Vol. 3, No. 2 February 2007 Newsletter of Charleston Base, United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. USSVI Creed “To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while 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 Government” Base web page: www.ussvicb.org Special Officers Phone Number National web page: www.ussvi.org Chief of the Boat Marty Sessler 843-871-1536 Public Affairs Richard Cleeve 843-899-4563 Base Meeting: Sub Vets WWII Barnwell Chaplin 843-762-6945 Thursday, February 8, 2007 Social hour 1800, General Meeting 1900 Nuclear Historian Ed Simokat 843-873-1709 Veterans Affairs John Nichols 843-873-5897 Location: Chaplain Bill “Friar Tuck” Kennedy 843-875-3109 VFW Post 3433, 10154 Bellwright Rd. Summerville, South Carolina. Phone 843-871-0607 Membership Carl Chinn 843-875-3098 Holland Club Bob Lowe 843-573-9045 Base Officers Phone Number Little David Project Rick Wise 843-875-5559 Commander Steve Nelms 843-563-7115 Roving Reporter Rick Wise 843-875-5559 Vice Commander Carl Chinn 843-875-3098 Scholarship Jim Yates 843-873-0246 Secretary Ronnie Kerstetter 843-553-9235 Newsletter Carl Chinn 843-875-3098 Treasurer George Lisle 843-559-4242 Storekeeper Paul Viering 843-797-2623 Alcohol & Gaming Dave Mueller 843-553-2775 Happy Valentine’s Day! Fleet Reserve News: Dave Rein reported the Minutes of the January 2007 meeting following events at the new FRA facility. Saturday Opening Ceremony: Base Commander, Steve – Presidents Day Dinner. Jan 20 -Oyster Roast, Nelms, called the meeting to order. A quorum was Feb 4 – Super Bowl party. present and the meeting was commenced at 1900. Chief of the Boat: Marty Sessler presented the Introductions: New persons were introduced; following report. Thank yous to Carl and Paul for Ralph Wieland, Jon Simmons, Joe Lookabill, Kevin the success of last years Christmas Party and plans Dygert, Donald Coy, George Wells Jr., and Wayne for the 2007 event. Please let Carl Chinn know if Hensarling. Welcome aboard. you change your e-mail/phone etc. International Submarine Association forms are Treasurer: George Lisle was not present. Buddha available. Dues are $5 per year or $25 for life gave a brief treasurers report. membership. Next meeting in France. Secretary: Ronnie Kerstetter asked for a motion to Eighteen national scholarships are available this approve the meeting minutes from last month. A year ranging from $500 to $ 1,500. motion was made and seconded; no discussion. Need volunteers for Hunley Memorial service on Minutes approved. 17 February contact Charlie Rook. The Andrew Jackson is having a cruise out of Storekeeper: Paul Viering gave the storekeepers Tampa Bay in October. COB has details. report. USSVI calendars are available for purchase. February 24th is the oyster roast to be held at the USS Silversides teak decking pieces are available after battery. Bring dessert only. with donation. Ten aprons for the cooks on future roasts were presented. Base Commander: Buddha read a Christmas card from John Clarkin, Holland Club member. John is Chaplain: Bill Kennedy presented the binnacle list a distant member of our local base from Conneaut, as follows. Betty Rogers passed away on 21 Pennsylvania. December. She was the past South Carolina 2007 USSVI National Convention Alaskan Cruise Commander of the Wives of Submarine Veterans of Sept 15-22, 2007 aboard the Holland America’s World War II. Betty will be cremated and her ashes MS Oosterdam. along with her husband’s ashes will be taken to Kings 2007 Eastern District 4/6 & Sub Vets WWII Bay Submarine Base for burial at sea. John Kratz Conference Wednesday April 25 – Sunday April had surgery to remove his gall bladder. Walter 29, 2007, Daytona Beach, FL at the Holiday Inn Zeigler’s mother passed away here in Summerville. Express Speedway Resort. (If you would like to Rodney McKanna is recovering from a serious traffic attend let Buddha know as he is trying to get a accident and looks good. Gary Semler’s mother group together to make this trip). passed away up in Maryland. Mike Stuffle had part Registration forms and information for both of his leg removed and is doing well. Robert Chinn conventions available on the national website had a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted and is http://www.ussvi.org/Conventions.asp resting at home. Bill Roup had foot surgery and also Annual election for Charleston Base officers will damage to vertebrae and a broken hip and pelvis. be held at the regular meeting in May. We are Tom Wieda’s wife passed away in Scotland. Vern beginning to solicit names, if interested in serving Hill had prostate surgery. Larry Sims had a pituitary submit your name to Stan Standrich. gland tumor removed. District Four: No report. If anybody is sick and needs help contact either Bill Kennedy or Marty Sessler. Old Business: Boat Sponsorship – Motion made and approved for Charleston Base Sub Vets to Public Affairs: Richard Cleeve has the Christmas provide 21 American Submariner magazines four Party pictures and Walterboro VA Hospital visit times per year to the local commands (Nuke activity pictures ready for the website. School, Prototype, Weapons Station). Cost $175. Sub Vets WWII: Sy Maybie, Swamp Fox Chapter New Business: Consideration of proposal from president, reported that the next Swamp Fox Chapter Lowcountry Home Fleet Reserve Association to meeting will be 15 February at Ryan's at noon. The move our monthly Charleston Base Sub Vets Amberjack Memorial preparations are being made meeting location from Ladson VFW to Goose for the March 2007 event. Southern Region WWII Creek FRA Branch 269. – No discussion allowed Convention in Chattanooga in May. H. L. Hunley at this meeting tonight. Everyone should take the Memorial Service 17 February (contact Charlie Rook next month to consider and evaluate this invitation for details and participation in the Hunley service). from the Lowcountry Fleet Reserve to use their Veteran’s Affairs: John Nichols discussed the new eight thousand square feet facility in Goose following. Always verify the Tricare provider as Creek for our base meetings on the second well as the specific procedure that also must be Thursday of the month. Be prepared for discussion approved beforehand to insure coverage. and a vote on this proposal at the regular February meeting. Voting will be by paper ballot. Membership: Carl Chinn reported the following: Annual dues are payable by 1 January every year. Good Of The Order: The depth charge drawing We have over 50 members that are currently DINK. was held. The winner was Joe Lookabill. For those that paid for this year, Carl has the 2007 City of North Charleston Recreation Department to stickers for USSVI membership cards. If you change provide an excursion to visit our WWII Veterans your home address, phone number or e-mail notify Memorial in Washington DC, March 25-27, 2007. Carl so he can make the revisions. There will be a WWII Veterans Golf tournament held at Wescott Plantation on March 9th as a fund Scholarship: Jim Yates was not present. A hand raiser for this visit to Washington DC. made Afghan was raffled out with the proceeds going to the scholarship fund. The Afghan was red, white, The Base Commander adjourned meeting at 2045. and blue and was made by Clyde Peter’s sister-in- ** End of the minutes for January 2007 ** law. This raffle benefited our scholarship fund. Thanks to all. "Don't tell mom I'm a submariner, she thinks I play piano in a whorehouse." February Submarines Lost: USS Shark SS 174 February 11, 1942 USS Amberjack SS 219 February 16, 1943 USS Grayback SS 208 February 26, 1944 USS Trout SS 202 February 28, 1944 USS Barbel SS 316 February 4, 1945 Acton Barwick Burke Drentlaw Gilmer Jennings Jones Koebel Old Salt Koehler Lavergne Massey Minaudo Old salt, Tar, Sailor been called Poole Rash Rogers Rook Through time stood watch Sickle Siebert Stout Waller in rough seas and calm. Van Swearingen Wickenhoffer In steps of those who's gone before; In vessels of mast and vessels of oar. The great ships have changed Membership and Dues Information: in number and size; We’re up to 256 members! As of publication we are Sliding under the sea, and above in the sky. number 3 in base size, and less than 100 fewer than In times of peace they sharpen their skills; number 2. Groton and San Diego are larger. Keep on for the call of Battle Stations! Battle Stations! recruitin’! This is no drill. Only problem is we have 26 dinks! We need them to keep Gone are the cannons and muskets of old; growing. Check with your buddies and make sure they replaced by rockets, missiles, and jets on patrol. have paid their dues. If you haven’t yet paid, when you read this newsletter Their battle ground different, yet still the same; your 2007 dues are past due. If you are unsure of what atop the brine, open to fire and flame. you owe (regular base and/or national) please ask me! See me at the meeting, e-mail or call. Shipmates are many that rest 'neath the foam; Dues were payable no later than January 1, 2007. Last full measure given for family and home. We dropped 8 members last year…let’s not let that happen again! Annual dues are $20 for National and $15 for Charleston Base. If you have any changes to your membership info (address, phone, e-mail, etc.) you can now make those changes directly on-line in the Sub Vets national database.