USSVI Thresher Base News July 2011 The 4th of July in Bath by Tom Young, Thresher Base Commander On the 4th of July Thresher base Bob and I walked the 2 or 3 miles in The Maine SubVets had reserved a shipmates were invited by the Maine the parade. The crowds were amazing spot at a local restaurant on the river base to march in the parade in Bath and applauded us along the com- where we joined them after the parade Maine. We had the following Thresh- plete route. There had to be well over for a nice lunch and social hour. er Base shipmates in the parade: Bob 25,000 people. McAlpine, Peter Joy, Thresher Base Treasurer Dennis O’Keefe and Thresher Base Officer myself. Peter drove his car, which Nominations he had decorated with Thresher Interested in running for office? base signs on each side, behind the Nominations for base officers will be Maine submarine float. In addition taken at the July meeting. You must we rigged our large flag through his be present at the the meeting to make sunroof and it looked great. Dennis a nomination. rode with him attending to the flag as well as periscope they had rigged up. Three Mast Flagpole for a Car with a Moon Roof! by Peter Joy, Thresher Base Chaplin With 1 ½ inch pvc, 10 foot paper. And now, I definitely hold the sections, whittled down to same thought that Orville and Wilber resemble: Wright had at their first attempt on a flying machine. “Looked great on Approximately 10 feet tall, paper, didn’t it! Ohhhhh shucks.” Tip of mast would hold the Well, some on scene, going forward Ensign flown on the constitution, from a well schemed Plan A, our Starboard mast for the U.S. Navy Flag, illustrious Commander and his ever Mid-Mast for the USSVI wittingly Treasurer, Plan B was initi- Thresher Base Flag, Port ated! After a third, well, almost, of mast for the Submarine duct tape, the Thresher Base flag was Dolphin Flag. Set in a “strung out” and with Peter, (Base console modification frame Chaplain) at the helm, and the trust to stabilize. AND, for the worthy Treasurer on the Periscope, we mid mast, an aft going 5 successfully navigated the Bath Maine foot 1 in PVC to hold up Heritage Day July 4th Parade route, the Thresher Base Flag, following the Maine Base Submarine yeah, a sight to behold! Well, it looked great on continued on page 6 4th of July in Bath ................................ 1 Table of Contents Treasurer’s Report ............................... 6 Three Mast Flag for Car .................... 1 May Meeting Minutes ....................... 3 Upcoming Events ................................. 6 Base Officer Nominations ................. 1 Retiree Check List ................................ 4 To Perpetuate the Memory .............. 7 Memorial Day at Albacore Park ..... 2 Eternal Patrol ........................................ 5 USSVI Conventions ...........Back Page Albacore Park 25th Anniversary .... 3 Next Meeting .......................Back Page Lost Boats................................................ 6 Page 1 Memorial Day Ceremony at Albacore Park 1st Row: Former Thresher Base Com- mander Gary Hildreth; Thresher Base Chaplin Peter Joy; Portsmouth Mayor Tom Ferrini 2nd Row: Ceremony guests; Rear Admiral John Clarke Orzalli, Vice Commander Naval Systems Command; Thresher Base Senior Vice Commander Kevin Galeaz 3rd Row: USSVI Thresher Base member Bob McAlpine; Lori Arsenault, daughter of Tilmon Arsenault, USS Thresher 4th Row: Young Marines; WWII Subvets and USSVI Thresher Base members Bill Seaward and Carl Weber Page 2 Base News May 2011 Minutes The May meeting of Thresher Base 16. This will be the annual Lobster- National Convention. Information was held at the Flag Hill Winery on bake and details will be forth coming. was passed out. May 21. The meeting was called to • Memorial Day service is at 10 • Larry Oiler and Herm Stolzenburg order followed by a silent prayer and am on May 30. The following base reported on their attendance at the pledge of allegiance. The Tolling of the members will be participating in the diesel boat reunion of Squadron\6 in Bells was conducted for those boats ceremony: Former Thresher Base Norfolk. lost in May and June. A silent prayer Commander Gary Hildreth, master •Thresher Base received $500 from was said for those on eternal patrol. of ceremonies; Thresher Base Senior WWII Squalus Chapter for maintain- A sound off of those present was Vice Commander Kevin Galeaz, lost ing the memorials at Albacore Park. conducted with 14 members in at- boats reader; Bob McAlpine, toller of •Voting for District Commander was tendance. the bell and Thresher Base Treasurer held. The base unanimously voted to Secretary’s Report and Treasurer’s Dennis O’Keeffe, wreath layer. Base re-elect current District 1 Command- Report were read. Commander Tom Young and Herm er, Tom Shannon. Stolzenburg will be available if neces- •Tom Young and Peter Joy will get in Old Business - none sary. touch with Maine Base to discuss a New Business - • Larry Oiler will be attending the joint September meeting. • Next meeting will be Saturday, July Three Mast Flagpole (continued from page 1) Float, being ever mindful so as NOT to get caught up in the submarine’s prop wash. All participating Submarine Sailors mustered at the SAME tavern, no less, where upon we patiently awaited for our individual “war Lords” (wives), to come join us. BUTTTT, as PARCHED as we were, from either marching, riding the float, or steer- ing the mechanized machines for the length of the parade route, we had to Albacore Park 25th Anniversary rest the weary and dry throats, that Saturday, August 20, 2011 bottled water can not do, well, as well as COLD BEER. One beer each, is 9:30 to 5:00 all we had as we awaited our brides’ arrival, just so happens, the one beer Free Admission All Day each drill was repeated 3 or 4 times to make a perfect presentation as to Opening Ceremony at 11:00 Question and Answers with the tradition of Submarine Enlisted former crew ‘gentlemanly’ appearance. Trivia Contest aboard T’wuz a fun time had by all in at- the Albacore Book signings tendance!!!! GO THRESHER BASE! Toy Submarine “Test Tank” Cake and Refreshments Page 3 Retiree Checklist - What Survivors Should Know This checklist, from USSVI, is de- Benefit Plan (SBP), Reserve Com- cemetery, ground burial, etc. If your signed to provide retirees and their ponent Survivor Benefit Plan (RC- spouse knows your desires, it will loved ones with some help in prepar- SBP) or the Retired Serviceman’s resolve some of the questions that ing for the future. This information is Family Protection Plan (RSFPP), or might arise at a later date. not all-inclusive and should be used any applicable Civil Service annuity, _ Visit a local funeral home and pre- with other estate planning tools to etc. Additional information regard- arrange your services. Many states lessen trauma to your loved ones. ing SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP an- allow you to pre-pay for services. nuity claims can be obtained from _Create a military file that includes a DFAS office at (800) 321-1080. _ Investigate the decisions that you copy of retirement orders, separa- and your family have agreed upon. tion papers, DD Form 214, medical _ Create a personal document file Many states have specific laws and records, and any other pertinent that has copies of marriage certifi- guidelines regulating cremation and military paperwork. Include the cates, divorce decrees, adoptions burials at sea. Some states require location and telephone number of and naturalization papers. a letter of authority signed by the the nearest military installation. _ Create an income tax file. Include deceased in order to authorize a _ Create a military retired pay file copies of both of your state and cremation. Know the laws in your that includes the following contact federal income tax returns. specific area and how they may information: affect your decisions. Information _ Create a property tax file. Include regarding Burials at Sea can be Defense Finance and Accounting copies of tax bills, deeds and any obtained by phoning the Mortuary Service other related documents. Affairs Division at (866) 787-0081. U S Military Retirement Pay _ Create an insurance policy file. In- Post Office Box 7130 _ Once your decisions have been clude life, property, accident, liability London , KY 40742-7130 made have a will drawn up outlin- and hospitalization policies. (800) 321-1080 or (216) 522- ing all your wishes and store it in 5955/(800) 269-5170 (for issues _ In a secure location, maintain a list a secure location with your other regarding deceased members) of all bank accounts (joint or indi- paperwork. vidual). Include the location of all Navy Personnel Command Who should be notified in the event deposit boxes, savings bonds, stocks, (N135C) of my death? bonds and any securities owned. Retired Activities Branch 1. Defense Finance and Accounting 5720 Integrity Drive _ In a secure location, maintain a list Service (800) 321-1080 or (216) Millington, TN 38055-6220 of all charge accounts and credit 522-5955 cards. Include account numbers and Also include: 2. Social Security Administration (for mailing addresses. _The number of any pending VA death benefits) - (800) 772-1213 claim and the address of the local _ Maintain a list of all associations 3. Department of Veterans Affairs (if VA office and organizations of which you are applicable) – (800) 827-1000 _A list of deductions currently a member. Some of them could be 4. Office of Personnel and Management being made from retired pay or VA helpful to your spouse. (if applicable) - (724) 794-8690 benefits. 5. Any fraternal group you have mem- _The name, relationship and ad- _ Maintain a list of all friends and bership with such as MOOA, FRA, dress of the person you have des- business associates who may be NCOA, VFW, AL, TREA, USSVI ignated to any unpaid retired pay helpful.