The Search for the Grunion Blog

Bruce mbabele@999info.net

We have settled on a date for the Grunion Memorial. It is the weekend of October 10-12, 2008. We are negotiating with Cleveland hotels to get the best room rates possible. The problem is that we can’t commit to a certain number of rooms until we know approximately how many people will be using them. So we are asking you to let Dick Bentz know by email (grunionmemorial@aol.com) if you would still plan on attending the Memorial if the projected costs are approximately these:

Hotel $129 a night plus state and local taxes for single, double, triple or quad rooms. There is an ongoing effort to get this rate down. If you have a car there may be hotels farther away at a better price.
Parking with in-and-out privileges at $20 per day. However if you fly you will not need a car.
$105 per person for the Memorial events as listed below.

Note that this does not include your travel costs or outside meals.

Please let Dick Bentz (grunionmemorial@aol.com) know right away if you can come and how many rooms you will need for both Friday October 10 and Saturday October 11. You are not committing to anything at this point. We just need to get some numbers.

A number of things are in the planning stage for the memorial. At this point we don’t know where they will fit on the schedule. They are listed below:

A explanation of the various hypothesis as to the loss of the sub.
The story of the Grunion bell recently located in Greenville Mississippi
The full and, as we all know, rather incredible story behind the discovery of the Grunion. Lots of video and photos.
An opportunity to meet the rest of the Grunion family
Some stories presented by relatives of the crew
Some fascinating 3d images (anaglyphs) of critical parts of the wreck
The story of the sub ladies and their experiences.
An opportunity to learn the functions of the various members of the crew
A opportunity to meet some of the key players in this drama, possibly Lt Col Lane, Yutaka, the Garcia family, the sub ladies, Peter Lowney, Newman Lanier, Maddie & Ashley, John Fakan, Jim Christley, Chuck Thompson, Zack Galler
A lesson in submarine physics and WWII torpedoes, both which appear to have contributed to the loss of the sub
A number of exhibits including three large loose leaf notebooks of the correspondence from next of kin to our mother

In addition there is a formal ceremony. See the schedule below.

This entire search for the Grunion project has been successful because of the contributions of wisdom and effort from people all over the world. We invite your thoughts on the memorial. Things are very dynamic so it is important to stay in touch.

Bruce

The Grunion Memorial Weekend Overall Schedule of Events:

Friday, October 10
12 Noon – USS Cod opens for visits throughout the day – come and go at your leisure (see note about the USS Cod below).
12 Noon – Hospitality room opens for registration and will be open throughout the day until 10 p.m. Feel free to use this room as a place to meet and get to know our family.
6 PM – Orientation and welcome at the Hospitality room, with light snacks and cash bar. Dinner is on your own..
Sundown – USS Cod closes
10 PM – Hospitality room closes

Saturday, October 11
8 AM – USS Cod opens for visits throughout the day
8 AM – Hospitality room opens. Continental breakfast ie juice, rolls and coffee.
10 AM – Buses depart for the USS Cod (less than a mile)
12 Noon – BBQ meal at the USS Cod
1:30 PM – The Memorial Service begins and may last for as much as an hour and a half. The program isn’t firm yet, but at a minimum will include military color guard, reading of the names of the Grunion Crew, “Tolling of the Boats”, a 21 gun salute, and Taps to be played by members of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.
After the Memorial Service – Buses depart for the hotel followed by free time until dinner.
6:30 PM – Banquet dinner at the hotel, program to be determined.
Sundown – USS Cod closes
10 PM – Hospitality room closes

Sunday, October 12
8 AM – USS Cod opens for visits throughout the day
8 AM – Hospitality room opens. Continental breakfact, ie juice, rolls and coffee.
12 Noon – Hospitality room closes
??? – USS Cod closes

A Note about the USS Cod – It is maintained in its original WW II configuration. No effort has been made to modify it for easy access. To enter, one goes through an open hatch and down a vertical ladder. Comfortable clothing and soft shoes are recommended. You will find a virtual tour of the USS Cod, along with lots more interesting information at http://www.usscod.org/. The following notes came from John Fakan, the Commander/Curator: Our crew will accommodate the families in whatever fashion they would like. We’ll have different numbers of people available at different times. Guided tours are the most fun for our crew and we will do that as much as we can. Because we’re depending on people volunteering their time it would be difficult to establish a schedule. I am quite sure our families will get to see everything they have time and desire to see.

Also, some of the COD crew from WW-II will be on hand, but again, it’s hard to say when that will be. What will probably happen is that on Saturday they will be below at their old duty stations chatting with visitors that come by.

On Sunday we can stay open as long as there is interest in seeing the submarine.