GOLD COUNTRY BASE. Base Commander Pete Juhos presents the 2015 Master Mariner award to co-winner Associate Member Jerry Wheatland.

Transcription

1 GOLD COUNTRY BASE March 2016 VOL MMXVI Issue 3 Our purpose is "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 of America and its Constitution. Base Commander Pete Juhos presents the 2015 Master Mariner award to co-winner Associate Member Jerry Wheatland. Gil Miller, Gold Country s Eagle Scout Coordinator has been waiting since last fall for the new designed USSVI Eagle Scout patch. Now that we have it he is back in action lining up recipients and ceremonies. Next Meeting March 26, hrs Meeting Starts 1300 hrs Folsom Veterans Hall 1300 Forrest Street Folsom, CA First Call to Morning Chow Monday April 11, 0930 hrs Denny's, 7900 College Town Dr. (Hwy 50 and Howe) Inside Page 2- Commander s Corner Page 3- Officers Country Page 4 5 Lost Boats - March Page 6- Birthdays, Lighter Side Page 7- Eternal Patrol Page 8- Booster Club, VA Information Page 9- February Meeting Minutes Page 10- Who We Are Page 11- News From National Page 12- Welcome Aboard, Remember When Page 13- Coming Events USSVI Mare Island Charity Golf Tournament April 2, at the Roddy Ranch Golf Course in Antioch. More information, Barry Commons (925) Luther Burbank Navy JROTC Change of Command Ceremony April 21, 1:00 to 3:00pm LBHS 3500 Florin Road, Sacramento. Football Field The Naval Submarine League of Northern California 116th Submarine Birthday Ball Saturday, April 30, at the Naval Postgraduate School, 1 University Circle, Monterey, CA. More information, Submarine Veterans Western Regional Roundup Monday May 1 st thru Saturday May 6 th, Aquarius Casino Resort Laughlin, NV. More information, Land Sea Air Dinner Saturday, May 14, 6:30 Folsom Veterans Hall, 1300 Veterans Way, Folsom. Page 1

2 Shipmates! In my dual role as District Commander, WRD 5, there is frequent tasking beyond the Base. One of these is review of Base Bylaw documents. I can assure you it s no simple task to review each Base and make recommendations to break out of the status quo and keep in alignment (or compliance) with documents of the national organization. Per Article XV of the Base Bylaws, I ve submitted a revision to the Gold Country Base Bylaws. Individual amendments reflect a broader identification of duties and responsibilities of elected and appointed officers to the Executive Board and Base operations; aligns and identifies Plank Owners, Regular and Associate Membership consistent with USSVI language, and offers a new Base Life Membership. All documents pertaining to the revision have been sent to the Base Webmaster and posted for your examination at There are a number of off-site events to which crewmembers are invited to attend. On April 30, 2016 the Naval Submarine League NorCal Chapter will host the 116 th Anniversary of our Submarine Force (Submarine Birthday Ball) at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey. Please visit for information and tickets. On May 1-6, 2016, the Western Region Roundup will be held at the Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin, NV. Please visit for information and discount bookings. On July 30, 2015, our shipmates at Wahoo Base are preparing a Western District Five Meet Up in Los Banos, CA. I sent a formal invitation to RADM Jerry Ellis, USN (Ret) to participate in our Base s annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance event on Dec. 7, 2016; to which he enthusiastically accepted. For those of you who are history buffs, this years event will mark 75 years since the attack, and 30 years since the Submarine Veterans of WWII (Gold Country Chapter) initiated the remembrance event and whose legacy we now carry and keep alive. I d like to welcome aboard RM2(SS) William Johnson to Gold Country Base. While attending the 2015 Veterans Day festivities in Folsom, he caught sight of our trailer-mounted submarine float, which led to his pursuit of who we are. I had a chance to chat at this months Base meeting, and learn his professional pursuit post-navy. We hope he ll bring in others living in the greater Sacramento region who are Brothers of the Phin! Pride Runs Deep! Pete Juhos Base Commander, Gold Country District Commander, Western Region District 5 Page 2

3 This is part 2 of why I am glad I became a Christian. The last date I mentioned was Now jump forward 30 years to April For family reasons I was on Oahu. My wife and I were at the Bowfin Museum. We spent several hours there and got to meet the retired Captain, Manager. I mentioned to the Captain I had been a part of the crew that brought the Kam to Hawaii. He told me she was in port and if I wanted to see her I better do it quickly. The next day I called Base information. I told the receptionist I want to come on Base. After some run around I said I was a member of WWII Sub Vets (Associate Member). She then said: Mr. Grover when do you want to come out. Next time on Base. In Christ, Howard Grover, Chaplin It s not always bright lights and cameras as you re your PAO some times I have to do real work. It s been a busy couple of weeks for me. I attended the Folsom Veterans Hall House Committee meeting on Feb 28 th. At that meeting it was decided to move ahead with a project to remove the mirrors from the wall in the main meeting room and replace them with a hand painted full-length mural depicting military scenes. It was also decide that the new storage shed being built by Eagle Scout candidate Brock Nelson will be for the exclusive use of our group. My next trek to the hall was last Sunday for the planning meeting for this year s Land, Sea, Air Dinner. We set the date for that event for May 13. Last year Sub Vets bought 3 tables so we need to get going if we want to match that this year. Also, we decide by unanimous consent to use all the proceeds from the event to offset the cost of maintaining the hall, such as purchasing new chairs ect. On Tuesday, I attended, along with my shipmates Tim Spoon, Chuck McKinley, Warren Wiederhoeft and Harvey Canter, the Military Burial ceremony for Chief Bob Roush at the National Cemetery in Dixon. Barry Wyatt Editor/PAO Here we are in March already. I found a block of hard wood, and I'm in the process of shaping it into the top of the sail. The various mast will be mounted on it. I was perplexed on what material to use for along time, but this effort will look great. I'll be missing the meeting on the 26th and received approval from Pete to have Jerry assume my bell duties. I'll be going to Reno on the 22nd to check out the hotel facilities for the float at the convention. There is a need for a member to tow the float there for the week (August 15-20). I'm planning on being there for the whole week and hoping many members of our base will attend. On another note. Check with Tim on what the VA medical has to offer. I was surprised on what was available to me. It is worthwhile to check out, especially if you have health issues. Storekeeper If you need a new Boat specific hat or Boat patch stop by the table and check out my catalogue from the National Storekeeper. I have a newly designed Dolphin necktie for sale as well as Base logo coffee cups. Boat Name Rockers you can order Boats name 'rockers' or 'TABs' for use on your vest. Go to: Toward the bottom is the information on ordering. If you would like to order your "Cold War" recognition certificate, go to this web site. It is free for the cost of a stamp. Tim Spoon, Treasurer, Storekeeper, Membership Page 3

4 March USS Perch (SS-176) Lost on March 3, 1942 near Java with no immediate loss of life, while on her 1st war patrol. She survived 2 severe depth charges in less than 200 feet of water by 3 Japanese destroyers. The crew abandoned ship and scuttled her. Of the 61 officers and men taken prisoner, 55 survived the war and six died as POWs. USS Grampus (SS-207) Lost on March 5, 1943 with the loss of 71 officers and men, on her 6th war patrol. She was lost in Vella Gulf, sunk after engaging 2 Japanese Destroyers. USS H-1 (SS-28) Lost on March 12, 1920 with the loss of 4 men as they tried to swim to shore after grounding on a shoal off Santa Margarita Island, off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. Vestal (AR-4), pulled H-1 off the rocks in the morning of 24 March, only to have her sink 45 minutes later in some 50 feet of water. She was originally named the USS Seawolf before becoming H-1. USS Triton (SS-201) Lost on March 15, 1943 with the loss of 74 men. She was sunk north of the Admiralty Islands during a fight with 3 Japanese Destroyers. Triton was the 1st boat to engage the enemy in December 1941 off Wake Island, Page 4

5 March (continued) USS Kete (SS-369) Lost on March 20, 1945 with the loss of 87 officers and men at the end of her 2nd war patrol. Probably sunk near Okinawa, by a Japanese submarine that itself was USS F-4 (SS-23) Lost on March 25, 1915 with the loss of 21 men. She foundered 1.5 miles off of Honolulu when acid corrosion of the lead lining of the battery tank let seawater into the battery compartment, causing loss of control. She was raised in August USS Tullibee (SS-284) Lost on March 26, 1944 with the loss of 79 officers and men, on her 4th war patrol. It's believed she was a victim of a circular run by one of her own torpedoes. The lookout was the only survivor and he survived the war as a USS Trigger (SS-237) Lost on March 26, 1945 with the loss of 89 officers and men, on her 12th war patrol. She was lost during a combined attack by Japanese antisubmarine vessels and aircraft. Trigger ranked 7th in total tonnage sunk and tied for 8th Page 5

6 March Birthdays Charles Addison Harry Beach Bill Bergstrom John Clark Jim Haywood Bill Hunt Pat Noone Joe Ryan Mike Schell Larry Williams David Worth Leslie Jamison Once upon a time there was a famous sea captain. This captain was very successful at what he did; for years he guided merchant ships all over the world. Never did stormy seas or pirates get the best of him. He was admired by his crew and fellow captains. However, there was one thing different about this captain. Every morning he went through a strange ritual. He would lock himself in his captain's quarters and open a small safe. In the safe was an envelope with a piece of paper inside. He would stare at the paper for a minute, and then lock it back up. After, he would go about his daily duties. For years this went on, and his crew became very curious. Was it a treasure map? Was it a letter from a long lost love? Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope. One day the captain died at sea. After laying the captain's body to rest, the first mate led the entire crew into the captains quarters. He opened the safe, got the envelope, opened it and... The first mate turned pale and showed the paper to his shipmates. Four words were on the paper. Port Left Starboard Right Gold Country Base Officers Base Commander Pete Juhos (916) dsv3.ss1@gmail.com Vice Commander Regy Bronner (916) regybear@aol.com Secretary Vacant. Treasurer Tim Spoon (916) spoont3@aol.com Membership, Storekeeper & POC Tim Spoon (916) spoont3@aol.com Chaplain Howard Grover (209) hgrover@jps.net Chief of the Boat (COB) Harry Beach (530) Hbeachcp@aol.com Historian Warren Wiederhoeft (916) Warrenw599@comcast.net Newsletter Editor & PAO J. Barry Wyatt (916) jbarrywy@aol.com Web-Master Rick Reineman rick@reineman.com Holland Club Commander Pat Noone (916) patgrandpa@yahoo.com Eagle Scout Coordinator Gill Miller (916) gemcap646@ranchomurieta.org Awards Chairman Regy Bronner (209) regybear@aol.com Base Photographer Roger Paul (916) rapaulplus@msn.com District 5 Commander Pete Juhos (916) Western Region Director Robert J. Bissonnette (619) Rjbissonnette2011@gmail.com Page 6

7 Our shipmate Engineman Chief Robert (Bob) E. Roush accepted his final orders and proceed on Eternal Patrol on March 5, Chief Roush was born in Dederick, MO on Jan 29, He joined the Navy in 1954 and qualified on the USS Blackfin (SS- 322) in He also served on the USS Hardhead (SS-365), USS Plunger (SSN-595), USS Bugara (SS-331), and USS Harder (SS- 568). He retired after 20 years of service in Bob joined USSVI in 1995 and was a plank owner of the USS Holland (SS-1)/Gold Country Base. He served as the Chief of the Boat from 2000 to 2005, as Vice Commander from 2005 to 2007 and again as COB in 2007, After retiring from the Navy Bob moved to Elk Grove to take a job at Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant. In 1979, after 5 years at Rancho Seco, he took a job with Lockheed Petroleum. This was his dream job. He loved working in the deep sea offshore Brazil. Using his experience with boilers that he learned in the Navy, he landed a job with Campbell's Soup in Sacramento as a boiler operator. This was to last 17 years until he relocated to the Stockton plant where he worked seasonally for another 11 years. After retirement he stayed busy with his grandchildren, lunches with his Campbell's Soup friends, church activities, Fleet Reserve Association, Sub Vets, and Elks Lodge. He also enjoyed building things in his shop, puzzles and cryptograms, rooting for the Broncos, and walking his dog. He is survived by his wife Sharol, children Glenn Smith, Sherri Arruda (Randy), Shellie Roush, his granddaughters Kerynn and Julianne Smith, sister Joan Hicks and extended family in Missouri, many longtime and dear friends, and his beloved dog Olive. Military Burial took place in Dixon at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on Tuesday, March 15 th. In addition to friends and family 5 members of the Gold Country Base were in attendance. Forever and always, fair winds and following seas. (left) Warren and Tim share some thoughts with Bob s wife and daughter. (below) Base Members Barry Wyatt, Warren Wiederhoeft, Tim Spoon, Harvey Canter and Chuck McKinley Page 7 Sharol, Bob s wife receives the American Flag with gratitude from a grateful nation.

8 Gold Country Base would not be able to continue to operate without the generous contribution from those Members, Wives and Friends who donate to Thank you Charles Almgren** Ed Alves** Bill Anderson Don Bell Wane Bellows Bill Bergstrom** Anita Bronner** Regy Bronner** Steve Buchroeder Harvey Canter Don Carman Don Carter** Dennis Cline Fred Dalbello Mike Daly Larry Davis** Mike Delleney Frank Elliott Jack Everett Harold Fisher** Bob Foerst** Jim Foster Howard Grover** Bill Hunt Tony Jacobs Burna Jameson Leslie Jamison Pete Juhos** John Kuester Richard Larson Alvin Lehman Steve Loomis Roger Lemon James Maclean** Jim Mahon** George Mathies** Mike McCoy Rev.Douglas McCready Chuck McKinley** Jerry Mitchell** George Miyao** Tom Moniz Tim Morris Pat Noone Paul Osborn Roger Paul Rick Reineman Max Rhinehart Bernie & Evelyn Ritscher Ron Rule** Joe Ryan** Lon Schmidt** Tim Spoon** Leonard Stefanelli Fred Stiesberg** Warren Wiederhoeft** Roy Wilhite Larry Williams** Ernie Woods** Randall Woolley David Worth Barry Wyatt** Five Myths About VA Health Care Eligibility This the 2nd in a series that will try to dispel the myths by providing the facts. Myth Number Two I can only receive care for service connected injuries. Status: False You can receive VA hospital and outpatient care for any ailment, service connected or not if you are enrolled in the VA healthcare system, but you may have to pay a copayment. For example, if a Veteran is serviceconnected for a bad knee, any VA hospital and outpatient care and medication for the knee is free of charge. However, if the same Vet goes into surgery to remove an appendix and it s not service connected, he may be subject to a co-pay depending on the amount of his disability rating and other factors. Familiarize yourself with co-pay guidelines and rates. A small number of Veterans, such as those with bad conduct discharges that VA has determined were issued under conditions other than honorable and who are not subject to certain statutory bars to benefits, can only be treated for their service connected disabilities and nothing else. If one of those Vets is service connected for their left foot, they can only use VA health care for their left foot and nothing else. Myth Number Three I make too much money to qualify for VA health care. Status: It depends If you do not have a service connected disability, you may want to use VA s financial calculator to see if you qualify for free VA care, medication and travel benefits. If your income is too high (over a maximum income level set every year), you may have to pick up the tab for traveling and receive your care and medication by paying a co-pay. Recently, the rules have been changed for Priority 8 Veterans to permit more of them to enroll for VA health care. Go here; healthbenefits/for more information and an income calculator to see if you qualify under the new rules. Page 8

9 Gold Country Base Meeting Minutes Date, February 27, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to 13:03 by two alarms from the Diving Klaxon. Base Commander Pete Juhos read the USSVI Creed and Purpose, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: Base Chaplain Howard Grover gave the Invocation. TOLLING THE BELL: The Lost Boats for the month of February were read by the BC, and Chief of the Boat Harry Beach tolled the bell for each Lost Boat; one additional toll in memory of those on Eternal Patrol. MEMBER INTRODUCTION: There were 30 members and 5 guests in attendance including 1 new member. FORMAL REPORTS: TREASURER / MEMBERSHIP: Base Treasurer Tim Spoon reported the books are in balance. The 2015 EOY report was submitted and accepted by the USSVI National Treasurer. Gold Country Base does not publicly release financial information in the Newsletter; Base members can request a report via . Sailing List: Despite losing three due to dues delinquency, the Base has 111 members in good standing. Joining today: RM2(SS) William Johnson, qualified aboard USS ASPRO (SS-309) in 1953, and served aboard USS Pomodon (SS-486) and USS TUNNY (SS-282). STOREKEEPER: Out of Calendars, but can order vests and other items upon request. PAO / NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Barry Wyatt is still seeking biography data from the crew. He reported on the visit by crewmembers of the Base to the Luther Burbank HS NJROTC Titan Battalion unit during their preparation for an inspection by area USMC recruiters. The Base presented a $500 check of financial support for their participation at leadership camps and drill meets. The PAO is creating an advertisement for the 2016 USSVI Convention magazine on behalf of the Base. HOLLAND CLUB CHAIR: Pat Noone identified six members to be inducted to the Holland Club at the April Base meeting. EAGLE SCOUT CHAIR: Gil Miller reports the Base will present an achievement certificate on March 19 th in Dixon, CA. Two additional Eagle Scout COH have been identified, dates to be announced. CHAPLAIN REPORT / BINNACLE LIST: Base Chaplain Howard Grover sent an Eternal Patrol letter on the passing of James Haywood, Past CA State President of the Submarine Veterans of World War II. OLD BUSINESS: Meeting minutes for the month of Jan., as published in the February 2016 issue of the Newsletter; accepted and approved as written. Base Commander presented Associate Member Jerry Wentland with a plaque recognizing him as a 2015 Master Mariner Award (co-recipient). NEW BUSINESS: Base Commander Pete Juhos announced a revision/amendment has been prepared and presented to the Executive Board for review, discussion, and approval. GOOD OF THE ORDER / COMMUNICATIONS: Submarine Birthday Ball, April 30, 2016 hosted by the Naval Submarine League, NorCal Chapter at Naval Postgraduate School Monterey. For tickets, please visit The 2016 Western Region Roundup on May 1-6 will be held in Laughlin NV at the Aquarius Casino Resort. For booking information, please visit Western Region District Five Meet Up scheduled for Saturday, July 30 th (fifth Saturday of the month) being spearheaded by Wahoo Base in Los Banos. More information to follow. Shipmate Tom Rumsey announced the used clothing collection effort towards homeless veterans in San Francisco has grown, and is seeking to expand to the Sacramento Region. April 23 rd Easter Egg Hunt at Lembi Park in Folsom starts at If you have questions, please contact Tim Spoon. First Call to Morning Chow, 0930hrs at Brookfield s located at Folsom Blvd in Rancho Cordova (near intersection of Sunrise Blvd & Highway 50) Next Base Meeting, March 26, MEETING ADJOURNMENT: Base Chaplin gave a closing prayer. Chief of the Boat surfaced the 1405 hrs. Submitted by Pete Juhos; Base Secretary (Acting) Page 9

10 Gill Miller is Gold Country Base Eagle Scout Coordinator and a former Base Commander. (continued from last month) Unlike most native Californians, I loved New London and the East Coast, so I requested assignment to a Thames River boat. Submarine Squadron Eight, and the USS Becuna SS-319, welcomed me with open arms. While in Becuna (GUPPY IA), we regularly made one day School Ops, North Atlantic runs and a deployment to the Med and Northern Europe, which included stops in Keil, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark. In November 1964, I was getting very close to thinking about reenlistment, when another ALNAV message came in that gave me a green light to be immediately discharged; contingent on enrollment in a full-time college program. Thirty days later, I was attending college in Sacramento. To support myself while attending college classes, in January 1966, I went to work as a Correctional Officer at Folsom State Prison. I completed a BA degree at Sacramento State College, and the temporary career, however, ended up lasting 37 years, with retirement as Captain in Upon retirement, I immediately rolled over to retired annuitant status (consulting), which continued until November Around 1998, I heard about the WW-II Submarine Veterans Chapter in Sacramento. I became an Associate member and several years later a Plank Owner and 2 nd Base Commander ( ), in the USSVI Holland/Gold Country base (now Gold Country Base). In addition to attending a number of USSVI National Conventions throughout the country, my affiliation with the International Submariners Association-USA (ISA-USA) has given me the opportunity to attend events in Moscow/St. Petersburg, Russia; Poland, and Israel. My wonderful wife Jo and I have been married for 45 years and have two grown children (John and Maureen). Our extended family includes 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. In retirement, we enjoy travel, and many hobbies, such as rock hounding, golf, fly fishing, reading, family gettogethers, and several trips to the local gym each week. In my retirement, it seems, I always have a list of things I want to do, but not enough time to do them. I ve never had a problem staying busy in retirement. Sometimes I wonder just how the heck I had time to go to work every day. Gil Miller, Past Base Commander Page 10 Next Month: Roger Paul, Base Photographer

11 Register Today Registration forms can be found on line at Your early registration will help support the planning and preparation for our National Convention. Any USSVI Member in good standing may nominate any other Member in good standing or Base where appropriate and as stated in the Award description. Requirements and entry information can be found at manuals The 2016 Awards Selection Timeline The Award nominations submittal period for 2016 opened on February 1st and closes on April 30th (with exception of Newsletter Award where the deadline is May 15) all nominations must be sent to; National Awards Committee Chairman, John Stanford at The Nominees for the 2016 USSVI Elections National Commander - JOHN MARKIEWICZ National Senior Vice Commander - WAYNE STANDERFER National Junior Vice commander - BILL ANDREA National Treasurer - PAUL HISER National Secretary - RAY WEWERS Southeast Regional Director - STEVE BELL Northeast Regional Director - MICHAEL NAUGHTON Northeast Regional Director - LESLIE ALTSCHULER Central Regional Director - DAVID FARRAN Western regional Director - BOB BISSONETTE Western Regional Director - JIM DENZIEN NATIONAL OFFICERS Nationally elected officers of the organization will be: National Commander (NC), National Senior Vice-Commander (NSVC), National Junior Vice- Commander (NJVC), National Secretary (NS), and National Treasurer (NT). The prerequisite for National Office is that a Nominee must be a Regular Member in good standing a minimum of thirty consecutive months. The term of office for all National officers will be two years or until a successor is elected. More information can be found under the Organization tab on the USSVI web site. Page 11

12 Bill Johnson lives in Fair Oaks with is faithful dog Boo Boo. He found us when he spotted the submarine float at the Folsom Veterans Day Parade and chased us down afterwards, to find some contact information. Bill joined the Navy in 1952 and discharged as a RM2 (SS) in He qualified on the USS Aspro (SS-309) in 1953 and also rode USS Pomodon (SS-486) and the USS Tunny (SS-282). Upcoming Cadet Events. TITAN BATTALION NAVAL JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS Luther Burbank High School 3500 Florin Road Sacramento, California April: Cadet Change of Command and Military Parade 1:00 to 3:00pm LBHS (Football Field) 26 May: Annual Navy JROTC Awards Night. 5:00 to 8:30pm Cafeteria LBHS Remember When... Friday, March 7, 2014, the California Department of Veterans Affairs hosted a reception for Durrell Conner. Mr. Conner is a Pearl Harbor survivor who served on the USS California. Mr. Conner (along with a shipmate) had the presence of mind to raise the U.S. flag after the battleship was attacked by Japanese bombers. That flag has hung at the California CalVet offices for many years, and Mr. Conner came to see it for the first time in more than 70 years. Sub Vets were invited to attend and the Honor Guard was executed by cadets from the Burbank High School Navy JROTC. Page 12

13 Page 13 Coming Events