Base Commander Jack Winn reports:

"The 103rd Annual Submarine Ball was held on 12 April, 2003 at the Chesapeake Conference Center, Chesapeake, Virginia. It was attended by the Officers and Crews of all submarines, submarine support facilities and submarine veterans in the Norfolk area.

Vice Admiral John J. Grossenbacher, Commander Submarine Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT), and his staff were present. Those submarines that were deployed were represented by their dependents and we sat at the same table with some of the wives of the USS Boise crew (this boat came in a couple of days later).

There was a demonstration preformed by sailors from the Submarine School, Groton, Connecticut precision drill team and they were really good at flipping the rifles around.

The guest speaker was Vice Admiral Joe Williams, Jr, United States Navy Retired. His decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal. He commanded one diesel and two nuclear submarines and held the job of COMSUBLANT himself in the early 1970's according to our Webmaster Kenn McDermott, who served on his staff then.

Ceremonies honoring all SUBLANT sailors of the year were held.

The Captains of each submarine represented were recognized and a cutting of the cake and a toast were preformed. The U.S. Navy jazz band provided music for the ball.

Frequent sounding of diving alarms located throughout the hall made for a reminder to all that they were America's finest, the Silent Service."