March - April Newsletter Posted

The March – April issue of the Dolphin Brotherhood has been posted to the Seattle Base website.

This issue has information about the upcoming Smokey Point Rest Stop event, another possible fundraising opportunity, and a request for a volunteer to be the chairman for the base’s Tolling ceremony, along with the usual base news, upcoming events, and other submarine related articles.

Hardcopies of the newsletter will go out this weekend. I hope you all enjoy it.

As always, don't forget to check back here for base updates and other articles of interest. You can find old issues of the newsletter at: Dolphin Brotherhood Archives, which is also a link on the right side of the blog.

Dave Schueler
Seattle Base Newsletter Editor

February Meeting Notes

We started off the February meeting with the Tolling of the Boats, birthday wishes for our members, introductions, and officer reports.

During the Treasurer's Report, Jim Harper let us know that Seattle Base members donated $1,494 to the USSVI Charitable Fund in 2012 and because of the donation matching that Seattle Base has in place (the base matches donations up to $750) he sent a check for $750 to the fund.

We took a group photo (see below) to send to the memorial ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the loss of USS Thresher (SSN-593). We also talked about the people we knew that served on Thresher and the impact of the SubSafe program. The memorial ceremony will be held on April 6 and will be broadcast on the Internet. The link to watch the ceremony live will be provided soon.

Seattle Base Thresher memorial photo

Old and New Business
2013 Holiday Luncheon Plans - While we enjoyed the luncheons at the Seattle Yacht Club, we decided to go to a different venue for the 2013 luncheon. We voted to make arrangements with Anthony's HomePort restaurant in Kirkland for this year. We are tentatively planning on holding the luncheon on December 14. But it is still early and the date might change.

Veteran's Appreciation Day - We have been looking for other fund raising opportunities and are thinking about taking the base float up to the Calbela's Tulalip store for the area Veteran's Appreciation Day on April 12. The main problem is that the 12th is a Friday, and we need people to help tow the float and man it during the day to accept donations. If you would like to help out with this event, please contact Base Commander Doug Abramson or any of the other base officers. There will be other veterans groups there too, so it should be a lot of fun.

Silent Service Motorcycle Club Changes - Bob Opple let up know that the Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC) has decided to change how chapters are named. They will switch from regional names to naming the chapters after lost boats. The Cascade Chapter will become the Thresher Chapter, representing both SS-200 and SSN-593.

Chairman Needed for Tolling Ceremony - Base Commander Doug Abramson reminded us that Bob Opple will not be able to continue as the Chairman for the Tolling of the Boats ceremony. The Tolling ceremony is important for our creed and we need someone to step-up to take over the position. Bob has set things up so it will be easy to run and most of the setup work for the 2013 ceremony is already done. If you are interested in the position or have more questions, please contact Doug or any of the other Base officers. You will have lots of help and support from the rest of the base.

Smokey Point Rest Stop Event - We want to remind you that the Smokey Point event is back for 2013. This year we drew the southbound rest stop on June 28 - July 1. Be sure to mark the dates on your calendar. Steve Shelton will be looking for volunteers to man the coffee booth soon.

Other Fund Raising Opportunities - Seattle Base is on the lookout for more fund raising ideas. The hope is that if we can raise some more money, we can plan more events. If you have some ideas for what we can do, please contact Base Commander Doug Abramson or any of the other Base officers.

February Presentation 

Base member Darin Detwiler

The February presentation was by base member Darin Detwiler on food safety and regulations. Darin covered the history of food safety in the United States and his own involvement in working to make the food system safer for everyone. He also talked about the local E. Coli outbreak in 1993 and how he became involved in food safety due to the loss of his son Riley to the outbreak. It was an interesting and informative presentation by someone that cares deeply about the issue.

Binnacle List 
Gene Posel is still dealing with the effects of a torn back muscle.

Robbie Robertson reported that his cancer is not spreading and his doctor told him the recent drug therapy may be shrinking his prostate

Bob Harris Memorial Service

The memorial service for Seattle Base and Holland Club member Bob Harris will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the Lynnwood Elks Lodge, 6620 196th St SW. The service will start a 12 (noon). (Click here for a map)

All submarine veterans are invited to attend.

Bob’s ashes will be spread on Puget Sound later in the day.

February Meeting Reminder

The next Seattle Base meeting is this coming Wednesday, February 20.

We will meet at VFW Post #2995 (4330 148th Ave N.E., Redmond WA 98052). Social hour starts at 6 PM with business meeting at 7PM. Don't forget to review the previous meeting minutes, you can find them here on the blog or on the Seattle Base website, just click the Minutes button on the left.

We will be discussing several upcoming events, such as Cabela’s, Veterans Appreciation Day, and USS Thresher 50 years later. We would like to have a good turn out to help discuss all these events.

Hope to see you there!

Doug Abramson
Seattle Base Commander

News from around the Region

Here are a few submarine and veteran news items from around the area that you might have missed.

Secretary of the Navy Names USS Washington 

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee delivers his remarks celebrating the naming of the Navy's next Virginia-class submarine, USS Washington (SSN 787), at the Port of Seattle Headquarters Building at Pier 69. Inslee joined Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus in thanking the people of Seattle for their support and contributions to the Navy and discussing the special bond that exists between a state and its namesake vessel. Note WDR4 Commander John Mansfield can also be seen at the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo)

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Honorable Ray Mabus, attended a ship naming ceremony in Seattle at the Port of Seattle in front of guests who included the Governor of the State of Washington, Jay Inslee, on Feb. 7, 2013.

"I am really happy to be in Washington, such a strong Navy partner," said Mabus. "It's very fitting that we welcome Washington back into our fleet after a long absence. Today we celebrate that the next nuclear powered submarine, SSN-787, will be named USS Washington."

"It wasn't until the beginning of the 20th century that a ship was named after the state," said Mabus. "There has not been a Washington in our fleet since the battleship USS Washington left service after WWII. I am very happy to correct that today."

Virginia-class attack submarines are nuclear powered, fast attack subs designed to operate in shallow coastal regions, while maintaining the capacity for open ocean submarine warfare.

"Like others in her class the USS Washington will be indispensable to the Navy's increased role in our new defense strategy," said Mabus.

Following the SECNAV's speech, Inslee spoke on the importance of USS Washington and her namesake. "This is a Navy state, a Navy state by tradition," said Inslee. "I want to thank the U.S. Navy and its leadership for being great partners with Washington State."

USS Washington (SSN 787) is currently under construction in Newport News, Va. and is slated to join the fleet in 2016.

"The men and women who serve on board this submarine represent your state and will be in parts of the world where they will be the only Americans many people will ever see," said Mabus. "Your namesake will ply the waters of the globe, giving others the chance to see what the Navy can do and what Washington means to the Navy and the country."

Freedom Heroes Program 

Freedom Heroes Program founder Alyssa Lynhart and retiring WA Dept. of Veterans Affairs leader John Lee

When I attended the state of Washington's VFW mid winter conference last month, I had the honor to meet Alyssa Lynhart, Founder of the Freedom Heroes Program. She displayed the new flag and provided highlights of efforts to enlist nationwide support through all veterans groups.

You can read more about the program on their website (http://www.freedomheroesusa.com/).

The mission statement is designed to "Encourage flying the Freedom Heroes flag expressing appreciation, respect, gratitude, and to honor all men and women who have served and are serving in the military to protect and defend our nation and preserve our way of life."

I took the above photo of Alyssa with John Lee, retiring Department of Veterans Affairs for the state of Washington. Feel free to share as you see fit.

Fraternally,
John Mansfield
WRD/WRD4 Commander

2013 USSVI Senior members 

Shipmates,

In 2008, as part of the USSVI Constitution & Bylaws rewrite a new USSVI member class was added, the USSVI Senior Member.

USSVI Constitution, ARTICLE VIII- Membership Dues
Section 5: Those members with 35 years of continuous membership in USSVI shall be classed as Senior Members, be publicly recognized and considered Life Members for national dues purposes if they are still annual dues members.

It is with great pleasure for me to introduce to you the 2013 Class of Senior Members:

• Gerald F. Artz Long Island Base 
• John W. Baker Twin Lakes Base 
• Michael H. Cosgrove Long Island Base 
• R Michael Hagerman Groton Base 
• James A. Hunnicutt Drum Base 
• Charles E. Marin San Diego Base 

Congratulations shipmates for your dedication and loyalty of 35 years continuous membership in USSVI. You are a shining example for your shipmates in USSVI. We now award you the Title of Senior Member and a Life Membership in USSVI.

Each new Senior Member will be receiving a Letter from the National Commander and a USSVI Senior Member Certificate to be given out at an upcoming Base Meeting. Any Senior Member from past years who did not get a USSVI Senior Member Certificate can get one by sending his name and address to the NJVC at al@ssbn657.com or my home address listed in the American Submariner.

Again Congratulations to the 2013 Class of Senior members.
Pride Runs Deep,

Al Singleman,Jr
NJVC & National Membership Chairman

Eternal Patrol: Bob Harris

Seattle Base and Holland Club member Robert (Bob) Harris departed on Eternal Patrol on February 1, 2013.

Bob joined the Navy in 1955 and qualified on USS Raton in 1957. He left the Navy in 1959 as a QM-3. Bob was also a Plankowner for Seattle USSVI Base.

Bob's family is planning a memorial in the near future. We will let you know more as we get the information. Sailor, rest your oar.