October 2015 Commander's Corner

Shipmates,

As the holiday season approaches, we can say it has been a great year. We have maintained a solid membership and, in the process, added a few new members. We always have a good turnout during our monthly meetings, we have fun, we talk about future plans, and vote on important issues. We always make it a point to invite knowledgeable and dynamic speakers offering some great material.

By years end we will have participated in at least sixteen base activities including fund raising events, parades, and field trips; like those to the Museum of Flight Restoration facility and the recent outstanding Portland trip to see the Blueback. The last trip was punctuated by a stop at the Chehalis Veterans Memorial Museum. I had previously seen the building while driving by on I-5, but had no idea of its scope and size. It provides tours given by knowledgeable docents. It has superb displays and tributes to all who served throughout our history, including the US Submarine Service. I recommend it in the event you haven’t had the chance to see it.

Approaching Blueback on the recent trip

The planned activities and other events we enjoy help to consolidate this Base. To a large extent, these activities and events are the result of so many selfless shipmates and volunteers who continually step up to make it work. When you have an opportunity take a minute to thank them, you know who they are.

Finally, we are again actively negotiating, planning and organizing another outstanding Holiday Luncheon at Meydenbauer Yacht Club. When completed we will provide details, selections, and a sign up sheet sometime later in the fall, standby.

Incidentally, remember to mark your calendar for the revised date of December 5th.

Dick Gonzalez
Seattle Base Commander.

Winston Churchill said; “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”

September 2015 Meeting Notes

We started the September meeting by Tolling the Boats lost in September followed by birthday wishes for our members, officer reports, and introductions. We also had a quick recap of the Base events for the last month, including the Tolling the Boats ceremony, the field trip to the Chehalis Veterans Museum and Blueback, and the Black Diamond Labor Day parade.

1st Place plaque from the Black Diamond Labor Day Parade

 

Old and New Business:
Meeting Facility Update – At the July meeting we were informed that the VFW post was going to charge additional rental fees for the meeting room. We had started looking for new meeting locations, and got some interesting offers, but the VFW post decided to rescind their decision. So for the foreseeable future we will continue to meet at VFW Post 2995.

Auburn Veterans Day Parade – Planning has started for the 50th annual Veterans Day Parade in Auburn. The parade will be on Saturday November 7 and Seattle Base will be there. We will put out more details as time gets closer to the parade.

Salmon for Soldiers – Earl Greening gave a report on the Salmon for Soldiers fishing outing. Earl also passed along the organization’s thanks for the donation Seattle Base had made to the event earlier this year.

Holiday Luncheon – We are making plans for the Holiday Luncheon and the first change has already happened. The event will now be on December 5. Be sure to update your calendars. We will have more information on the menu and prices shortly.

Base Elections – Seattle Base elections will be this coming January. John Roberts is stepping up to run for Base Commander, but his impending move to Texas means that he will not be able to complete the term. Our base needs members to stand for the positions necessary to keep the base running. Especially the Base Commander, Sr. Vice Commander, and Jr. Vice Commander positions. Even if you aren’t ready to be a Base Officer, you can still help out as one of the committee chairs or appointed officers for the base. Committee chairs and appointed officers are really needed to handle the necessary base functions that make our base valuable to us all. If you are interested in running for an officer position or chairing a committee, please contact one of the Base Officers for more information.

Good of the Order:
Bill Lightfoot requested that we ask if anyone could give him a ride for the October meeting. Bill’s normal ride, Steve Shelton, will be on vacation during the meeting. So if you have some extra room in your car, please contact Bill or let one of the officers know so arrangements can be made.

Ric Hedman let us know about a new submarine book, Seventeen Fathoms Deep, is out. The book covers the loss of the USS S-4 and the author got input from Ric and other submarine veterans on the book. Ric reported that it is a good read!

September Program: 

September Program

The speaker for September was second-generation Navy veteran Greg Emerson. His father was a submariner, serving on many different submarines in the 50s and 60s, and Greg served on 18 different ships during a 21 year naval career and has published numerous naval analysis articles. Greg is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution where he serves as Captain of the Color Guard and the Veterans Coordinator. Greg’s presentation was on George Washington’s spy ring during the American Revolution. He talked about how Washington’s spies were relatively unknown by the general public and their exploits have only come to light recently. Greg told us about the events that led up to the establishment of the spy groups and talked about the different people involved in the groups and spying during the war, including Nathan Hale, John Andre, and Benedict Arnold. We also learned about spycraft during the era, including the different encryption methods used. It was a very interesting program on a little known subject.

Seattle Base Commander Dick Gonzalez presents a certificate of appreciation to Greg Emerson, along with a photo of one of the submarines Greg's father served on

Seattle Base trip to Chehalis Veterans Museum and Blueback

On Saturday, September 5 Seattle Base took a short excursion to the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis WA. and to the Blueback exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland OR.

It was a fun outing and a great opportunity to see some near-by veteran and submarine related locations.

Here are a few photos from the Blueback portion of the trip.

View of Blueback from the pier with one of Portland's many bridges in the back

USSVI memorial plaque

An old five-bladed screw (note the USSVI memorial plaque is in front of the screw)

Submarine Veterans of World War II memorial

The first stop on the tour is the wardroom, where they had some nice size comparison models

Then it was off to Control to see the helm and plane controls

And the "Christmas Tree" all lit up

Then back through the galley to Maneuvering and the diesel controls

Then it was back out the hull cut for a quick group photo

We hope to do more Seattle Base outings like this one. If you have ideas for other trips, be sure to bring them up to the Base officers.

September 2015 Meeting Reminder

Shipmates,

The next Seattle Base meeting is this coming Wednesday, September 16. 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.

We'll have several business items to discuss and catch up on.

Our program will be on Revolutionary War Espionage by Greg Emerson.

It should be an interesting meeting. We hope to see you there.

Eternal Patrol: Don Ross

Seattle Base member Don Ross departed on Eternal Patrol on September 5, 2015 after a lengthy illness.

Don and Shirley Ross at the 2014 Tolling the Boats Ceremony

Don was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 25, 1933. He graduated from Mattawan High School in Michigan, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was the state champion in the 880 yard dash and school record holder for 10 years.

He served with great pride in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman and was stationed in New London, Conn. on the submarine USS Tusk (SS-426) from 1952 to 1956. After the Navy, Don returned to Michigan, where he worked for the Kalamazoo Gazette. In 1968 he moved to Bothell, WA and worked as a printer at the Seattle Times until his retirement.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley, his children, Marjorie Scarsorie (Jim) of Mukilteo, Diana Roberts (Kevin) of Marysville and Kelly Askew (Dave) of Lynnwood, WA, seven grandchildren, Nick and Rachel Scarsorie, Kameron and Kaylene Roberts and Austin, Amy and Andrew Askew, all of whom he called his "pride and joy".

Don was an exceptionally generous and humble man who had a loving heart for his family and for those in need, continually giving of his time and resources. He will be missed immeasurably.

A graveside service will be held at Floral Hills Cemetery (409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA) on Monday, September 14th at 1:00.

Sailor Rest Your Oar

Black Diamond Labor Day Event Invitation

Shipmates,

We need a few of people to step up in support of the Labor Day Black Diamond Parade. Unfortunately at this point we only have a contingent of a few, far less than needed to support the float and make a good showing.

Settle Base float at the 2012 Black Diamond parade

Please take another look at your schedule for Monday the 7th and let Keith or Dutch know if you can make it.

Here is some more information about the event:

COME ONE COME ALL - BRING THE FAMILY & FRIENDS 
The Labor Day Event in Black Diamond is very well attended and it starts with a parade along Highway 169. The parade starts at 10 AM and the submarine float will be featured at the Museum on Railroad Avenue after the parade. The event is on the school playing field located alongside Highway 169 and Baker street and on Railroad Avenue.

There will be many activities on the playing field along with vendor booths. Free ice cream and peanuts and lots of people.

Two blocks down from the playing field on Railroad Avenue is the famous Black Diamond Bakery Restaurant, Museum, Smoke House Meat Store, Antique Store, Eagles, and Deli. The Museum is in the oldest building in town which was commissioned as the Train Depot in 1886. The Museum will be featuring a restored 1947 fire truck that was one of the original fire trucks in the town. There is also a locomotive and caboose that can be visited. If you haven't been in the Museum you are in for a treat - it is loaded with artifacts that have been collected for the past 40 years. On the grounds of the Museum there is a Coal Miners Memorial with a 8 foot long granite wall containing over 1100 names of coal miners who were killed in the coal mines of Washington State and looking down on the wall is a life size bronze statue of a coal miner.

Across the street in the Eagles parking lot there will be over 200 antique cars and trucks for you to look at and BarBQ food cooked by the Eagles. The Antique store is next to the Museum and is full of antiques that are for sale. The meat store features smoked meats and special cuts of meats that are really Delicious.

The submarine float will be placed along side the fire truck just south of the museum. It will give you a chance to talk with people and perhaps receive donations.

Join us by meeting at the museum, 32627 Railroad Ave. Black Diamond, at 9AM for donuts and coffee and then a walk up to the parade area two blocks away on 2nd Avenue for a walk in the parade. Enter the Museum at the door opposite the locomotive.

The parade starts at 10 AM and you need to be here early to get a parking place. Check in time for the float starts at 9AM at the fire house opposite the school on Baker Street for placement on either 1st Ave. or 2nd Ave. in the parade.

YES - You can pass out the "U.S. SUBMARINE VETERANS Freedom Is Not Free" buttons to the crowd. 

Be sure to take a look online at "Black Diamond Labor Days"

Dick Gonzalez
Seattle USSVI Base Commander

September - October 2015 Dolphin Brotherhood Posted

The September - October issue of the Dolphin Brotherhood has been posted to the Seattle Base website.

The Memorial Wreath from the Tolling the Boats Ceremony

This issue has photos the Kirkland Independence Day Parade and August Tolling the Boats ceremony along with the usual base news and other submarine related articles.

Hardcopies of the newsletter are in the mail. 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 at the Dolphin Brotherhood Archives, which is also a link on the right side of the blog.

Dave Schueler
Seattle Base Newsletter Editor