We also got a brief report about the Smokey Point Event from the members that took a shift at the rest stop. Keith let us know that Seattle Base took in a net of $1,006.99 in donations. Bravo Zulu to Steve Shelton and everyone that helped out.
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| Jim Harper, Art Thompson, and Karl 'Dutch' Krompholz at Smokey Point |
Base Raffle: Seattle Base is raffling off a submarine cut-away plaque (the winner has their choice of submarine class and it can be customized with the appropriate boat name). We've sold around $400 in raffle tickets so far, but there is still time to get your tickets. Each ticket is $5 and the drawing will be held at the August 20 Tolling Ceremony. You do not need to be present to win. If you would like to purchase tickets, contact Jim Harper (tel: 425-357-6485, e-mail: kh6cn@earthlink.net).
Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall Volunteers: The Puget Sound area will have an exceptional Independence Day tribute to our Vietnam Veterans with the return of The Dignity Vietnam Memorial Wall to Bellevue's Sunset Hills Memorial Park, July 1st through July 4th.
This three-quarters scale replica of the original Memorial Wall in Washington DC will be open to the public 24 hours a day from Friday morning through Monday night. The Wall will travel north on I-5 from Vancouver, WA on June 28th with the escort of Patriot Guard Riders and others who join them. This special weekend will open with a short ceremony on Friday morning, with a main program Sunday at 1 PM, and a brief closing ceremony on Monday evening.
More than 100,000 visitors paid their respects when this Memorial Wall was at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in 2001.
Jim Weaver from VFW Post 2995 is coordinating the volunteer effort for this time of remembrance and healing. Volunteer help is needed approximately 10 hours per day. Vietnam veteran guards will be on duty throughout. Professional Grief Counselors will be available daily.
There are a variety of volunteer positions to fill, such as:
- Placing event posters around Puget Sound establishments
- Motorcycle escort of the Wall's arrival
- On site computer name search & location for visitors
- Guides to help visitors find their special name on the Wall
- Assistance with Wall rubbing of names
- Onsite Parking directions
- Off site parking with bus loading & unloading
- Greeter/program handout/answering questions
- Name reader of the more than 58,000 names on The Wall
Camp Patriot: Base member Lois Mezick gave us a report about an upcoming event for Camp Patriot, an organization that exists to take disable veterans on outdoor adventures. Camp Patriot, in conjunction with the Seattle Seahawks, is holding a fundraising dinner and silent auction on July 9 at Qwest Field. The guest speaker for the dinner is Allen Clark, a West Point graduate who lost both legs in Vietnam. Allen will share his memoir of triumph over physical challenge and despair. Seattle Base donated $100 to the event. If you are interested in attending, you can find out more at the link http://www.seahawks.com/community/camp-patriot.html.
Upcoming Events:
Kirkland Independence Day Parade - On July 4, we are planning on marching in the parade with the float and the Silent Service Motorcycle Club. Information on when and where to meet will be coming out soon.
Tolling of the Boat Ceremony - The ceremony is set for August 20 at the Kirkland Marina Park Pavilion. We are planning on a picnic before the ceremony, with the drawing for the base raffle, and hope to have the Navy Band in attendance.
USSVI National Convention - The national convention is set for September 5 - 11 in Springfield/Branson Missouri. You can find out more information on the convention website at: www.ussvispringfieldmo.com.
Tahoma National Cemetery Veterans Day Program - This program will happen on Friday, November 11.
Auburn Veterans Day Parade - This is set for Saturday, November 12. We are planning on marching in the parade with the base float, other submariners from the region, and the Silent Service Motorcycle Club.
2011 Christmas Luncheon - We have reserved the Seattle Yacht Club on Saturday, December 17 for our luncheon.
Holland Club Inductions:
After our Old Business was completed, former USSSVI National Commander Pat Householder inducted 13 new members into the Holland Club. Click this link for the blog post on this year's inductees and photos.
June Program:
The June program was a presentation by Pat Householder of his trip to Battleship Cove in Fall River Massachusetts. Battleship Cove is home to the battleship USS Massachusetts (BB-59), destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy (DD-850), former East German Navy missile-corvette Hiddensee, and submarine USS Lionfish (SS-298). Pat provided a guided photo-tour of all the vessels. Pat gave his own insight on current state of the vessels and how each compared to his own service. After the photo-tour, Pat gave us a little quiz on the tour, with a winner getting a ticket for the base raffle.
Binnacle List:
Ted Taylor - Ted is still with us and would love to hear from his USSVI shipmates. You can call him at 425-228-3764.
Andrea Geisler - The treatment for her eye problem is not going as well as hoped. She thinks that she will eventually need a cornea transplant, but, hopefully, that will be in the distant future.
Robbie Robertson - Robbie is still undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. He let us all know that he has only given himself 12 more years (which I think would make him about 95).
Bruce Fisher - Bruce is still undergoing treatment for diabetic neuropathy for his foot.
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