June Meeting Reminder

Shipmates,

We want to let you know our next in-person meeting is on for Tuesday, June 14. We will meet at VFW Post #2995 (4330 148th Ave N.E., Redmond WA 98052) at 6:00PM.

Base Commander Mike has a video presentation for us that will be interesting.

We will continue with our zoomcast of the live meeting so we hope to see those of you who can’t make it on our 60 inch monitor.

Please watch your email or contact one of the base officers to get the link for the Zoom meeting (we aren't posting the link to avoid issues with unwanted guests). 

We how to see you in person or on Zoom. 

May Meeting Recap

The May meeting was a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting with 12 members in-person and 4 on Zoom.

The meeting started off with Tolling the Boats lost in March, followed by birthday wishes for our members, the officer reports, and then introductions.

Old Business
The base float needs maintenance and upkeep including a new battery, work on the masts, and touching up the paint job. A motion was made and passed to look into obtaining of a bubble machine to add to the float. 

The Seattle Base float during parade season

New Business
Larry A reported back from The USSVI Western Region Roundup, which was held in Reno NV. He gave an update on upcoming changes to the USSVI Charitable Foundation. This will be a consolidation of the former individual fund groups including; General Fund, Scholarship Fund, Brotherhood Fund, Museum Boat Fund, Monument Fund, Kap(s) 4 Kids Fund, Library Fund, and Building Fund. It was felt that it would be better to have our member make a few larger donations, instead of spreading the donations out over many funds. The foundation will send out a letter of thanks to each of the donors, which can be used for IRS tax contributions purposes.

The Bremerton Armed Forces Day parade was on Saturday May 21, 2022 and all members were invited and the Silent Service Motorcycle Group was planning to attend.

The 2022 National Convention website is up and ready to take convention and hotel reservations. It also has additional information about area and convention events. Note that the links from the USSVI national website are not working right now. You can go directly to the convention website at: ussviconvention.org/2022/.

Ric Hedman advised that his book “A good and Favorable Wind” should be coming out some time in June.

There are still openings in our organization for a Secretary and a Chaplin.

Binnacle List
Please keep the following brothers in your thoughts and prayers:
Jerry G: Suffered a stroke a a few months ago. He is currently home and undergoing therapy.
Dave S: Currently in a second round of chemotherapy treatment.

Cabela's Event Returns

Hey Shipmates!

We have some good news. We just learned that we can display our float and get to explain submarine life to the public at Cabela’s Tulalip store (9810 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA 98271) next weekend - Saturday, May 21st and Sunday, May 22nd.

We'll get the same royal treatment by setting up the float at the front door. We need people on both days. Lunch will be available and it’s always a fun event.

Photo from an earlier Cablea's event

Start time is 8:00 AM on Saturday and a little later on Sunday. We should have at least 4 people each day. If you would like to help, let Steve or Mike know, or just show up. 

The float is in ok condition with the new battery installed, a little elbow grease and fussing will help. We will decorate her up, so will look great for her first public appearance of the year. 

Reminder - May Meeting

 Shipmates,

We want to let you know to mark your calendars for our next in-person meeting on Tuesday, May 10.

We will meet at VFW Post #2995 (4330 148th Ave N.E., Redmond WA 98052) in Foley Hall. The doors open at 6:30 PM and the meeting starts at 7:00 PM.

The bar and restaurant will be open topside for food and drinks.

We will be scheduling events for the summer and fall calendar.

Seattle Base float at the 2019 Tolling Ceremony

We will simulcast a Zoom meeting for those of you who cannot attend. If you plan to Zoom in, please contact us and we can forward the meeting link.

We hope to see you in person or on Zoom.

March Meeting Recap

The March Seattle Base meeting was a hybrid meeting with 10 people in attendance at the Redmond VFW Hall and 4 joining via Zoom.

The meeting started off with Tolling the Boats lost in March, followed by birthday wishes for our members, the officer reports, and then introductions.

R-14 under sail from PigBoats.com website

Ric Hedman let us know about a new book that he and Dave Johnston (partner at the PigBoats.com website) wrote entitled “A Good and Favorable Wind." The book is about the submarine R-14 which had run out fuel while at sea and the adventures of getting her back to port. The book, published by Nimble Books, will be available for purchase on May 3, 2022. We'll provide links to the book after it is available.

We discussed moving our meetings to Saturday. However, while all agreed that it was a good idea, no one volunteered to check into it. The subject was tabled till next meeting.

We talked in length about getting together to refurbish the float was discussed at length. In addition to general clean-up, we are looking into refitting the motor drive for the masts and the klaxon. We'll follow up on this at future meetings.

We are looking into attending the Kirkland 4th of July parade. We will provide updates as we get them.

We are still looking to fill the Base Chaplin and Base Secretary positions. Volunteers are needed and if you are interested, please contact one of the Base Officers or mention it at the next meeting.

Reminder - March Meeting

Shipmates,

We want to let you know to mark your calendars for an in-person meeting on Tuesday, March 8!

We will meet at VFW Post #2995 (4330 148th Ave N.E., Redmond WA 98052). Social hour starts at 6PM with business meeting at 7PM.

The meeting will also be simulcast on Zoom for those that cannot attend in person. Watch your email for a message with additional instructions.

Some of the agenda items for the March meeting are: 

• Changing our monthly meetings to Saturday
• A work party for float maintenance
• Upcoming events
• And more

We hope to see you in person or on Zoom.

January 2022 Meeting Recap

We held our January meeting via Zoom on January 13th. We had 12 members and Western District Commander Jim Demott. 

Once everybody was on board with Zoom, Base Commander Doug opened the meeting with a few comments of appreciation of keeping this organization together during this pandemic crisis.
 

A screenshot from the meeting.

The Treasurer’s Report was given by Steve S. indicating that our organization was still solvent. He also talked about the success of the Christmas luncheon. He asked the question if we should schedule next year’s Christmas luncheon with the Nile Country Club for Saturday 12-10-2022. Those in attendance voted yes, unanimously.
 

Next came the nomination of officers was discussed and after some dialog it was determined and subsequently approved by those in attendance that Mike D would be the new Base Commander, Larry A would stay as Sr. Vice Commander, Earl G. would stay as Jr. Vice Commander., Steve S. would stay as Treasurer and blog master, and that Larry A. would take over the duties of Secretary until a replacement can be recruited.
 

Jim Demott addressed the upcoming USSVI Western Region Roundup to be held in Reno, NV on April 25 thru 29, 2022. Registration info can be found on Facebook or on the website https://wrroundup.com/

Due to the time limit on the meetings for the free version of Zoom, one of our members agreed to convert his Zoom account to the pay level. This will allow us to have unlimited time for our online meeting and share screens and videos. Because of this, it has also been decided to continue the Zoom meeting access even when we return to live meetings. This will allow members to join the meeting from wherever they are using a computer, tablet, or smart phone.
 

Our next Seattle Base meeting will again be a Zoom meeting and is scheduled for February 18. We will put out more information about the meeting soon and will have a practice session scheduled ahead of time for those that need to test it out.
 

We hope to have our first in-person session of the year on March 8, 2022 at the Redmond VFW.

USS Connecticut sails through Puget Sound to Bremerton

USS Connecticut sailed into its homeport of Bremerton on Tuesday, December 21, 2 1/2 months after a collision with an underwater mountain.

Connecticut sailing through Puget Sound
(photo from the West Seattle Blog)

Closer photos in the Kitsap Sun show the boat is missing some or all of the sonar dome on the bow of the boat. 

You can read and see more  in the article from the Kitsap Sun.

November Meeting Reminder

The next Seattle Base meeting is set for Tuesday, November 9 at VFW Post #2995 in Redmond (4330 148th Ave NE, Redmond WA 98052). The formal meeting starts at 7 PM, but we will open at 6 PM for social time.

We will talk about the Christmas luncheon, scheduled for December 11 at the Nile Golf and Country Club, and cover other on-going items.

We hope to see you there!

2021 Auburn Veterans Day Parade

The 2021 Auburn Veterans Day parade is on Saturday, November 6. The Seattle Base USSVI and Bremerton Base USSVI will be participating in this year's parade.

We will meet near the junction of Main and K Street NE in Auburn. Please arrive between 10:00 and 10:30. The parade will start at 11:00. We will have room on the float for sitting. Be sure to dress warm.

Photo from the 2019 parade

There is free parking in the Auburn transit center garage by the train depot (click on the image below for a larger view of the map). You can see more about other parade and Veterans Day events on the City of Auburn website.

There will not be any display stands and tents around this year, so them should be more parking available. Also there will be no bands. 

We hope to see you there!

October Meeting Reminder

We are on for our October meeting this coming Tuesday, October 12th, at the VFW post 2995 in Redmond (4430 148th Ave NE, Redmond). The formal meeting starts at 7 PM, but we will open at 6 PM for social time. The VFW restaurant will be open for good pub food.

VFW Post 2995

We can’t wait to see everyone again.

Eternal Patrol: Tim Floersch

Cold War Submariner, Holland Club and Seattle Base Member Tim Timothy Paul Floersch departed on Eternal Patrol on August 28, 2021.

Tim was born on February 8, 1944. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1965 and qualified in submarines aboard USS Redfish (AGSS-395) in 1966. He was a ETR-2(SS) when he left the service in 1970. He made a career with Korry Electronics in Seattle as a Quality Engineer.

 

Tim was an active member of the USSVI – Seattle Base and USS Thresher Chapter of the Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC), acting as their Base Secretary. He was also active in the Lynnwood Hero’s Café Veteran’s Group and the Lynnwood Elks (FOE). Tim is survived by two daughters and five grandchildren.

 

Arrangements are being made through the Neptune Society of Lynnwood and Lynnwood Elks for an internment at Tahoma National Cemetery at a date to be announced later.

 

Shipmate, Rest your oar.

August Meeting Reminder

We want to remind you that the next Seattle Base USSVI meeting is planned for Tuesday, August 10th at the VFW Post #2995 in Redmond (4330 148th Ave NE, Redmond WA 98052). Social time starts at 6:30 and the business meeting starts at 7.

A nice snapshot from a previous meeting

We will discuss a schedule for the rest of the year as well as events we wish to pursue and, best of all, get to see each other again.

We will not have food or beverages served in the hall, but you may order from the bar topside. You are required to wear a mask at the bar when ordering items and not seated. Anyone not vaccinated to should wear a mask at all times. Many of us will be wearing one to prevent the spread of virus variants.

We hope to see you there.

August Meeting Announcement

Greetings shipmates,

We are happy to announce that the next Seattle Base meeting is planned for Tuesday, August 10, 2021. We will meet at VFW Post #2995 (4330 148th Ave N.E., Redmond WA 98052) in the large hall. Social time starts at 6:30 PM with business meeting at 7 PM.

Redmond VFW Post 2995

The executive board met June 24th and voted on the August meeting date to be held at the regular place in Redmond. We are hoping for a big turnout where we can discuss a schedule for the coming year as well as events we wish to pursue and, best of all, get to see each other again.

We hope to see you there. Please feel free to contact the base officers with any questions.

Memorial Services for Paul Christofferson

There are two memorial services are planned for Paul Christofferson.

The first is a more formal memorial service at Tahoma National Cemetery. It is scheduled for Thursday, July 22 at 12:30 PM. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Tahoma National Cemetery's address is 18600 SE 240th Street Kent, WA 98042-4868.

The second memorial will be at AMVETS Post 1 on Saturday July 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM. This event is less formal and more of a social gathering with music, finger food, no official ceremony. Paul's memorabilia will be on display and there will be time to share stories. The AMVETS Post address is 5717 S. Tyler Street Tacoma, WA, 98409.

Both services are open to all and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend to honor and remember Paul.

Eternal Patrol: Paul Christofferson

World War II veteran, Holland Club, and Bremerton Base member, Paul Algot Christofferson cast off his lines from the pier of life and sailed off on his final and Eternal Patrol on June 2, 2021.

Paul qualified in submarines aboard the USS Raton (SS-270) in 1944, completing 3 war patrols and earning a combat patrol pin. He was a MOMM3(SS) when he left the Navy in 1946.

Paul was active in SVWWII through it's dissolution, serving as Lockwood Chapter President, and also was a District Commander in USSVI. Paul was always a regular at the Auburn Veterans Day Parade and Seattle Base Tolling Ceremony. 

Paul speaking at a Seattle Base Tolling Ceremony

Sailor, Rest your oar.

Memorial Day 2021

As restrictions on gatherings are being lifted and we remember our fallen shipmates on Memorial Day, we wanted to pass along some information about ceremonies in the Seattle area. 

Memorial Day flags at Tahoma National Cemetery

Tahoma National Cemetery will be open for visitors during Memorial Day Weekend, but will not be holding a public ceremony for Memorial Day 2021. They will post pictures of the wreath laying next week.

The Avenue of Flags and individual gravesite flags will be on display during the weekend. There will be staff available on site and additional public restrooms during the weekend.

Garden of Remembrance in Seattle

This year’s Garden of Remembrance Memorial Day Ceremony will honor Korean War POW/MIA Service Members with a keynote address by Korean War Veteran John D. Hosey, followed by the tolling of the bell and the presentation of the wreaths.

The ceremony will beheld at Benaroya Hall’s Garden of Remembrance on Monday, May 31, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

This annual event is held in honor of Washington State Service members who fell in service to their country since Memorial Day of the prior year. The names of the fallen are engraved on the granite walls of the Garden of Remembrance.

Eternal Patrol: KRI Nanggala

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala. 

On Saturday, Indonesia's Navy changed the status of its missing submarine from sub-miss to sub-sank, as the Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, Yudo Margono, presented debris believed to be from the vessel at a news conference.

Authorities now expect to carry out an evacuation process to recover the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine and its crew when they pinpoint its exact location. The latest update came as hopes faded for the 53 crew members, who were expected to have run out of oxygen early on Saturday. So far, no sign of them has been found, Yudo said.

Six pieces of debris believed to be from the submarine were presented to journalists at the news conference. The items were found about two miles from the spot where the submarine started to dive before it went missing, Yudo said, and included a bottle of grease, part of a torpedo launcher, part of a metal tube, prayer mats and fuel.

Nanggala was a German-built Type 209/1300 class submarine. The sub was conducting a torpedo drill when it went missing. 

KRI Nanggala in the Java Sea 2015 (Wikipedia)

We offer our sincerest condolences to Indonesia and the family and friends of the crew.

121st U.S. Navy Submarine Birthday

Happy 121st Birthday to the U.S. Navy submarine force on #nationalsubmarineday.

Here are some video celebrations from the U.S. Navy, ComSubLAnt, and ComSubPac

U.S. Navy video and message

The U.S. Navy submarine force is celebrating 121 years of undersea mastery and heritage, which have created, forged, and honed the nation’s most effective military advantage. The submarine force was born on April 11, 1900, when the U.S. Navy purchased John Holland’s revolutionary submarine. Today’s submarine force provides a ready force to the nation to deter war, defeat terrorists, provide relief during disasters, and win if called upon.

SubLant video

SubPac video Facebook link

https://www.facebook.com/SUBPAC/videos/2193538610945140/

Naval Undersea Museum Virtual Tour

If you haven't been the the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport WA in a while (or ever), now is a good time to go on a video tour or to try out their new virtual tour.

Here is the video tour.

For the virtual tour, just click here > Naval Undersea Museum Virtual Tour

You can also find the link to the virtual tour on the Naval Undersea Museum's website.