July 2017 Publication for members of USS Illinois Base, United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. USS Illinois Base August marks the 2nd Anniversary follows: Commander (CDR) Tom to mark for the USS Illinois Base, a subsid- Ramsay, Vice Commander (VCDR) 2nd Anniversary iary of the United States Submarine Chuck Mongan, Treasurer Bruce Veterans, Inc. (USSVI). The charter Pickering, and Secretary Kate was presented to the new base at the Ramsay. Base offi cers service two- Aug. 1, 2015 meeting with 9 founding year terms. members in attendance. Today, we Base Commander Phil Owen has celebrate with 25 members strong. stepped aside to run for a vacant Join us Aug. 5, 2017 at the Base District Commander position, as Vic meeting and help us celebrate our VanHorn steps aside to relocate to 2nd Anniversary. We will celebrate Arizona. VanHorn’s district has been with a cake and good stories. divided into two section. CDR Ow- en’s proposed territory will include In addi- Wisconsin and Illinois. The new tion,t we positions will not be fi nalized until willw be USSVI’s upcoming Annual Conven- swear- tion in Orlando. ingi in the Base’sB new We will also have several special offi cers guests at the August Base meeting, whow were including two WWII submarine elected at veterans from Northern Illinois: Rudy thet July Kraut and Archie Holte. Kraut was an meeting. original crew member of Manitowoc’s WWII Submarine Veterans (lft to rt) are: Rudy Kraui (EN), of Pecatonica; YourY new Lizardfi sh SS-373. Come and welcome Archie Holte (GM), of Machesney Park; and Jim Moorehead (MM), these special guests and help us cel- of Rock Falls. The group still meet monthly in Loves Park. offi cers are as ebrate our 2nd Anniversary. Our 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 sacrifi ce be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishment. We pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.” www.ussillinoisbase.org Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 1 www.ussvi.org USSVI squashes (The following is a message from your USSVI Unfortunately, when USSVI fi rst rumors regarding National Commander.) obtained their separate EIN and Groton Base issues A lot of rumors have been fl ying the 501(c)19 tax exempt status, back around that Groton Base is suing in the 80s, neither the newly tax- USSVI and that USSVI is refusing to exempt USSVI nor the Groton Base bothered to restructure the opera- communicate with Groton Base or let the USSVI membership tion of the for-profi t club & John Markiewics bar and continued to oper- USSVI National know what is going on. Commander ate it under the Groton Base I can tell you at this EIN as they had always done. time is that no lawsuits That has continued for many have been fi led to date. years with both Groton Confi dentiality of ongo- Base claiming and USSVI News from National ing negotiations between believing that Groton Base Groton Base and USSVI owned the Clubhouse and have been observed by the USSVI Bar. It was discovered in 2013 that Board on the advice of attorney; this was not the case and that USSVI however, Groton Base leadership has not only owned the Clubhouse (a insisted on going public with their title search has been done by our issues and their version of what is go- attorney), but that the liquor license ing on, so the only story getting out was also owned/backed by USSVI. is coming from Groton Base. In order to protect the interests of The issue is regarding Groton USSVI and its members a Memoran- Base Contacts Base’s refusal to continue to fi le the dum of Understanding was drawn up 1120 tax return with the IRS and with to allow Groton Base to continue to the State of Connecticut because, Commander operate the Clubhouse and Bar. Gro- after nearly 50 years of fi ling, they Phil Owens ton Base has since repudiated and [email protected] have decided that it is illegal for the Memorandum of Understanding them to continue to do so. They also between USSVI and Groton Base for Vice Commander argue that the EIN that they have the operation of the Club and Bar & Chaplain been fi ling under is illegal because it null and void. This could leave USSVI Chuck Mongan is illegal for USSVI to have two EINs. [email protected] totally responsible for the operation However, the EIN they have been of the clubhouse and bar and totally fi ling under is a Groton Base EIN and Treasurer liable for any problems/issues with has not ever been a USSVI EIN. This Tom Ramsay running a Bar that we have virtually tram688@jcwifi .com resulted in my temporarily suspend- no control over. ing the liquor license and the Groton Secretary & Base Charter as an emergency matter A meeting with Groton Base ear- Membership until I could convene a meeting of lier this year resulted in an agree- Bruce Weigel the Board to decide on how we were ment for USSVI to hire an attorney [email protected] going to handle the issue. to get a legal opinion and that both sides would abide by the decision Storekeeper After the Board met, within a few of the attorney. This was approved Terry Elmeier days, we immediately lifted the sus- by the Board of Directors and we [email protected] pension on both the liquor license did obtain an attorney who special- and the charter. The Board has been izes in Non-Profi t Corporations, our Editor/Webmaster consulted and has approved every Kate Ramsay attorney also has been consulting action taken by myself, the appoint- kateram@jcwifi .com with an independent CPA and with a ed committee to work on a settle- Corporate Tax Attorney to attempt to ment, and the attorney. (continued on page 7) Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 2 Tidbits of Knowledge from July 21, 1898 - around the world Guam was ceded to the U.S. by Spain during the Spanish Americian War. The island surrendered without resistennce upon the arrival of A bit of History the USS Charleston. on right Russia builts DAILY EXPRESS.COM (United cabins, a swimming pool, a gym and world’s Kingdom) -- The Russians now have even a smoking room. biggest boat the world’s biggest nuclear subma- The sub’s mission is to study the rine, reports England’s newspaper bottom of the Arctic shelf, “searching the Daily Express. The war ship, for minerals and laying underwater named Belgorod, “outperforms the communications,” it is reported. The nuclear-powered Typhoon missile boat will conduct research missions cruiser, which is currently the largest and carry uninhabited deep-sea ve- nuclear submarine in the world.” hicles, as well as transport and install The boat, which carries 20 missile nuclear sub modules designed to launchers, has combat posts, crew charge uninhabited submarines on the seabed. “Say it ain’t so” USNI.ORG -- Tradition is again tak- the impact to the nation’s domestic ing a beating in Washington, D.C., textile industrial base. Phasing out as the Navy announces its intent to the traditional Navy peacoat will re- phase out the peacoat as part of its sult in several hundred lost jobs and 2018 budget deliberations. “mark the beginning of the end for Hot on the “WHY?” detail is Con- New England woolen manufacturing,” gress, which questions the need to according to peacoat manufacturer, get rid of the wool double-breasted Sterlingwear. coat and to replace it with a 100 per- The collateral damage of this deci- cent synthetic parka. sion would greatly impact the ability The House Armed Services Com- of the woolen trade industry to sat- mittee is asking the Navy for jus- isfy other U.S. Military wool clothing tifi cation for its decision, due to requirements, they added. Non-traditional EXPRESS GAZETTE (Green Bay)– and launching ships in the same launch held Submarine sailors familiar with manner? Manitowoc-built On July 3, 2017, the littoral combat boats know about ship Billings (LCS-15) was launched their history of at Wisconsin’s Marinette Marine lateral submarine shipyard. This shipyard is located 55 launches. But, miles north of the city of Green Bay did you know (on the west bank of the Green Bay). that other ship manufacturers A LCS is a small surface vessel in Wisconsin are intended for operations by the U.S. also christening Navy close to shore. Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 3 Life is simple Recently, three USS Illinois Base this in stride, however, and chalked Either you’re members were inducted into the it up to additional USSVI Holland Club. This designa- engine education. qualifi ed or tion marks the 50th year since they you’re not!’ qualifi ed on submarines and earned The boat was the honor of wearing “Dolphins.” docked at the Dolphins, always worn with pride, is Naval Electronics a cherished right of passing for quali- Laboratory pier, fi ed submariners. but shortly left for Vallejo for a To give honor to these three new major overall. The Holland Club members, we will high- rear torpedo tubes were deactivated light one per month. This month, we and removed to modify the boat as tip our hat to Bruce Pickering (EN2- a research vessel for sonar develop- SS) of Beloit, Wisc., for his service ment. to his country, and for his passion for The USS Baya submarines.