The Decommissioning Ceremony took place the afternoon of 25 July 2025
at the U.S.Naval Undersea Museum at Keyport, Washington.

During his remarks, Commander Jones noted that in the audience were:

Jim McNamee, CA-75, Past President
and
Descendants of two men who were on the CL-50:

Wallace Barnette, Plankowner
His children :
Harold ( Co-Chaplain USS Helena Organization) ,
Carolyn, and Neatha

S1c Kenneth Eugene Graff
His son Douglas Graff Comella
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Following the Ceremony there was a reception at the
Horse and Cow Pub in Bremerton.
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Tours of the USS HELENA ( SSN 725 )
were given all day Saturday and Sunday morning
at the Puget Sound Navy Yard.

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Comments from Harold Barnette:

In my way of thinking, I consider our presence as a means of
honoring those who served on the SSN 725.

Also, by attending the ceremony, we were saying that,
as is the case with all of life’s challenges,
we recognize the need for all types of efforts—including the service of submarines.

The tour of the SSN 725 certainly gave me a
greater appreciation of submariners.

I received words of appreciation from several SSN 725
members for our attendance at the decommissioning.

In sum, our representation was a statement of appreciation for the service of
SSN 725 crews
and gratitude for SSN 725 members continuing the work
of the USS HELENA ORGANIZATION.


This preserves the association of the name “HELENA”
with navy history and tradition.

used with permission