United States Submarine Veterans
Mid-Atlantic Base
May Regular Meeting
May 21, 2005
Sheraton Hotel, Dover, DE
Commander Charlie Dauphin called the May Regular meeting to order at 1130 with 29 members and guests in attendance. All personnel in attendance stood for the invocation, and the POW/MIA honors rendered by Commander Dauphin.
Chief of the Boat Ed Simpson led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance, Commander Dauphin then read the USSVI Creed.
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, Past Commander Roger Reeves, Newsletter Editor Jim Harlan, and Trustees Jim Grilli and Bill Hadden.
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 reported that the Smyrna Citizen Hose Company Band recognized base member Tom Massey for his years of service to the Hose Company.
The Treasurer distributed the financial report for April. The Treasury started at $3,080.96. There were $621 in receipts and $533.44 in expenditures for the month, leaving an ending balance of $3,168.52.
The Base Storekeeper reported a deposit to the Treasury in the amount of $246.00 for stores sales at the April meeting.
The Secretary reported on Old Dover Days and thanked all members who participated. In attendance were Roy Anstead, Charlie Cooper, Charlie Dauphin, Karen Engeseth, John Matheus, Ray Musciano, Ron Olson, Phil Puschel, and Roger Reeves. Kay Shields accompanied Karen Engeseth. Special thanks were extended to Sheila Cooper who provided lunch to all members present.
Chief of the Boat Chuck Walker reported on the Return to Submarine School at Submarine Base New London. The hospitality extended to the veterans this year was excellent. One of the highlights of the event was a tour of USS Miami (SSN 755).
Treasurer Karen Engeseth donated two compact discs of patriotic marches to the base. A third 50/50 drawing will be held to give them away at the conclusion of the meeting.
There were no reports from the Chaplain, Membership Chairman, Board of Directors, or Trustees.
Vice Commander Roy Anstead reported that Wheeler Lipes, a World War II pharmacist's mate who performed an emergency appendectomy aboard the USS Seadragon, died recently. Base member John Grohowski served with Lipes and related some his experiences.
The Commander reported that he has sent three cartons of books to the "Books for Boats" drive and has delivered five cartons of books to the Delaware Military Academy.
Buttons are on sale for the Second Annual Mid-Atlantic Base Picnic to be held on Saturday, July 16, 2005 at Dover Elks #1903. The cost is $10.00 each, $5.00 each for children 5 to 12. Children four and under are free. Members will need to wear their buttons to the picnic. Buttons may be purchased at the next meeting or by contacting Karen Engeseth directly.
The September Regular Meeting will be a joint meeting at the Delaware Military Academy with the Delmarva Chapter of US Submarine Veterans WWII. The event will be catered. Additional information will follow.
The Ocean Pines Veterans Memorial Committee sent a letter of thanks to Mid-Atlantic Base for its contribution to the memorial.
Regular meetings for the months of July and August have been cancelled.
A request for donations has been received from the Walk of Cheer. Action on this will be tabled until a future meeting.
Mid-Atlantic Base will be displaying at New Castle's Separation Day festivities again this year, weather permitting. Festivities commence at 1100 hours with a parade along Delaware Street and continue in Battery Park throughout the day. Setup time is 0900 to 1100 hours. Volunteers are needed to stop by and swap stories at the booth.
Memorial Day Ceremonies will be held at War Memorial Park near the Delaware Memorial Bridge on Monday, May 30, 2005 commencing at 1030 hours. All members are invited to attend and should arrive prior to 1000 hours due to limited parking at the site. At the completion of the ceremonies, participants are invited to Gen. W.W. Atterbury VFW Post 3420, 649 Churchmans Road, Newark, DE 19702 for lunch and social time.
The Officers of Mid-Atlantic Base extend their appreciation to the members who participated in the Newark Armed Forces Day Ceremonies. Thanks go out to Roy Anstead, Charlie Cooper, Charlie Dauphin, John Grohowski, Tom Massey, John Matheus, Ray Musciano, Ron Olson, Phil Puschel, Roger Reeves, Walt Rutter, Frank Sklodowski, and Chuck Walker for giving of their time to support the base.
Base Photographer John Matheus reported that photos from the Newark parade and Old Dover Days are now in the photo album. Commander Charlie Dauphin recognized John for his fine work with the photo album.
The next meeting will be held on June 18, 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 1205.
After adjourning the meeting, Commander Charlie Dauphin introduced the first of two guest speakers, Bruce Shumway, CDR USN (Ret) from the Delaware Military Academy. Using a series of hats, Commander Shumway described his navy career and the events the lead to the founding of the Delaware Military Academy, the only Navy ROTC charter school in the country. During the presentation, Commander Shumway introduced his wife Carol, who is employed as a nurse at the academy.
The second guest speaker was base member Charlie Cooper, who described the events leading to the loss of USS O-9 (SS-70) lost on 20-Jun-1941 with the loss of 34 officers and men when it foundered off Isle of Shoals, 15 miles from Portsmouth, NH.