Recently a group of Cub Scouts from Austin, Texas participated in a sleepover on the World War II submarine Cavalla, located at Seawolf Park, in Galveston, Texas.
The entire group, adults and youngsters alike, were treated to a recounting of the Cavallas first war patrol by Ernest “Zeke” Zellmer, Captain, USN, Ret.
Zeke was a junior officer on the Cavalla when, on her maiden war patrol, she torpedoed and sank the first large Japanese aircraft carrier sunk by a US submarine in WWII. This particular carrier, the Shokaku, was one of the carriers that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
A couple of comments from the attendees: “It sounded really scary” and “It was cool to meet someone who was actually on the submarine when it was active” and also “It was inspiring to hear the stories from Zeke and the commitment made to protect our country.”
for every Zeke there's another that didn't make it back. We must continue to remember those that sacrificed their lives in defense of our country so that we can enjoy the liberties we oftentimes take for granted"
The scouts and leaders had a great time and promised to come back and visit the Cavalla in the future.
I guarantee you, if you work with the groups doing these sleepovers and participate in them, you will have enjoyed every moment of it and provided an understanding to some young soul of what it means to be a submariner and why they were and are important to this nation.