Commanding Officer CDR David A. Olivier is piped aboard.
Commanding Officer CDR David A. Olivier is piped ashore.
This deeply moving ceremony is the traditional closing of the career of each Navy vessel. The event signalled the end of seventeen years of service to America by the BOSTON.
The ceremony was marked by the attendance of the commissioning captain of the USS BOSTON SSN703, Rear Admiral Jon M. Barr USN (Retired); and the last captain of the world's first guided missile cruiser USS BOSTON CAG1 (which had recently been redesignated CA69), Captain Raymond A. Komorowski USN (Retired).
The long-time sponsors of the BOSTON crew, Norman and Jackie Kaye (Mom and Pop) traveled up from Florida to participate in the last official function of their adopted crew.
With the ship's Officers, Chiefs and Sailors standing smartly in formation, the BOSTON family, including the USS BOSTON Shipmates, watched silently as the ship's commissioning pennant was symbolically struck, and the ceremonial watch secured.
The program and principal officials for the ceremony were:
| | Crew of SSN703 waiting for the ceremony to begin. |
| | Ceremonial watchstanders. In order from left to right: MM1(SS) Jerry C. Strange; EM2(SS) Walter P. Dobritt; ET2(SS) Chad A. Samples; ET2(SS) Matthew Konopka; ET1(SS) James P. Mule'; ET1(SS) Felix L. Montanez; EM2(SS) Timothy Jack Bevington; and EM1(SS) Jerome E. Martino. |
| | Executive Officer LCDR Jeffrey Long issues the order for the ceremony to commence. |
| | BOSTON, ARRIVING Commanding Officer CDR David A. Olivier is piped aboard. |
| | Captain Komorowski is piped aboard. |
| | Admiral Barr is piped aboard. |
| | Commander Olivier, Captain Holland, Captain Komorowski, and Admiral Barr, in position on the dais. Immediately behind these men are the models of the 1776 Frigate BOSTON and 1999 Submarine BOSTON. The Ceremonial Watch, consisting of representative Petty Officers from the crew, is in place behind the models. |
| | CDR Olivier discusses the many awards won by BOSTON crews. |
| | CAPT Komorowski discusses WW II ASW tactics, and the world's first guided missile cruiser BOSTON. |
| | Admiral Barr discusses the building and commissioning of the SSN703 |
| | Mom Kaye is presented with a dozen red roses in recognition of the affection of the crew for her. |
| | The commissioning pennant is struck. |
| | The watch is secured. |
| | BOSTON, DEPARTING Commanding Officer CDR David A. Olivier is piped ashore. |
| | Beautiful (and delicious) cake prepared by MSC Bruce and his crew |
| | Commander Olivier and Admiral Barr slice the cake with ceremonial sword |
| | USS BOSTON Shipmates President Barry L. Probst and Admiral Barr |
| | Captains of the BOSTON: Admiral Barr (1979-1982), Commander Olivier (1997-1999), Captain Komorowski (1968-1970), Captain Peter A. Scala (1991-1993), Captain H. Reeves Adair (1982-1985) |
| | USS BOSTON Shipmates who served aboard the guided missile cruiser BOSTON: Art Hebert (1958-1962), Kevin Lawlor (1969-1970), Ted Urbanski (1968-1970), Captain Komorowski (1968-1970), Dennis LaFrenier (1967-1970), Harry Halvorsen (1955-1956), Walter Rogers (1959-1961), and Captain Komorowski's grandson in front row. Note that four of these men have now watched as two BOSTONs were inactivated/decommissioned. |
| | Commander Olivier, USS BOSTON Shipmates Secretary Art Hebert, Barry Probst and NEW LONDON DAY reporter |
| | USS BOSTON Shipmates present token of appreciation to Commander Olivier |
| | Art Hebert, Norm Kaye, Jackie Kaye |