American Heroes Under the Oceans

[October 24, 2024] My Dear Friend General Satterfield. Thank you for allowing me to write about my experience a few weeks ago on the USS New Jersey SSN 796 Submarine the most powerful boat in our Navy. This “boat” as subs are referred to bears the seal with George Washington crossing the Delaware on Christman night in a Durum rowboat. The seal also mentions the two previous naval vessels to bear the name USS New Jersey, the Battleship New Jersey BB-62 and the USS New Jersey BB-16.

General, what may be the most important part of the seal are the words Virute Ignis Pro Libertas. These powerful words mean FIREPOWER FOR FREEDOM.

General Satterfield, I must start at the beginning of the Welcome Home Show’s involvement with the USS New Jersey. This all started with a phone call from my good friend Governor Phil Murphy late on a Friday evening a little over three years ago. Our Governor was asking to get time the next day on our Radio show so he could announce the naming of this great boat.  The First Lady of New Jersey, Tammy Murphy and Governor Phil Murphy, made the Historical announcement about our brand new submarine which will be named for the great state of New Jersey.

To me this historical event takes us back to the many battles fought in New Jersey for our country’s freedom. New Jersey is and always will be one of the thirteen original Colonies that shaped our Great Country. Also this boat symbolizes the very long history of the brave Men and Woman that have laced the boots, but on a uniform, stood watch in a fox hole somewhere in the world, jumped out of air planes, flew choppers in Vietnam to save our wounded, to live so bravely at the bottom of oceans all over the world, to live in prisoner of war camps, to eat old sea rations, drink muddy water out of canteens, to fight in the snows of the battle of the Bulge, or the scale up fingers on the mountains of Korea, to bravely fight in the heat and jungles of Vietnam or the Deserts of the Mideast, OR our brave Astronauts  that fly in outer space. And let us not forget the close to 85,000 MIA still not home yet.

So, USS New Jersey you are carrying on a tradition of Victory, Love of Country, Love of fellow man, and most important you are the new sign that will continue to bring peace to the United States and the world. I am so proud of all of you on the New Jersey.

General, three months after the call from Governor Murphy I get a call from Navy Veteran Peter Engelman. Pete is the Chairman for the Commissioning Committee for the Sub.  Pete and I spoke and we decided that we would do a radio show every four or five weeks on the Welcome Home Show. This was done for a few reasons. One reason was to educate our public on Subs and their importance. Another reason was to keep our public informed on the status of the boat. But for me it was to meet and speak to many past and present members that served on a sub and get some kind of understanding what their job is, what sacrifices they make for our freedom. Very young sailors that are so intelligent and have so many responsibilities on their minds and shoulders. After three years of meeting and speaking to these sailors I can guarantee all that we are in the Best of hands.

After three years of many interviews with Pete Engelman, Navy Captain Timi Lindsey, on the Committee, and Navy Mom and part of the Committee Julian Dod, Trustee.  Thank you all for everything. I have learned so much from all of you.

Three years of meeting and speaking with sub sailors has made me a better person, I hope. Well after three years the week arrives for the Sub to be Commissioned at Naval Weapons Station Earl, in Middletown New Jersey.

One thing for sure, I will always remember having a surprise guest call into one of our Sub shows. The caller was Captain Steven Halle. I am telling you that I have had the honor of crossing the Delaware on Christmas Day in the Reenactment of Washington Crossing the Delaware in a Durum Boat and being at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean with Captain Steve Halle and his Submariners will stay with me forever.

During one of our conversations on the air I mentioned To Captain Halle that I would enlist for two years in the Navy if I could be assigned to his boat. Now we all know at 77 years old, and a beat-up Vietnam Veteran that would never happen to Joe Griffies. But be careful what you wish for.

My wife and I attended the GREAT COMMISSIONING Ceremony that took place Saturday morning September 14, 2024, at Naval Station Earl. Well, a couple days later after the ships commissioning, I get a call from Captain Halle, and he asked me if I would like to go for a ride. So, the very next day I arrive at the Holiday Inn, which was located near the Navy Station Earl. Also at the Holiday Inn was a team from ESPN that was going to be doing a documentary on the subs crew and life on a sub. What a bunch of great guys.

A Navy Van picked us up at the hotel. We all squeezed into this van with all the ESPN equipment. I am the lone guy in the Van wondering who all these people are. Well, as it turned out Jeremy Sharp, Voice of ESPN (Son of Dick Sharp one of the best in the sports world) and Tom Engle, Lead Producer for Sports Center on the road at ESPN and their team made me feel like I was one of them.  Let me also say, that if you want to meet great people and make great friends, go on a sub. Thank you Tom and Jeremy, I will never forget you guys.

Well General, we are now on the Sub. We are being escorted by a couple of tugs to get us out of the channel and out to sea. All this is new, and I did not know what to expect. So, I just followed and listened. Soon we hear the great sound DIVE, DIVE, DIVE, and the horn sound. We all know from watching movies what those words and sound mean.

Well shortly after arriving on board the new USS New Jersey, we are not only moving but are on our way under the Ocean. What an experience. I must say that at no time was I ever concerned about my safety, returning to the top of the ocean, or anything that could harm me. Let me tell everyone that the Officers and Crew of the USS New Jersey are the best. Young sailors or submariners as they like to be called, are so good at their jobs it is hard to describe.  The 100 men and 28 woman make up the crew.

General Satterfield, I have never witnessed the comradery and friendship on top of the ocean that I witnessed under the ocean. Everyone works as a team. No male, No female, no R or D, no color. Just submariners doing their job at the bottom of the ocean working long hours to keep a world free. Many of these submariners are very young. I mean early twenties or even late teens. But are they happy and great at their jobs. One thing is sad to say, that people that work at McDonalds and Wendys make a lot more money.

The Officers on the USS New Jersey I would go to war with any of them any time. If you want to see leadership at its best go on The USS New Jersey. Starting with Commander Steve Halle, XO Andrew Hutchison LT Commander and Master Chief Joseph A. Calhoun. You guys are the best. Thanks for the invite and hats and challenge coins. I will never forget you guys.

And finally, what did I learn from three days on top of the ocean and under it?

1.  We have the best Navy in the World. No one comes close.

2.  Yes, the food on a sub is great and plentiful.

3.  The USS New Jersey is the only place on earth you can have a Mister Softy machine next door to the Torpedo Room.

4.  Everything, and I mean everything, on a sub is tight. Not one inch of the ship is not used – weapons, spare parts, storage of food. For example, the galley consists of seven tables and benches bolted to the floor. The first morning while sitting at a table having coffee a submariner asked me to stand up. I got up and he lifted the lid of the long bench I was sitting on so he could get a few Powerbars that were stored there. Popcorn and other treats are stored in all the benches that we sat on to eat our great meals.

5.  Bathrooms are tight and shared. Kind of what I grew with up on Raymond St in Phila. growing up in a rowhome with my Mom, Dad, Brother and 4 Sisters. Thanks Raymond Street for prepping me for the USS New Jersey!

6.  The “Hi Fives,” loyalty, comraderies, sharing you showed and taught me. I have trouble finding words to describe it. USS NEW JERSEY CREW YOU ARE THE BEST!!

7.  The “Happy Birthday” Captain and Crew you sang to my wife, Colleen, on her birthday.

8.  I want to thank the boats doc for helping me with my claustrophobia.  And most of all, THANK YOU to The Captain Steve Halle, Crew, Commissioning Committee, Governor and First Lady, and my wife Colleen. And a really big thanks to the people of New Jersey for all the donations to the boat, for making this dream come true.

General Satterfield, being in an environment that I was not familiar with soon left me, and here is why:

My first night on board, after a long day of hanging around with the ESPN guys, I went to my berth. My room consisted of bunk beds three-high  on each side of a very small room .  It was around midnight and I got a little anxiety and claustrophobic. I got up and went down the hallway to use the bathroom and I saw a sign on the wall saying CAPEMAY with an arrow pointing under the sign. I knew right away I was home but just a little under the water.

Thanks All

Joe

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Please read my books:

1. “55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon (link here).
2. “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).