Vol. 13 No. 10 October 2017

Transcription

1 FROM THE BASE COMMANDER Business Name Vol. 13 No. 10 October 2017 N e w s l e t t e r o f C h a r l e s t o n B a s e, U n i t e d S t a t e s S u b m a r i n e V e t e r a n s, I n c. Base Meeting: BOD: October Membership: October Location: FRA Branch 269 Low Country Home 99 Wisteria Rd. Goose Creek, SC Base Commander Ralph Rohrssen Base Vice Commander Secretary Mike Knaub Mike Ciesielko Treasurer Gordon Williams Chief of the Boat Joe Lunn Veterans Affairs Ken Curtis Membership Larry Knutson Scholarship George Scharf Storekeeper Ron Chambers Historian George Scharf Public Affairs Rick Wise (H) (C) Chaplain Nick Nichols Holland Club Bill Freligh Newsletter Rick Wise (H) (C) Webmaster Nick Nichols Kaps for Kids Bill Kennedy

2 Submarines Lose During the Month of October USS SEAWOLF (SS-197) October 3, th War Patrol Lost with all hands 100 souls (83 crew and 17 Army) USS S-44 (SS-155) October 7, th War Patrol Lost with 56 souls 2 men became POWs and survived war USS WAHOO (SS-238) October 11, th War Patrol Lost with all hands 80 souls USS DORADO (SS-248) October 12, 1943 New - training Lost with all hands 77 souls USS ESCOLAR (SS-294) October 17, st War Patrol Lost with all hands 82 souls USS DARTER (SS-227) October 24, th War Patrol No loss of life USS SHARK II (SS-314) October 24, rd War Patrol Lost with all hands 87 souls USS TANG (SS-306) October 25, th War Patrol Lost with 78 souls 9 men became POWs and survived war USS O-5 (SS-66) October 29, 1923 near Panama Canal Lost with 3 souls Nine Boats and 563 Men Lost Table of Contents From the Editor 2 From USSVI National 3 Charleston Base Member Pins On Daughter s CPO Insignia 7 Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) Visit 8 Charleston Base Christmas Party 11 Advertisements 12 Upcoming Charleston Base Events Charleston Base Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, Nov FRA Branch 269, Goose Creek Charleston Base Meeting (Social Hr starts 1800) Thursday, Nov FRA Branch 269,Goose Creek Nuclear Power School Graduation Class 1705 Thursday, Nov NEX Parking Lot, NWS Veterans Day Ceremony Friday, Nov US 17A & US 78 Summerville Tolling the Lost Boats Saturday, Nov Coastal Coffee Roasters, Summerville Victory House Visit Tuesday, Nov VFW Ladson to carpool Charleston Base Christmas Party Saturday, Dec FRA Branch 269, Goose Creek No input for this month. FROM THE BASE COMMAN DER From the Editor This is going to be an abbreviated newsletter due to receiving very little input and a number of personal problems I have to cope with. I hope you noticed that the NPS Graduation takes place on Thursday, the Veterans Day Ceremony takes place on Friday and the Tolling the Lost Boats takes place on Saturday. Since the Holiday day for Veterans Day is Friday it has messed a number of things up but we will Toll the Lost Boats on the REAL Veterans Day! I want to take this opportunity to say something that comes from my heart. My life is much better because I found Charleston Base! 2

3 From USSVI National Normal message traffic from USSVI will be published each month in the newsletter. If the message is of immediate interest to the membership it will be sent out by the Base Secretary. Messages are arranged in the order received NEWS-01: SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Submitted by: Ray Wewers on 10/19/ "The Academic Year Scholarship application package has been posted on the USSVI.org Website and may be downloaded. The Scholarship page is found by ng the Charitable Fund section, then Scholarship Tab, Then Application Tab - all located on the left side of the home page of USSVI.ORG. The three documents located in the Scholarship Application page must be downloaded. Interested sponsors and applicants are encouraged to read through the instruction and procedure document followed by the application form and then the guidance pages to ensure they understand the process and the due dates for the submissions and supporting documentation. Robert E. Frick, RDML USN (Ret), SS Holland Chairman USSVI Scholarship Program Wayne E. Phillips TM2(SS) USSVI ESRD2 District Commander USSVI Denizens of the Deep Vice Commander 460 Williston Rd Beech Island, SC (M) (H) waynephillips.esr2dc@yahoo.com dotd_vicecommander@yahoo.com 3

4 USSVI Charleston Base Meeting Minutes 12 October 2017 The attendance for the October 2017 meeting was 80 members. Opening Ceremonies: The meeting was called to order by Base Vice Commander Mike Knaub. A quorum was present and the meeting started at 1900.Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Invocation and the Tolling of the Boats lost in October was given by Base Chaplain Nick Nichols. The USSVI Creed was read by Base Secretary Mike Ciesielko. Mike welcomed the members and guests to the meeting. Introductions: The following introduced themselves at the meeting: MS2(SS) Otto Botzsich Qual Boat: USS Patrick Henry SSBN 599 Gold. MMSC (SS) Justin Buckman. Qual Boat: USS Alaska SSBN 730 Gold. Chief of the Boat: Joe Lunn reported the next WWII luncheon will be 19 th October. The Christmas Party will be 2 December. Tickets will be $10.00 Each. Secretary: Base Secretary Mike Ciesielko reported that the September meeting minutes had been published in the newsletter and on the base website. Mike asked the group for a motion to accept the minutes as written. Rick Wise made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as published. The motion was seconded by Butch Bryar. Treasurer: Base Treasurer Gordon Williams gave his report on the Charleston Base finances. The base financial report is now located as a password protected file on the base website under Documents and Resources. The password is the same as needed for the Sailing List. Chaplain: Master Chief Machinist Mate, Submarines, Joseph P. Joe LaRose, United States Navy Retired Shipmate Departed on Eternal Patrol September 16, 2017 Master Chief Electricians Mate, Submarines, James B. Jim Lowman, United States Navy Retired Shipmate Departed on Eternal Patrol October 3, 2017 Chief Machinist Mate, Submarines, Donald M. Don Larsen, United States Navy Retired Shipmate Departed on Eternal Patrol August 1, 2017 October Report Highlighted boat of the month: USS DORADO SS-248 was lost on this date 74 years ago, October 12, 1943, with the loss of 77 men when she was sunk in the western Atlantic near Cuba. Newly commissioned, she had departed New London and was enroute to Panama. She may have been sunk by a U.S. patrol plane that received faulty instructions regarding bombing restriction areas or a German U-boat that was in the vicinity. MMCM(SS) Joseph 'Joe' Phillip LaRose, USN, Ret, departed on Eternal Patrol on Sept. 16 th. His Funeral Service was Sept. 21 st and a good number of Charleston Base attended. Joe qualified in submarines on the DIODON SS- 349 in 1964 and also served on NEREUS AS-17 and GRAYLING SSN-646. MMC(SS) Donald M. Don Larsen, USN, Ret, departed on Eternal Patrol on Aug. 1 st. His funeral service was Aug. 4 th. The base was not notified by anyone until we saw the EP notice from National on Sept. 29 th. Don qualified in submarines on the GRAYBACK SSG-574 in 1961 and also served on ANDREW JACKSON SSBN-619, GROWLER SSG-577, and GREENLING SSN-614. EMCM(SS) James B. Jim Lowman, USN, Ret, departed on Eternal Patrol on Oct. 3 rd. The base was notified by National EP notice prior to his obituary being in the paper. Jim qualified in submarines on the BONEFISH SS-582 in 1966 and also served on YORKTOWN CVS-10, FRANCIS SCOTT KEY SSBN-657, SUNFISH SSN-649 and FRANK CABLE AS-40. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 14 th at 1600 at McAlister Smith Funeral Home Goose Creek Chapel. All base members should have received an concerning this. The family has not requested Charleston Base participation however all base members are encouraged to attend and wear your vest. Don Peterson continues to recover from his surgery. He is still in the hospital trying to beat pneumonia. Jim Williams saw him on Friday and he looks good just killing him because he can t talk. 4

5 Ernie Barwick Tom Skorepa sent the following concerning Ernie. Last Wednesday, Ernie Barwick (life time member) fell again at home. Received several bruises and scrapes, but hit hard on the back of head and neck. He has blood on the brain, minor memory/ conversation problems but still sharp as a tack. His cell # is ; he is at Life Care Center of Charleston: 2600 Elms Plantation Blvd, N. Chs, MeadowRidge room. 40. Their P # is Sorry for delay, just got enough info to relay to you. He can have company and would love it. Tom Skorepa Ann LaRose asked how she could continue receiving the American Submariner after Joe s passing. The Base Commander receives extra copies each time it comes out and will work with Ann to ensure she has a copy. Dick Koehler has been battling cancer for a long time. It has spread to his lungs where they found a 5cm tumor. He was placed on a new drug, Keytruda, which has shrunk the tumor to around 2cm. He is feeling much better. Lorraine Curtis, Walt s daughter, had her last radiation treatment for her breast cancer. She is waiting results of testing to determine future treatment. In the near future all base members will be receiving a letter via from the Chaplain. I ask that if you feel you want base participation in a funeral or memorial service when you depart on Eternal Patrol then please print this letter and put it with your important documents. The letter simply states for your family to contact one of the addresses given in the letter to let us know of your passing. Since the beginning of 2016, we ve had 20 of our members depart on Eternal Patrol. Of those, I have had to make personal contact with several of the family to see if they want our participation. Although I always tried to make sure they understood it was their decision for us to participate there were several times I felt like I was imposing on them so that we could participate. After talking to some of the base leadership, my new policy will be that if the family does not make contact with someone from the base and ask about our participation, then I will not be disturbing the family at a time of grief. If you want SUBVETS to participate then place the letter into your important files. If you have a change of mailing address, phone number, address please let the base leadership know about it. We need to make sure all of our records are updated so we can make contact with you if we need to. Follow-ups were made on those who ve had surgery or illnesses in the last couple of months along with the base sending additional cards. WEBMASTER NOTES: Website is constantly updated. It is time for renewal for the website and newsletter ads. Send your check to the Treasurer and he will let me know when it s received so that the ad will continue running. Remember that all of the ad proceeds go directly to the mailing of the newsletter to those base members without . Make use of the EVENTS page on the Charleston Base website. All events that are put out to the membership via will be listed and updated on the events page. Membership: Larry Knutson informed us we have 303 members. District Commander: No Report. Kaps for Kids: Bill Kennedy Reported how happy the Kids were in Greenville about us being there. Bill and our members who attended saw 31 Kids while they were there. October 24 th Kaps for Kids will be in Florence. Bill will leave coloring books and Crayons for the kids in Summerville since it is so small a Hospital. Veterans Affairs: Ken Curtis reported that now all Honorably Discharged Veterans can get a Government Picture ID now. Also the Aloha Shirts are still on sale for $75. The information is on the website. FRA: Larry Pepper Informed us there will be an Old Fashioned Navy Breakfast October 22 nd the cost is $6 each. The FRA will be holding a Halloween party on the 28 th of October. 11 November the FRA will be having an indoor picnic. The FRA will also be raffling a Toshiba 55 inch TV on the 23 Dec. Submarine Veterans of World War II: We had two members present. Scholarship: Scholarships are due 16 th of April 2018 NPS Awards: No Report 5

6 CRAMA: No Report Public Affairs: Rick Wise reported that the newsletter will be published as soon as the minutes are done. Storekeeper: Ron Chambers reported that Calendars are for Sale. Special Events: Rick Wise spoke for Rick Sparger Veterans day we will be participating in the Memorial Service at the Summerville Memorial gardens then we will have the Float at the Summerville Coffee roasters at 1pm. Base Commander: Ralph Rhorssen was not present. Old Business: None New Business: None Good of the Order: Beetle Baily informed us that the VA needs drivers. Jimmy Legg wanted to make us aware of his Group (the Patriot Guard) that rides to show respect for Deceased Veterans. They ride for Veterans and First Responders. They show up with Flags and show respect for the family. Jimmy stated that if someone wants them there the request has to come from the Family. The After Battery: No Report. Nuclear Historian: Ed Stank reported: The Christmas party will be December 2 nd Tickets will be each for the SUBVETS and their guest. Any additional guest is $ Ed reported that the Victory House Lowcountry Boil is Tuesday 17 October. When I was a young submarine auxiliaryman, the USS Shark (SSN-591) was in Norfolk Naval Shipyard having her first reactor core change performed. During the overhaul a significant amount of work was being performed on our shaft and associated components. Our main hydraulic power plant provided a direct supply to our main shaft bearings and as part of the work being performed we had to depressurize our power plant so the bearings could be worked on. When the work had been completed a rather older shipyard worker was directed to hook up hydraulics to the shaft. Procedures in those days were not very well detailed and the worker failed to inform us of his task. About 2AM he arrived in our engine room to hook up the system, which was by the way was pressurized to 3000 PSI. A pipe plug was installed so we could keep the plant on line. The worker attempted to remove the plug but you could imagine his frustration at the difficulty of this simple chore. Being and old timer he did what anyone would do, get more leverage. I was standing outside maneuvering doing what we all did at that time of night, shooting the shit when we heard this loud pop followed by a series or tings around the engine room. I heard our old worker yelling Help, someone help me" from shaft alley. I ran back to Shaft Alley and here was our old shipyard worker holding a plastic bucket over the outlet from the power plant trying to keep the oil from spraying all over the engine room. Too late, by the time we shut down the plant the vent and supply tank was almost empty. The shipyard worker ran from our ship never to return again. Gun Club: Mike Ciesielko had no report. The Red FRA ticket was won by Robert Gay The depth charge was won by Ed Stank. Ed Donated 100 Dollars to the Scholarship Fund. Benediction: Chaplain Nick Nichols gave the benediction. Meeting Adjourned: Following the benediction by Nick Nichols, the Base Vice Commander adjourned the meeting at

7 Charleston Base Member Pins On Daughter s CPO Insignia Charleston Base Member Bill Hayes pins on his daughter Jessica Hayes CPO anchors Jessica is an ADC 7

8 Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) Visit to Shriner s Hospital in Greenville, SC On August 15 eight members of Charleston Base and two members of Golden Corners Base (Greenville, SC) joined in a Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) visit to Shriner s Children's Hospital in Greenville, SC. This was a visit that was over a year in planning because the number of patients at the hospital were greater than a single base could handle. Charleston Base Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) coordinator, Bill Kennedy coordinated the visit with the Golden Corners Base. A total of 31 patients were visited and presented with Honorary Submariner hats, certificates, coloring books and crayons. Bill s wife June helped with the visit. As you can see from the following pictures the visit was well received. 8

9 Charleston Base Member Mike Emerson and Golden Corners Base Commander Ed Evering with unnamed patient Now that s a smile! From the right: Mike Knaub, Ed Evering, Rick Sparger, Bill Roberts, Dave Rocheville, Ken Hutchison, June and Bill Kennedy, Mike Emerson, John Flynn and George Scharf 9

10 Charleston Base members Bill Kennedy, Ken Hutchison, Rick Sparger and John Flynn 10

11 FOR SALE Charleston Base members who have items they wish to sell may send me the information for inclusion in the newsletter. Items will run for three issues or until I m notified by the person submitting the ad that it is no longer needed. 11

12 FIREARMS TRANSFERS Standard Transfer Fee: $20 USSVI Member $15 SC CWP Holders: $5 discount MC SQUARED Cables, LLC is an Economically Disadvantaged Woman/Veteran/Minority and Disabled Veteran-owned small business. We provide our customers with reliable cables that are physically and electrically appropriate for their applications, and conformant to the most demanding industrial requirements and military specifications. See Flyer at MCSQUARED Business Description.pdf for more information 12

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