CORVINA BASE December 2013 Newsletter of the Year Awards 2013 Western Region Class 2 Winner 2012 Western Region Class 2 Winner 2011 Class 1 Honorable Mention Newsletter index Base Officers Pg. 2 Creed Pg.2 Commanders Log Pg.3 Secretary Report Pg.4 Treasures Report Pg.4 Chaplain s Corner Pg.5 ARLINGTON CEMETERY Pg.7 Calendar of Events Pg.8 SHIPMATES ON ETERNAL PATROL Harry Wellman CS1 (SS) Harry Sembagh EN3 (SS) Melvin Phillips ET1 (SS) Russel Scofield TMCS (SS) Donald Campbell TM2 (SS) Harold Lister EN3 (SS) James Avitt RM1 (SS) Charles H. Massie TM1 (SS) Elvin L. Morrison FTC (SS) Erick Bjorum CWO(SS) Norm Snyder EM1(SS) Boyd Tieslau TM3 (SS) Robert Rich EN1 (SS) Francis Signore CSC (SS) Stanley Blair ICC (SS) Richard Burdette LT. (SS) Wayne F. Garrett ET2 (SS) Larry Garrelts ETCS(SS) Melvin Schreckengost ET2 Charles Hyman MM2(SS) Birthday List Pg.8 James T. Wright III Gordon Lane RMC(SS) Booster List Pg.8 Chester E. MacDowell TMI (SS) Edwin V. Schalbert TMC (SS) Quiz Pg.9 Jerry D. Noma MM2(SS) Richard Ekenberg, ETC(SS) Christmas Party Pictures Pg.11 Gerald Stratton ENC(SS) Richard C. Barringer SOSN(SS) Classifieds Holland Club Pg.12 Pg.13 Meetings are held on the first Saturday Of each month at Denny s Coffee Shop, 205 E. Nugget Ave. Sparks NV At 1400 hours. 1
Base Commander Vice Commander Secretary Teasurer/POC Dave Aunkst 883-7276 Mdaun.nv@att.net Dennis Wiley 972-0388 mdvwiley@sbcglobal.net Pete Akerson 856-2109 peteakerson@hotmail.com Don Brown 853-5309 donbrownss322@sbcglobal.net COB Storekeeper Chaplain Newsletter/WEB Bob Heaps 424-6829 renoheaps@yahoo.com Frank Urbani 882-6421 urbiess567@att.net Paul Allen 882-7971 pmgjallen1@att.net Norm Peterson 322-5193 1971tr6@charter.net MAL MAL Assistant Chaplain Past Base Commander Terry Bolen 575-0289 tbolen2000@yahoo.com MarkHogan 867-3304 hogank@msn.com Marcedes Parsons 626-0352 wp347@sbcglobal.net Dan Moran 853-1126 morank61@hotmail.com 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 sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution. 2
The Christmas Lunch on December 7 th, was a very special and well attended event in spite of the snowy weather. Not only did we remember the Pearl Harbor attack, we paid tribute to all of the WWII Submarine Veterans present. Another highlight was a special presentation to Base Member- At-Large (MAL) Terry Bolen, making him a Corvina Base Honorary Submariner, for his continuing efforts on the Base s special events. He was the Supply Officer on the last crew of the SABALO (SS-302), before it was decommissioned for the second and last time in 1971. He was only a few signatures away from becoming fully Qualified in Submarines before the boat was decommissioned. We also had other special guests present: Mr. Louie Damonte of the Damonte Ranch, who has allowed us all these years to store our Submarine Float in the ranches underground potato barn- AKA the Northern Nevada Submarine Pen (NNSP). (It s almost as secure as the fortified WWII German U-Boat Submarine Pen at St. Nazaire, France. Google it, it was one of the most fortified pens built. Thus endeth the history lesson.) In addition, we heard from Staff Sergeant Daniel Friedline, US Army; Son of member Rod Friedline. He gave us a compelling talk of his exploits after two tours of duty in Afghanistan clearing the roads of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED s), and in the process earning him a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Lastly, we swore in the four elected officers for 2014. Thanks to the appointees, who agreed to stay on in their respective positions next year. The one change is Robert Talbert appointed as Base Treasurer. The only other change is discontinuing the Base Storekeeper position. I very much appreciated the receipt of the Flag that was flown over the US Capitol, provided by Senator Dean Heller s office. Thanks to COB Bob Heaps and the others on the Board of Directors for their efforts. Thanks to all for supporting me as Base Commander during this last year; and we hope for a meaningful and productive next year. One thing that can be improved is the increased participation in the Reno airport greetings, especially for those who are returning from overseas tours. Lets show more support for these people who are currently serving! Also, if you owe dues please get them in before the end of January; help maintain our membership. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year! and here it is! Humor-Love Story! Love Story I will seek and find you. I shall take you to bed and have my way with you. I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan. I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop. I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I'm finished with you. And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days. All my love, The Flu Now get your mind out of the gutter and go get your flu shot! 3
No minutes this month because of the Christmas party. Pete was last seen going back for his fourth piece of cake. - 1. All account balances are available at Base meetings. 2. Deposits for December From Dec meeting $395.00 3. Checks issued in October USSVI Dues $140.00 J A Nugget $1725.66 NNV Food Bank $245.00 REMINDER: 2014 Dues MUST be paid prior to 31 December 2013. 4
Binnacle List Don Brown: Don s wife, Terry, gave us permission to print part of their Christmas Newsletter for the Binnacle List. She writes it better than I could and we are thankful that Don is doing well and is able to attend many public functions. Dear Friends, We hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. It s been quite a year! Don started off the year by losing 50 pounds in three months. Hooray for him! Since then, he has had several health challenges that have made this a rough year. In April, he was hospitalized twice with congestive heart failure. At the end of May, he had his fall bladder removed (it was gangrenous). At the end of August, he had a mini-stroke (TIA) at the Submarine Convention in Rochester Minnesota, and he just completed a six-week round of chemotherapy for leukemia. We ll know the day after Christmas how well the chemo went. Don s heart has improved in capacity and the cardiologist is very pleased. The side effects from losing his gall bladder are a nuisance for Don, but he s coping well. There were no residual effects from the TIA other than his hands are cold and his right ankle won t work right sometimes. Thank God he was staying right across the street from the Mayo Clinic when his TIA hit. All in all, Don is doing well, tired at times, but doing well. We were supposed to fly back to Don s hometown in New York for his 60 th class reunion in June but didn t make it because of his gall bladder surgery. Can t wait for the next reunion in five years. Don loves getting together with his old school mates. We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and hope your New Year is filled with peace, joy, and happiness. Be well my friends. Love and Blessings, Terry and Don Pearl Harbor and USS Nevada (BB-36) Ceremony On Friday, December 6, 2013, a few of the Corvina Base members attended the 72 nd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the USS Nevada (BB-36) held on the Capitol campus. Governor Sandoval read a proclamation with some history on the USS Nevada and laid a wreath at the USS Nevada Memorial. Also present was Caleb Cage Director of Military and Veterans Policy, Kat Miller Director of Nevada Dept. of Veterans Services, and Khalilah Cage, sister-in-law to Caleb, sang the National Anthem. One Pearl Harbor survivor present was Roland Peachee (97 years old) who was a butcher on the USS Maryland (BB-46). He survived the war but for some reason did not go home to see his foster parents for 47 years. 5
The Nevada was commissioned March 11, 1916 but did not see battle in WWI. It was one of eight battleships in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese surprise attack took place early Sunday morning Dec. 7, 1941. It was hit with six bombs and a torpedo and by the end of the battle 50 crew members died and 140 wounded. Even though the Nevada was the only battleship to get underway it was intentionally grounded so it wouldn t block the main passageway into Pearl Harbor. The 50 sailors killed are listed on the USS Nevada Memorial at the Capitol. I would like to encourage readers of this newsletter to visit the Capitol when everything is green in the summer. The grounds are beautiful with a lot of history and the Capitol building and legislature building is open to the public. In 2014 Nevada will celebrate its 150 th year of statehood. Scripture: Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Prayer: Father God, as we enter into another year of life on this planet we want to thank you for the blessings of living in the USA with freedom and peace. We pray for strength and healing for Corvina Base members that have needs. Lord, we pray for our nation s leaders that wisdom will be imparted to them. Be with our submariners on patrol and keep their families in your care. Walk with our military men and women on patrol in harm s way and protect them. Thank you for hearing our prayers Lord. Amen! Note: There s a new movie being fully released on Jan. 10, Lone Survivor and sounds like a good movie about Marcus Lutrell a United States Navy Seal First Class Hospital Corpsman who survived a Taliban attack in Afghanistan while 16 men perished. Lutrell wrote a book called Lone Survivor from which the movie has been made and many of us have read. Paul Allen, Corvina Base Chaplain - 6
ARLINGTON CEMETERY Jeopardy Question: On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was "How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns" ---- All three contestants missed it! -- 1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps: It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary. 2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1 3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle. 4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and, if not, why not? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder. 5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. 6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30. They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interned. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe Lewis {the boxer} Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.. ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. God Bless and keep them. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very 7
2013 BASE BOOSTER CLUB LIST Steve Warner Leonard Stefanelli JANUARY 2014 1- Happy New Year to All 4- Base Meeting 1400hrs 17- Lunch Bunch 1130hrs R. Dennis Wiley Mark Hogan Jim (Smokey) Jordan Dan Moran (2) Jack Quade Bill Parsons Dave Aunkst Birthday List January 1 Dale Talcott 7 Frank Ely 7 Stephen Salzman 8 Frank Kenyon 10 Frank Urbani 11 Rod Friedline 18 William Sweetwood 25 Dutch Schwichtenberg 29 Rackets Barger 30 Jerry Baer 31 Daniel Fawcett Terry Bolin Bob Heaps Don Brown Oscar Rambeau Terry Sheldon-Brown Bill Desormier Scott Stanfill Pete Akerson (2) Frank Kenyon Primo Quarisa Mary Ellen Schwicktenberg Della Quarisa Jim Gibson 8
Are You Smarter Than A 50 Year Old? THIS WAS HARDER THAN I THOUGHT. THE ANSWERS WERE ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE. I RE- MEMBERED, BUT... DON'T LOOK BELOW FOR THE ANSWERS UNTIL YOU HAVE TRIED IT OUT - A TEST FOR 'OLDER' KIDS. 01. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, Who was that masked man? Invariably, someone would answer, I don't know, but he left this behind. What did he leave behind?. 02. When the Beatles first came to the U.S..In early 1964, we all watched them on The Show. 03. 'Get your kicks,.' 04. 'The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to.' 05. 'In the jungle, the mighty jungle,.' 06. After the Twist, The Mashed Potato, and the Watusi, we 'danced' under a stick that was lowered as low as we could go in a dance called the '.' 07. Nestle's makes the very best.' 08. Satchmo was America 's 'Ambassador of Goodwill.' Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was. 09. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking?. 10. Red Skeleton's hobo character was named and Red always ended his television show by saying, 'Good Night, and '... ' 11.Some Americans who protested the Vietnam War did so by burning their. 12. The cute little car with the engine in the back and the trunk in the front was called the VW. What other names did it go by? &. 13. In 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, 'the day the music died.' This was a tribute to. 14. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it. It was called. 9
15. One of the big fads of the late 50's and 60's was a large plastic ring that we twirled around our waist. It was called the. 16. Remember LS/MFT /? 17. Hey Kids! What time is it? It's! 18. Who knows what secrets lie in the hearts of men? The Knows! 19. There was a song that came out in the 60's that was "a grave yard smash" it's name was the! 20. Alka Seltzer used a "boy with a tablet on his head" as it's Logo/Representative. What was the boys name? ANSWERS: 01.The Lone Ranger left behind a silver bullet. 02. The Ed Sullivan Show 03. On Route 66 04.To protect the innocent. 05.The Lion Sleeps Tonight 06. The limbo 07. Chocolate 08. Louis Armstrong 09. The Timex watch 10. Freddy, The Freeloader and 'Good Night and God Bless.' 11. Draft cards (Bras were also burned. Not flags, as some have guessed) 12. Beetle or Bug 13. Buddy Holly 14. Sputnik 15. Hoola-hoop 16. Lucky Strike/Means Fine Tobacco 17. Howdy Doody Time 18. Shadow 19. Monster Mash 20. Speedy 10
Christmas Party 2013 11
Classifieds The following business have generously donated to defray the costs of printing and distributing the Corvina Base Newsletter. Please consider using them if you need one of their services and let them know you saw it in the newsletter. 12
Holland Club members are those submarine veterans of USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) that qualified on a submarine 50 or more years ago. When qualified, a sailor earns the right to wear, and responsibility of, the dolphin insignia of submarine service. Russell Noragon MMC (SS) USS Segundo SS-398 Qual Date 1963 James Tiernan QMC(SS) USS Irex SS-482 Qual Date 1958 Frank Urbani EN2 (SS) USS Gudgeon SS-567 Qual Date 1958 Lowell Wapelhorst MOMM2(SS) USS Angler SSK-240 Qual Date 1944 Clyde Webber ETNSN (SS) USS Trumpefish SS-425 Qual Date 1954 Phillip Zeddies ENFN (SS) USS Caiman SS-323 Qual Date 1960 Arthur Akerson LCDR USS Carbonero SS-337 Qual Date 1949 Gerald Baer ENFN (SS) USS Charr SS-328 Qual Date 1959 Richard Barringer SOSN (SS) USS Bang SS-385 Qual Date 1952 Joseph Casten EM3 (SS) USS Baya AGSS-318 Qual Date 1954 Dave Craig ETC (SS) USS Croaker SS-246 Qual Date 1961 Terry Critchett EM3 (SS) USS Bluegill SS-242 Qula Date 1955 Richard Dentino EM3 (SS) USS Tigrone SS-419 Qual Date 1955 Paul Allen EN1 (SS) USS Blackfin (SS-322) Qual Date 1963 Bruce Hedrick EM2 (SS) USS Sea Dragon SS-584 Qual Date 1961 Donald Johnson RMC (SS) USS Charr SS-328 Qual Date 1958 James Jordan TMSN (SS) USS Toro SS-422 Qual Date 1948 Frank Kenyon EM3 (SS) USS Skate SS-305 Qual Date 1944 Walter Lewis IC1 (SS) USS Rasher SS-269 Qual Date 1961 Frank Lipera EM2 (SS) USS Greenfish SS-351 Qual Date 1960 Kenneth Anderson EMC (SS) USS Perch USS-313 Qual Date 1963 13
Holland Club Members (cont) Kenneth McCray EN1 (SS) USS Blackfin SS-322 Qual Date 1951 Daniel Moran EN3 (SS) USS Jallao SS-368 Qual Date 1959 Raoul Noland EM2 (SS) USS Trutta SS-421 Qual Date 1945 William Parsons RM1 (SS) USS Thresher SS-200 Qual Date 1941 Jack Quade SN (SS) USS Skipjack SS-184 Qual Date 1943 Primo Quarisa EN3 (SS) USS Aspro SS-309 Qual Date 1952 Oscar Rambeau Qm3 (SS) USS Carp SS-338 Qual Date 1954 James Saunders SOS3 (SS) USS Greenfish SS-351 Qual Date 1960 Dennis Wiley E9 MMCM(MDV/SS/SW USS Medregal (SS-480) Qual Date 1963 Lionel Schmidt STS1 (SS) Jon Schoenfeld ET2 (SS) Delmar Schwichtenberg CWO3 (SS) USS Seafox SS-402 USS Sea Cat SS-399 No USS O6 SS-67 Qual Date 1955 Qual Date 1960 Patch Qual Date 1941 Albert Skidmore YN2 (SS) USS Diodon SS-349 Qual Date 1947 Herbert Starmer HMC (SS) USS Cobia SS-245 Qual Date 1944 Leonard Stefanelli QM3 (SS) USS Catfish SS-339 Qual Date 1954 David Aunkst ET1 (SS) USS Rasher SS-269 Qual Date 1962 Rod Friedline STS1 (SS) USS Pomfret SS-391 Qual Date 1962 Gabriel Fretias SK3 (SS) USS Wahoo SS-565 Qual Date 1962 Harry Cousins LT USS Chopper SS-342 Qual Date 1962 Norman Peterson IC2 (SS) USS Growler SSG-577 Qual Date 1962 Robert Heaps IC2 (SS) USS Grampus SS-523 Qual Date 1962 Bill Desormier SK3 (SS) USS Plunger SSN-595 Qual Date 1963 Wayne Levie SN (SS) USS Bashaw AGSS-241 Qual Date 1963 Elmer Hopson USS Pomfret SS-391 Qual Date 1963 14