September Meeting Notes

We started the September meeting with the Tolling of the Boats for September, birthday wishes for our members, introductions and officer reports.

The base newsletter was announced as the Western Region Class One Second Runner-Up and Base Commander Doug Abramson presented the certificate to newsletter editor Dave Schueler.

Dave Schueler receives the newsletter certificate from Base Commander Doug Abramson

Old and New Business

November Meeting - Because the November meeting is currently scheduled for the Thursday before Thanksgiving, we are looking into shifting the meeting to the second Wednesday, November 14. We still need to confirm the VFW that the meeting room is available that day. We will update the membership on this as soon as we know.

Fund-Raising Ideas - We had a short discussion about using the base float for fund-raising opportunities for the base. If you know of or have suggestions for a store (or other location), where we could park the float for a little publicity and to get donations, please bring them to the next meeting.

USSVI Memorial Plaque - The USSVI plaque is set to be dedicated in 2014 at the Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. for the 50th anniversary of USSVI. USSVI is still looking for donations to cover the cost of the plaque and the Seattle Base will match donations (up to $250 total). Additionally, members that donate $125 or more will receive a replica plaque, pictured below, that is similar to the one being installed at the Navy Memorial.

8" x 10" member appreciation plaque for donations of $125

Save the Clamagore - As many of you may have heard, the museum at Patriot's Point in South Carolina does not have enough funds to do maintenance on the Clamagore. If money cannot be raised for the work, the Clamagore will probably end up on the scrap heap or as a artificial reef. The Clamagore Veterans Association is working to get donations to fix up the boat. They think they will need around 3 million dollars for all the work and to set up a maintenance fund. Please think about donating to fund.

You can donate at the website http://www.savetheclamagore.com/ or by sending your donation by check or money order to:
Save The Clamagore
c/o George Bass
110 River Birch Drive
Salisbury, NC 28146.

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.

Upcoming Events

Navy Birthday Celebration - VFW Post 2995 is planning to have a dinner to celebrate the Navy's Birthday on October 13 and they have invited us to join them. The dinner will run from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and costs $12 per person. The dinner menu is ham, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, with cake for desert. Be prepared to sing Anchors Aweigh!

Auburn Veterans Day Parade – The parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 12. This is a great parade, be sure to mark this on your calendar.We will provide more information about when and where to meet at the next meeting.

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.

September Presentation
We had three short presentations for the September program:

Dave Schueler brought photos from the Tolling the Boats Ceremony and gave an overview of the ceremony.

Pat Householder gave a report on the USSVI National Convention in Norfolk VA. Approximately 1,200 SubVets attended the convention, including 62 members of the Submarine Veterans of WWII. The convention tolling ceremony was held on the battleship USS Wisconsin. The convention also marked the end of an era as the Submarine Veterans of WWII officially closed as a national organization. Pat stated that it is now USSVI's responsibility to carry on their legacy. Tim Floersch also attended the convention and gave a recap of the Silent Service Motorcycle Club meeting and ride at the convention.

Doug Abramson reported on his trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats with his Model A Roadster team. He passed around photos from the event (the DVD he brought didn't want to work with Keith's laptop) and described the work that was done on the car. His group was able to get their car up to over 132 MPH on their speed run. He also related information about the other vehicles at the event and some of the past history.

September Meeting Reminder

The next Seattle Base meeting is this coming Wednesday, September 19, at VFW Post #2995 (4330 148th Ave N.E., Redmond WA 98052). Social hour starts at 6 PM with business meeting at 7PM. Don't forget to review the previous meeting minutes, you can find them here on the blog or on the Seattle Base website, just click the Minutes button on the left.

We'll get our normal Officer reports, discuss shifting the November meeting due to the Thanksgiving holiday, and any other new business.

Float and submarine information display at the 2012 Tolling Ceremony

For this month's program, our chief orator Bob Opple is going to give us a full report on the Tolling the Boats ceremony with photos from the event. Also, Base Commander Doug Abramson will give a short talk on his trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

So please come and enjoy the fellowship with your shipmates and our great associates and wives. We hope to see you all at the meeting on Wednesday.

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!

September - October Newsletter Posted

The September - October issue of the Dolphin Brotherhood has been posted to the Seattle Base website.

This issue has photos from the Independence Day parade and Tolling the Boats Ceremony, information about the USSVI Memorial Plaque Program (including information about the member/base appreciation gifts for donations), along with the usual base news, and upcoming events.

Hardcopies of the newsletter are in the mail and should arrive soon. I hope you all enjoy it.

As always, don't forget to check back here 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

Black Diamond Labor Day Parade Invitation

Former Base Commander Keith Watson would like to invite all Submarine Veterans to attend the Black Diamond Labor Day parade and festivities on Monday, September 3.

The Seattle Base Float at a previous Labor Day Parade

Keith Says:
We will have coffee and treats at the Black Diamond Museum, located at 32627 Railroad Avenue 98010 (just west of the Fire Station at the foot of Baker Street) prior to the parade. The parade starts at 10 AM and finishes up at the school ballpark where the entrees can park and display their floats, etc. It is about a 4-5 block walk from the start of the parade to the school ballpark. Everything is within walking distance and the event is very well attended. Highway 169 will be closed during the parade, so I suggest that you arrive early as parking will be at a premium.

Here are some of the planned events for Monday:

• Pancake Breakfast 7AM - 10:30 at the Masonic Hall (across from the fire station) 
• Booth Set-up 8-10 AM at school ballpark 
• Parade Line-up 8 AM Car Show (about 100 old-time autos) at the Black Diamond Eagles (across the street from Museum) 
• Booths & Inflatables 10-3 at school ballpark 
• Parade 10 AM 
• Awards & Announcements 11:15 at school ballpark 
• Black Diamond Eagles BBQ for the public (across the street from Museum) 
• Entertainment 12-4 (at school ballpark) 
• Museum Tours 12-4 
• Sporting Events 12-4 (running races, 3-legged races, Wheelbarrow Races, Shoe Kicking, Egg Toss, Dunk Tank, etc.) 
• Labor Day Button Raffle Drawing 3 PM 

This is an old fashion fun day for the whole family. There will be many booths with goodies to purchase and live music. Feel free to bring the whole family - they could march with us in the parade! The weather is said to be around 75 degrees and clear.

It would be nice to know how many of you can be there - please let us know. Leave a message by email or phone (360-886-0778).

Thanks,
Keith Watson

2012 Tolling the Boats Ceremony, Part 2

This blog entry has pictures from the pre-ceremony picnic and social time. We tried to get at least one picture of everyone, but we did miss a few people (or the pictures just didn't turn out).

Remember to just click on a picture to see a larger version of it.

Your lunch chefs - John Bush and Art Thompson

WWII Sub Vets Robbie Robertson, Ralph Sterley, and Fred Enssilin

Tolling organizer Bob and Chris Opple

Barb and Karl 'Dutch' Krompholz

Av and Schell Harmon

Bill and Diane Giese

Bill and Diane Giese with guests John and Judy Douthitt

Fran and Dick Gonzales

Fran and Dick with guests Sherri and Al

Dave and Lynn Schueler

John Bush and Marilyn Nadeau

Judy and Keith Watson

Larry and Nan Abbott

Special Guests Kathy and Maureen

Ric Hedman and Patti Lynn

Sam Ronnie and Lois Mezek

New base member Leman Booher, Doug Gilman, and Bob Haslan

Pat Householder and Dave Goodson

Steve and Lynda Shelton

Cliff Nutter, Robbie Robertson, Andrea Giesler, and Fred Ensslin

Arlene 'Ritzy' Ritzhaupt

Jim Harper and Don Ulmer showing off the refurbished float torpedo

Curt Maier and Steve Shelton

Guest singer Kami Treider

Loma Taylor and Chris Opple

Marilyn and Nan let us know that they thought it was a little chilly for the ceremony

Terri and Robbie Robertson

Schell Harmon and Ralph Sterley

Kirkland Marina Park Pavilion

Thanks again to all those who organized and helped put on the Tolling the Boats Ceremony and to those who showed up to share lunch and remember our fallen shipmates. If you have photos from the Tolling that you would like to share, you can email them to me and I’ll post them to the blog.

2012 Tolling the Boats Ceremony, Part 1

Seattle USSVI Base held our annual Tolling the Boats Ceremony on August 18. We were expecting a warm (maybe even hot) sunny day for this year's ceremony, but it was a cloudy, cool (some would say a little too cool) day. There was a good turnout for the ceremony and pre-ceremony picnic. We also had a number of people at the park stop by the float to ask questions and a few stayed for part of the ceremony.

We have a bunch of pictures from the picnic and the Tolling Ceremony, so I've split them up into two blog entries. In this entry, I'm including pictures from the Tolling Ceremony. You can click on a picture to get a larger view of it.

Seattle Base float with lots of submarine photos and information.

The Tolling the Boats is a memorial service to honor our lost submarine brothers who made the supreme sacrifice while performing their duties with valor, integrity, and courage. This ceremony is a fundamental part our creed as members of U.S. Submarine Veterans, "To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in pursuit of their duties while serving their country."

The Honor Guard from VFW Post 2995 was on hand to 'Present the Colors' and provide some other honors for the ceremony.

VFW Honor Guard posting the colors

Our World War II veterans were piped aboard and escorted to their seats.

World War II SubVets Ralph Sterley, Fred Ensslin, and Robbie Robertson

Seattle Base Chaplin Andrea Geisler provided the invocation for the ceremony.

Base Chaplin, Andrea Geisler delivers the Invocation

After the invocation, Master of Ceremonies Bob Opple provided some opening remarks, talking about the challenges faced by submariners during World War II, and then he showed our appreciation to Maureen and Kathy, the ladies that organize the veteran portion of the Kirkland Independence Day parade, by presenting them with corsages.

MoC Bob Opple delivering his opening remarks

Corsages being presented to Kathy and Maureen

Ric Hedman then read a poem by Fletcher Pratt about the subs built at Mare Island, while Steve Shelton rang the bell for the submarine names in the poem.

Steve Shelton rings the bell while Ric Hedman reads the Fletcher Pratt poem

I've included the poem below and you can find it on Ric's website:

“There is a poetry in ships' names. It can still be heard in the quiet watches of the night..., when mist obscures the waterfront and foghorns call mournfully through the darkness. Out across the bay, blinking lights mark the channel down which Navy ships have sailed for a hundred years, and bells sound a knell for those that never came back. There is no quiet Arlington for ships; their bones rust in unknown lands beneath the sea. The names that entered history in minutes filled with fire and thunder are soon forgotten, except in long hours of the night when the bells call the roll of missing ships —Seawolf …

There are honored names, and the ships that wore them carried them well. Some were old and some were new, but sweat and skill and steel of Mare Island was a part of each of them to the end —Pickerel ...

There are historic names, old in the naval list. Though the logs in the archives fade, their memories will live so long as the bells still toll —These are fighting names, and these were fighting ships —Wahoo, Swordfish, Tang, Trigger, Tullibee, Gudgeon, Pompano …

Such were the ships that Mare Island built, and such were the ships that made history."

We were then provided with a superb rendition of ‘Proud to be an American’ by Kami Trieder.

Kami Trieder

This year's Tolling readers were Bill Giese and Larry Abbott with Jim Harper ringing the bell. Before reading the lost boats, Keith Watson explained the significance and origins of the ceremony.

Keith Watson explains the significance of the Tolling the Boats

Jim Harper tolls the bell while Bill Giese reads the lost boat names

Larry Abbott reads the lost boat names

When the reading of the lost boats was complete, Loma Taylor placed the memorial wreath to honor the lost submariners, then VFW Honor Guard provided the gun-salute and Taps presentation.

Loma Taylor places the memorial wreath

VFW Honor Guard firing a salute

Playing 'Taps'

The VFW Honor Guard then saluted the World War II veterans, concluding this year's Tolling Ceremony.

VFW Honor Guard salutes the World War II submarine veterans

Bravo Zulu to Bob Opple and all those who helped make the Tolling Ceremony a success.