Joe Jaap, President, Submarine Cincinnati Memorial Assoc., U.S. Navy Veteran

The View 1071 Celestial St. Cincinnati, OH 45202

Join us on Thursday, November 5, 2026, for a special Veterans Day Celebration LUNCH (12:00-1:30pm) meeting at The View (1071 Celestial St, 45202), for a program with Joe Jaap, President, Submarine Cincinnati Memorial Assoc., U.S. Navy Veteran.


A Cincinnati native, Jaap earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Purdue University, where he received his commission as a Naval officer through Navy ROTC. He went on to serve six years on active duty as a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare–Nuclear Power Officer, serving aboard nuclear-powered Navy ships, including a submarine, cruiser and aircraft carrier. Following his military service, he worked as an engineer before earning his law degree from the University of Michigan and beginning a career as a Cincinnati attorney.

For more than two decades, Jaap has led the effort to preserve the legacy of the USS Cincinnati (SSN-693), the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine that served the United States from 1978 to 1996. His vision ultimately became the USS Cincinnati Cold War Memorial Peace Pavilion at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester. The full-size representation incorporates approximately 100 tons of authentic components from the USS Cincinnati and honors the sailors who served aboard her, as well as the role America’s submarine force played in preserving peace during the Cold War.

After more than 25 years of work by Jaap and his fellow supporters, the Peace Pavilion officially opened in May 2026. Today, the memorial combines military history with educational exhibits and STEM learning while carrying forward a simple but powerful message: “Peace Is Our Purpose.”

For our Veterans Day program, Jaap will share the story of the USS Cincinnati, the extraordinary effort to bring portions of the historic submarine home to Greater Cincinnati, and the importance of preserving the stories and sacrifices of the men and women who have served our nation.

RSVPs are required to attend, whether you are eating lunch or not, so if you would like to attend, please click HERE by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 30, 2026, or contact [email protected]. If you are not a current member of the Rotary Club of Cincinnati, please note lunches are $30, and payment will be collected at the door via cash, check, or credit card.  Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Meal Choices – 

Regular Entrée: Grilled Pork Chop w/Wild Rice Pilaf, Broccoli & Mustard Cream Sauce.

Salad Entrée: Chef Salad w/Ham, Turkey, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Cheddar & Honey Mustard Dressing.

Vegetarian Entrée: Fried Tofu w/Sichuan Sauce, Basmati Rice & Garlic Ginger Green Beans.