Shaheen Honors the Fallen of the USS Thresher in Keynote Address at Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Dedication

Shaheen Honors the Fallen of the USS Thresher in Keynote Address at Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Dedication

Photos from the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Dedication

(Arlington, VA) - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) delivered the keynote address at the dedication ceremony of the USS Thresher Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. In her remarks, Shaheen honored the 129 men who paid the ultimate sacrifice when the Thresher tragically sank on April 10, 1963 and those who fought for the creation of the memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Shaheen began by paying tribute to the family members of the victims of the accident who were present at the ceremony. “I’d like to recognize all of the family members of the crew here with us today who endured this tragedy and heartbreaking loss. Your relatives did not die in vain and their sacrifice will now rightfully be memorialized at our nation’s most hallowed grounds beside tributes to generations of our fallen heroes.”

Shaheen continued by emphasizing the legacy of the USS Thresher to Granite Staters and others across the country, as well as to submarine safety. “The loss of these men and their shipmates inspired the creation and implementation of the most comprehensive naval submarine safety program in the world, the Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance Program (SUBSAFE).  SUBSAFE has helped ensure that Navy crews are able to operate with maximum protection. Since its implementation – no SUBSAFE-certified submarine has been lost. Submariners are safer because of the sacrifices made by the men on the Thresher.

Shaheen concluded by thanking the advocates who had fought for the establishment of the memorial, allowing the American people to honor the legacy of the brave submariners who perished aboard the USS Thresher. “I again would like to thank everyone who played a role in the creation of this memorial. This was truly was a team effort. This memorial will ensure that when future generations of Americans visit the Arlington National Cemetery, they are reminded of the men on the Thresher who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation.”

Shaheen had led bipartisan efforts in Congress to establish a memorial for the men lost aboard the USS Thresher. Last November, Shaheen led a letter with other New England Senators urging then-Secretary of the Army Mark Esper to consider the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Project’s submission to establish a monument honoring those who had perished aboard the Thresher. Senator Shaheen previously led the bipartisan Senate resolution that commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Thresher tragedy, and has consistently worked to honor the memory of those lost aboard the Thresher and in support of establishing the memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. In July, Shaheen was honored by the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Foundation for her advocacy on behalf of the memorial.