March 2015 Meeting Notes

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

Because of the speaker for tonight’s meeting we tried to move quickly through the old and new business portions of the meeting.

Old and New Business: 
Seattle Base Fundraising Events and Ideas – Doug Abramson and Pat Householder are working with Cabela’s Tulalip store to organize some meet and greet/fundraising opportunities. The first will be on March 28/29 (see a separate blog post for more information), followed up by events on May 17 and sometime in August. The base float will be at the event and we will be looking for volunteers to help out.

Doug and Pat are also looking at a similar meet and greet event at the Bass Pro Shop in Tacoma. Stay tuned for more on this.

Seattle Base is also planning a raffle for a three-dimensional cutaway submarine model. We have had similar raffles in 2011. Tickets will be $5 each or 6 for $20 and the raffle drawing will be at the end of June (corrected from original post on March 31). The winner will have their choice of boats, including Balao, Tench, GUPPY III, Sturgeon, Los Angeles, and Lafayette class submarines.

A GUPPY III cutaway

Seattle Base Member Activities Ideas – We are looking into planning several base activities for the year. First up, we are looking at a tour of the Museum of Flight Restoration Center in Everett with a pre-tour breakfast at Jimmy Jacks on Saturday, April 11. Watch for an email and separate blog post for more information on this.

We would like to take a group trip to Portland to see the submarine Blueback at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. We are looking at a trip in late July or early September. If you would be interested in this, be sure to let one of the Base Officers know.

Also, as mentioned at a previous meeting, we are also looking at alternative dates and locations for our monthly business meetings.

March Program:
Our March program was by World War II Army Air Corps veteran and French Legion of Honor recipient JW Roundhill. JW started out by reminding us of some of the similarities between submarines and airplanes, such as small, tight-knit crews and that even when part of a larger organization, you are mostly on your own. He then went on to talk about his life and experiences during World War II.

JW Roundhill

JW was born to English parents in Seattle in 1923, but when he was 10 years old the family returned to England. JW began working in an RAF factory at 16 and later transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943. He initially worked as a liaison delivering reconnaissance photos taken by operatives in France to the 8th Air Force headquarters, but he wanted to be more involved in the war effort. So he transferred to the 379 Bomb Group as an aircraft identification instructor, but he soon volunteered to act as a replacement gunner for the B-17 bombers. As a replacement gunner, JW would be assigned to a bomber that was missing a gunner, so he didn’t spend too much time with a single crew or plane. His first mission was on February 20, 1944. His fifth mission was the first daylight raid on Berlin by American bombers on March 6, 1944. JW went on to complete 32 missions and on later missions he acted as the bomb toggler to release bombs from his plane.

A map showing the location of JW's 32 missions

In addition to stories about his actions during World War II, JW told us about a trip he had taken to France long after the war. He recounted a story about staying in Paris and meeting up with members of the French Resistance. On the same trip he had the chance to visit several of the cities that were targets of bombing missions he was on, including one that was bombed on D-Day. He talked about always wondering what happened to the target towns and how he was happy to have gotten the opportunity to see them and talk with the people there.

It is always great to hear stories from our World War II veterans and we appreciate and salute their service. After the presentation, Base Commander Dick Gonzalez presented JW with a copy of Don Ulmer's latest book and a certificate of appreciation from Seattle Base.

Base Commander Dick Gonzalez presents JW Roundhill with a book and certificate

There was also cake to share.

JW helps cut the cake

In support of the Army Air Corps, base member Patti Lynn also brought along a shadow box with medals her father earned during World War II.

Medals earned by Patti Lynn's father

Good of the Order: 

Reminder of upcoming events – Seattle Base has signed up for covering the Smokey Point Rest Stop on July 1, 2, and 3. Steve Shelton will have sign-up sheets to cover shifts soon. Also, be sure to mark August 15 on your calendars for the annual Tolling the Boats memorial ceremony.

Lois Mezek will be accepting worn out flags to be disposed of on June 14th, which is Flag Day. If you have an old flag that is ready for retirement, please bring it to a meeting.

Binnacle List: Pierre Bruneau is back from his rehab and we hope to see him at our meeting soon.

March 2015 Meeting Reminder

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

Our March meeting will feature an outstanding speaker and member of our Greatest Generation, J.W. Roundhill. He will provide us with a unique perspective to the WWII conflict as he lived it.

379 Bomb Group patch

Here is a little taste of his story; J.W Roundhill was born to English parents in the US, but moved back to England in 1939. At the age of 16 J. W. began working at a factory producing aircraft for His Majesty's Royal Air Force. That was the beginning of a long and fascinating story, culminating with a completion of 32 missions over Europe and Germany in the US Army Air Corps 379 Bomb Group. J. W. also earned the highest honor given to a citizen by the President of France, the Order of the Legion of Honor.

J. W. Roundhill is a true American Patriot and his amazing history is too long to tell here, but if you would like to hear him speak make sure you attend on the 18th.

Dick Gonzalez
Seattle Base Commander

Eternal Patrol: William Lambright

Seattle Base member William L "Bill" Lambright of Everett WA slipped his lines at the pier of life and departed on Eternal Patrol on March 4, 2015.

Bill served aboard USS Redfish (SS-395) 1958-1959 and qualified in 1959 [NAV ET]. He also served aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600) in 1959-1961.

Bill leaves his wife Judy to mourn his passing. A sailor to the end, Bill made arrangements to be buried in his navy jumper, wearing dolphins, rate and Redfish insignia. Hand Salute, shipmate!

If you can, please make arrangements to attend his committal service at Tahoma National Cemetery near Seattle on Monday, March 9 at 9:30 AM. Sub vests or other identifying marks to show you are a Submariner brother are recommended.

Tahoma National Cemetery
18600 Southeast 240th Street
Kent, WA 98042-4868

Sailor, Rest Your Oar

March - April Dolphin Brotherhood Posted

The March – April issue of the Dolphin Brotherhood has been posted to the Seattle Base website.

January and February were slow months at Seattle Base, so this issue has submarine related articles from the past, present, and future of the U.S submarine force, and articles about foreign submarines, along with the usual base news.

Cmdr. Wes Bringham shows off Adm. O’Kane’s personal cribbage board on USS Bremerton. Traditionally the cribbage board is carried by the oldest submarine in the fleet. You can read more about USS Bremerton's visit to its namesake city in the newsletter (photo by Kitsap Sun)

Hardcopies of the newsletter will go out this week. I hope you all enjoy it.

As a reminder, we’ve introduced a way for you to get copies of the Dolphin Brotherhood sent directly to your email inbox. If you would like to get the PDF, full-color, version of the newsletter by email, just send a message to the email address: seabase_editor@yahoo.com with the subject “Subscribe” and include your name in the message. Alternatively, you can just speak with me (Dave Schueler) at a base meeting or event.

As always, don't forget to check back hers on the blog 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

February 2015 Meeting Notes

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

Old and New Business:
Brisbane Submarine Memorial – The US Submarine Memorial at New Farm Wharf in Brisbane, Australia was discussed (you can read more about it at this blog link). The memorial is working to raise additional funds to install three permanently lit flagpoles (one each for the U.S., Australian, UK flags). The USSVI Charitable Foundation – Memorial Fund has donated $1,000 toward the cause. A motion was made, and passed, for the Seattle Base to donate $100 to support this memorial. Several members also volunteered to make additional individual contributions.

VFW Open House – The VFW Post 2995 is holding an open house on Saturday February 28, 2015 2PM to 12AM. John Roberts will be our primary representative for USSVI to explain our organization to visitors and hopefully to unaffiliated submarine veterans as well.

Seattle Base Fund Raising – Fund raising was briefly discussed, most specifically about displaying the boat float in front of Bass Pro Shop in similar fashion to what we do at Cabelas. Doug Abramson and Pat Householder visited the store and secured their agreement to have us set up in a similar fashion to what we do at Cabelas. Now we need to set a time certain to move ahead on this.

February Program:

The February program was a presentation by Jeff Hunnicutt, Director of VA Puget Sound Health Care System Volunteer Affairs. Jeff oversees approximately 1,000 volunteers and explained how the PSHCS functions and the vital role the volunteers play in supporting the veteran clientele. For more information about this program and how you can get involved, visit http://www.pugetsound.va.gov/giving/index.asp

Good of the Order:
Tim Floersch reported that the Missing in America project will have a motorcycle procession to Tahoma National Cemetery to provide escort and honors to 29 inurned and unclaimed remains of Veterans recovered from various Funeral Homes in the area.

Steve Shelton reminded us that we have signed up for July 1, 2, and 3rd for the Smokey Point Rest Stop this year. We also have the Cruisin’ Colby event on Memorial Day weekend, which we will be participating in again.

Lois Mezek will be accepting worn out flags to be disposed of on June 14th, which is Flag Day. If you have an old flag that is ready for retirement, please bring it to a meeting.

Binnacle List:

• Jay K Davis remains in an assisted living facility and is still in rehab from his stroke.
• New member Bill Lambright (USS Redfish) has entered Hospice care due to advancing cancer.
• We are checking on the status of Horton Smith, since he has not been in touch with the group recently.

February 2015 Meeting Reminder

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

Our guest speaker this month is Jeff Honeycutt, Director of Volunteer Services for the Puget Sound Healthcare System. Jeff has served the VA system for over thirty years and has distinguished himself a tireless worker and advocate for vets.

Puget Sound Veterans Facillities

Jeff has the responsibility for managing hundreds of volunteers at the American Lake facility in Tacoma and the Seattle VA hospital.

Jeff will provide an overview of his responsibilities and offer some insights to the system.

I am sure you will enjoy meeting Jeff so be sure to attend if you can.

Dick Gonzalez
Seattle Base Commander

Submariners’ Walk Heritage Trail

Plaque for the Submariners Walk Heritage Trail

The Submariners Walk Heritage Trail is located at New Farm on the Brisbane River in Brisbane, Australia, where the US Navy's Task Force 42/72 was located during World War 2 is dedicated to the memory of Submariners of all nations who have given their service, and in many cases their lives, to the defense of freedom and the protection of Australia.

The video below provides a short overview of the trail. Once you start the video, you can click the icon in the lower right to expand it to full screen view.


The US Submarine Base was located in New Farm during WW2 in an area which is now public parkland. In cooperation with the Brisbane City Council the Submarine Association Australia Queensland Inc. has established an interpretive walk to tell the community the story of submariners and submarines, their crucial role in defending Australia during all wars and the people who served and those who gave their lives.

The Submariners Walk Heritage Trail was officially opened by Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AC, on Saturday 23 March 2013.

The community is free to walk along the 600 meters called 'Submariners Walk' and to stop and reflect on the past. On display are a series of plaques and submarine shaped benches that tell the story of submarine events during WW1 to WW2 and to the current day.

Submarine bench

Submariners' Walk is divided up into several sections. As you come off Hasting Street, 'Submariners Walk' honors the 5 American submarines that were lost with all hands from New Farm - USS Triton, USS Amberjack, USS Argonaut, USS Grampus and USS Seawolf. Plaques are placed at these steps that lead down towards the river front.

USS Triton plaque

USS Amberjack and USS Argonaut plaque

USS Seawolf and USS Grampus plaque

Plaque honoring US submarines that operated from Brisbane

The next section honors Australia's first Naval loss in 1914, HMAS AE1, still missing somewhere off Rabaul in Papua New Guinea and HMAS AE2’s sinking in the Dardanelles in 1915 where plaques and a submarine bench tell their stories.

HMAS AE1 plaque

HMAS AE2 plaque

As you meander along the river front the next section honors the X and XE Craft Miniature Submarines partially manned by RAN personnel. A plaque tells their story and there is also a submarine bench.

The next section honors the US Navy's Gato Class submarines and the repair ships USS Fulton, USS Griffin and USS Sperry. These Submarine Tenders were based at New Farm during the war and maintained the submarines. They are commemorated with a plaque and a submarine bench.

Submarine Tender plaque

As you approach the Beeston Street end, where existing plaques for USS Peto and The Engine Room already proudly stand, the Submarine Association Australia Queensland Inc. have placed other plaques and submarine shaped benches telling the story of the Australian Odin Class, J Class, K Class, Oberon Class and Collins Class submarines along with the British 4th Submarine Flotilla. Other plaques honor the Australian Submariners who received Honors and Awards during WW1 and WW2.

The Submariners Prayer plaque remembers those Australian Submariners who are on Eternal Patrol from 1914 to the present day.

Plaque honoring Australian Submariners on Eternal Patrol

By having these stories told it is envisaged that there will be greater public awareness about the important role Submariners played whilst defending our Nation during all conflicts.

You can see more photos of the Submariners' Walk at this link (thanks to Harry Haxton for sharing the images) and a special thank to the Queensland Branch of Submarines Association Australia for sharing information about the trail. .