Clubhouse

Duo’s adventure far from sub-par

Dan Connolly and Greg Landers of the San Jose, California, Kiwanis club did something few civilians have done: They took a ride aboard the USS Helena attack class submarine.

Greg Landers (left) and Dan Connolly enjoy their ride aboard the USS Helena attack class submarine.

“The opportunity was a surprise,” notes Greg. “Because of its support of the USS Phoenix Commission, the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, Arizona, was given two tickets for a VIP underwater cruise aboard the USS Helena. My father, Matt Landers, a member of the Tempe club, bought several raffle tickets and won, but at 89 years of age, he doubted he could go. They don’t have many wheelchair accommodations about US submarines.

“On the other hand, I’m a 23-year retired US Navy captain who flew anti-submarine warfare patrol planes, so he gave me the two tickets and I invited Dan to join me.”

As part of the small group of “distinguished visitors,” Dan and Greg not only toured the submarine, Greg notes, but spent a full day at sea, in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego.