An Open Letter to the Commander, Chief of Boat, and Crew of the USS San Juan (SSN 751)

Dear Commander, Chief of Boat and Crew of the USS San Juan (SSN 751),

On January 27, 2017 you and the crew committed to sea the cremated remains of my father, the former Chief of Boat of the USS San Juan. 

A few weeks ago I received a box, from the Commander, containing the attached letter, a photo of the ship, a compact disc containing photos of the ceremony, a nautical chart showing the location of the ship at the time of the ceremony, folded colors flown on the ship, and four posthumously awarded citations for distinction along with a certificate explaining each.

I cannot tell you how humbled and honored I am for this touching courtesy.

Although, any US Navy veteran can be buried at sea, you graciously took the remains of this former crewmember on board so that he could be on one final mission and be committed to sea from the last post he adored.

He served his country for over 23 years, finally retiring in January 1996. Thus, just about 44 years after he started his naval career, he ended where he began.

I know that the U.S. Navy cannot guarantee a burial at sea on the last post of a veteran. I am forever grateful to you and the crew for extending me this honor and privilege.

I did not know my father that well. He left when I was 5 years old. He went off to serve his country in one of the hardest and most demanding jobs in the Navy, that of a submariner. The Navy became his family. You and your fellow submariners became his brothers and his sons. 

I was able to tour one of your submarines on a Thanksgiving Day when I was a pre-teen. My father was my tour guide. I remember the tour (even in 'compartments' we were ‘not supposed to go’) and the incredible food vividly. In fact, I concluded that very day that I would also join the service, but would need to ‘see sky’ and thus later joined the U.S. Army Infantry.

However, this letter is not about me, or my father. It is about you.

Day in and day out, you live and work in cramped quarters defending our nation by completing the most sensitive national security missions of the U.S. Navy. You spend months and months at sea and many weeks on end without ever seeing daylight. You leave your families and loved ones behind to be the front line ‘projection of power’ to the world.

Your sacrifice for the National Security of this Nation is one that cannot be easily explained to the common person. Your missions are always classified. In some instances your missions are so sensitive that it is just your 'boat' with no others in range. As such, you and your fellow crewmembers must have an implicit trust and bond, a bond that cannot easily be replicated in civilian life.

I am very proud of all of you. The country is so very proud of you, and your families and loved ones are so very proud of you. Please know that the Nation is forever grateful and indebted to your service and sacrifice.

President Trump has called for a dramatic expansion of the U.S. Navy. The new Columbia class submarines are slated to be finished around the late 2020s. One new aircraft carrier is to be commissioned this year (The Gerald R. Ford) with another 2 commissioned by 2025. In order to defend our nation, we need a strong and modern Navy (and Army/Air Force) and we need it NOW.

We also need a strong Secretary of the Navy. We need an individual that has previously served on a carrier, a cruiser, or a submarine. We need someone who understands ships and 'boats'. Our men and women of the U.S. Navy deserve no less!

Finally, to the Commander, Chief of Boat, and Crew of the USS San Juan……run silent and deep my friends, run silent and deep!

P.S. I will still be cheering for Army in the annual Army v. Navy game....sorry guys!