We had our first family home-school field trip this week. The title above refers to the 41 Boats that served as the Real deterrent to nuclear war during the Cold War era. We learned about these specific boats on our trip to the USS Nautilus Museum in Groton, CT. The Museum is made up of the Submarine Force Library and Museum and the USS Nautilus (SSN 571) which are located on the Thames River next to the Naval Submarine Base. There is no charge for entry although donations are welcomed. The Museum is self guided and there are volunteer Docents in the Museum and when you tour the Submarine you can get an Audio wand that gives you lots of details and information about what you are viewing as you make your way through the belly of the boat. There is a theater in the museum that has a 50 minute movie that plays every hour on the hour - Trust me it is well worth watching, I was amazed at the new things I learned in those 50 minutes. The museum is split into 2 era's the left wing is dedicated to the Cold War Era and the right wing is dedicated to the WWII Era.
When we left the Museum we took the short drive to the US Submarine Veterans of WWII National Memorial East. It was moving to see the stones engraved for each of the 52 submarines that were lost during that era and the walls with the names of all 3,617 submariners who lost their lives defending our freedom during WWII.
The kids were moved when we explained to them what we were observing, and it was hard to control the many emotions that were welling up inside me as I thanked God for all those who served our country and paid the ultimate price. I hope to take the kids to our nations capitol some day so they can see the multitude of memorials that remind us of the sacrifices made to preserve our freedom and the freedom of countless others.
Before heading home I decided to take the family on a short drive to show them where Electric Boat - the company who builds these awesome vessels - was located.
It was a great day full of education, fun, admiration, and remembrance.
When we left the Museum we took the short drive to the US Submarine Veterans of WWII National Memorial East. It was moving to see the stones engraved for each of the 52 submarines that were lost during that era and the walls with the names of all 3,617 submariners who lost their lives defending our freedom during WWII.
The kids were moved when we explained to them what we were observing, and it was hard to control the many emotions that were welling up inside me as I thanked God for all those who served our country and paid the ultimate price. I hope to take the kids to our nations capitol some day so they can see the multitude of memorials that remind us of the sacrifices made to preserve our freedom and the freedom of countless others.
Before heading home I decided to take the family on a short drive to show them where Electric Boat - the company who builds these awesome vessels - was located.
It was a great day full of education, fun, admiration, and remembrance.
For some great information and pictures of the Nautilus (SSN-571) you can also go to the following web page: http://www.subguru.com/nautilus571.htm
1 comments:
That was a good trip. What is more wonderful if that you and Rebecca were there with Alex & Ariel. They will remember that. Family doing things together. I tried to live my life with my children like that, too. Truthfully, you got the benefit of a lot of quality time with me. I love you!!!
Mom
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