March 2018 Meeting Notes

We started the meeting with Tolling the Boats lost in March, followed by birthday wishes for our members, and introductions. We followed that up with the Officer Reports, introductions, and then our business items.

Old and New Business:
Cabela’s Tulalip Event Recap – Thanks to everyone that showed up and helped with the March event at Cabela’s Tulalip store. We took in over $800 in donations during the weekend. We are planning another event at the store on Armed Forces Day weekend, May 19 and 20. As with the March event, this will be a combination of showing off to the public, trying to find new members, and fund raising for the base. We are looking for volunteers to help man the table and talk with people at the store.

Bob, Earl, Dick, and Larry at Cabela's

Smokey Point Rest Stop Event Reminder – Once again we will be manning the coffee booth at the north-bound Smokey Point rest stop on June 1 – 4. Steve Shelton brought the sign-up sheets to the March meeting and will bring them back for the April and May meetings. We hope you’ll take some time to help out with this important fund-raising event.

2018 Holiday Luncheon Reminder – We got an update on the plans for the 2018 Seattle Base Holiday Luncheon. The reservations are set for Saturday, December 8 at the Nile Shrine Center (6601 244th St. SW Mountlake Terrace, WA). The cost will be $27.50 per person. We will have updates on how to sign up, the menu, and the time as we get closer to the event. Be sure to mark it on your calendars now!

Summertime Base Picnic – We are planning a Seattle Base picnic at the Redmond VFW post for the second or third Saturday in July. The current plan is to switch the July meeting from Wednesday to Saturday, have a very short business meeting, and then on to the picnic. There will be a grill going and everyone should bring their own main course and one dish to share with the group. We want to encourage you to bring friends and family to the picnic.

2018 USSVI National Convention – The 2018 National Convention is a Caribbean cruise on October 21 – 28, departing from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Be sure to check the convention website for more details, including the list of boat reunions.

2018 Activities Calendar – Be sure to check the 2018 Seattle Base Activities Calendar for this year’s events. We are always on the lookout for additional things to do as a base. So, if you have suggestions and ideas, please bring it up at the next meeting or contact one of the officers.

March Program:
This month’s program was by Keith Watson on the U.S. Navy in Hawaii before World War II.

Keith giving us a history of Hawaii

Keith covered some early history of the islands and the arrival of the U.S. Navy in 1860, when it leased part of Honolulu Harbor as a coaling station. In 1898, the U.S. increased its presence and then annexed the islands as part of the Spanish – American War. After annexation, the Navy expanded its facilities and surveyed Pearl Harbor as a new base. In 1906, the channel into the harbor was dredged and construction on new facilities began. Keith talked about the first submarines based in Hawaii, the four boats of the F class, and how USS F-4 was lost off Hawaii on 25 March, 1915. Keith went on to talk about the other submarines and ships based in Hawaii during the 1920s and 30s, along with all the changes made to the harbor. He showed a bunch of photos when facilities were first built and, for those that are still standing, how they look today. It was an interesting look at a place many of us have been to, but probably didn’t know much about.

Good of the Order:
We sent our condolences to Roy Burt on the passing of his daughter and to Al Smith on the passing of his mother.

Leillah Smith, wife of Horton Smith (Eternal Patrol), passed away on March 15, 2018. There will be a remembrance service for her on April 28 at Evergreen-Washelli. We will have more information at the next meeting. 

The April meeting is set for April 18. Our program will be Steve Lewis, current leader of the local Silent Service Motorcycle Club, talking about his experiences in Vietnam while in the Marines. He will have photos and a film. We are looking forward to the Steve’s talk and hope to see you at the meeting!