Shipmates,
To say we don’t have a full agenda this year would be an understatement. Public venues like Cabala’s (make sure you contact Doug Abramson by email or phone (360-652-9709) if you want to help out with the April 5 & 6 event), Auburn Veterans Day Parade, and Tahoma take a good deal of planning and commitment. To those mates that help to make this happen we thank you.
That said, we are exploring new ways to serve our communities while at the same time growing our Base and expanding public awareness.
As you know we are in the process of organizing our first Base picnic. A good number of members have signed up in what promises to be a memorable event and one we can repeat every year. The picnic will be held at a local Sate Park yet to be determined. If you haven’t had a chance to sign up yet you have plenty of time although early planning gives us an opportunity to make sure we have reservations for the number of attendees at the Park of our choice.
I want to acknowledge and welcome new members to our Base. They are: Earl Greening (re-joining), Christopher LeBlanc, Vincent Ethier, and last month Patrick J McGrady, sponsored by our own Fred Ensslin. We hope you will find this to be an active and progressive Base, one you can relate to, support, and take pride of our unique “Brotherhood”
The tragic Oso landslide event this month brings focus not only on the victims, but the vast array of first responders, volunteers, donors, and supporters from our area and the entire country for that matter; It’s our country at it’s best. In that context, we are most fortunate to have amongst our ranks several people who volunteer their time and energies on behalf of the community in which they live. These are modest individuals who seek no accolades or recognition. They quietly go about their business sometimes humanitarian in nature in service to others. What better testimony of generosity and commitment do we have than by the example set by these members?
They know who they are and as Commander of this base I believe I speak for all when I say: “Job Well Done” we are proud to have you as shipmates and thank you for your service.
Finally, I want to a preview of the program for our April meeting. The program will be on the Maritime History of Puget Sound, but Richard Blumenthal. Mr. Richard Blumenthal an accomplished speaker and historian and has accepted our invitation to speak at our next meeting. Richard’s lifelong passion is researching the early exploration and history of our inland waterways. His account of what Puget Sound looked like 150 to 200 years ago staring with early English explorers will fascinate you.
Richard's first nautical experience at age five was with a homemade dingy on Lake Washington and later learned the secrets of numerous islands while cruising the regions waterways. Richards’s work includes the “Early Exploration of Inland Washington Waters” and “Maritime Place Names Inland Washington Waters."
I recently had the privilege of being Jay Davis’ guest at Meydenbauer Yacht Club were I met Richard. He is a delightful and well-informed individual, I know you will enjoy his presentation.
I hope to see you at the meeting on April 16.
Fraternally,
Dick Gonzales
Base Commander, Seattle Base USSVI
Sunday, March 30, 2014
March 2014 Meeting Notes
We started off the March meeting with Tolling the Boats lost in March, followed by birthday wishes for our members, introductions, and officer reports.
Old and New Business:
Cabelas Event – We are planning an event at the Cabelas Tulalip store (9810 Quil Ceda Blvd Tulalip WA 98271) on April 5 and 6, between 8:30 and 9:00. We will have the base float in the parking lot both days and will need volunteers to help out. You don't have to be there all day, but every little but helps out. If you would like to help, please contact Doug Abramson by email or phone (360-652-9709) if you are interested in participating. It will be “Ladies’ Day Out" weekend, so bring the ladies out too.
Seattle VA Volunteers – The Seattle VA hospital having construction work done in and around the hospital and VA Volunteer Services is still looking for volunteers to help out our fellow veterans and their families during the major construction project at the hospital. They would like the volunteers to commit to helping out for 6 months or about 100 hours (that is around 4 hours per week). Here is a list of the priority volunteer needs.
Base Picnic – At the meeting we passed out surveys about having a base picnic sometime in July. This would be in addition to the picnic we have before the Tolling the Boats ceremony. Plans are for Seattle Base to supply the basic entrée and each of us would bring a ‘pot luck’ dish to share. Four different areas are being proposed for the picnic (click on the More Information link to learn more about the area).
Boat Sponsorship Program – Seattle Base currently provides funds to have copies of The American Submariner magazine sent to USS Henry M Jackson and USS Seawolf. Each year we have to vote to renew this expenditure. At the March meeting it was moved and passed to make this a standing budget item, so that we do not have to keep renewing it each year.
Kap(ss) 4 Kids Donations – Seattle Base Kaps 4 Kids chairman John Roberts is looking for a way to raise a little money to purchase the hats that are handed out to the kids. He has a number of Navy shipboard coffee cups that he is willing to part with for a donation to the Kaps 4 Kids fund. If you would like to buy a cup or donate some funds to the program, please contact John at the next meeting (or speak to one of the Base Officers).
March Program:
The March program was a presentation on the Nike missile system and bases around the Puget Sound area by Army veteran Doug Bristol (Doug was assisted by his son Jason, who is in the Navy and recently was serving on the carrier USS George Washington). Doug talked to us about the early days of the Cold War and the development of rockets technology and guided missiles. Nike missile installations were placed all around the United States. The missile was developed to stop Soviet nuclear armed bombers, but because of its short range (only 25 miles) and limited explosive power, it was considered more of ‘political’ defensive measure than something that would really stop the Soviets. Doug covered the good and bad aspects of the Nike system. He also talked in-depth about the building and organization of the missile site and facilities around the Cougar Mountain area. It was an interesting presentation on some Cold War and local history.
Good of the Order:
Terri Robertson sent a Thank You note to the Base, thanking us for our support.
Ervin Schmidt’s family let us know that there will be a memorial for Ervin in the summer. They will let us know the exact date as we get closer to the service.
Old and New Business:
Cabelas Event – We are planning an event at the Cabelas Tulalip store (9810 Quil Ceda Blvd Tulalip WA 98271) on April 5 and 6, between 8:30 and 9:00. We will have the base float in the parking lot both days and will need volunteers to help out. You don't have to be there all day, but every little but helps out. If you would like to help, please contact Doug Abramson by email or phone (360-652-9709) if you are interested in participating. It will be “Ladies’ Day Out" weekend, so bring the ladies out too.
Seattle VA Volunteers – The Seattle VA hospital having construction work done in and around the hospital and VA Volunteer Services is still looking for volunteers to help out our fellow veterans and their families during the major construction project at the hospital. They would like the volunteers to commit to helping out for 6 months or about 100 hours (that is around 4 hours per week). Here is a list of the priority volunteer needs.
- Parking Lot Golf Cart Shuttle Drivers: To transport Veterans and visitors who ride Metro buses from an on-campus pick-up point to and from the facility main entrance. (Because of the construction project bus routes 50 and 60 are no longer able to drive on the campus.)
- Puget Sound NaVAgators: Frontline customer services - meet and greet, provide assistance to appointments, find wheelchairs for Veterans to use during their appointments, help with check-in on the new self-service kiosks, answer questions, etc. This is considered a very mobile assignment.
- Patient Information Representatives: This assignment requires access to VA computer systems, so there is a bit more training and processing required. Because of the construction a new information desk needing to be staffed by volunteers will be located in the basement of Building 1 – where the new temporary main entrance will be located. Volunteers are expected to continue staffing the current Information Desk near the Emergency Department.
- Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) Drivers: Use a7 or 12 passenger government vehicle to transport Veterans to and from their VA facility destinations. Must have a good driving record and pass an occupational health examination. Some of these vans are based out of Seattle; others are coming in from outlying communities.
Base Picnic – At the meeting we passed out surveys about having a base picnic sometime in July. This would be in addition to the picnic we have before the Tolling the Boats ceremony. Plans are for Seattle Base to supply the basic entrée and each of us would bring a ‘pot luck’ dish to share. Four different areas are being proposed for the picnic (click on the More Information link to learn more about the area).
- Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area – North Bend (More Information)
- O.O. Denny Park – Kirkland (More Information)
- Luther Burbank Park- Mercer Island WA (More Information)
- Lake Sammamish State Park – Issaquah (More Information)
Boat Sponsorship Program – Seattle Base currently provides funds to have copies of The American Submariner magazine sent to USS Henry M Jackson and USS Seawolf. Each year we have to vote to renew this expenditure. At the March meeting it was moved and passed to make this a standing budget item, so that we do not have to keep renewing it each year.
Kap(ss) 4 Kids Donations – Seattle Base Kaps 4 Kids chairman John Roberts is looking for a way to raise a little money to purchase the hats that are handed out to the kids. He has a number of Navy shipboard coffee cups that he is willing to part with for a donation to the Kaps 4 Kids fund. If you would like to buy a cup or donate some funds to the program, please contact John at the next meeting (or speak to one of the Base Officers).
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| Remember this cup? It could be yours, just contact John Roberts |
March Program:
.JPG) |
| Doug Bristol talking about the Nike missile system |
Good of the Order:
Terri Robertson sent a Thank You note to the Base, thanking us for our support.
Ervin Schmidt’s family let us know that there will be a memorial for Ervin in the summer. They will let us know the exact date as we get closer to the service.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
March Meeting Reminder
Shipmates,
The next Seattle Base meeting is this coming Wednesday, March19.
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.
The guest speaker will be Doug Bristol, representing Redmond Historical Society. Doug will provide an overview and sometimes humorous account of Puget Sound Nike surface to air missile sites during the Cold War. Specifically he will focus on the Issaquah - Cougar Mountain Nike site. You may learn that this early anti-bomber missile system was not without some serious issues.
Additionally, we want to remind you that VA Volunteer Services is still looking for volunteers to help out our fellow veterans and their families during the major construction project at the hospital.
They would like the volunteers to commit to helping out for 6 months or about 100 hours (that is around 4 hours per week). Here is a list of the priority volunteer needs.
Parking Lot Golf Cart Shuttle Drivers: To transport Veterans and visitors who ride Metro buses from an on-campus pick-up point to and from the facility main entrance. (Because of the construction project bus routes 50 and 60 are no longer able to drive on the campus.)
Puget Sound NaVAgators: Frontline customer services - meet and greet, provide assistance to appointments, find wheelchairs for Veterans to use during their appointments, help with check-in on the new self-service kiosks, answer questions, etc. This is considered a very mobile assignment.
Patient Information Representatives: This assignment requires access to VA computer systems, so there is a bit more training and processing required. Because of the construction a new information desk needing to be staffed by volunteers will be located in the basement of Building 1 – where the new temporary main entrance will be located. Volunteers are expected to continue staffing the current Information Desk near the Emergency Department.
Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) Drivers: Use a7 or 12 passenger government vehicle to transport Veterans to and from their VA facility destinations. Must have a good driving record and pass an occupational health examination. Some of these vans are based out of Seattle; others are coming in from outlying communities.
All of these assignments occur during weekdays, generally between the hours of 7am and 5-m. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jeff Honeycutt at VA Volunteer Services: 206-277-1005.
The next Seattle Base meeting is this coming Wednesday, March19.
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.
The guest speaker will be Doug Bristol, representing Redmond Historical Society. Doug will provide an overview and sometimes humorous account of Puget Sound Nike surface to air missile sites during the Cold War. Specifically he will focus on the Issaquah - Cougar Mountain Nike site. You may learn that this early anti-bomber missile system was not without some serious issues.
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| Nike missiles near Redmond in 1955 |
Additionally, we want to remind you that VA Volunteer Services is still looking for volunteers to help out our fellow veterans and their families during the major construction project at the hospital.
They would like the volunteers to commit to helping out for 6 months or about 100 hours (that is around 4 hours per week). Here is a list of the priority volunteer needs.
Parking Lot Golf Cart Shuttle Drivers: To transport Veterans and visitors who ride Metro buses from an on-campus pick-up point to and from the facility main entrance. (Because of the construction project bus routes 50 and 60 are no longer able to drive on the campus.)
Puget Sound NaVAgators: Frontline customer services - meet and greet, provide assistance to appointments, find wheelchairs for Veterans to use during their appointments, help with check-in on the new self-service kiosks, answer questions, etc. This is considered a very mobile assignment.
Patient Information Representatives: This assignment requires access to VA computer systems, so there is a bit more training and processing required. Because of the construction a new information desk needing to be staffed by volunteers will be located in the basement of Building 1 – where the new temporary main entrance will be located. Volunteers are expected to continue staffing the current Information Desk near the Emergency Department.
Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) Drivers: Use a7 or 12 passenger government vehicle to transport Veterans to and from their VA facility destinations. Must have a good driving record and pass an occupational health examination. Some of these vans are based out of Seattle; others are coming in from outlying communities.
All of these assignments occur during weekdays, generally between the hours of 7am and 5-m. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jeff Honeycutt at VA Volunteer Services: 206-277-1005.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Eternal Patrol: Ervin Schmidt
World War II submarine veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor, Holland Club, and Seattle Base member Ervin Schmidt departed on Eternal Patrol on March 9, 2014.
Ervin joined the Navy in 1940 and was on the battleship USS California during the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor. When the crew of the damaged battleship was sent out to other ships, Ervin ended up on the heavy cruiser USS Chicago (CA-29). While on Chicago, Ervin took part in the Battle of Coral Sea, the invasion of Guadalcanal, the Battle of Savo Island, and the Battle of Rennell Island, where Chicago was sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers. After that Ervin transferred to USS Saury (SS-189) and made 4 war patrols on the sub. He was then rotated back to the US becoming a plankowner on USS Torsk (SS-423) and was on board for the final U.S. submarine torpedo attack of World War II.
Please remember Ervin’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sailor, Rest Your Oar
Please remember Ervin’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sailor, Rest Your Oar
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Robbie Robertson Memorial Service
Robert Duane “Robbie” Robertson departed this life on his Final Patrol, February 21, 2014, with no regrets or dreams unfulfilled.
All SubVets are invited to attend Robbie’s memorial service, which will be held at 1:30 PM on Thursday, March 13 2014 at Tahoma National Cemetery (18600 Southeast 240th St, Kent WA, 425-432-6516).
Because of his lifelong commitment to helping others, his wife Theresa decided to honor his memory by setting up the Robert D Robertson Memorial Scholarship fund to be given in his name. Contributions in his memory should be sent to USSV-CF, PO Box 3870, Silverdale WA 98383, marked for his Memorial Scholarship.
Robbie was born in McKeesport, PA in 1925 and grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. He joined the Navy in 1943 and placed in commission and became qualified in submarines aboard the USS Tirante in 1944, making three war patrols including the stellar first war patrol which earned the submarine a Presidential Unit Citation and Commanding Officer George L Street the Medal of Honor. He also served aboard USS Amberjack (1947-52), USS Odax (Temp Duty 1950), put USS Seawolf in commission (1955-60) and served aboard the Submarine Tender USS Nereus (1966-67). Robbie was first an Electrician Mate 2nd (SS), then changed rates to Electronics Technician 1st (SS), accepted a commission to Warrant Officer while in Nuclear Power training, and was progressively promoted up to Commander when he retired from the Navy in 1974.
One of his more memorable assignments was working for ADM Hyman G Rickover in the Naval Reactors Branch (1960-65). During this period of service, while supervising the movement of a nuclear reactor via rail, the train derailed and in spite of his injuries, he remained on duty on site for over 30 hours. His ‘Twilight Tour’ was at Bremerton Naval Shipyard from 1972-1974.
He was a Veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Conflicts, and was active in the Tahoma National Cemetery Support Group, Scottish Clan Donnachaidh Society and Seattle Highland Games Chieftain in 1998, Member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Seattle Branch #18. Past Washington State Commander and Past President & Secretary-Treasurer of the Lockwood Chapter, U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, also managing the Polaris Magazine distribution. He was a Life and Holland Club founding member of the Seattle Base of U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc and Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2995 of Bellevue, WA.
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| Robbie and Teri at the 2013 Holiday Luncheon |
Because of his lifelong commitment to helping others, his wife Theresa decided to honor his memory by setting up the Robert D Robertson Memorial Scholarship fund to be given in his name. Contributions in his memory should be sent to USSV-CF, PO Box 3870, Silverdale WA 98383, marked for his Memorial Scholarship.
Robbie was born in McKeesport, PA in 1925 and grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. He joined the Navy in 1943 and placed in commission and became qualified in submarines aboard the USS Tirante in 1944, making three war patrols including the stellar first war patrol which earned the submarine a Presidential Unit Citation and Commanding Officer George L Street the Medal of Honor. He also served aboard USS Amberjack (1947-52), USS Odax (Temp Duty 1950), put USS Seawolf in commission (1955-60) and served aboard the Submarine Tender USS Nereus (1966-67). Robbie was first an Electrician Mate 2nd (SS), then changed rates to Electronics Technician 1st (SS), accepted a commission to Warrant Officer while in Nuclear Power training, and was progressively promoted up to Commander when he retired from the Navy in 1974.
One of his more memorable assignments was working for ADM Hyman G Rickover in the Naval Reactors Branch (1960-65). During this period of service, while supervising the movement of a nuclear reactor via rail, the train derailed and in spite of his injuries, he remained on duty on site for over 30 hours. His ‘Twilight Tour’ was at Bremerton Naval Shipyard from 1972-1974.
He was a Veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Conflicts, and was active in the Tahoma National Cemetery Support Group, Scottish Clan Donnachaidh Society and Seattle Highland Games Chieftain in 1998, Member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Seattle Branch #18. Past Washington State Commander and Past President & Secretary-Treasurer of the Lockwood Chapter, U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, also managing the Polaris Magazine distribution. He was a Life and Holland Club founding member of the Seattle Base of U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc and Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2995 of Bellevue, WA.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
March - April Dolphin Brotherhood Posted
The March – April issue of the Dolphin Brotherhood has been posted to the Seattle Base website.
This issue has the results of our January elections, a couple articles by Base members on their time in submarines, the usual base news, upcoming events, and other submarine related articles.
Hardcopies of the newsletter are going out later this week. I hope you all enjoy it.
As always, don't forget to check back here on the blog 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
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| Swearing in the 2014-2015 Base Officers |
This issue has the results of our January elections, a couple articles by Base members on their time in submarines, the usual base news, upcoming events, and other submarine related articles.
Hardcopies of the newsletter are going out later this week. I hope you all enjoy it.
As always, don't forget to check back here on the blog 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
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