The Beacon Snug Harbor Base’s Newsletter Website: “http://www.decklog.com/snugharbor” Issue #31 May 2003 The creed of the USSVI is: "To perpetuate the memory of our departed shipmates who gave their lives in 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". NEW MEMBERS: Since the last newsletter, the following Shipmates have joined Snug Harbor. We would like to give them and their Ladies a big “Welcome Aboard”. We now ETERNAL PATROL: have 166 Regular Members, 26 Associate Members, 112 Life The following submarines were lost during May - June and are Members and 50 Holland Club Members. My goal for 2003 is to still on “ETERNAL PATROL” get our membership to 200. If each one of you will get just one new member, we can surpass that goal. “Sailors, Rest Your Oars” - Joseph Murdoch – Melbourne, Fl. May 3, 1945 USS Lagarto (SS-371) Qualified on USS Sea Poacher (SS-406) 1963 May 22,1968 USS Scorpion (SSN-589) - Gary Hogeland – Viera, Fl. May 28, 1943 USS Runner (SS-275) Qualified on USS Blackfin (SS-322) 1961 - James Stout – Palm Bay, Fl. June 1, 1944 USS Herring (SS-233) Qualified on USS Swordfish (SSN-579) 1976 June 7, 1944 USS Gudgeon (SS-211) - William Irvine - Port St. Lucie, FL. June 12, 1943 USS R-12 (SS-89) Qualified on USS James Monroe (SSBN-622) 1969 June 14, 1944 USS Golet (SS-361) - Robert Channell (Life Member) - Vero Beach, FL. June 18, 1945 USS Bonefish (SS-223) Qualified on the USS Segundo (SS-398) in 1953 June 19, 1942 USS S-27 (SS-132) - Barbara Olsson (Associate Member) - Viera, FL. Lady of John Olsson - Stella Murdoch (Associate Member) - Melbourne, FL. Lady of Joseph Murdoch Base Officers: The following are the Base Officers that serve you for the year 2003. Base Commander – Gil Shaddock Vice Commander – George Nault Treasurer – Ray Coons Secretary/Veteran’s Affairs – Shawn Brown Chaplain/Base Historian – Bob Chasse COB/Ways and Means – Ray Goodwin Storekeeper – Gil Shaddock Lost Boat - USS Bonefish (SS-223) The Beacon Writers/Editors – Gil Shaddock, Shawn Brown Snug Harbor Web – Tim VeArd, Gil Shaddock United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Snug Harbor Base 125 Elm Ave. Satellite Beach, Fl. 32937-3370 2 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003 LOST MEMBERSHIP The following people have been dropped from the Snug Harbor rolls for the reasons as indicated: Joe Most – failed to renew 2003 dues E.W. “Skip” Glover – health problems Ernest Tilley – moved out of the area Benita Tilley – moved out of the area Charles Kuenneke – moved, whereabouts unknown John Graham – moved, whereabouts unknown USSVI EASTERN REGIONAL DIRECTOR District 4 Base Commanders and shipmates. BASE COMMANDER’S CORNER By Gil Shaddock With 17 of 20 bases in district four balloting, current District Commander Dennis Blado has been reelected by an unopposed DISTRICT 4 CONVENTION A SUCCESS vote count of 336-0-4. The D4 Convention was a really enjoyable event. “Bravo Zulu” This is the largest voting turn out in D4 to date including both to Seawolf Base for putting it on. We had a real nice Dinner base participation and vote count. cruise on the “Lady Anderson”, a very touching Memorial Please pass on my heartiest well done to the base members who Service by the pool and a wonderful banquet. Dennis Blado was took the time to show their appreciation to Dennis for all the sworn in as the D4 District Commander to serve for another year. effort he puts in D4 to visit and share information and grow the The following Bases volunteered to host the 2004 D4 district. Convention: First Coast Base in Jacksonville, Ponce de BZ Dennis, your usual increase is in the mail. I am sure you would be the first to comment on the support you Leon Base in New Smyrna Beach and Snug Harbor Base in get from the Base Commanders as well. You and I know while Melbourne. Snug Harbor was represented by myself and Olga, we may at times direct the traffic, the Base Commander drives Joe and Charlotte Brown and George and Angie Nault. Olga and the train. I were interviewed by a reporter from the Panama Beach News Fraternally, Herald. The following article appeared in the Saturday May 2, Pat Ulmen - plank owner USS Trout SS566 - USSV So. Tier NY 2003 edition. (See Newspaper article on page 10) & Parche 1000 Isl Bases Assoc WWII - Eastern Regional Director USSVI - "Holland Club" – PRIDE RUNS DEEP DISTRICT COMMANDER’S LETTER Gentlemen, I wish to thank all of the Base Commanders that attended the D-4 Conference or had a representative there. I believe there was 9 Base Commanders there. That is the most we have ever had at any Conference. I thank you for taking the time to be there. (I also know there are many reasons why some could not be there) I would like all of you to put the word out to your members that the Conference was a big success due to the number of members Dennis Blado being sworn in as D4 Commander present. We had 17 of 20 Bases represented. That is the best we have ever had. I hope that in the future we will have more (Late breaking news: Good Morning Everyone. First Coast Base members present. has decided to hoist the 2004 District 4 Conference in I wish to also to thank you for taking the time for getting your Jacksonville, Florida. It will be scheduled for the 29 April thru 1 members to vote on the District Commander ballots. We had 17 May. Starting on Thursday April 29th and finishing on 2 May. of 20 Bases send in their votes to the ERD. That is the most we (Sunday). More info to follow as is becomes available. have ever had as well. Let’s keep up the good work on voting Later, Dennis D-4 Commander) and do as well if not better on the National Level for voting. Pat Ulman (ERD) was very pleased as to how many Bases voted NATHANAEL GREENE SAIL DEDICATION as well as how many Bases were represented at D-4. He and I The dedication of the USS Nathanael Greene (SSBN-636) sail talked and he said we were going in the right directions and for will take place at 1000 on June 4th at the Navy Port Area at Cape everyone to keep up the good work. He always enjoys coming to Canaveral, Florida. If any of you would like to attend the D-4 as he has a good time and we really have one of the BEST dedication, send an E-mail or give a phone call to Gil Shaddock DISTRICTS for CAMARADERIE. (we know how to enjoy at [email protected] or 321-777-2453 and give him the names of ourselves and have fun , that's what it is all about ) who will be attending so that you can be put on an entry list that As soon as I have a positive location on the next D-4 Conference will allow you to attend the dedication. I need the names by 1200 I will put the word out. on 30 May. Again Thanks Shipmates. Dennis Blado, D-4 Commander 3 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003 SECRETARY’S REPORT Base minutes for 3 May 2003: By Shawn Brown ETCS(SS) Retired The base secretary was not able to make the meeting (this is the second picnic that I have missed)(I was moving into my house in Port St. Johns). Ken Kettering volunteered to take the minutes. I The YN is assimilating the ET thank him very much for covering for me. As always, the picnic was excellent. Base minutes for 5 April 2003: 1. Called meeting to Order (approx. 1330) VOTING FOR DISTRICT 4 COMMANDER: The Base 2. Moment of Silence Commander took votes for the up-coming election for a District 4 3. Invocation Commander. As everyone remembers, Dennis Blado (our present 4. Pledge of Allegiance District 4 Commander) was running unopposed. Gil asked if 5. Read names of Boats lost in May there were any other nominations. None were presented. A vote 6. Read USSVI Creed was taken. 40 members voted for Dennis Blado and none 7. Introduced new member Joe Murdoch against. One vote was received by Email, it was also a vote for 8. Treasurer's Report - Accepted as read Dennis Blado. Thanks to everyone that participated in this very 9. Ways and Means report important process. 10. Presented Holland Club award to Joe Baker 11. Read letter from Groton Base thanking everyone for COMBINED MEETING: Dennis Blado has presented an donations to the Fredrickson Fund. So far the Fund has raised interesting suggestion. He has asked if Snug Harbor, Pelican $20,000. Harbor and South Florida Bases would like to have a meeting 12. 2004 D4 convention will be hosted by First Coast Base in together. There was no one adverse to this idea at the meeting. Jacksonville. This is still being researched. More information to follow. If 13. June meeting will be on June 7th and July meeting will be on anyone thinks that this is not a good idea, they need to contact the July 5th. Both meetings will start at 1400 and be held at the VFW Base Commander (Gil) ASAP. Post on S. Dairy Rd. in Melbourne. 14. Nat Greene sail dedication will be at 1000 on June 4th at Port A CHANGE IN NEWSLETTER POSTINGS: The Newsletter Canaveral.