GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — A festive anniversary celebration is in full swing honoring the USS Greeneville.
Sailors, both past and present, are gathering in Greeneville to commemorate three decades since the Los Angeles-class submarine, which proudly bears the town’s name, was first commissioned.
The festivities organized by USS Greeneville Inc. kicked off with an initial meet and greet on Wednesday, marking the start of a five-day celebration.
“This year holds special significance—three decades of our community, this county, and eastern Tennessee showering their submarine with support and taking care of us sailors,” expressed Matthew Tanner, a USS Greeneville Inc. board member who served on the submarine between 1994 and 1999.
Here is a schedule of the planned events:
- Wednesday, July 1: Sailors will gather for a meet and greet on the terrace of the General Morgan Inn beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature comments from local leaders.
Tanner said plans are already underway to honor the submarine after it is retired.
“You know, the boat’s going to eventually retire, and we are in progress as USS Greenville Inc. to put together a plan to bring the sail and the rudder here to Greene County, Greeneville,” he said. “And, we’ll have a museum in place to remember the boat, but just want to spread the word to the young people that you guys have a submarine named after you, here, you know, it’s your boat.”
The USS Greeneville is a fast-attack submarine capable of supporting a variety of missions.