005 he served as the Repair Officer at Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, Georgia. His next assignment was as the COMSUBFOR Maintenance and Readiness Officer at Norfolk, Virginia until May 2007. Most recently Captain Fuller served as the Operations Officer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility culminating in his selection as the 83rd Commander, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. 

Captain Fuller has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star, and Navy Achievement Medal with two gold stars.

Lori Arsenault
Classical Guitarist - Singer/Songwriter - Family Member Speaker
Daughter of ENCA(SS) Tilmon J. Arsenault, USS Thresher

Portrait of Lori Arsenault, Guest Performer & Speaker, Daughter of ENCA(SS) Tilmon J. Arsenault. Lori was raised playing various instruments and creating things for enjoyment. She was first introduced to the steel-stringed folk guitar at a young age by her Aunt Lorraine. She later began formal study of the guitar and lute, performing in master classes by classical guitarist, Rey de la Torre, and lutenist Rodrigo de Zayas. After a break of 19 years to work and study in other areas, she picked up the guitar again to earn her Bachelor's in Music Performance from the University of Southern Maine with a work study concentration in arts promotion, communication, and media relations.

In 1995, while studying with Michael Katz at USM, Lori won first prize at the Down East Society for the Classical Guitar, College Division competition. She is a member of the Boston Classical Guitar Society, and has performed in master classes by Jad Azkoul, David Leisner and Antonio Lopez, and attended classes by Ben Verdery, Sharon Isbin, Eliot Fisk and William Kanengeiser.

A member of the Maine Public Relations Council, Lori is Webmaster for American orchestral conductor, Lawrence Golan based in Denver, Colorado. Sole proprietor of Arsenault Artist Management, she also manages web sites for the USM School of Music, USM/Bank of America Youth Ensembles, Sussex County Youth Orchestra of New Jersey, jazzman Scott Reeves of New York City, the Nordica Trio, the USM/Aegean Cultural Exchange, the latest exhibits of the Osher Map Library, and several others including a memorial web site for the USS Thresher, lost at sea in 1963.

Also a singer and songwriter, Lori has been a cantor, musician, and guest minister of music throughout New England for various faith communities. She is currently the cantor in English and Spanish at Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish in Portland, Maine, and also the webmaster and current chair of the Pastoral Council.

In the workplace, Lori is the Administrative Manager in the office of the Dean of the School of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology at the University of Southern Maine, where she takes an active role in promoting higher education in Maine, particularly in the areas of the applied sciences and music.

As the mother of two boys, she is the fundraising chairperson, communications director and volunteer coordinator for Northern Force Team 172, one of Maine's four FIRST Robotics teams for high school students. 

Lori is the third of five children of ENCA(SS) Tilmon J. Arsenault, lost at sea on the USS Thresher (SSN 593), and Hilda (Jill) Arsenault Robinson of New Hampshire. She inherited her versatility and love of music and technology from her father, her volunteer spirit and compassion from her mom, and her drive for improvement from her stepfather, Theodore T. Robinson of New Hampshire. She continues her journey to find a single profession for all her many interests from her home base in Gorham, Maine, but thinks that may not be possible.

Alfred H. Ford, Jr. PE
Director Emeritus
Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance

Alfred H. Ford, Director Emeritus, Submarine Safey & Quality Assurance

Mr. Ford’s experience as a manager and leader spans more than thirty eight years and consists of a combination of Navy field experience and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Headquarters experience.  Upon graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering he began his career as a mechanical engineer in the Design Division at Charleston Naval Shipyard in Charleston, South Carolina.  Mr. Ford’s first nine years were a progression through various technical positions associated with design, maintenance, and modernization of submarines and surface ships.  During this period he met the requirements for, and currently maintains registration as a licensed Professional Engineer.  

In 1980 Mr. Ford was promoted to a senior manager position in the shipyard, Head of Surface Ship Testing.  Over the next thirteen years he advanced through positions of increasing supervisory, managerial, and leadership responsibility:  Head of Submarine Testing, Head of Production Test Division, Deputy Repair Officer, and Submarine Safety (SUBSAFE) Program Director.  He qualified as a NAVSEA SUBSAFE and Deep Submergence Systems auditor, and participated in, and led many audits.  While working at the shipyard Mr. Ford was active in the Charleston Chapter of the Naval Civilian Manager’s Association and served on the Board of Directors twice.  He was also active in the Charleston Section of the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) and served a one year term as Vice-Chairman and a one year term as Chairman.  In the mid 1980’s Mr. Ford was selected by NAVSEA Headquarters to serve as a member of the Navy’s Shipyard Operations Review Team and in this capacity he reviewed operations at all of the nation’s public shipyards and recommended actions for improvement.  

In 1993 Mr. Ford was selected as Manager of Ship Safety and Quality Assurance for the SEAWOLF Program and moved to NAVSEA Headquarters in Washington, DC.  He planned, managed and directed all Safety and Quality Assurance aspects of the SEAWOLF Class of submarines.  Mr. Ford received the Navy's Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his contributions.

Mr. Ford’s success in the SEAWOLF Program led to a promotion in 1996 to the Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance Division.  He was the senior civilian responsible for formulating and enforcing compliance with the Navy’s SUBSAFE, Deep Submergence Systems, and submarine Fly-by-Wire safety policies, procedures, and practices for both new construction and in-service platforms.  Mr. Ford directed the Navy’s SUBSAFE, Deep Submergence Systems, and submarine Fly-by-Wire audit programs and bore significant responsibilities associated with certification of submarines and Deep Submergence Systems for unrestricted operations.  He was known nationally as the Navy’s senior leader in submarine and Deep Submergence Systems safety and quality assurance.  In 2002, Mr. Ford was appointed as the Navy Team Lead for the NASA/NAVY Benchmarking Exchange effort commissioned by the NASA Administrator and the Secretary of the Navy.  He also has served as the senior representative for our country in the area of submarine safety in several international cooperative efforts with our allies. 

Mr. Ford is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community certified in the Program Management (PM) career field and the Production, Quality, and Manufacturing (PQM) career field. 

Upon his retirement from federal civil service on 1 January 2010, Mr. Ford received the Navy's Superior Civilian Service Award for his contributions during his career.  The main conference room used by the submarine community at NAVSEA Headquarters in the Washington Navy Yard was named "The Ford Conference Room" in his honor.  Additionally, the Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command conferred upon him the title "Director Emeritus, Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance" in recognition of his years of leadership and service within the submarine community. 

Mr. Ford remains active in retirement, serving as a submarine safety subject matter expert, advisor, mentor, and speaker. 

 

Guest Performers

 

Debra Henderson
Daughter of ENCA(SS) Tilmon J. Arsenault, USS Thresher

Portrait of Debra Henderson, Guest Performer, Daughter of ENCA(SS) Tilmon J. Arsenault. Debbie (Arsenault) Henderson is the twin daughter of Tilmon J. Arsenault, Chief Engineman USS Thresher (USN593).

A 1983 graduate of University of New Hampshire (AS Accounting), and 2006 graduate of Hesser College (BS Business Administration), she’s currently employed as a Senior Financial Analyst and Certified Administrative Professional® at Dell Perot Systems in Dover, NH. She also currently holds the office of Secretary for the Seacoast Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Deb’s musical talent is shared as an active member and Worship Leader and playing her guitar at the Portsmouth church she attends, Hope Christian Fellowship. She is also directing the church choir in its Easter Musical Cantata presentation.

Deb also enjoys riding her Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycle with her husband in her spare time. She resides in Portsmouth, NH with her husband Rick. She has a daughter attending UNH and a son attending Portsmouth High School. Completing their family, Rick’s daughter and her husband live in the Washington DC area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick Boyle
Piper

Sounds good.

Patrick Boyle, PiperPatrick Boyle is the Pipe Major for the Ancient Order of Hibernian's Pipes and Drums located in Manchester, NH.

Mr. Boyle will play Amazing Grace during the Tolling of the Bells, and the Navy Hymn during the Wreath Laying Ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




George Stevens
Trumpeter

George Stevens, TrumpeterGeorge A. Stevens Jr., trumpet/flugelhorn. A classically trained musician, George participated in various musical competitions during his early music years including NH All-State, All-Eastern, and McDonalds' All-American Band. After a 6 year hitch with the US Navy Submarine Service, George returned to NH to continue a career in Electrical Engineering and resumed his musical interests as a "freelance" classical/jazz musician, performing and recording with such groups as NH Wind Symphony, The Belknap Brass Quintet, Ted Herbert Big Band, Seacoast Big Band, Northeast Big Band, Dave Rasmussen Jazz Orchestra, The Movers, The State Street Rhythm and Blues Band, and the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra (NHJO). George has performed with such jazz artists as Clark Terry, Eddie Daniels, Peter Erskin, and Phil Wilson. George teaches trumpet privately as well as being on staff at the Concord Community Music School. He also continued his military career with the NH National Guard 39th Army Band as its soloist and Trumpet Section Leader. George currently resides with family in Alton Bay, NH.

Mr. Stevens will perform Taps at the Wreath Laying Ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Point of Contact

Please direct all questions regarding the Memorial Service, including those pertaining to invitations, media and program details to the following point of contact:

Thank You

Thresher Base extends our deepest gratitude for their contributions to the 47th USS Thresher Memorial Service to the following:

Last updated by Kevin Galeaz on April 6, 2010 22:41
ThresherBase@comcast.net

http://www.thresherbase.org