October 2014 Meeting Notes

We started off the October meeting with Tolling the Boats lost in October, followed by birthday wishes for our members, officer reports, and introductions.

Our Storekeeper let us know the 2015 USSVI calendars are available for $10. This year’s calendar focuses on nuclear powered fast attack submarines from USS Nautilus (SSN-571) to USS Minnesota (SSN-783). It also includes a photo montage of early 20th Century submarines and post-WWII non-nuclear attack submarines.

USSVI 2015 Calendar

Also, don’t forget that Seattle Base members are allowed to wear the Golden Anchor Award patch, which can be purchased from the Base Storekeeper for $4. Money from items purchased through the Base Storekeeper go to fund Seattle Base events throughout the year.

Old and New Business:
New Senior Vice Commander – Last month Art Thompson submitted his resignation submitted as Senior Vice Commander for personal reasons. We hope he soon will return as a contributing member of our Base. In the meantime, Base Commander Dick Gonzalez has appointed John Roberts to the position. John has done a wonderful job with our annual Tolling the Boats ceremony and Kaps for Kids program, and we know he will be an excellent Senior Vice Commander.

John Roberts being sworn in as Seattle Base Sr. Vice Commander

Seattle Base Christmas Luncheon – The Seattle Base Christmas Luncheon is set for Saturday December 20 at the Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club. The doors will open at 10 am and we will finish up at 2 pm. The Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club is located at 9927 Meydenbauer Way SE, Bellevue WA and there will be ample parking in the lower parking lot near the club. You can get download and print a registration form from this link https://app.box.com/s/6y23geo7vdm2m4r2i2cq. There will also be a copy in the upcoming newsletter.

Auburn Veterans Day – We will be participating in the Auburn Veterans Day Parade on Saturday November 8. The parade starts at 11 am and we’ll need to be in place around 10 am. Our staging area is near L Street. We will send out reminders with more information as the parade gets closer. Please pass the word to all your members so they can plan on making this one of the largest Sub Vet turn outs yet.

Mark Your Calendar – John Roberts reported that we have reserved the Kirkland Marina Park Pavilion for August 15, 2015 for the 2015 Tolling the Boats ceremony. Be sure to pencil it in on your calendar.

October Program: 

Keith Watson preparing his presentation

This month’s program was a presentation by former Base Commander Keith Watson on American Submarines before 1900. Keith started out talking about the sub Turtle which tried to launch attacks on the Royal Navy in 1775 during the American War for Independence. He went on to talk about submarine developments during the American Civil War, including the Union’s Alligator and Confederate H.L. Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy warship. Keith also talked about other submarine firsts from Civil War subs; including snorkels, diver lock-out chambers. Keith continued with information about attempts to build submarines in the late 1800s, including early submarine efforts by John Holland and Simon Lake. It was interesting program with lots of information about early American submarine efforts.

Good of the Order:
Don Ulmer wanted to let us know that efforts to move the USS Clamagore to Knoxville Tennessee are moving forward. He thought there were lots of encouraging signs from the local organizer and community. You can follow developments on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/friendsoftheclamagore

In recognition of all the programs they have put on or helped out with, Seattle Base Commander Dick Gonzalez presented Ric Hedman, Dave Schueler, and Keith Watson each with a Certificate of Appreciation.