For the Navy veteran from Fort Dodge, being present at the commissioning of the new submarine USS Iowa was well worth the long journey. He described it as an “amazing opportunity.”

He struggles to find ways to describe what it was like to see the 377-foot long submarine in the water, secured to a pier.

“I don’t have the words for it — it’s amazing and impressive,” he said.

The process of getting to the commissioning ceremony in Groton, Connecticut, began long before Larson loaded up his vehicle for the trip.

-Submitted photo
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, shown on a screen during the commissioning ceremony for the USS Iowa, was one of the speakers for the April 5 event in Groton, Connecticut.

He said a commissioning ceremony committee sent an email to veterans organizations months ago, inviting people to apply for a chance to go to the event. He filled out an application and then waited for months before learning that he had made a short list of people eligible to attend. After making the short list, he had to pass a background check. Finally, he was approved to attend.

He and another veteran from Minnesota left for Connecticut on April 2.

On April 3, he attended a reception in Connecticut catered by an Iowa restaurant.

On April 4, he attended a Submarine Veterans Association dinner catered by a restaurant from Cedar Rapids.

The main event was on April 5. It was held near the pier where the USS Iowa was tied up.

“There was a lot of pomp and circumstance to it,” Larson said.

A Navy band played. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, various Navy officers, and the chief executive officer of Electric Boat Co., which made the submarine, spoke.

He said an order was given to bring the submarine to life. At that point the crew hustled aboard and raised flags and the submarine’s periscopes.

After the ceremony, visitors could tour parts of the submarine, including the helm, where the boat is steered; the torpedo room; bunk areas; and the place where the crew eats.

Visitors could also dine on Iowa State Fair food, such as pork chops on sticks.

Larson described the trip and the commissioning ceremony as “an opportunity of a lifetime.”

He arrived back home in Fort Dodge at 2 a.m. Monday, after driving 1,324 miles in 19 hours.