Fifth-grader Brooke McKivergan and several of her Iroquois Point Elementary School classmates place yellow ribbons on a the fence surrounding their "submarine" tribute to Hawaii's military, especially those in the "Silent Service."
School keeps
Navy spirits afloatIroquois Point students fashion
a submarine from a propane tank
to honor military dads
Last fall, Iroquois Point Elementary Principal Robert Elliot was looking for a way "to support our military, especially the dads in the submarine service whose children attend my school."
"When sub dads deploy," Elliot said, "there isn't much communication with them as with Army dads and we wanted to do something to show them our appreciation."
Elliot presided over the launching ceremonies for the Pacific Fleet's 18th and newest addition to its submarine force: Although only 18 feet long and a far cry from the 300-foot nuclear attack boats, the Iroquois Point, however, stands as "an honor to the Silent Service, and all the dads who serve," Elliot said.
The ceremony also coincided with the start of Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii's annual military appreciation month, with nearly 30 percent of Hawaii's 47,000 military personnel deployed.
Two months ago, Liz Green, Iroquois Point Elementary School's parent community networking coordinator, decided to hold the dedication of Iroquois Point's submarine on April 29, but didn't realize that it fit into the chamber's annual month of May military appreciation activities. "It's really nice it turned out that way," Green said.
Elliot described the process of turning the school's 1,150-gallon propane gas tank into a "submarine."
With the help of the crew of the nuclear attack submarine USS Cheyenne, which donated $100 to pay for large stickers listing all of the subs assigned to Pearl Harbor, Green also got volunteers who put in 100 hours to even build a periscope out of PVC pipes.
Seven-year-old Brian Ellinwood, an Iroquois Point first-grader, said he was able to spend a few hours helping his neighbor, Chief Petty Officer Sam Green, put a coat of green paint on the periscope. "It was fun," Ellinwood said.
Green said Iroquois Point families "endure long absences because our dads must be away from home. The submariner's mission is very often secret and dangerous. Many times the entire mission is under the sea and never seen and thus the nickname the 'Silent Service.' We are very proud of our submariner families and we wanted to celebrate these brave dads and their families."
Senior Chief Petty Officer Mike Ellinwood, a communications specialist with Submarine Squadron 3 and Brian's father, said he appreciates Elliot's tribute. "I think it's really neat that the school took the interest in what we do and supports the submarine service. However, that is standard for Iroquois Point. They really support the military."
Ellinwood, who has been in submarines for 20 years, said "the school and community are very tight and this project is an example of that."
Another submariner parent, Chief Petty Officer Brian Hircock, whose son Daniel is in kindergarten at Iroquois Point, added: "This school has a good reputation for education ... Getting the sailors involved in the school gives a lot of the younger sailors a way to keep in touch with the community."
Elliot said for several years now Iroquois Point Elementary School has had partnerships with both the Navy and the Army.
Members of the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment -- which is in Afghanistan for a year -- have installed playground equipment and tutored children after school.
Similar tutorial activities as well as campus beautification projects have been supported by the Navy's Afloat Training Support Group stationed at Ford Island.
Navy Reserve Rear Adm. Jim Beebe, deputy commander of Submarine Forces Pacific, told the Iroquois students at the dedication ceremony: "This country is in a different time and we're safe because your moms and dads are protecting us."
Of the 14,000 Hawaii-base military personnel, the largest group away from home are the nearly 10,000 Schofield Barracks soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan for a year. More than 4,500 members of the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team left for Iraq in late January. Two months later, another 5,500 soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan.
That is the largest number of island-based troops overseas at one time since the Vietnam War.
"This year (during military appreciation month) we are paying special tribute to the Hawaii-based troops who are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and their families," said Jim Tollefson, Chamber of Commerce president.
The Bishop Museum will host a military family today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special admission price is $3 per person and $10 for family of four.
On May 15, there will be an annual combined military band concert at the Hawaii Theatre beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and limited to four tickets per person. Call 545-4300, ext. 391.
The annual military recognition luncheon will be held at noon May 19 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. More than 400 military members and their spouses are expected to attend the event, which will honor service people for their community service over the past two years. Tickets are $38.50, Call 545-4300 ext. 391.
The 8th annual Marine Aircraft Group 24 Sprint Marathon will be held May 22 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe. The event will feature a 500 meter swim, 11.1-mile bike ride and 3.5-mile run.
