2012 Holiday Luncheon Photos

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