The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, July 5, 1995                TAG: 9506290026
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   38 lines

HAVE COMPASSION FOR GROTON

Born and raised in Groton, Conn., my heart goes out to the people there. A recent article brought into focus the struggle my hometown is going through. Electric Boat, ``E.B.,'' really is about generations of families - grandfathers (like both of mine), sons, daughters and cousins - all working to build the best submarines in the world.

I sense the uncertainty in my sister's voice during our phone calls. Her husband has worked at E.B. for many years and is skilled in his work. But his job could end, and hers at a local credit union.

Newport News has the capacity and skills to build other ships as well as submarines. The workers of Newport News Shipbuilding have for years overhauled and maintained existing ships within the Navy's arsenal. Routinely, this has resulted in a ``bigger piece of the pie'' for this area. However, when it comes to submarines, Groton produced these fighting ships long before Newport News. Can you really blame Groton for trying to hang on to its lifeblood?

My husband, a career submariner, and I often find ourselves discussing the future of the submarine service. After 12 years in this community and watching the endless lay-offs, hiring freezes and pay cuts, I urge the people of Virginia to search for even the smallest trace of compassion for this small city trying to survive.

It saddens me to know that if Electric Boat shuts down, a huge part of Groton will too. The community that I so deeply cherish, the one my family is so much a part of, will disappear along with countless hopes and dreams.

ANGELA M. RILEY

Virginia Beach, June 26, 1995 by CNB