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United States Submarine Veterans

Mid-Atlantic Base

November Regular Meeting

November 17, 2005

Sheraton Hotel, Dover, DE

Commander Charlie Dauphin called the November Regular meeting to order at 1135 with 35 members and guests in attendance. All personnel in attendance stood for the invocation by Commander Dauphin.

The membership remained standing as Chief of the Boat Ed Simpson led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Commander Dauphin reading the USSVI Creed.

The membership remained standing as Vice-Commander Roy Anstead and Chief of the Boat Chuck Walker performed the Tolling of the Boats.

The membership was seated. 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.

The Chief of the Boat sounded Dive.

The Roll of Officers and Appointees was completed. Not present were Base Chaplain Bill Galloway, Newsletter Editor Jim Harlan, and Trustees Jim Grilli and Bill Kraus.

There was one member in attendance for his first meeting. Joe Roche transferred his membership from New Jersey North Base to Mid-Atlantic Base. 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.

Vice Commander Roy Anstead reported on the progress of House Bill 248, "An Act To Amend Title 21 Relating To Motor Vehicles And Special Registration Plates". The bill was sponsored by Representative Robert J. Valihura on June 16, 2005. The bill is presently in the House Public Safety Committee. Vice Commander Anstead read the text of a letter he is sending to several elected officials asking for their support.

The Treasurer distributed the financial report for October. The Treasury started at $3044.93. There were $1825.92 in receipts and $2454.30 in expenditures for the month, leaving an ending balance of $2416.55.

Commander Dauphin presented the Chaplain's Report in the absence of the Base Chaplain. Base Photographer John Matheus passed away on November 17, 2005. A viewing will be held at November 22, 2005 from 1800 to 2100 hours at the Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home in Newark, Delaware. A service in celebration of John's life will be held there at 1930 hours on the same night. The Commander urged every member to attend.

Storekeeper Phil Puschel reported sales at the June Regular Meeting of $205.00, sales during the base picnic of $90.00, sales at the September Regular Meeting of $132.00 and sales at Coast Day of $238.00. New items added to Ships Stores include bucket hats for $12.00, watch caps for $15.00 and several new patches.

There were no reports from the Chief of the Boat, Trustees, or Board of Directors.

Past Commander Reeves presented the membership report. The newest member of Mid-Atlantic Base is Joe Roche, formerly of New Jersey North Base. Joe has recent moved to Milton, Delaware and is transferring his membership to Mid-Atlantic Base. Joe stood and introduced himself. With the loss of John Matheus and the addition of Joe Roche, base membership remains at 78.

Membership renewals for 2006 have begun. Annual dues for Mid-Atlantic Base remain at $10.00. Annual national USSVI dues are $20.00.

The Commander presented a report on the State of Delaware Veteran's Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware. Over 250 people attended the ceremonies. The Commander extended his thanks to Tom Massey, Ron Olson, Walt Rutter, and Chuck Walker who attended the ceremonies along with Commander Dauphin,

Applications are now being accepted for USSVI scholarships. Interested members should contact the Commander for application forms.

All Mid-Atlantic Base members and guests have been invited to the Change of Command ceremony for Commander Stephen Hall at the Navy-Marine Corps Reserve Center on Kirkwood Highway. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2005 at 1430 hours. Commander Hall has asked members to wear their vests and ballcaps/garrison caps to the ceremony.

The Delaware Valley Chapter of the US Submarine Veterans of World War II has invited Mid-Atlantic Base members to their Christmas Party on Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 1300 hours. The event will be held at the Chart House Restaurant in Penns Landing and the cost is $20.00 per person. RSVP by December 7, 2005.

Holland Club Commander Bill Britt is retiring. As one of his last official acts, he has instituted a new award for members who qualified prior to December 31, 1946, the Senior Submariner Certificate. Mid-Atlantic Base has nine members who qualify: Roy Anstead, Charlie Cooper, Bill Galloway, John Grohowski, Tom Massey, Darden Rodden, Walt Rutter, Ed Updike, and Chuck Walker. Certificates have been received and will be presented at the Christmas Party.

Commander Dauphin reported that he and Bill Galloway presented Commandant Baldwin of the Delaware Military Academy with a check for $2000.00. The check was made possible by a $500.00 donation from the Base Treasury. This donation was matched by $500.00 donations each from Base Chaplain Bill Galloway, Chief of the Boat Chuck Walker, and one anonymous donor. Commandant Baldwin was delighted to receive the funds, and stated that they will be used to fund two scholarships in the name of Mid-Atlantic Base in the amount of $1000.00 each to fund two $1,000 scholarships, one to a woman and one to a man each year, along with a specially designed medal for each recipient. Our initial check is intended to cover this academic year, and we must discuss the continuing commitment and gain approval from the membership at the next business meeting.

The Sixth Annual Mid-Atlantic Base Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 1130 hours. Vice-Commander Roy Anstead will be in charge of the gift/door prizes this year. Past Commander Roger Reeves will handle producing the Gift Letters and will send a copy to Newsletter Editor Jim Harlan for inclusion in the newsletter. Anita Dauphin will be taking care of the corsages for the ladies attending.

The next meeting will be the Sixth Annual MAB Christmas Party to be held on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 1130 hours at the Dover Sheraton Hotel.

Commander 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.

After adjournment, the Past Commander Roger Reeves presented a report on the Combined District 2 / District 5 meeting hosted by Reading Base. Some of the topics of discussion were the proposed merger between USSVI and USSVWWII, ideas for recruiting and keeping members, the USSVI Charitable Foundation, Pennsylvania and Delaware submariner license plates, purchasing submariner items from the National Storekeeper whenever possible, and the status of USSVI Scholarships. The next five National Conventions have been scheduled: 2006 in Little Rock, AR, 2007 aboard a cruise ship bound for Alaska, 2008 in Dallas/Ft. Worth TX, 2009 in San Diego CA, and 2010 in Cincinnati, OH.