April 10, 2005

On behalf of all of the Thresher families, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to Captain Iverson and Gary Hildreth, and all the people at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Thresher Base for the April 9, 2005 memorial service for the Navy and civilian crew of the USS Thresher. Having spoken to others, we are planning to once again pursue the passage of the proposed legislation that will allow a memorial to be placed at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday, May 29, 2001, Congressman John Sununu of New Hampshire held a press conference in Prescott Park, right across the river from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where Thresher was launched in 1963. Michael Dinola, Tim Noonis and I, Lori Arsenault, stood with the Congressman and Captain Vernon Williams, Commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, as Congressman Sununu presented the bill asking the Secretary of the Army to erect a Thresher memorial in Arlington National Cemetary. It was a picture perfect day, and there was a large turnout of press. Many of us were interviewed by newspapers, radio, and television.

As I told the press at that time, I am in favor of this bill, and I believe it would be a good thing to have this memorial. It's important for me to remember that Thresher's crew was from all over the country, as are our families are now. Thresher was not a New England boat, but a U.S. boat. Furthermore, this memorial which would honor all submariners lost over the years would also serve to bring light to the importance this silent service has been to our nation, and continues to be. It would also bring honor to those submarine veterans still with us and even those now in active service.

This page is here to keep you informed of the progress of this bill. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the latest developments. There is also a link that will assist you in writing to your state's representative for support. For information about contributing to this effort, please send an e-mail to  me, loriaam@maine.rr.com.

Many best wishes,
Lori Arsenault
Webmaster

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS LAST UPDATED October 2, 2001. After September 11, 2001, a lot of things changed for a lot of people.
While there has been no activity on this bill, and we don't know if there will ever be a Thresher Memorial at Arlington Cemetary, we can still be well assured that our loved ones are not forgotten, but more honored than ever.
--Lori

May 29, 2001:
CONGRESSMAN JOHN SUNUNU
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S FIRST DISTRICT

107th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. CON. RES. 137
Honoring the 129 sailors and civilians lost aboard the U.S.S. Thresher on April 10, 1963, and urging the Secretary of the Army to erect a memorial to this tragedy in Arlington National Cemetery.
 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 17, 2001
Mr. SUNUNU (for himself, Mr. BASS, Mr. BALDACCI, and Mr. ALLEN) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Honoring the 129 sailors and civilians lost aboard the U.S.S. Thresher on April 10, 1963, and urging the Secretary of the Army to erect a memorial to this tragedy in Arlington National Cemetery.

Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher was first launched at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on July 9, 1960;

Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher departed Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for her final voyage on April 9, 1963, with a crew of 16 officers, 96 sailors, and 17 civilians;

Whereas the mix of that crew reflects the unity of military and civilian personnel in the naval submarine service, and in the protection of the Nation;

Whereas at approximately 7:47 a.m. on April 10, 1963, while in communication with the surface ship U.S.S. Skylark, and approximately 300 miles off the coast of New England, the U.S.S. Thresher began her final descent;

Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher was declared lost with all hands on April 10, 1963; and

Whereas the crew of the U.S.S. Thresher demonstrated the `last full measure of devotion' in service to this Nation, and this devotion characterizes the sacrifices of all submariners, past and present: Now, therefore, be it
 

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress--

(1) remembers with profound sorrow the loss of the U.S.S. Thresher and her gallant crew of sailors and civilians on April 10, 1963; and

(2) urges the Secretary of the Army to erect a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery to the crew of the U.S.S. Thresher, and to all United States submariners who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

H.CON.RES.137 : Honoring the 129 sailors and civilians lost aboard the U.S.S. Thresher on April 10, 1963, and urging the Secretary of the Army to erect a memorial to this tragedy in Arlington National Cemetery.
Sponsor: Rep Sununu, John E.
Latest Major Action: 6/5/2001 Referred to House subcommittee
Committees: House Armed Services; House Veterans' Affairs
Cosponsors:
Rep Allen, Thomas H. - 5/17/2001
Rep Baldacci, John Elias - 5/17/2001
Rep Bass, Charles F. - 5/17/2001
Rep English, Phil - 5/22/2001
Rep Wolf, Frank R. - 5/22/2001
Rep Frank, Barney - 5/24/2001
Rep Kaptur, Marcy - 5/24/2001
Rep Kirk, Mark Steven - 5/24/2001
Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. - 5/24/2001
Rep Langevin, James R. - 6/13/2001
Rep Ehrlich, Robert L., Jr. - 6/13/2001
Rep Schrock, Edward L. - 6/13/2001
Rep Simmons, Rob - 6/13/2001

S.CON.RES.46 : A concurrent resolution honoring the 129 sailors and civilians lost aboard the U.S.S. Thresher on April 10, 1963, and urging the Secretary of the Army to erect a memorial to this tragedy in Arlington National Cemetery.
Sponsor: Sen Gregg, Judd-
Latest Major Action: 6/5/2001 Referred to Senate committee
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Cosponsors:
Sen Collins, Susan M. - 6/5/2001
Sen Smith, Bob - 6/5/2001
Sen Snowe, Olympia J. - 6/5/2001