United States Submarine Veterans
Mid-Atlantic Base
March Regular Meeting
March 18, 2005
Sheraton Hotel, Dover, DE
Commander Charlie Dauphin called the March Regular meeting to order at 1130 with 32 members and guests in attendance. All personnel in attendance stood for the invocation, and the POW/MIA honors rendered by Commander Dauphin.
The membership remained standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of the USSVI Creed by Commander Dauphin.
The membership remained standing as the Vice-Commander and the Chief of the Boat performed the Tolling of the Boats.
The membership was seated and the Chief of the Boat sounded Dive.
The Roll of Officers and Appointees was completed. Not present were Chaplain Bill Galloway, Newsletter Editor Jim Harlan, and Trustee Jim Grilli.
Recognition was given to members who are veterans of the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam, and all subsequent hostile actions including the cold war. Special recognition was given to members of the Holland Club who stood to be recognized by the membership.
There were no members in attendance for their first meeting. There were no new guests in attendance.
The reading of the minutes of the last meeting was bypassed and the minutes were accepted as published.
The Vice Commander discussed an article from the Bangor Daily News concerning EMC(SS) Gerald C. McLees who went on Eternal Patrol on December 30, 2004. Chief McLees was one of last of 32 members of the crew of USS Squalus (SS-192) rescued after the boat sank on May 23, 1939.
The Treasurer distributed the financial report for February. The Treasury started at $2290.74. There were $685 in receipts and $419.90 in expenditures for the month, leaving an ending balance of $2555.84.
The Secretary reported that the Base is registered to participate in Old Dover Days and Separation Day again this year.
Business cards have been printed and distributed to all Base officers and appointees present. Any members interested in receiving Base Business cards should contact the Secretary.
The Base web site is undergoing a complete redesign to make it more accessible and bring it into line with the judging criteria for the Base Web Site of the Year Award. Members with improvement suggestions are asked to forward them to the Secretary.
The Storekeeper reported deposits to the checking account totaling about $176 for sales from Ships Stores. Gross receipts were $181, with $5 in purchases from Gift Certificates awarded during the 2004 Holiday Social. Several items in the Ships Stores have been reduced in price in an effort to reduce the inventory being carried.
The Chief of the Boat reported that Home Depot offers a 10% discount to veterans with identification. Veterans must ask for the discount at the time of purchase and should be prepared to produce evidence (ID card, DD-214, etc) proving their status as a veteran.
Base member Charlie Cooper has been hospitalized at Christiana Hospital. He is presently in Intensive Care recovering from surgery to correct an aortal aneurysm and two aneurysms in his legs. All members present were asked to sign the Get Well card on the table at the door.
Treasurer Karen Engeseth donated a video entitled "Torpedo Run" to the base. A third 50/50 drawing will be held to give it away at the conclusion of the meeting.
The Membership Chairman reported that base membership stands at 77 with two base members yet to renew. Despite repeated efforts by the Membership Chairman, it appears unlikely that these members will renew and will likely have to be dropped on March 31, when the Dues Grace Period expires.
Trustee Napier reported that State Representative Robert J. Valihura Jr. has yet to submit the bill for the Special License plates to the Delaware House of Representatives. According to Representative Valihura, the chances of any license plate bill passing the State Legislature are slim.
An article published recently in the Disabled American Veterans Magazine described the heroism of Maj. Tammy Duckworth, of the Illinois National Guard. Major Duckworth is recuperating from injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter she was piloting in Iraq Nov. 12.
The Commander reported the USSVI Groton Base has collected over $25,000 for the Joseph Ashley Memorial Scholarship fund. MM2(SS) Ashley died on January 9, 2005 as a result of injuries suffered when USS San Francisco (SSN 711) grounded south of Guam.
The USSVI Mare Island Base donated trees to the local veterans' cemetery with plaques designating the trees as memorials to the Lost Boats. A discussion was held among the members about doing something similar. Attempts to establish memorials at the cemetery have not been supported by cemetery officials in the past. The membership decided to investigate planting trees in memoriam in Veterans Memorial Park instead.
The Commander reported that the Books for Boats campaign is going well. He has been sending paperbacks to Ron Martini and donating the hardcover books to the library at the Delaware Military Academy.
Materials are still needed for the museum display at the Delaware Military Academy. All members are invited to consider loaning items related to the Silent Service to add to the display. The display is in a secure, controlled environment and items will be receipted and returned to their owners when changes are made to the display. At present, materials gathered for the display include the model of USS Kete, the framed article concerning the Lost Boats, and a cigarette lighter bearing boat insignia.
Participants are needed to man the booth at Old Dover Days (Saturday May 7, 2005), Separation Day (Saturday June 4, 2005), and Coast Day (Sunday October 2, 2005). Participation is also needed for the Newark Memorial Parade (Sunday May 15, 2005) and the Veterans Memorial Park Memorial Day ceremonies (Monday May 30, 2005).
Base member Walt Rutter reported that the USS Kete memorial ceremonies will be held at Air Transport Command in New Castle on Saturday, March 26, 2005. Due to declining participation and lack of support from the Delaware River and Bay Authority, this will be the last time the Delaware Valley Chapter of the US Submarine Veterans of World War II will be hosting the ceremonies.
The next meeting will be held on April 16, 2005 at 1130.
Commander Charlie Dauphin led the membership in a closing prayer. There being no further business, the Chief of the Boat sounded Surface and the meeting adjourned at 1210.