On Saturday, December 15th, World War II submarine veterans, USSVI submarine veterans, family, and guests met at the Seattle Yacht Club for our Joint Holiday Luncheon. The weather was chilly and rainy (a typical Seattle December day), but the Seattle Yacht Club was warm and inviting.
We set up in the Seattle Yacht Club’s Ward Room, which overlooks the yacht basin and Portage Bay. We started with some social time that gave us all a chance to peruse the submarine memorabilia on display and to catch up on the exploits of our shipmates since our last gathering.
Then it was on to lunch, our annual toasts, and presentations. Charlie Ryan read his submarine version of the Night before Christmas and Bob Opple gave a nice speech about Christmas past and the submarine force. Then Base Commander Doug Abramson presented the Shipmate of the Year Award to Jim Harper and Karl ‘Dutch’ Krompholz for their work on refurbishing the Seattle Base float. Pat Householder read the list of Seattle Base members and associates on Eternal Patrol, while Base COB Ralph Sterley rang the bell in remembrance. The day concluded with a piano performance by Lei-Lah Smith that included the Navy Hymn and God Bless America.
It was another fine event coordinated by our favorite NQP Charlie Ryan, and Jim Harper. Thanks to Doug and Connie Abramson who provided corsages for the ladies and everyone else who helped out with the luncheon. On a side note, we decided to postpone the raffle drawing for the plaque, since most of us forgot to bring our raffle tickets. So, you still have an opportunity to get in on the drawing at the next meeting.
It is always good to see all of our shipmates and enjoy the holiday season with them. I hope you enjoy the photos from the event and if you have photos you would like to share from the Holiday Luncheon, please e-mail them to me or talk with me at the January meeting and I will add them to the blog.
Ric Hedman and Patti Lynn set up to sell drink tickets
Some of the items on the memorabilia table
Eric Muller brought a couple photos from when he received his Dolphins
Charlie Ryan helping out with name tags and drink tickets
Ben and Dori Harrison
Bill and Diane Giese
Bob Opple
Bob and Peggy Vanderway
Dave and Lynn Schueler
Dick and Fran Gonzales
Don and Rachel Dufor
Dorthy Holman and Gloria Christopher
Doug and Connie Abramson
Eric and Sherry Muller
Gloria Christopher and Ron Alfonso
Adm Horton and Lei-Lah Smith
Jay and Miri Davis
Looks like someone brought a little mistletoe while we were taking the photos
Jim Harper and Marilynn Birdsall
Jim and Barb Davis
Karl and Linda Peterson
Lois Mezek and Sam Ronnie
Pat Householder and Andrea Geisler
Ralph Sterley and Jean Mcnamara
Ric Hedman and Patti Lynn
Robbie and Terry Robertson with daughters Sue Greenfeld and Amy Wade
Schell and Av Harmon
Steve and Lynda Shelton
Tim Floersch
Robbie Robertson and Charlie Ryan
Dave Schueler and John McKeon
A little visiting before lunch
A different view of the SYC wardroom
Time to eat, a nice view of the salmon lunch
Charlie Ryan giving his rendition of The Night Before Christmas
Bob Opple giving his speech
Base Commander Doug Abramson presenting the Shipmate of the Year award to Jim Harper
Shipmate of the Year Jim Harper
Pat Householder reads the list of those on Eternal Patrol
While Ralph Sterley tolls the bell
Lei-Lah Smith provided some piano music for our gathering
Andrea Geisler gives the benediction, ending the gathering for another year
Don't forget to get your raffle tickets for the plaque
Since we don't have a business meeting this month, here are some notes and reminders for December.
Holiday Luncheon
Our annual Joint Holiday Lunch, at the Seattle Yacht Club, is set for next Saturday (December 15). Have you made your reservations yet?
Seattle Yacht Club
Seating is limited, and you don't want to be left out. This is the last year that we will have the lunch at the Seattle Yacht Club, so don't miss out!
If you have any questions, contact Jim Harper at: (206) 660-6012
Additionally, the base is raffling off the 14" x 14" canvas reproduction of the USSVI Memorial plaque.
Raffle Prize
You can purchase tickets for the drawing for $1 each or 6 for $5. The drawing will be held at the Holiday Luncheon. If you are interested in getting tickets, contact Base Commander Doug Abramson.
Don't forget to check back in a couple weeks for photos from the luncheon.
Holiday Message from USSVI National Commander T. Michael Bircumshaw
Shipmates,
Thank you for your service to our country and thank you for being a member of USSVI. I wish each and every one of you the very best of the year end holidays from Hanukkah to Kwanza to a very Merry Christmas and to all of you a Happy New Year.
Please keep a thought and a prayer for all of our shipmates, both near and far and take time to call one or more of them during this family time.
Your contributions to your family, your community and your country are genuinely appreciated.
Thanks for the holidays you spent riding the surface, snorkeling, playing tag with the Kilos and Tangos or making 5 knots waiting for the next WSRT. You have and continue to make a difference.
Fraternally,
Michael
Army - Navy Game Spirit Video
Congratulations to Navy on their 11th straight victory in the annual Army - Navy game and for capturing the Commander-in-Chief's trophy. For those of you that didn't get a chance to see the Submarine Force Spirit video, we've embedded it below (or you can see it at this link):
The November meeting was held one week earlier than normal due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We started off the meeting with the Tolling of the Boats for November and December, birthday wishes for our members, introductions and officer reports.
We then saw some photos of the Royal Navy's newest submarine, HMS Ambush, and got a short description of the Astute class submarines. Thanks to Dick Gonzales for sharing links to this information.
HMS Ambush underway
Old and New Business New Base Raffle - The base is raffling off the 14" x 14" canvas reproduction of the USSVI Memorial plaque that we received at last month's meeting. You can purchase tickets for the drawing for $1 each or 6 for $5. The drawing will be held at the Holiday Luncheon. If you are interested in getting tickets, contact Base Commander Doug Abramson.
This year's raffle prize
Auburn Veterans Day Parade – We had a good turnout for the parade with members from Seattle, Bremerton and South Sound Bases showing up for the parade. It was a sunny, but cold day for the parade and the crowd was bundled up for the parade. You can see photos from the parade at the end of this post.
Membership Dues - If you are on the annual membership plan, it is time to look at paying your dues. Please contact Jim Harper to pay your dues or if you have questions.
Seattle Base Elections - Base elections are coming up in January. Our base needs men like you to stand for the necessary positions to keep the base running, and we want to invite you to throw your name in the ring for one of the Base Officer positions. Even if you aren’t ready to be a Base Officer, you can still help out as one of the committee chairs or appointed officers for the base. Committee chairs and appointed officers are really needed to handle the necessary base functions that make our base valuable to us all. Please consider stepping up for an officer or committee position.
2013 Calendars - The USSVI 2013 calendars are available. The calendar, titled "The Victors", honors the World War II U.S. submariners and their boats. You get your copy from the Seattle Base ship's store or you can order your copy directly from the USSVI National Storekeeper.
December Meeting Reminder - We will not be having a meeting in December, but we hope to see all of you at the Holiday Luncheon.
Upcoming Events Holiday Luncheon - We will have our annual Holiday Luncheon at the Seattle Yacht Club on Saturday, December 15. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar. It is always a fun time and this will probably be the last year we will be at the Seattle Yacht Club. You can find the registration form in the currnet issue of the newsletter (see the link on the right side of the page) or you can download a copy by clicking this link.
Veterans Day Photos
Here is a video Ric Hedman took before the parade.
We are United States Submarine Sailors! We were, and are, members of the elite fighting force of the United States Navy. We are all QUALIFIED IN SUBMARINES.
