GROTON, CT — A project to preserve a piece of Groton's submarine history reached a milestone Oct. 9 as about 200 people gathered for the groundbreaking of the USS Groton Sail Monument, according to a statement.
The ceremony took place exactly 50 years after the USS Groton was launched at Electric Boat in 1976.
The monument, located along Route 117 next to the Groton Public Library, will feature the sail and rudder of the retired submarine.
It will honor those who build, operate and maintain submarines, along with their families and the communities that support them.
The sail and rudder are being refurbished at Electric Boat's Groton shipyard. The work represents a planned $2.5 million in-kind donation of labor and will provide training opportunities for future shipyard workers.
"This community embraces the military in a way that few communities do," Ray Gabriel, Electric Boat's vice president of strategic operations and a retired submarine captain, said in a statement.
Town Mayor Juliette Parker said the monument will be a lasting tribute to local residents, including members of her own family, who have served.
Following remarks from local, state and federal officials, retired Rear Adm. John Padgett, chair of the USS Groton Sail Foundation, invited attendees to participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking.
More information about the project is available at the USS Groton Sail Foundation website.
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