The January – February 2017 issue of the Dolphin Brotherhood has been posted to the Seattle Base website.
This issue has photos from the Auburn Veterans Day Parade and December Holiday Luncheon, a note from Sr Vice Commander Carl Miner, an article on applying for burial at national cemeteries and the usual submarine related articles.
Hardcopies of the newsletter are in the mail. I hope you all enjoy it.
It is also that time of year when annual memberships run out, so don’t forget to renew your local and national USSVI membership!
As always, remember to check back here 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
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Submarine Christmas
As we all gather to celebrate the holidays, here are couple items to remind us of submariner's past and today. Even through these events and photos are separated by more than 60 year, it is still easy to see the similarities.
First up, a great photo and some Christmas thoughts from Ric Hedman's PigBoats.com site (go check out the site sometime, it is worth the visit).
Christmas time on the USS Diodon (SS 349) in 1957
A small tree erected in the Control Room to be enjoyed by all the crew as they pass through the space.
As we celebrate with family and friends remember that the men and women of our armed services are most likely deployed away from home and longing to be with loved ones. Take some time when you are sitting down to your dinners and opening presents to think about those so far from home and in harm's way.
Think of them and send wishes for for their welfare. Remember them out loud to those around you.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate this holiday and greetings of the season to those who do not.
Next up, a nice story about today's submariners and their Christmas dinner.
By John Kelly, Washington Post Columnist
When David and Linda Trevelino’s son Andrew enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was posted to a nuclear submarine, he told his parents that he slept on top of a torpedo.
At first, Linda thought Andrew was joking, but then she and David toured the World War II-era USS Torsk moored in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and she realized that he wasn’t. Submariners’ bunks — called racks — are indeed on top of torpedoes.
“My wife started to cry when she saw that,” David said.
Then the couple headed to the sub’s galley and it was David’s turn to cry.
“Oh, my God,” David said, remembering the moment he caught sight of the sub’s spartan kitchen. “I don’t know how they do it.”
David is the executive chef at the TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, the ritzy golf club in Montgomery County, Md. He works in a setting that bristles with the latest technology, including a programmable oven that can cook any piece of meat to perfection.
His son Andrew, 27, is a culinary specialist on the USS Chicago. He works in a setting that bristles with the latest technology, too, capable of raining death and destruction on an unsuspecting enemy.
And because a nuclear submarine is a mighty weapon, it’s not something you want to leave unattended. On Christmas you can’t just turn off the lights and lock the door. There’s always a crew aboard, even on Dec. 25.
Three years ago, when David and Linda were preparing to visit their son during the holidays at the sub’s home port in Guam, Andrew asked if his dad could cook dinner for the 50 crew members who would pull duty on Dec. 25.
David decided to do even more: breakfast, lunch and a gourmet dinner on Christmas plus a New Year’s Eve party ashore for the entire crew and their families. (Many have spouses and children living on Guam.)
That first year, 2014, TPC Potomac members donated $21,000 to pay for all the food and the Trevelinos’ transportation and lodging. This year, David raised twice that.
In all, he’ll prepare nearly 500 meals. All the supplies have to be flown in, frozen, but David can still make them mouthwatering. Christmas lunch will feature Kobe beef hamburgers and homemade french fries. Dinner is filet mignon with lobster bisque. For New Year’s Eve at Guam’s Top o’ the Mar club, David will prepare a banquet that includes snow crab claws, 24-ounce cowboy steaks, seafood stew, and mac and cheese.
Cooking on a sub is a challenge, David said: not a lot of room, no refrigeration and all cooking surfaces heated by steam, not gas or electricity.
“That was new to me,” David said. Somehow, he makes it work.
The crew does a bit of holiday decorating. “They have a little Christmas tree in the corner, kind of like a little Charlie Brown tree,” David said. “It’s kind of cool, but in the same way, it’s kind of sad.”
David said he has a new appreciation for the sacrifices our service members make. Last year the USS Chicago was the busiest sub in the fleet, with more deployments — underways, they’re called — than any other.
The crews’ families miss them on Christmas. They feel good knowing a chef has made them dinner — and then posted photos on Facebook.
“I have a lot of parents of the younger kids send me thank-yous because they don’t get to see their sons a lot,” David said.
One of the highlights for David is spending Christmas night aboard the Chicago, snug in a rack like his son. Don’t you worry that war might break out while you’re on the sub and you’ll wake up to find it underway, I asked. “For them to get going and get out of port takes a couple hours, so I don’t worry about that,” David said. “For me, I think it would be pretty cool to be on it, to be honest with you.”
I bet the crew would agree.
First up, a great photo and some Christmas thoughts from Ric Hedman's PigBoats.com site (go check out the site sometime, it is worth the visit).
Christmas time on the USS Diodon (SS 349) in 1957
USS Diodon Christmas tree, 1957 from Pigboats.com |
Next up, a nice story about today's submariners and their Christmas dinner.
There’s nothing substandard about this submarine’s Christmas dinner
When David and Linda Trevelino’s son Andrew enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was posted to a nuclear submarine, he told his parents that he slept on top of a torpedo.
At first, Linda thought Andrew was joking, but then she and David toured the World War II-era USS Torsk moored in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and she realized that he wasn’t. Submariners’ bunks — called racks — are indeed on top of torpedoes.
“My wife started to cry when she saw that,” David said.
Then the couple headed to the sub’s galley and it was David’s turn to cry.
“Oh, my God,” David said, remembering the moment he caught sight of the sub’s spartan kitchen. “I don’t know how they do it.”
His son Andrew, 27, is a culinary specialist on the USS Chicago. He works in a setting that bristles with the latest technology, too, capable of raining death and destruction on an unsuspecting enemy.
And because a nuclear submarine is a mighty weapon, it’s not something you want to leave unattended. On Christmas you can’t just turn off the lights and lock the door. There’s always a crew aboard, even on Dec. 25.
Three years ago, when David and Linda were preparing to visit their son during the holidays at the sub’s home port in Guam, Andrew asked if his dad could cook dinner for the 50 crew members who would pull duty on Dec. 25.
David decided to do even more: breakfast, lunch and a gourmet dinner on Christmas plus a New Year’s Eve party ashore for the entire crew and their families. (Many have spouses and children living on Guam.)
That first year, 2014, TPC Potomac members donated $21,000 to pay for all the food and the Trevelinos’ transportation and lodging. This year, David raised twice that.
In all, he’ll prepare nearly 500 meals. All the supplies have to be flown in, frozen, but David can still make them mouthwatering. Christmas lunch will feature Kobe beef hamburgers and homemade french fries. Dinner is filet mignon with lobster bisque. For New Year’s Eve at Guam’s Top o’ the Mar club, David will prepare a banquet that includes snow crab claws, 24-ounce cowboy steaks, seafood stew, and mac and cheese.
Cooking on a sub is a challenge, David said: not a lot of room, no refrigeration and all cooking surfaces heated by steam, not gas or electricity.
“That was new to me,” David said. Somehow, he makes it work.
The crew does a bit of holiday decorating. “They have a little Christmas tree in the corner, kind of like a little Charlie Brown tree,” David said. “It’s kind of cool, but in the same way, it’s kind of sad.”
David said he has a new appreciation for the sacrifices our service members make. Last year the USS Chicago was the busiest sub in the fleet, with more deployments — underways, they’re called — than any other.
The crews’ families miss them on Christmas. They feel good knowing a chef has made them dinner — and then posted photos on Facebook.
“I have a lot of parents of the younger kids send me thank-yous because they don’t get to see their sons a lot,” David said.
One of the highlights for David is spending Christmas night aboard the Chicago, snug in a rack like his son. Don’t you worry that war might break out while you’re on the sub and you’ll wake up to find it underway, I asked. “For them to get going and get out of port takes a couple hours, so I don’t worry about that,” David said. “For me, I think it would be pretty cool to be on it, to be honest with you.”
I bet the crew would agree.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
2016 Seattle Base Holiday Luncheon
On Saturday, December 3, 2016 USSVI Seattle Base submarine veterans, family, and guests gathered at the Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club in Bellevue for our annual holiday luncheon.
The day started with the social hour, which gave us a chance to catch up with shipmates we have not seen for a while, share our exploits from the past year, and to look at some of the submarine memorabilia on display.
We then moved to the dining room for opening remarks and lunch.
After lunch, our new Senior Vice Commander, Carl Miner, presented the Shipmate of the Year Award to Dick Gonzalez. Dick was key to the successful operation of the base this year. He helped with all our base events, including organizing the Bangor sub base tour, and meetings.
With the award presented, the floor was then opened for sea stories and holiday remembrances. The microphone was passed around and we heard some old favorite stories, along with a few new tales.
We all had a good time at the luncheon and special thanks goes out to everyone who helped organize and setup the event. It is always good to see all our shipmates and get a start on the holiday season with them. We didn't get photos of everyone at the event (some of you avoided the camera), but I hope you enjoy the photos below.
Then it was on to lunch.
Finally, photos of the attendees (we are sorry if we missed getting your photo).
Happy Holidays to all!
The day started with the social hour, which gave us a chance to catch up with shipmates we have not seen for a while, share our exploits from the past year, and to look at some of the submarine memorabilia on display.
We then moved to the dining room for opening remarks and lunch.
After lunch, our new Senior Vice Commander, Carl Miner, presented the Shipmate of the Year Award to Dick Gonzalez. Dick was key to the successful operation of the base this year. He helped with all our base events, including organizing the Bangor sub base tour, and meetings.
With the award presented, the floor was then opened for sea stories and holiday remembrances. The microphone was passed around and we heard some old favorite stories, along with a few new tales.
We all had a good time at the luncheon and special thanks goes out to everyone who helped organize and setup the event. It is always good to see all our shipmates and get a start on the holiday season with them. We didn't get photos of everyone at the event (some of you avoided the camera), but I hope you enjoy the photos below.
Social time in the sun room |
And in the dining room |
Photos on one of the memorabilia tables |
submarine models on the other table |
Opening remarks by Base Commander Al Smith |
Sr. Vice Commander Carl Miner announcing the Shipmate of the Year award |
2016 Shipmate of the Year - Dick Gonzalez |
Don Ulmer giving out toast |
Sharing a few sea stories |
Ralph Sterley and Lois Twelves |
Don Dufour, Bob and Peggy Vanderway, Rachel Dufour, Scott and Beverly Milne, Nani Skoog, and Angus McDonald |
Richard Lanzer, Doug Gilman, Ron and Carol Muecke |
Thea Benjamin, Bob Opple, Kirsten Vestley and Kelly Elbright |
Dani Haslan, Judy and Keith Watson, Kingsley Parker, |
Bill and Diane Giese |
Bill and Judy Thompson |
Jerry Gerten and Sue Dale |
Schell Harmon, Fran Gonzalez, Miri Davis, and Don Ulmer |
Carl and Joan Miner |
Lynn Schueler, Andrea Geisler, and Fran Gonzalez |
Don Ulmer and Lois Mezek |
Scott and Beverly Milne |
Doug Abramson and Karen B |
Dave and Lynn Schueler |
Dick and Fran Gonzalez |
Karl 'Dutch' and Barbara Krompholz |
Keith and Judy Watson |
Kerry Ryan and daughter Kimberly Stege |
Larry Abbott and Judith Dahlquist |
Jim and Marilyn Harper |
Pat Householder and Carolyn Davis |
Ric Hedman and Patti Lynn |
Eric and Sherri Muller |
Steve and Lynda Shelton |
Monday, November 21, 2016
November 2016 Meeting Notes
We began the November meeting with Tolling the Boats lost in November and December, followed by birthday wishes for our members, introductions, and the officer reports.
Old and New Business
Auburn Veterans Day Parade – We started off the business portion of the meeting with a recap of the Auburn Veterans Day Parade (you can see some photos here). As usual, it was a good time. We had four USSVI Bases represented, each with a float, the Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC), and two of our World War II veterans were the parade Grand Marshals. We received a nice thank you from the Auburn Special Events Coordinator and we were awarded the Harold Page Memorial Award for the parade. Because the city only provided one plaque, we voted to purchase three extra plaques and send them out to the other bases. Thanks again to Ric Hedman for helping to organize the parade this year.
Veterans Day Ceremony – Keith Watson also gave a recap of the Veterans Day Ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery.
Holiday Luncheon – The Seattle Base USSVI Holiday Luncheon is set for Saturday, December 3 at the Meydenbauer Yacht Club in Bellevue WA. It is a great end of year event for all submarine veterans and associates. There is only about a week to reserve your place. The registration form for the event can be found at this link and in the latest issue of the newsletter.
2017 USSVI Calendars – The 2017 USSVI Calendars had not arrived in time for our November meeting. But they will be available at the Holiday Luncheon on December 3, so there is another reason to attend! Be sure to bring along some extra money to pick up your copy.
Hail and Farewell – Outgoing Sr. Vice Commander John Roberts was on hand to say good-bye to the group before his move to Texas and we had a chance to thank him for all the good work he did while he was with us. We wish all the best to John and his family. This was also Carl Minor’s first meeting as our new Sr. Vice Commander. Carl will also be taking on responsibilities for the Seattle Base’s Kaps for Kids program and our annual Tolling the Boats ceremony.
November Program:
November’s program was an in-depth look at one of our submarine shipmates by Ric Hedman.
The story was about Alfred Gustave Prien, the who was watching the “Christmas Tree” control panel during the ill-fated dive of USS Squalus (SS-192) in 1939. Ric started out by talking about what was known of Prien’s early life and that he joined the U.S. Navy in 1932. He went on to talk about Prien’s life. There isn’t much on his early duty stations, but he was at the submarine base at Coco Solo Panama before being ordered to USS Squalus in 1939. After being rescued from the sunken submarine, Prien and other survivors were taken to the hospital, treated, and release as seen fit. After the long inquiry into the sinking, the men were reassigned with Prien going to the USS R-2, which was operating as a submarine school training ship out of Submarine Base, New London. In 1940, Prien got orders back to Portsmouth and to the crew of the new submarine Triton (SS 201). Triton was commissioned two months later. Sea trials and shake down cruises, training exercises and mine laying drills kept Triton in the Portsmouth area until July 1, 1941 where he met his future bride, Mary Marconi. Prien was still on Triton at the start of World War II and would go on to serve on USS Sunfish, USS Queenfish, and USS Trepang during the war. After World War II, Prien let the Navy and settled in Portsmouth, NH. He died in 1957 in a boating accident and is buried in Portsmouth.
Ric also shared a photo of the submarine that were operating in the naval exercise Fleet Problem 14 in 1933. Ric talked about the boats and what the exercise was all about.
The program was an enjoyable look at one of the men that was involved in a historic submarine service event.
Old and New Business
Auburn Veterans Day Parade – We started off the business portion of the meeting with a recap of the Auburn Veterans Day Parade (you can see some photos here). As usual, it was a good time. We had four USSVI Bases represented, each with a float, the Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC), and two of our World War II veterans were the parade Grand Marshals. We received a nice thank you from the Auburn Special Events Coordinator and we were awarded the Harold Page Memorial Award for the parade. Because the city only provided one plaque, we voted to purchase three extra plaques and send them out to the other bases. Thanks again to Ric Hedman for helping to organize the parade this year.
Harold Page Memorial Award plaque |
Holiday Luncheon – The Seattle Base USSVI Holiday Luncheon is set for Saturday, December 3 at the Meydenbauer Yacht Club in Bellevue WA. It is a great end of year event for all submarine veterans and associates. There is only about a week to reserve your place. The registration form for the event can be found at this link and in the latest issue of the newsletter.
2017 USSVI Calendars – The 2017 USSVI Calendars had not arrived in time for our November meeting. But they will be available at the Holiday Luncheon on December 3, so there is another reason to attend! Be sure to bring along some extra money to pick up your copy.
2017 USSVI calendar cover |
November Program:
November’s program was an in-depth look at one of our submarine shipmates by Ric Hedman.
Ric Hedman giving his presentation |
Ric also shared a photo of the submarine that were operating in the naval exercise Fleet Problem 14 in 1933. Ric talked about the boats and what the exercise was all about.
The program was an enjoyable look at one of the men that was involved in a historic submarine service event.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
November 2016 Meeting Reminder
The next Seattle Base meeting is this coming Wednesday, November 16, 2016. We will meet at VFW Post #2995 (4330 148th Ave N.E., Redmond WA 98052). Social hour starts at 6 PM and the business meeting at 7 PM.
Remember, due to other meetings at the VFW post, our November meeting will be held in the small meeting room under the main VFW hall. Also, this will be our last business meeting of the year.
We will be recapping the Veterans Day activities, cover the plans for the upcoming Holiday Luncheon, and talk about 2017.
Speaking of the Seattle Base USSVI Holiday Luncheon, it is set for Saturday, December 3 at the Meydenbauer Yacht Club in Bellevue WA. It is a great end of year event for all submarine veterans and associates. The registration form for the event can be found at this link and in the latest issue of the newsletter. If you haven’t sent in your registration yet, but sure to print out a copy and bring it with you.
Finally, Bob Haslan and Pierre Bruneau are looking for someone to bring them to the Seattle Base meetings. They are coming from the Bothell area, but can get closer to I-405 if needed (around exit 22). If you are coming through that area on your way to the meetings and have some extra room, please let us know so we can arrange something.
We hope to see you at the meeting!
Remember, due to other meetings at the VFW post, our November meeting will be held in the small meeting room under the main VFW hall. Also, this will be our last business meeting of the year.
We will be recapping the Veterans Day activities, cover the plans for the upcoming Holiday Luncheon, and talk about 2017.
Meydenbauer Yacht Club |
Finally, Bob Haslan and Pierre Bruneau are looking for someone to bring them to the Seattle Base meetings. They are coming from the Bothell area, but can get closer to I-405 if needed (around exit 22). If you are coming through that area on your way to the meetings and have some extra room, please let us know so we can arrange something.
We hope to see you at the meeting!
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Tahoma Veterans Day Ceremony Reminder and a Thank You
Seattle SubVets at a previous ceremony |
The keynote speaker is Milton Till, a WWII Veteran and the guest speaker is Arlene Murray, from the Gold Star Wives.
Seattle Base is planning on carrying our flags. It will probably be wet so come prepared!
We received a thank you note from the City of Auburn for the submarine veteran participation at the Veterans Day Parade last Saturday. Please pass this along.
It was with great pleasure for the City of Auburn to pay special tribute to the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. for our 2016 parade. You all looked GREAT at the front of the parade! And for those of you who weren’t at the lunch, Ralph represented well and kept the room laughing!
We also want to give a special thanks to the Yakima and the Rogue-Umpqua Bases – what a great addition you and your floats were! We’d love to have you join us again in future years.
The event was wet, but wonderful. The parade can be viewed online at: www.KOMOnews.com/veteransday. I know most of you don’t get the opportunity to see most of the parade, so thought you’d enjoy.
Thanks to everyone who participated and helped out with the USSVI’s involvement!
Much appreciated!
Kristy Pachciarz, CPRP
Special Events Coordinator | City of Auburn
Saturday, November 5, 2016
2016 Auburn Veterans Day Parade Photos
It was a cool, rainy Saturday for the 51st annual Auburn Veterans Day Parade. The rain continued most of the morning, but let up a little as the parade started. Even with the rain, we had a good turnout of submarine veterans with members from Seattle, Bremerton, Yakima, and Rogue River – Umpqua bases, the Silent Service Motorcycle Club, and a color guard from USS Michigan (SSGN-727).
World War II submarine veterans Ralph Sterley and Fred Ensselen were the Grand Marshalls for the parade. Western District 4 Commander Al Durkee was also part of the parade dignitaries.
Even with the rain, the crowd was enthusiastic and welcoming, and everyone seemed to have a good time. It was great to see all the veterans out for the parade.
Here are some photos from the event.
We hope to see you at next year's parade!
World War II submarine veterans Ralph Sterley and Fred Ensselen were the Grand Marshalls for the parade. Western District 4 Commander Al Durkee was also part of the parade dignitaries.
Even with the rain, the crowd was enthusiastic and welcoming, and everyone seemed to have a good time. It was great to see all the veterans out for the parade.
Here are some photos from the event.
A group shot of (almost) all the submarine veterans at the parade, including a few active duty submariners |
Bremerton Base float with four active-duty sailors for USS Michigan |
Rogue - Umpqua Base float |
Yakima Base float |
A close up of the "crew" of the Yakima Base float |
Al Durkee talking with SubVets and active-duty submariners, including the first two enlisted women assigned to USS Michigan |
A little pre-parade chatter |
The Silent Service Motorcycle club |
A little more pre-parade chatter about ways to stay dry |
Grand Marshal Ralph Sterley (L) talks with Bob Opple |
A flyover by an Air Force C-17 kicked off the parade |
Sailors from USS Michigan led the submarine contingent |
A photo looking back at the submarine floats and SSMC |
A photo looking forward as we reached the Auburn "Thank You" banner |
A photo of the King County Sheriff helicopter doing a fly-by |
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