The Bonefish Parade Float

Bonefish, The Parade Float

History

In 1982, Lockwood Chapter WWII Subvet Ken Martinson designed and constructed the Bonefish conning tower at his home on Camino Island. A rented flat bed trailer was used to make Bonefish’s first show in the 1982 Auburn Veterans Day Parade. WWII Subvet and USSVI Bremerton Base Holland Club, National & base Life member Paul Christofferson gave his home made trailer up for a permanent carriage for Bonefish.

WWII Subvet Howard Bryson improved, maintained and towed the Bonefish in many parades around Western Washington. In 1997, WWII Subvet and USSVI Seattle Base Holland Club, National & Base Life member John Baker and USSVI Bremerton Base Holland Club, National & Base life member Jim Foote moved the Bonefish into the Granite Falls High School shop for an overhaul arranged by WWII Subvets State Commander Ed Kichgessner.

Upkeep of the float was then taken on by USSVI Bremerton Base. In 2002, the NW CPOA took on maintenance and installed a cover to keep Bonefish dry. In 2007, a complete overhaul of the float was conducted by the Bangor IMF First Class Petty Officers Association under direction of the NW CPOA.

Coming out of that overhaul, USSVI Associate life member Sam Swenson took responsibility for maintenance and improvements. New electrical wiring and rear fold up steps have been installed. A PA system was purchased for audio character. Other improvements are forth coming as preparations were made for the 2008 parades and future events.

In the fall of 2013, Sam added more detail to the parade float. Sam manufactured the bulwark that surround the bridge deck. He made scale models of a 40-mm machine gun on the cigarette deck (aft) and a 20-mm machine gun forward.

Sam has continued to make improvements and maintain Bonefish in tip top condition!

From whence we came!

In the Summer of 2020, under the leadership of Past Base Commander Steve Corcoran, the Base undertook a two year project to replace the float, which had become worn out from use and time. Over the course of more than a year (despite the challenges of COVID-19), the new float was constructed to the original specs and appearance, to maintain the salute to the USS Bonefish SS-223, lost during world War II.

The new float was commissioned on April 9, 2022 and regularly appears at five area parades as well as Veterans Events and the famed Bangor Trunk or Treat event, which has become a major Base event.

On May 10, 2025, the Float won the “Most Patriotic Entry” award for the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade, utterly defeating the US Marines to receive the coveted ribbon.

The float is currently maintained by the Float Manager, Mike Friend. Any questions can be directed to him or to the current Base Commander, Ileene Davis.