February 2015 Meeting Notes

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

Old and New Business:
Brisbane Submarine Memorial – The US Submarine Memorial at New Farm Wharf in Brisbane, Australia was discussed (you can read more about it at this blog link). The memorial is working to raise additional funds to install three permanently lit flagpoles (one each for the U.S., Australian, UK flags). The USSVI Charitable Foundation – Memorial Fund has donated $1,000 toward the cause. A motion was made, and passed, for the Seattle Base to donate $100 to support this memorial. Several members also volunteered to make additional individual contributions.

VFW Open House – The VFW Post 2995 is holding an open house on Saturday February 28, 2015 2PM to 12AM. John Roberts will be our primary representative for USSVI to explain our organization to visitors and hopefully to unaffiliated submarine veterans as well.

Seattle Base Fund Raising – Fund raising was briefly discussed, most specifically about displaying the boat float in front of Bass Pro Shop in similar fashion to what we do at Cabelas. Doug Abramson and Pat Householder visited the store and secured their agreement to have us set up in a similar fashion to what we do at Cabelas. Now we need to set a time certain to move ahead on this.

February Program:

The February program was a presentation by Jeff Hunnicutt, Director of VA Puget Sound Health Care System Volunteer Affairs. Jeff oversees approximately 1,000 volunteers and explained how the PSHCS functions and the vital role the volunteers play in supporting the veteran clientele. For more information about this program and how you can get involved, visit http://www.pugetsound.va.gov/giving/index.asp

Good of the Order:
Tim Floersch reported that the Missing in America project will have a motorcycle procession to Tahoma National Cemetery to provide escort and honors to 29 inurned and unclaimed remains of Veterans recovered from various Funeral Homes in the area.

Steve Shelton reminded us that we have signed up for July 1, 2, and 3rd for the Smokey Point Rest Stop this year. We also have the Cruisin’ Colby event on Memorial Day weekend, which we will be participating in again.

Lois Mezek will be accepting worn out flags to be disposed of on June 14th, which is Flag Day. If you have an old flag that is ready for retirement, please bring it to a meeting.

Binnacle List:

• Jay K Davis remains in an assisted living facility and is still in rehab from his stroke.
• New member Bill Lambright (USS Redfish) has entered Hospice care due to advancing cancer.
• We are checking on the status of Horton Smith, since he has not been in touch with the group recently.