United States Submarine Veterans
Mid-Atlantic Base
October Regular Meeting
October 17, 2009
Sheraton Hotel, Dover, DE
COMMANDER: Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to October Mid-Atlantic Base Regular Meeting. Please rise for the Invocation.
CHAPLAIN: In the Chaplain’s absence, Storekeeper Phil Puschel gave 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.
COB Ed Simpson lead the assembled members in the Pledge of Allegience to Our Flag.
COMMANDER: We will now hear the USSVI Creed
Vice Commander John Ludwig read the creed.
“To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of duties wile 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 Chiefs of the Boat will now conduct the Tolling of the Boats Ceremony.
COB Ed Simpson and COB Chuck Walker conducted the Ceremony:
The following Boats and men were lost in October:
566 Men Lost in October
Sailors, Rest Your Oars
COMMANDER: Everyone please be seated. Chief of the Boat, please sound “Dive”.
COB Chuck Walker Sounds Dive.
COMMANDER: 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?
New member Steve Lorentz was a Corpsman and on the USS James Monroe in Holy Lock Scotland, SSBN 622B, Squadron 14 Inspector for two years, Staff Duty of the Squadron medical Inspector for two years. Attended Subschool at New London, Connecticut.
COMMANDER: Copies of the Minutes of the last meeting are available on your tables. Are there any corrections or additions? Is there a motion to bypass the reading of the minutes?
Bill Kraus made a motion to bypass the reading of the minutes, Seconded by Chuck Walker, motion carried.
COMMANDER: We will now receive reports from the Officers.
< COMMANDER’S REPORT >
Coast Day : Coast Day was held on Sunday October 4, 2009. The weather this year was excellent, although it was a bit windy out by the piers where we were set up. Turnout was excellent as well with twelve members in attendance as well as several guests. I would personally like to thank the following members for attending and helping out:
The Commander recognized the above members that attended Coast Day.
Newsletter Editor : After ten years of outstanding service, Newsletter Editor Jim Harlan has decided that the time has come to pass the torch on to someone else. Jim was the first Commander of Mid-Atlantic Base and has written the newsletter since its outset. Mid-Atlantic Base’s newsletter is an important communications tool and I feel it is important for it to continue. We are looking for someone who is willing to take over the duties of Newsletter Editor. Jim is willing to provide pointers to help the next Editor get started. Jim’s last edition will be the December edition, so now is a good time to get started to make for a smooth transition. Please consider donating some of your time to make your Base successful. His last newsletter will be in December.
The Commander is soliciting a Volunteer for Newsletter Editor at the Board of Director’s meeting later today.
Delaware Veteran’s Day Ceremonies : The State of Delaware will be conducting Veteran’s Day Ceremonies again this year. The location is Veteran’s Memorial Park in New Castle, DE. Ceremonies commence at 10:30 AM. Directions and information is on the tables in front of you.
Applebee’s Veterans Day Thank You : Applebee’s Restaurants are offering free entrées to all veterans and active duty military personnel. A selection of six entrees is available, drinks and other items are extra. Proof of military service (ID card, uniform, etc) is required. Information is available on the tables in front of you.
< VICE COMMANDER’S REPORT > John Ludwig introduced Steve Lorentz, Corpsman Retired in 1993, on the USS James Monroe, SSBN 622B, Squadron 14 Inspector for two years, Staff Duty of Squadron Medical Inspector for two years, Spent SUBSCHOOL and NUBI at New London, Connecticut.
< TREASURER’S REPORT > Bill Kraus reported that Wachovia Bank had a total of $2,576.57; Peoples Bank had a total of $915.31; with a total Amount of $3,491.88. These checking account reports were distributed to each table for each member to view.
< SECRETARY’S REPORT > Secretary’s report was also distributed to each table and a motion was carried to approve the report. Joe Roche is out of rehab and is home. He is upbeat, considers himself lucky and grateful of his accomplishments so far.
< STOREKEEPER’S REPORT > Phil Puschel reported that on Coast Day he received $119.00 for store sales and $29.00 in donations. He has purchased additional Protestant and Catholic Bibles for the base’s use. He has purchased additional US flags and has acquired new merchandise including shirts and vests, watch caps, New London Diving Tower patches, Eagle Scout Patches, dolphin vest clips in silver, Cold War Veteran pins and USSVI Calendars.
< CHIEFS OF THE BOAT’S REPORT > Chuck Walker announced that he was doing good on Chemo therapy; another scan in two weeks and hopes to attend Kings Bay and Bridge Ceremonies.
< CHAPLAIN’S REPORT > No report.
< MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN’S Report Roger Reeves reported that he has Base Life membership Cards made up for 75 years of Age or older members.
< BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REPORT >
Autumn BoD Meeting : Mid-Atlantic Base will be conducting its autumn Board of Directors Meeting after lunch today. The meeting will last approximately an hour. All members are invited and encouraged to attend.
< TRUSTEES’ REPORT > No Report.
COMMANDER: Is there any Old Business?
< OLD BUSINESS > Bill Hadden, Trustee, attended Submarine Saturday at Penns Landing in Philadelphia. About 700 attended it. He also attended the commissioning of the USS Myers (DDG 108 )
COMMANDER: Is there any New Business?
< NEW BUSINESS > Glenn Bilger gave a presentation about an Eagle Scout Badge for Andrew Bell. It was suggested December or January. Glenn also mentioned getting Meryl Kretschmann, whose father was lost on the Grunion that was lost at sea. He mentioned that he would see if she could speak at the November Meeting.
COMMANDER: Submarine Force News for October
Women to Serve on Submarines
Is that a Russian sub off New Jersey Shore?
Twelfth Virginia Class Submarine Named
Russia to Dismantle 191 Nuclear Submarines
Russia Reserves Right to Conduct Preemptive Nuclear Strike
SUBASE Honors World War II Hero
Electric Mini Submarine at Yacht Show
Secret Soviet Submarine Base Now a Museum
COMMANDER: Storekeeper, please give the benediction.
< Storekeeper Phil Puschel GIVES THE BENEDICTION >
COMMANDER: The next meeting will be held on Saturday November 21, 2009 at 1130 hours here in the Sheraton. Our next event is the State of Delaware Veterans Day Ceremony in New Castle on Wednesday November 11, 2009 at 1030 hours.
COMMANDER: Do we have a motion to adjourn?
< MOTION TO ADJOURN > Motion to adjourn was carried at 12:25 p.m.
COMMANDER: Chief of the Boat, please sound “Surface”.
< COB SOUNDS SURFACE > COB Chuck Walker Sounds Surface.
COMMANDER: We did not schedule a guest speaker for today in order to allow sufficient time to conduct a Board of Directors meeting after lunch. Once again, everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. The meeting will take place around 13:15 hours.
< SOCIAL TIME, MEAL, 50/50 > Roger Reeves mentioned the Roadhouse Fundraiser on Wednesday, November 5, 2009 and Chuck Walker did the 50/50 before the Social Time and Meal.