Crew from the USS Santa Fe Visit Memorial Day Weekend

The City of Santa Fe and the USS Santa Fe Committee are hosting a visit of ten crewmembers from the 52^nd Los Angeles class fast attack nuclear-powered submarine, also dubbed the USS Santa Fe (SSN-763), over Memorial Day weekend. The group arrives tomorrow and has a full schedule of events in the capitol city including: a service day at Kitchen Angels, Plaza Monument cleanup, attending a Fuego baseball game, volunteering to place flags at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and crewmembers will also participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The USS Santa Fe Committee spearheaded the visit by holding several fundraising activities to pay for the crew to visit the city their ship is named after. The USS Santa Fe is a Los Angeles class nuclear attack submarine based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii lead by Commander Timothy Poe who will be accompanying the crewmembers. The submarine was commissioned in 1994.

The USS Santa Fe (CL-60), a Cleveland-class light cruiser, was the first ship in the United States Navy to be named for our city when it was launched June 10, 1942. We take pride in knowing that the sailors on this ship played a crucial role in the events leading up to World War II, and continued to defend our country throughout the war. The USS Santa Fe eventually was decommissioned in October 29, 1946.

The original bell and wheel that were attached to the steering rudder, the production sign from the New York Shipbuilding Co. of Camden, New Jersey, and the ship's compass are on display at the Marcy Street entrance to City Hall.

Below is a summary of some of the highlights of the USS Santa Fe crewmember’s agenda:

Wednesday, May 22^nd           Crew Arrives

Thursday, May 23^rd               Service Day 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at:

                                                Kitchen Angels (provides free meals to homebound residents)

1222 Siler Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507

Friday, May 24^th                     Santa Fe National Cemetery - post 14,000 flags on graves

Saturday, May 25^th                San Ildefonso Pueblo Feast Day 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 26^th         Fuegos Baseball Game Tailgate Party, Fort Marcy Park – 3:00 p.m.

Game 6:00 p.m. The president of St. John's College will throw out the first pitch, Commander Poe will catch. Tickets are $6.

Monday, May 27^th      Memorial Day, ceremony at Santa Fe National Cemetery 10:00 a.m.