United States Submarine Veterans
Mid-Atlantic Base
April Regular Meeting
April 18, 2009
Sheraton Hotel, Dover, DE
USSVI Mid-Atlantic Base
April 2009 Meeting Agenda
April 18, 2009
Dover Sheraton Hotel
Dover, Delaware
COMMANDER: Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to April’s Mid-Atlantic Base Regular Meeting. Please rise for the Invocation.
CHAPLAIN: Bill Galloway Gives the Invocation
COMMANDER: Those who have served and those currently serving in the uniformed services of the United States are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. Please direct your attention to the chair to my right, a physical symbol of the thousands of American service men and women still unaccounted for from all foreign conflicts. The chair is empty, as they cannot be with us today. Let us always keep them in our memory and our prayers.
COMMANDER: Chief of the Boat, please lead the assembled members in the
Pledge of Allegiance to Our Flag.
< THE CHIEF OF THE BOAT LEADS THE MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE >
COMMANDER: We will now hear the USSVI Creed
Phil Puschel reads the USSVI Creed
MEMBER OF AUDIENCE:
"To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of duties while serving their country.
That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments.
Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution."
COMMANDER: The Vice Commander John Ludwig and the Chief of the Boat Chuck Walker will now conduct the Tolling of the Boats Ceremony.
VICE COMMANDER: The following Boats and men were lost in April:
USS S-49 (SS-160) - 20 Apr 1926 - Four Men Lost
USS Pickerel (SS-177) - 3 Apr 1943 - 74 Men Lost
USS Grenadier (SS-210) - 22 Apr 1943 - Four Men Lost
USS Gudgeon (SS-211) - 18 Apr 1944 - 78 Men Lost
USS Snook (SS-279) - 8 Apr 1945 - 84 Men Lost
USS Cod (SS-224) - 26 Apr 1945 - One Man Lost
USS Thresher (SSN-593) - 10 Apr 1963 - 129 Men Lost
USS Picuda (SS-382) - 18 Apr 1967 - Two Men Lost
USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN-631) - 6 Apr 1987 - Two Men Lost
USS Bonefish (SS-582) - 24 Apr 1988 - Three Men Lost
381 Men Lost in April
Sailors, Rest Your Oars
COMMANDER: Everyone please be seated. Chief of the Boat, please sound “Dive”.
< CHIEF OF THE BOAT SOUNDS DIVE >
COMMANDER: Everyone please be seated. We will now recognize the war veterans and Holland Club members among us.
World War II veterans, please stand.
Korean War veterans, please stand.
Vietnam War veterans, please stand.
Members of the Gulf Wars and the War on Terror, please stand
Holland Club Members, please stand.
COMMANDER: Are there any new members or guests in attendance? Is there anyone who has not been to a meeting in a while that would like to stand and reacquaint yourself with the members and guest present?
The following men introduced themselves:
Mike Barlow, USS Los Angeles 84-88.
Rodger Pearce USS Sunfish 85-91
Ted Trafka USS Nautilus qualed. ‘66
COMMANDER: Everyone has received a copy of the minutes of our recent meetings in the newsletter. Are there any corrections or additions? Is there a motion to bypass the reading of the minutes?
Motion is made to bypass reading of minutes.
COMMANDER: We will now receive reports from the Officers.
< COMMANDER’S REPORT >
UNO 20% Night: Mid-Atlantic Base held another UNO 20% Night on Friday March 27, 2009 in the Uno Chicago Grill on DuPont Highway in front of Dover Mall. The event was very successful and $90.00 received from UNO has been added to the treasury.
USS Kete Memorial Ceremony: The Annual USS Kete Memorial Ceremony was be held on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 1100 hours at the USS Kete Memorial, located in Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware. The event was followed by a luncheon at Trattoria Di Napoli Restaurant.
Old Dover Days: Mid-Atlantic Base is signed up again for Old Dover Days. It will be held on Saturday May 2, 2009 on Legislative Mall in downtown Dover. We have two spots reserved (10’ X 10’ each). Seup is at 0700 and the festival begins at 0900. It runs until 1600. Directions to the event are on the tables.
< VICE COMMANDER’S REPORT >
John has taken on the responsibility of coordinator for our speakers.
< TREASURER’S REPORT >
< SECRETARY’S REPORT >
< STOREKEEPER’S REPORT >
Phil reports the picnic pins are going like hotcakes and you better get yours while the printing press is still hot!!
< CHIEFS OF THE BOAT’S REPORT >
< CHAPLAIN’S REPORT >
Bill Galloway reports that Warren Fairess’ wife still on the binnacle list. Chuck Walker reports that he has put on a ton of weight and is now tipping the scales at 120 lbs. Keep on eating Chuck.
< MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN’S REPORT >
Roger reports we have 81 members with our latest addition in Rodger Pearce.
< BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REPORT >
< TRUSTEES’ REPORT >
COMMANDER: Is there any Old Business?
No old business to report.
COMMANDER: Is there any New Business?
Roger has Wounded Warrior tickets for sale for the Harry James Concert @ Dover Downs. Call Roger for prices and specifics.
Bill Galloway will make copies of article in the magazine FRA about present day submariners. Anyone interested please contact Bill.
COMMANDER: Chaplain, please give the benediction.
Bill gives the benediction.
COMMANDER: The next meeting will be held on Saturday May 16th, 2009 at 1130 hours here in the Sheraton. Our next event is Old Dover Days to be held on May 2nd. 2009.
COMMANDER: Do we have a motion to adjourn?
< MOTION TO ADJOURN >
COMMANDER: Chief of the Boat, please sound “Surface”.
< COB SOUNDS SURFACE >
COMMANDER: Our guest speaker for the April meeting will be Dr George W. Luther, Professor of Oceanography, College of Marine and Earth Studies, University of Delaware. We first met Dr. Luther in October 2008 at Coast day in Lewes when he stopped by our display booth.
Dr Luther has made numerous research dives on the deep-sea submersible Alvin. His research cruises have included expeditions in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Arabian Sea. George will be showing videos taken during his Alvin deep-sea expeditions.
Dr. Luther has a B.A. in Chemistry, La Salle College and a Ph.D. in Physical-Inorganic Chemistry, University of Pittsburg. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dr George W. Luther.
< GUEST SPEAKER >
I am unable to report on Dr. Luther’s presentation since I had to leave at this time. Let me say that I did hear some of the depths he dove to in Alvin, and can assure you that he has dove deeper than any of us have gone and would care to go.
< SOCIAL TIME, MEAL, 50/50 >