2018 10 Green Board Final.Indd
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
October 2018 Publication for members of USS Illinois Base, United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. Career sailor “Join the Navy and see the world,” at the Naval Station in Mayport, Fla., welcomed into the Navy recruitment posters said, followed by time in Rota, Spain, and Holland Club but one new Holland Club inductee, then to the USS Saratoga CVA-60 for Command Master Chief Sherman a cruise on the Mediterranean. “Sherm” Buetsch (MNCM) saw a In 1967, he was assigned to the Na- little more than he anticipated dur- val Shipyard, Norfolk, Va., and later ing his 30+ years in the Navy. for schooling at the Naval Nuclear Like many young men Power School in Bainbridge, Md., in the mid 60’s, the and then to the Nuclear Power Train- writing was on the wall ing Unit (S1C) in Windsor, Ct. for Sherm, a resident of The submarine service snagged Rockford. He graduated him in 1968 when he reported to from High School in 1964, Submarine School in New London, and the draft was nearing Conn. Upon graduation he served his number in 1965. He on the USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN- made the decision to fi nd 631) on which he qualifi ed to wear a place in the military that Dolphins. At the time, the USS Grant would give him the best held the distinction as the only opportunity for an educa- Boomer to come to Pearl Harbor. It tion, therefore, he chose Sherm Buetsch (above turned out to be a “good” place to a career in nuclear power left) was inducted into the visit—this is where he met his soon- Holland Club on the deck with the Navy. of USS Cobia, docked at to-be wife, Carol, whose father was the Wisconsin Maritime He went to the Chicago stationed at Hickam AFB. Museum, in Manitowoc. Induction Center and Pictured with him is USS The boat also spent time in “Guam joined the Navy on Dec. Illinois Base CDR Tom is Beautiful,” and then came back Ramsay (ctr), and fellow 5, 1965. As luck would to Bremerton, Wash., in 1969 for an Holland Club inductee have it, he had the fortune to go to Rudy Kraut following the overhaul and conversion. July 13, 2018 ceremony. Great Lakes Recruit Training Com- mand in cold February 1966, and The “offi cial USN travel agents” Pictured right is the later attended the Electrician’s Mate sent Sherm and his boat through the offi cial boot camp graduation photo of “A” School there. scenic Panama Canal, with a stop at young Sherm Buetsch. the Naval Station Roosevelt Roads His travels around the globe start- ed with his fi rst duty station in 1966 (continued on page 4) www.ussillinoisbase.org Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 1 Other than election results, we CDR Wayne Standerfer: 1293 votes haven’t yet received other news from Senior Vice-CDR Jon Jaques: 1284 votes last week’s USSVI National Conven- Junior Vice-CDR Steve Bell: 1291 votes tion. I will keep you posted as soon Treasurer Paul Hiser: 1292 votes as I hear something. Tom Ramsay Secretary Ray Wewers: 1281 votes I can report on our new slate of USSVI USS Illinois Commander The USS Illinois Base had a small offi cers for the coming year. First, let’s MS1(SS), USN Retired but mighty voice in this year’s elec- welcome our newly-elected Central tions. We had 26.09% of our mem- Region Director Tom Williams, from bers voting in National’s recent elec- the Brazos Valley Base, in Texas. tion. To our 9 members who voted, I At the same time let’s give a round thank you! Newly- applause to outgoing USSVI Central Why am I applauding this small elected Region Director Dave Farran, of the USSVI CDR number? Hard as it is to believe, we Iowa Base, who did an outstanding Wayne are in the top 77% of USSVI Bases Standerfer job for our region. Even though he for percentage of members voting. has hung up his Central Region hat, Out of 153 USSVI bases, only 33 bases we hope we’ll still see him at future have a higher percentage of member SubFests in Manitowoc, Wis. Dave votes cast. We topped other bases in New has been, and will remain a good both Illinois and Wisconsin. Central friend to the Bases and sub vets in Region Director this District. While I would have liked to see a Tom larger number of our members cast- Your newly 2018-2019 National offi - Williams ing votes, we did OK. cers and the vote count are as follows: National Commander John Mar- the Groton Base to cover expenses for kiewicz called a special Emergency maintenance of the Clubhouse. The Executive Session of the USSVI Loan is to be paid back commencing NEWS Board of Directors, via teleconfer- in 2019 on a quarterly basis over the from ence, on Aug. 3, 2018. The USSVI next two years. National Treasurer NATIONAL Board of Directors met in Emergency Paul Hiser was asked to prepare a loan Special Executive Session and unani- agreement to be signed by the Groton mously approved a loan of $20,000 to Base Commander and Treasurer. Don’t forget to pay your 2019 Na- Need to pay your national dues by tional and Base membership dues for credit card? Then you must do so the United States Submarine Veter- online at www.ussvi.org. Base dues Bruce Pickering ans, Inc. (USSVI). I will be available cannot be paid by credit card. USS Illinois Base Treasurer to accept your 2019 dues 15 minutes USS Illinois Base dues are $10. before and after our November, and Multi-year options are not available. December Base meetings. Make your check out to “USS Il- National dues for both qualifi ed linois Base” and bring it to our meet- and associate members are: 1-year ing, or mail it to my attention: Bruce term is $25; 3-year term is $70; 5-year Pickering, 1702 Calumet Ave., Beloit, term is $115. Life-time memberships WI 53511. Make your payment before are associated with your age: Age 76+ Dec. 15, 2018 to ensure time for your is $100; 66-76 is $200; 56-65 is $300; 46- dues to reach National before USS- 55 is $400; and 45 and under is $500. VI’s December 31 cut-off . Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 2 October 6, 2018 -- Minutes of the USS Illinois Base Meeting called to order at 12:02 p.m. by Events Committee Report by Richard Tom Ramsay, Base Commander. Martin: 16 members present: Tom Ramsay, • WWII Re-enactment Days at Midway Bruce Pickering, Kate Ramsay, Sherm Village in Rockford was well received. Buetsch, Don Bosetti, Mark Dykstra, Terry We have asked to be included in next Elemeier, Jim Helsell, Richard Martin, year’s event. Bob Fleck, Patrick O’Brien, Wayne Orrison, • Hometown Heroes at Midway Village Phil Owens, Kep Preble, John Stines, Daryl Museum on Nov. 10, recognizing Viet- Rorabaugh nam Era veterans. Event begins at 1 p.m. Guests present: None. We will have a table at this event and need volunteers. Tolling of Bells Ceremony by Phil Ow- ens, District #2 Commander • Homeless Veteran Stand Down will be October 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at USSVI Creed by Bruce Pickering. Mendelson Center in Rockford. Winter Pledge of Allegiance. clothing will be distributed, as well as Invocation by Chaplain Bob Fleck. other veteran support on hand for those Introductions of members and guests. in need. Base Contacts • Annual Veterans Dinner on Nov. 3rd Minutes by Secretary Kate Ramsay. Mo- at Giovanni’s Restaurant in Rockford. tion made to accept the August minutes Tickets are $30—must be purchased in Commander as published by Sherm Buetsch and sec- advance. Contact Richard Martin for Tom Ramsay onded by Richard Martin. Motion carried. tickets. Members at the last meeting tram688@jcwifi .com Treasurer’s Report by Bruce Pickering. voted to lock in three tables (8 people No change in accounts since last report each). We still have a table to fi ll. Vice Commander in August. No deposits or withdrawals Storekeeper’s Report. None. Chuck Mongan made since then. Bank Account Bal- [email protected] ance: $1,719.26, with available balance of Chaplain’s Report. None. $1,819.26. Motion made by Kep Preble to Old Business. None. Treasurer accept the report as presented and sec- Bruce Pickering onded by Wayne Orrison. Motion carried. New Business. [email protected] Commander’s Report by Tom Ramsay. • The Mongans have volunteered to host this year’s Holiday party at their home. Secretary & • National Elections. Members encour- More information will be coming. Editor/Webmaster aged to vote in national elections if they Kate Ramsay haven’t done so already. • Members were asked if they were in- kateram@jcwifi .com terested in helping on a Cobia working • News from National: Kate has been asked party in November. More info to come. Storekeeper by the incoming USSVI Commander to Good of the Order. None. Terry Elmeier chair USSVI’s Marketing/Publicity and [email protected] Long-Range Planning Committee. Our 50-50 Raffl e. $75 collected. The raffl e CDR was asked to join this committee as won by Terry Elmeier, who donated his Chaplain well. Reminded members of the upcom- share back to the Base. Bob Fleck ing USSVI National Convention Oct. 21- Closing Prayer by Bob Fleck. bobfl [email protected] 28. The Base submitted two nominations for awards this year: A Meritorious Award Meeting adjourned at 1:09 p.m.