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.

Short Notice Social Event for USS Olympia Crew

The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Naval Submarine League (NSL) is inviting all submariner’s and guest to a social event with crew members of USS Olympia (SSN 717) at the Horse and Cow Pub and Grill.

Event Details 
When: Sunday, January 29th. Time 1600-1900. FYI, the Pro Bowl starts at 1700, but since that’s such a silly game, you should come to the H&C and have fun with us.

What: A reception honoring crew members from the USS Olympia while they’re here. The NSL will provide the pupus (appetizers) at no cost to you. No host beverages, but the H&C has great Happy Hour pricing from 4-7pm.

Where: We will be at the Horse and Cow Pub and Grill, 536 4th Street, Bremerton, a self-proclaimed festive submarine-themed watering hole. For the uninitiated, there is a great collection of submarine memorabilia covering the walls, a submariner vibe, and great food and drink. For those who have been to other generations of this establishment, this is not the one you may have gone to at Mare Island, San Diego, or the most recent local version in Chico (I understand the one in Guam is nice, too). Much nicer and worth a stop off.
You can check out the Horse and Cow on their website. It is four blocks to/from the ferry if you’re coming over from Seattle. Here is a Google Maps link for location and directions. 
There is somewhat limited street parking but there are several garages close by. Should be easier on a Sunday.

RSVP?: No RSVP required. If you’re planning on bringing a big crowd, I’d appreciate a heads up.

Who: All active duty sailors, NSL members and guests, and submarine veterans. We’re also having members of the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Navy League Council join us. Pass the word!

I’m hoping that some of you who have a hard time getting away from work for luncheons can make this event. It’s something new that I think you’ll enjoy. Please mark your calendars and plan to stop by.

Thanks,
Bob

Bob Aronson
CAPT, USN (Ret.)
President, Pacific Northwest Chapter Naval Submarine League

2014 Auburn Veterans Day Parade Photos

It was a beautiful day for the Auburn Veterans Day Parade. The morning fog burned off well before the start time and it was warm out (unless you were sitting in the shade). We had a good turnout for the parade with members from Seattle, Bremerton, South Sound Bases, and Silent Service Motorcycle Club showing up. The crowd was enthusiastic and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Here are some photos from the event.

This year we took the group photo before the parade and it was lot easier to get everyone together

Because we have to get in place early, there was plenty of time to talk with everyone before the parade.

Bonefish float before the parade.

Some pre-parade chatter.

SSMC comparing notes about their bikes

Getting closer to parade time

Our newest Submariner Wife Marilyn Harper

Riders aboard the Seattle Base float

Other groups were getting ready too.

U.S. Army Color Guard and state flag group lining up.

Gold Star families

Then it was time for the parade to start.

A helicopter fly-over kicks off the parade

Bremerton Base led off the SubVet group

Then the Bonefish float

Followed by SubVets on foot

Then the Seattle Base float

With the SSMC bring up the rear

Here are a couple photos of the crowd along Auburn's Main Street.

Thanks to everyone that came out for the parade!

Like Vintage Cars? Join South Sound Base on a tour of the LeMay Family Collection

All SubVets from Seattle and Bremerton Bases are invited to join the South Sound Base Bubbleheads in touring the over 500 vintage vehicles at the LeMay Marymount Event Center on Saturday, October 5 2013. Mark your calendar and muster at noon in front of the Gift Shop. Mud and Gut Bombs (coffee and donuts) will be on hand for the crew.

The normal admission fee is $15.00, but for our group of Bubbleheads, it is only $10.00 per person! Our tour will shove off at 12:30, so don’t be late! Plan on a 2 - 2 1/2 hour tour of the extensive collection of vintage vehicles located here. There will be plenty of old, new, and unusual vehicles to look at. 

 IMPORTANT: If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Mike Ellis by email (mlellis337@comcast.net) or phone (253-222-6948) as soon as possible.

From its roots as the original automotive collection of Harold and Nancy LeMay, started in the 1960's, the LeMay Family Collection Foundation (LFCF) is an expression of the continued growth of the LeMay Collection and a desire from the community to preserve the amazing LeMay Collection for the future. The LeMay family collections include over 1,500 vintage vehicles, plus related Americana (dolls, toys, antiques, farm equipment, etc.) and much of that is located at Marymount, a distinct campus with a unique history all its own.You can read more about and see pictures from the foundation at their website.

The LeMay Family Collection Foundation is located at the Marymount Event Center, 325 152nd ST E, Tacoma, WA 98445

July Meeting Notes

We began the July meeting with the Tolling of the Boats for July, birthday wishes for our members, introductions, and officer reports. Then we moved right into the meeting business.

Old and New Business:
Smokey Point Rest Stop Event - The Smokey Point was at the southbound rest stop June 28 - July 1. We had a good time at the event, although we were a little thin on volunteers during some times. After expenses, it looks like we will make around $700 from donations for the event. Bravo Zulu to Steve and all the volunteers for their efforts on this event.

Seattle Base at the Museum of Flight - The Seattle Base float and several volunteers will be in the parking lot for the Museum of Flight's Need for Speed Weekend on August 3 - 4. We will be talking to visitors about the World War II Submarine Lifeguard League and USSVI. In addition, base member Capt. Don Ulmer will be giving a presentation on the rescue of the aircrew of a B-29 by USS Springer (SS - 414), with film from the actual rescue, and sharing his own connection with the event. Don's presentation will be in the Museum's Quonset Hut theater on the first floor of the Personal Courage Wing at 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Here is a little preview of what we will be talking about:

Tolling the Boats Ceremony - The Tolling the Boats ceremony and picnic are set for August 17 at Kirkland Marina Park Pavilion (25 Lakeshore Plaza Drive, Kirkland WA 98033). The picnic will start around 11:00 AM and the ceremony will start around 1:30. An email has gone out asking for a head count for the picnic. If you've received the email, be sure to respond. If you haven't gotten the email, please contact our POC Karl 'Dutch' Krompholz by email (Kkrompholz@hotmail.com) or phone (253-631-5736). The Tolling ceremony is an important part of our organization's creed and we hope to see you there.

August Meeting - Because of all the events going on throughout August, we decided cancel the monthly meeting scheduled for August 21. The next Base meeting will be on September 18th.

Cabela's Weekend #2 - On weekend of August 24 - 25, we will set up the Seattle Base float in the parking lot of Cabela's Tulalip store (9810 Quil Ceda Blvd Tulalip WA 98271). We will be there both days from 10 AM to 4 PM and will need volunteers to help out. If you are interested in attending, please contact Doug Abramson (see the newsletter for Doug's Phone number) or you can just show up. For this event all participants get the employee discount for purchases as well as free lunch at the store deli.

Black Diamond Labor Day Parade - We are planning on participating in the Black Diamond Labor Day parade on Monday, September 2. We will provide more information about the parade as we get closer to the event.

July Program: 
For our July program, we watched a short video of the first female Submarine Qualified Diving Officer LT(SS) Britta Christianson of USS Ohio speaking at a recent Bremerton Base meeting. It was interesting to hear about her background as a Naval Flight Officer, surface supply officer (including time as a boarding party office off Somalia and a side trip to Afghanistan) and qualifying on USS Ohio. You can watch the video below (if the embedded version doesn't work, you can find the video on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/F-eWM-OEKLs). Thanks to Bremerton Base member Gary Kaiser who videoed the talk.

 

Good of the Order:
The Holland Club Committee sent a certificate of appreciation to Seattle Base for our donation of $208.00 to the committee.

Barnes & Noble has added a page with Don Ulmer's books to their website. For those of you that have read Don's books, he would appreciate it if you would go to the page and post a few reviews. He also has a new book available in his submarine series called Skagerrak, copies of which quickly sold out at the July meeting. 

Binnacle List: 

• Gene Posel is still recovering from a torn back muscle. 
• Don Ulmer is recovering from shoulder surgery. 
• Art Thompson is on the mend from foot surgery. 

We hope to see you at the next meeting.

Thresher Memorial Update and WD4 Newsletter

Shipmates,

Here is some information about Thresher Memorial Service and the latest Western District 4 Commander's newsletter.

Thresher Memorial Service Information

The 50th Annual USS Thresher Memorial Service held this Saturday, April 6, starting at 1 P.M, Eastern Time. The program will be broadcast live over streaming internet video and you can view the program here (if the link doesn't work copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/2935)

Please tune in to join with us in creating an international sense of community to remember the 129 men lost aboard USS Thresher 50 years ago on April 10, 1963.

You can find more details about the program here (if the link doesn't work copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://www.thresherbase.org/program.html)


Western District 4 Newsletter
Western District 4 (WD4) Commander John Mansfield just sent out his latest newsletter with information about what is happening in WD4. If you didn't get a copy in your email, you can review and download it here (if the link doesn't work copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://www.box.com/s/m3y0l6gwzy761crqqmk9)

USSVI Thresher Base needs help for Thresher 50th Memorial Service

Editor's Note: Thresher Base sent out the following message about the new challenges they face for the memorial service, due the the sequestration. At last night's meeting, Seattle Base voted to send $100 to help out and a number of base members chipped in their own money too. If you have the extra funds, this would be a worthwhile donation.

USSVI Thresher Base needs your help with funding the 50th Annual USS Thresher Memorial Service that will be held on April 6th.

After the 49th memorial service, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) informed us that they would host this once in a lifetime memorial ceremony, just as they have done so for each of the 10 year anniversaries of the loss of USS Thresher.

PNS regretfully informed us seven weeks ago that they will not be able to host the service due to recent DOD sequestration motivated discretionary spending budget cuts at NAVSEA, coupled with an unprecedented number of attendees that exceeds the capacity of the PNS Auditorium.

In response, we have reserved the only facility large enough to hold this memorial service, the Portsmouth High School at a cost of over $1,800.

One week ago we learned that due to additional spending cuts, CHINFO “may” not be able to pick up the cost of the $2,400 webcast, and PNS “may” not be able to cover the $2,600 program printing cost.

Our normal yearly service costs are $1,300. For the 50th, we had budgeted $3,000. As of today, our cost for the best case scenario with partial Navy support is approximately $7,000, and a worst case scenario of around $12,000.

Given the reasonable potential that these cuts will be made, we need your help to fund this once in a lifetime memorial service.

Please send your donations in the form of a check made out to USSVI Thresher Base, with the check note stating “USS Thresher Memorial Service Fund”, and mail to our Treasurer to the address:

USSVI Thresher Base Treasurer
Dennis O’Keeffe
1 Eureka Ave.
York, ME 03909

All donations received will be noted on the Donor’s section of the memorial service program.

For questions related to the donation check, please contact Dennis via email at ss426djo@msn.com or by phone at 207-351-1240.

For all other questions, please contact me directly at ThresherBase@comcast.net, 603-785-6464.

Thank you,
Kevin Galeaz
Thresher Base Commander
http://www.thresherbase.org

November Meeting Notes and Veterans Day Photos

The November meeting was held one week earlier than normal due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We started off the meeting with the Tolling of the Boats for November and December, birthday wishes for our members, introductions and officer reports.

We then saw some photos of the Royal Navy's newest submarine, HMS Ambush, and got a short description of the Astute class submarines. Thanks to Dick Gonzales for sharing links to this information.

HMS Ambush underway

Old and New Business 
New Base Raffle - The base is raffling off the 14" x 14" canvas reproduction of the USSVI Memorial plaque that we received at last month's meeting. You can purchase tickets for the drawing for $1 each or 6 for $5. The drawing will be held at the Holiday Luncheon. If you are interested in getting tickets, contact Base Commander Doug Abramson.

This year's raffle prize

Auburn Veterans Day Parade – We had a good turnout for the parade with members from Seattle, Bremerton and South Sound Bases showing up for the parade. It was a sunny, but cold day for the parade and the crowd was bundled up for the parade. You can see photos from the parade at the end of this post.

Membership Dues - If you are on the annual membership plan, it is time to look at paying your dues. Please contact Jim Harper to pay your dues or if you have questions.

Seattle Base Elections - Base elections are coming up in January. Our base needs men like you to stand for the necessary positions to keep the base running, and we want to invite you to throw your name in the ring for one of the Base Officer positions. Even if you aren’t ready to be a Base Officer, you can still help out as one of the committee chairs or appointed officers for the base. Committee chairs and appointed officers are really needed to handle the necessary base functions that make our base valuable to us all. Please consider stepping up for an officer or committee position.

2013 Calendars - The USSVI 2013 calendars are available. The calendar, titled "The Victors", honors the World War II U.S. submariners and their boats. You get your copy from the Seattle Base ship's store or you can order your copy directly from the USSVI National Storekeeper.

December Meeting Reminder - We will not be having a meeting in December, but we hope to see all of you at the Holiday Luncheon.

Upcoming Events 
Holiday Luncheon - We will have our annual Holiday Luncheon at the Seattle Yacht Club on Saturday, December 15. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar. It is always a fun time and this will probably be the last year we will be at the Seattle Yacht Club. You can find the registration form in the currnet issue of the newsletter (see the link on the right side of the page) or you can download a copy by clicking this link. 

Veterans Day Photos 
Here is a video Ric Hedman took before the parade.

2012 Auburn Veterans Day Parade Seattle Base USSVI - Funny bloopers are a click away

Here are some photos from the Auburn Veterans Day Parade on November 10, 2012.

Seattle Base Float getting ready for the parade

Sam Ronnie's limo and the Silent Service Motorcycle Club

Bonefish float

Bremerton Base members and some active duty sailors before the parade

Seattle Base members Curt Maier, Steve Shelton, Pat Householder, Karl 'Dutch' Krompholz and Ralph Sterley

WWII SubVet Paul Christofferson shows off a pen he got at the convention with wood from submarine decking

Swapping a few stories before the parade

Bob Opple and John Mansfield

A flyover by an Air Force C-17 started the parade

A VFW Honor Guard moves into position before our floats

SubVets move into parade position

The SSMC followed the floats

Seattle Base members marching behind the Bonefish float

Submariners (past and present) group photo after the parade

Veterans Day ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery on November 11, 2012

2012 USSVI National Election Results and Award Winners

Here are the election results and National Awards winners, as announced at the USSVI Convention annual business meeting.

Election Results

2012-2014 National Officers
Commander: Michael Bircumshaw
Sr Vice Commander: Carl Schmidt
Jr Vice Commander: Al Singleman, Jr
Secretary: Tom Conlon
Treasurer: Richard McPherson

2012-2014 Region Directors
Northeast Director: Michael Naughton
Southeast Director: Dick Kanning
Central Director: Wayne Standerfer
Western Director: John Mansfield

All the proposed amendments were accepted.

Upcoming Convention Locations
2013 Convention: Rochester MN
2014 Convention: Burlingame CA (SFO Area)

You can see the voting result charts and Base member participation charts on the USSVI website. To see these charts, go to www.ussvi.org, then click the DOCUMENTS Button. Then click the ELECTIONS button and the links are there to see (click here for a direct link).

2012 USSVI Awards: 

Joe Negri “Shipmate of the Year” Award
This is the top award in USSVI and is presented to the member who, by his personal individual efforts and participation during the preceding year contributed most to the advancement and embodiment of the USSVI creed and purpose.
2012 Winner: Wayne Standerfer - Dallas Base

Robert Link Awards:
This award is the National Commander’s Letter of Commendation.
2012 Winners:
Steven D. Bell – Carolina Piedmont Base
Harold W. Dixon Jr. – Tarheel Base
William C. Dornik – Mare Island Base
James W. Gibson – Cuttlefish Base
Gerald F. Leppart – Tarheel Base
John E. Markiewicz – Cyberspace Base
Joseph R. Mathis – Razorback Base
Raymond Moore – Nathanael Greene Base
James R. Myers III – Nathanael Greene Base
Robert A. Perritt – Groton Base
Terry L. Schmidt – USS Maine Base
Hampton Roads Base

District Commander of the Year:
Awarded to the one District Commander that exemplifies and demonstrates an outstanding example to his peers, and through his efforts and performance of duties in service to his Base Commanders, provides guidance, organization and assistance within his District and establishes new Bases as needed to serve the needs of the membership.
2012-2013 Winner: Vic Van Horn

Meritorious Award:
This award is presented to the member or Base that most exemplifies the motto, 'Pride Runs Deep' as demonstrated by their participation in local veteran affairs, parades and school activities.
Base Award: USS Chicago Base
Individual Award: Paul L. Grammer – Groton Base

The Ben Bastura Award:
This award is given to the person who has demonstrated their understanding and commitment to our creed in perpetuating the memory of submariners and submarines by gathering, creating, or in other ways preserving a significant amount of submarine history.
Winner: John A. McMichael – USS Cavalla Base

Golden Anchor Award:
This award is a base award, presented to the base that has demonstrated a leading role in developing and promoting creative membership renewals, including development of successful recruiting tools.
Class One (Large-Sized) Base: Bremerton Base*
Class Two (Medium-Sized) Base: USS Haddo Base
Class Three (Small-Sized) Base: Coastal Carolina Base
Class Four Base: Yakima Base*

* Note from District 4 Commander/Western Region Director John Mansfield: I am extremely proud that Bremerton Base and Yakima Base were rewarded for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm by receiving the USSVI Golden Anchor Award in their respective divisions. You are all to be congratulated for a job well done.

Silver Anchor Award:
This award is presented to a member in recognition of his support of meetings, projects and events including recruiting and retention in the base.
Winner: Dominick M. “Dom“ Boncore – Mare Island Base

Newsletter of the Year Awards
Base communications are vital to member involvement. In order to recognize the value of base communications and encourage that process, the Newsletter of the Year Award was created. The award serves as a tool to encourage bases to first develop their own membership newsletters and then to improve them sufficiently to be competitive with their peer bases and those of other Veterans' organizations and to recognize those that were superior to their peers.

The newsletter awards are divided into three classes for each region. Large Bases (100+ members) are referred to as Class One, Medium Size Bases (51-100 members) are Class Two, and Small Bases (up to 50 members) are Class Three.

Northeast Region
Class One:
Winner: QUALSFORMS - NJ North Base
First runner up: BUFFALO BASE NL: – Buffalo Base
Second runner up: STEEL VALLEY DOLPHINS -- Requin Base

Class Two:
Winner: 1 MC - Marblehead Base
First runner up: TRI STATE DECK LOG - Tri State Base
Second runner up: MID ATLANTIC BASE SUBMARINER - Mid Atlantic Base
Honorable Mention:
CLEAR THE BRIDGE - Reading Base
UP PERISCOPE - Southern Tier NY Base

Class Three:
Winner: THE LEHIGH VALLEY BASE NEWS - Lehigh Valley Base

Southeast Region
Class One:
Winner: ALL CLEAR - Tarheel Base
First runner up: RIDING THE VENTS - Tang Base
Second runner up: HAMPTON ROADS NL - Hampton Roads Base

Class Two:
Winner: PIEDMONT PERISCOPE - Carolina Piedmont Base
First runner up: PERISCOPE - Central Florida Base
Second runner up: DENIZENS of the DEEP NL - Denizens of the Deep Base
Honorable Mention:
THE SILENT SENTINEL - Barb Base
SEADRAGON BASE NL - Seadragon Base

Class Three:
Winner: OOGA OOGA - Palmetto Base
First runner up: DIVE – DIVE - South Florida Base
Second runner up: THE SHIPS BELL - Nautilus Base
Honorable Mention:
SIGNAL EJECTOR - Mobile Bay Base

Central Region
Class One: No entries this year

Class Two:
Winner: UP SCOPE - Dallas Base
First runner up: BROTHERS of the "PHIN" - Volunteer Base
Second Runner up: SCUTTLEBUTT - USS Haddo Base

Class Three:
Winner: DECK LOG - Central Texas Base
First runner up: THE TRIM PUMP - Nebraska Base
Second Runner up: STRYKER SIGNALS - P.C. Stryker Base
Honorable Mention:
GATEWAY NEWS - USS Springfield Base

Western Region
Class One:
Winner: PUGET SOUNDINGS - Bremerton Base
First runner up: THE MIDWATCH - Perch Base
Second runner up: THE DOLPHIN BROTHERHOOD - Seattle Base
Honorable Mention:
SCUTTLEBUTT - USS Holland/Gold Country Base
THE SILENT SENTINEL - San Diego Base
SCAMP – GRAM - USS Scamp Base

Class Two:
Winner: CORVINA BASE NL - Corvina Base
First runner up: THE BLOWHOLE - Dolphin Base
Second runner up: CAVITATION - Rocky Mountain Base

Class Three:
Winner: GOONEY NEWS - USS Parche Base
First runner up: THE TAUTOG TIMES - Tautog Base
Second runner up: THE SNORKEL - Yakima Base
Honorable Mention:
POLARIS FIRE - Polaris Base

Congratulations to all the winners!

Yakima Base in the News

Editor's Note: I always like to pass along news about other Washington state bases. Here is an article about Yakima Base's work on their new float. Gary Brown,Yakima Base member who works on community outreach, said the article has helped them identify two potential members in Ellensburg. Be sure to click on the float photo to get a larger view of the float model.

Submarine vets' group works on model sub
From The Daily Record

The U.S. Navy submarine service veterans working on a submarine model/display for parades and other civic activities are, from left, Bill Richards, Selah; Bill Millard, Desert Aire; Mark DeLagasse, Naches; Rob Jacobson and Doug Dahlke, both of Yakima; and Don Rairdan and Gary Brown, both of Ellensburg.

The Central Washington chapter of U.S. Submarine Veterans, a national nonprofit military vets group, is working hard to complete a 16-foot-long model of a U.S. Navy fast-attack submarine to be used in community parades and other civic displays and exhibits, according to a news release.

Work is ongoing in a group members’ airplane hangar at Desert Aire.

Members plan to take it to parades from Ellensburg to Tri-Cities, with other communities likely to be included. Members of the group hail from Ellensburg, Selah, Desert Aire, Yakima, Naches, Kennewick, Prosser, Quincy, Roslyn, Tieton and Wenatchee. The membership of the Central Washington based-group ranges from men in their 80s who served on World War II diesel-powered submarines, to younger men who qualified on new, modern boats.

When completed it will be painted black and will have a bronze screw. Added will be lookouts and an Officer of the Deck on the bridge, electric running lights (red for portside, green for starboard, a stern light atop the rudder), and an electric screw that will actually turn. And, of course, a klaxon diving alarm — the familiar A-OOO-GAAAH horn you hear in submarine movies — will be part of the model.

The model is 22 inches in diameter, 16 feet long and the sail is 18 inches high. Modern submarines of the same design (called fast attack boats since they’re not missile subs) are about 360 feet long and 30 feet wide.

Ongoing purpose
The stated purpose of the sub vets’ group is to perpetuate the memory of their fellow shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country so that their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice will be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments, and to pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution, according to the news release.

“We also provide a way for all submariners to gather for mutual benefit and enjoyment,” said Gary Brown of Ellensburg, a group member who served on the USS Nautilus, the U.S. Navy’s first nuclear powered submarine. “Our common heritage as submariners is strengthened by camaraderie and we support a strong U.S. submarine force.”

The organization also engages in various projects and activities that bring about the perpetual remembrance of those shipmates who have given the supreme sacrifice. The organization endeavors to educate all third parties they come in contact with about the services the submarine service performed and how the sacrifices made possible the freedom and lifestyle that’s enjoyed today in the United States.