Commander's Corner for April 2014

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