Memorial Day events hosted by LW, NWS
SERVICES RESUME
‘Tolling of the Boats’ ceremony is May 30
For the first time in three years, a Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the United States National Submarine Memorial West, located at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, on Monday, May 30.
The 11 a.m. observance will include speeches by local community leaders, as well as the unique “tolling the boats” ceremony, during which each of the 52 U.S. submarines lost during World War II is honored as a bell is tolled.
The keynote speaker will be Joe Koch, a former crew member of the WWII-era submarine USS Tusk (SS 426).
The free event is open to the public, and no advance reservations are needed.
The submarine memorial is located aboard the naval weapons station at 800 Seal Beach Blvd., between Westminster Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, in the City of Seal Beach.
For more information, contact Naval Weapons Station Public Affairs Officer Gregg Smith at (562) 626-7215.
—from the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach
Col. Uyematsu will give the keynote address
The American Legion Post 327 and Auxiliary will host a Memorial Day observance from 10-11 a.m., Monday, May 30, in the Amphitheater. This is the first Amphitheater ceremony since 2019.
At 9:30 a.m., the Velvetones will play a concert of patriotic and inspirational music with Legion Cmdr. Rich Carson providing the opening remarks at 10.
Col. Clifton T. Uyematsu, who retired in 2004 and was commander of the 37th Mobile Aerial Port Squadron at March Air Force Base, will give the keynote address.
Event highlights will include Tina Schaffer singing the National Anthem, a Velevtones’ salute to the armed forces with audience participation, a moving ceremony to remember the nation’s POW-MIA military personnel, the Roll Call Post Everlasting and “Taps,” played by Tom Schmitz to end the service.
Lt. Col. Cathy Weissman and the Naval Sea Cadets will be there to serve in a variety of ways.
Sea Cadets are young Americans sponsored by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard to train on military instal- lations in a variety of fields.
Col. Uyematsu received a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from San Jose State College in 1968 and a master’s of business administration in 1980 from Pepperdine University. His military education includes Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College.
He enlisted in the Air Force in 1968 and was assigned to the 78th Security Police Squadron, Hamilton Air Force Base, in California. He attended Officer Training School and was commissioned in 1970 as a second lieutenant.
He completed security police officer training and was assigned as the chief of security police at 2nd Bomb Wing, Detachment 1, Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. He later completed a temporary duty assignment as a security police squadron shift commander at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam.
He was released from active duty in 1974 and joined the USAF Reserve two years later.
In January 1978, he transferred to the 445th Military Airlift Wing, Norton Air Force Base, where he was commander of the 445th Weapons System Security Flight; air freight officer of the 61st Aerial Port Squadron; flight operations officer for the 445ths Aerial Port Flight; squadron operations officer for the 50th Aerial Port Squadron; and commander of the 56th Aerial Port Squadron and wing air transportation staff officer.
In 1992, he transferred to March Air Force Base, where he was assigned as the commander of the 37th Mobile Aerial Port Squadron.
His last assignment was admissions liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy.
Col. Uyematsu’s many military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters and Air Force Achievement Medal.
He was also awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with device, and Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon.
His awards include Outstanding Company Grade Security Police Officer, Outstanding Air Force Reserve Security Police Officer, Honor Graduate of Security Police Officer Course and Academic Achievement Security Police Course.
Col. Clifton T. Uyematsu
