Memorial Day honors those who lost their lives while in the military service. Additionally, it marks the start of summer and vacation season.

Here are a couple events Seattle Base USSVI is attending.

A great photo of the Tahoma National Cemetery with Mount Rainier in the background

Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery. The ceremony is on Monday, May 30 and starts at 1 PM. We would like to have four flag bearers as color guard participants. Remember that parking is limited.

Tahoma National Cemetery (click here for a map and directions)
18600 SE 240th St
Kent, WA 98042

Cruzin to Colby Car Show The Seattle Base float will be at the Cruzin to Colby car show in Everett WA all day on Monday, May 30. Be sure to stop off and say hi while you’re enjoying the vintage cars. There are events planned for Sunday and Monday, check the Seattle Rod-tiques website (event calendar) for a list of events and photos from past shows.

We hope to see you at one or both of these events!

Bangor Submarine Base Tour Update

The visit to the Bangor Submarine Base has be rescheduled due to a change of command at the base. The trip is now set for Thursday, June 30 2016.

If you have already submitted their roster (CSG-9) form and check and still plan to participate on the new date of June 30th no change or notification is needed. Should the date be unacceptable please contact Dick Gonzalez and he will remove your name from the master list and refund your check. This will open up a slot or two for someone else. If you have not yet submitted your form and check the new cutoff date for submitting your CSG-9 roster from to me will be June 7th. Keep in mind 36 slots are available in total and we only a half dozen or so still open.

For those of you that are interested in going on the tour, but haven’t filled out the paperwork, go to this link to find the documents for the tour. While looking at the documents take special care to the following information.

1. Carefully read the "USSVI Seattle Base Tour" document, paying particular attention to the Requirements section on page 2.
2. Print, fill out, and retain the "Privacy Act Statement" and "Request to Tour Wavier" documents. Bring these documents along with you to give to the Public Affairs Officer at Keyport on the morning of June 16th. Do not mail them to Dick! 
3. Print, fill out the “CSG-9 Submarine Tour Roster" and send that with your check for $12.00 per person to Dick Gonzalez (make checks out to Dick). Please print carefully and legibly. Dick will consolidate the information into a single document for the Navy in order to run background checks. If Dick gets the last four numbers your Social Security Number incorrect, you will be denied access to the base! Needless to say he doesn't want to be focus of an angry shipmate! 
4. On June 30 remember to bring your ID. A passport, birth certificate, photo ID such as an enhanced driver’s license are all acceptable. A bank card or club membership card will not work. If you’re bring along an underage guest, remember they also need and ID. A photocopy of birth a certificate and additional student ID card from school will facilitate faster check in time. 
5. Finally, remember the deadline for accepting your applications is June 7. 

Remember the rule: it will be on a first come first served bases although Dick will keep your name and date received in the event someone cancels.

If you have other questions, please contact Dick Gonzalez by phone: 425-228-6327 or email: rvgon1938@gmail.com.

May 2016 Meeting Notes

We began the May meeting with Tolling the Boats lost in May, followed by a remembrance of Horton Smith. The we sent birthday wishes for our members, introduced everyone, and heard the officer reports.

Old and New Business Base 
Bangor Tour - The visit to the Bangor Submarine Base has be rescheduled due to a scheduling issue with the Navy. The trip is now set for Thursday, June 30 2016. All the other information remains the same. If you are interested in going on the trip, contact Dick Gonzalez and check back here on the Seattle Base blog for updated information.

Membership Committee Update - Chairmen Kerry Ryan gave an update on his ideas for improving membership recruiting. His ideas include: providing event cards that members can hand out to prospective members and contacting local area weekly newspapers to do short pieces on USSVI and to interview members. Suggestions were made to contact local public radio stations for interviews and to piggy-back on the events at Bangor Submarine Base with Bremerton USSVI Base. Kerry is interested in hearing other suggestions too. So if you have ideas for improving member recruiting and retention, please contact Kerry.

Smokey Point Event Reminder - Steve Shelton reminded us that the Smokey Point Rest Stop Event is planned for July 22-25 (Friday 2 PM until Monday 1:30 PM). He asked everyone to check their availability and said he would have sign-up sheets soon.

May Program
The program for May was by local maritime author Dick Blumenthal. He started off with a short description of his background and interests. He then took questions from the group on Puget Sound maritime names and their origins. After answering a number of questions, Dick gave a short overview of the exploring expeditions in the Puget Sound area. He covered the Spanish, British, and American explorations into the region and how they mapped and named the region. He also including some information on traders in the area and interaction between the expeditions and local tribes. Dick then fielded more questions from the group. It was an interesting look at the maritime history of the area, along with how some of the places in Puget Sound got their names. 

Base Commander Al Smith thanks Dick Blumenthal for the presentation. You can see an early map of Puget Sound on the wall behind them.

Good of the Order 
The Tahoma National Cemetery will be having their Memorial Day Ceremony at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 30.

The Seattle Base float will be at the Cruzin to Colby event near Hewitt and Wetmore Streets in Everett on Monday, May 30.

The B-Girls (Barbel, Bonefish, and Blueback) Reunion is tentatively planned for May 10 – 14, 2017 in Mobile Alabama at the Holiday Inn Downtown in the historic district.

Binnacle List: Ric Hedman is recovering from bypass surgery

May 2016 Meeting Reminder

The next Seattle Base meeting is this coming Wednesday, May 18, 2016. 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 7 PM.

In addition to our normal business meeting, we will be joined by Puget Sound maritime historian and author, Richard Blumenthal.

One of Richard's books

Richard is a return guest speaker, last joining us April 2014, and will provide an intriguing glimpse of our historical inland waters and the early explorers who marveled at the rich diversity and breathtaking views of the waters now known as “Puget Sound.”

Richard’s well-researched books record our rich maritime history and chronicle the expeditions of early explorers like George Vancouver, William Broughton, and Charles Wilkes. You can find books by Richard at the Inland Waters Publishing website. Richard loves to sail Puget Sound and is a member of the Meydenbauer Yacht Club and shipmate of our own Jay Davis.

We hope to see you there!

Service for Horton Smith

An outdoor gathering will be held in RADM Smith's honor on Tuesday May 17th at 1:00pm, at the Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, next to the Doughboy statue.


You can also read and share memories of RADM Smith at this memorial page.

The original Eternal Patrol notice can be found here.

Binnacle List: Ric Hedman

Ric at the 2015 Tolling the Boats Ceremony

Ric Hedman went through double-bypass surgery late last week. Ric is back home now and doing well. He has started taking some short walks, but said he is surprised a bit with the pain levels involved. He very much appreciates the caring and concern expressed by his shipmates!

Please keep Ric and Patti in your thoughts and prayers.

Eternal Patrol: Horton Smith

Rear Admiral Horton Smith, 90, departed on Eternal Patrol on April 29, 2016. He was born in Seattle on June 1, 1925 to Della & Mabel Smith and was a lifetime resident of the Seattle area working in many roles including Attorney, King County Superior Court Judge, and most notably as a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.

Horton Smith was commissioned in 1945 from the University of Washington Naval ROTC. He graduated from the University in 1947. His first command was patrol craft PC-555. By the time he was 21 he was the commanding officer of the landing craft LSM-288. As an active member in the Naval Reserve, he made the switch to the submarine service. As a LT(JG), Smith was the first Naval Reserve officer in the 13th District to earn his submarine warfare pin.

RADM Smith was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict. He was first assigned to the USS Corsair (SS-435) and later transferred to the USS Grouper (SSK-214). The USS Grouper was retrofitted as the Navy's first "hunter-killer" submarine and during his time aboard, he qualified for command and served as the boat's Executive Officer.

After the Korean Conflict, RADM Smith returned to the Navy Reserve where he served as a commander on both a destroyer and a costal minesweeper home ported in Tacoma, Washington. As a Captain, he was assigned as the Navy Liaison to the State of Washington Adjutant General staff, where he served under Major General Howard S. McGee. RADM Smith also spent time in Washington, D.C. on the policy board for determinations of Navy and Navy Reserve. He also served as a quasi-instructor at the National Defense University, and was a Blue and Gold Officer for the Naval Academy. He achieved the rank of Rear Admiral in 1975 and in 1976, RADM Smith commanded Region 22 of the Naval Reserve Readiness Command.

During his civilian career, Horton Smith graduated from University of Washington Law School and served in the King County Juvenile Court during the Vietnam War years. He was also elected as a King County Superior Court Justice, a position he held for almost 20 years. He would later return to the active duty life as an enlisted Coast Guard Able Seaman in 1980 and after 9/11, he became the oldest active member serving in the Persian Gulf. He served as Third Deck Officer on both the USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189) and the USNS Leroy Grunman (T-AO-195) whose primary mission was to provide jet fuel and accompany aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf.

RADM Smith remained an active member and ardent supporter within the submarine, Seattle civic, and University of Washington communities.

RADM Smith is survived by his wife Lei-llah Smith, his son Vern, and his daughters Caroline and Corenne. He will forever be loved and missed by those he leaves behind, and known far and wide for the incredible career and legacy he created.

Please remember RADM Smith's family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sailor, Rest Your Oar

May - June 2016 Dolphin Brotherhood Posted

The May – June issue of the Dolphin Brotherhood has been posted to the Seattle Base website.

This issue has updates about our new Base Commander, the 2016 Activity Calendar, and the plans for the Bangor Submarine Base tour; along with the usual submarine related articles (like the christening of the submarine Washington shown below).

USS Washington Sponsor, Elisabeth Mabus, breaks a ceremonial bottle of sparkling American wine across the bow of the USS Washington (SSN 787)

Hardcopies of the newsletter will go out later this week with copies of the Base Activity Calendar. I hope you all enjoy it.

Remember Seattle USSVI Base is planning a visit to the Bangor Submarine Base on Thursday, June 16, 2016 for a tour of the Trident Training Facility (TTF), followed by a submarine tour. While the tour is planned for June 16, 2016, screening information must be provided by May 18 and there is a $12.00 fee for lunch.

For those of you that are interested in going on the tour, but haven’t filled out the paperwork, go to the link below to find the documents for the tour:
https://app.box.com/s/l410aoswgjavtqzmbmcnwrf4o7ei4cmx

While looking at the documents take special care to the following information.

1. Carefully read the "USSVI Seattle Base Tour" document, paying particular attention to the Requirements section on page 2. 
2. Print, fill out, and retain the "Privacy Act Statement" & "Request to Tour Wavier" documents. Bring these documents along with you to give to the Public Affairs Officer at Keyport on the morning of June 16th. Do not mail them to Dick! 
3. Print, fill out the “CSG-9 Submarine Tour Roster" and send that with your check for $12.00 per person to Dick Gonzalez (make checks out to Dick). Please print carefully and legibly. Dick will consolidate the information into a single document for the Navy in order to run background checks. If Dick gets the last four numbers your Social Security Number incorrect, you will be denied access to the base! Needless to say he doesn't want to be focus of an angry shipmate! 
4. On June 16 remember to bring your ID. A passport, birth certificate, photo ID such as an enhanced driver’s license are all acceptable. A bank card or club membership card will not work. If you’re bring along an underage guest, remember they also need and ID. A photocopy of birth a certificate and additional student ID card from school will facilitate faster check in time. 
5. Finally, remember the deadline for accepting your applications is May 18. 

If you have other questions, please contact Dick Gonzalez by phone: 425-228-6327 or email: rvgon1938@gmail.com.

As always, don't forget 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