CORVINA BASE October 2013 Meetings are held on the first Saturday Of each month at Denny s Coffee Shop, 205 E. Nugget Ave. Sparks NV At 1400 hours. Newsletter index Base Officers Pg.2 Creed Pg.2 Commanders Log Pg.3 Secretary Report Pg.4 Treasures Report Pg.5 Chaplain s Corner Pg.6 Calendar of Events Pg.8 Birthday list 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) 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 Booster List Pg.8 Norm Snyder EM1(SS) Charles Hyman MM2(SS) Lunch Bunch Pg.8 James T. Wright III Gordon Lane RMC(SS) Christmas Party Pg.9 Chester E. MacDowell TMI (SS) Edwin V. Schalbert TMC (SS) New Members Pg.10 Jerry D. Noma MM2(SS) Richard Ekenberg, ETC(SS) Award Pictures Pg.10 Gerald Stratton ENC(SS) Richard C. Barringer SOSN(SS) Classifieds Pg.11 Holland Club Pg.12 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
For those that could not attend the October Base Meeting, we had a really great turn-out. We had the best attendance this year to date, with a corresponding great raffle. Not only did we award Norm Peterson with the Newsletter of the Year Award, for his fine editing and publishing; it was also my pleasure to award Base Chaplain Paul Allen with the Robert Link National Commander s Award. This is an equivalent to a letter of commendation from the National Commander for the outstanding job Paul has done as the Base Chaplain. His efforts are above and beyond what you would normally expect, and the recognition was way past due. Great job Norm and Paul! Welcome to the two new members: Paul Young and Thomas Bonner. We are up to 97 members now. It s always good to see some new blood at the meetings. (It s even nice to see old blood at the meetings.) Paul of Reno was a MM3(SS), and qualified on the nuke WHALE in 1976. Thomas of Fallon, was an IC2(SS), and qualified on the BONITA in 1958. Glad to have you on board. We are still on track to phase out the Base Storekeeper position, and will continue the Inventory Reduction Sale (IRS). So get the remaining items while you can; in the future they will have to be individually purchased direct from the National Storekeeper and/or other vendors. Coming up at the November meeting will be the election of officers for next year. Some new candidates are needed to step-up and become involved. We are looking for nominations for Base Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary and Treasurer. There will be a special need to replace the Base Treasurer position. This is a relatively easy job, with the duties well defined. The candidate should live in Reno/Sparks/Carson City near a Mutual of Omaha Bank branch. The major qualification is to promise not to leave with the funds to the Bahamas. Also coming up is the Veterans Day Parade in Virginia City, and the Base Christmas Lunch on Saturday, December 7 th, at the Nugget in Sparks. We were able to hold the price to $30.00 per person as in the last years. More information on these events is forthcoming. ============================================================================ Submarines are safer than airplanes. Proof in the fact is there are more airplanes in the water than submarines in the air! C.O.B. USS Michigan SSBN-727 Blue 3
The meeting was called to order by Commander Aunkst at 1400 as COB Heaps sounded an acceptable version of two blasts on the klaxon. An Invocation by Chaplain Allen, the Pledge of Allegiance, reading of the USSVI Creed, Tolling of the Bell for October and moment of silent prayer for lost Shipmates, Friends and Family followed in their usual order, There were 28 members and guests in attendance. New members Paul Young and Thomas Bonner introduced themselves, followed by all other members present introducing themselves. Welcome Aboard!, Paul and Thomas! The minutes of the September Meeting/Re-dedication were accepted as published in the Newsletter. Vice-Commander/Recruiter Dennis Wylie was not present but his efforts are evidenced by the new members attending today. Secretary Pete Akerson reports no new mail requiring action by the Base. Treasurer Don Brown reports the base is still in very sound financial condition and has been selected to host the 2016 USSVI National Convention. As many of you remember from 2003, hosting this event will require quite a bit of effort by Base members You all will be asked to be a part of this effort. Please do whatever you can whenever you re able to contribute. Storekeeper Frank Urbani, who is still in search of someone to assume/take over his duties conducted a close-out stock reduction sale. Corvina Base will participate in the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City on October 26, 2013 and the Veterans Day Parade in Virginia City on November 11, 2013. Further details will be promulgated as they are available. After a brief break, the 50/50 raffle was conducted with the following results: San Francisco Salamis from Len Steffanelli - Frank Urbani, Primo Quarisa, Lou Carter (guest) Car Magnets - Frank Kenyon, Norm Peterson Victory at Sea DVDs -,Dave Porras Antenna Topper - Clyde Webber Key Hider - Pete Akerson Black Bear Diner Meal tickets - Frank Urbani, Dennis Wylie Wine - Bill Sweetwood The 50/50 cash of $78.00 was won by Pete Akerson, who, in a demonstration of either early senility or approaching Alzheimers, Donated most of it back to the base. After a Benediction by Chaplain Allen, Commander Aunkst closed the meeting at 1508 as COB Heaps sounded at lease 3 blasts on the klaxon. Respectfully submitted, Pete Akerson, Secretary 4
1. All account balances are available at Base meetings. 2. Deposits for October From Oct meeting $838.00 3. Checks issued in October Bob Heaps $52.38 Website fee Dan Moran $55.00 Parade registration National Office $325.00 2014 Dues REMINDER: 2014 Dues MUST be paid prior to 31 December 2013. ================================================================================= A newly married sailor was informed by the navy that he was going to be stationed a long way from home on a remote island in the Pacific for a year. A few weeks after he got there he began to miss his new wife, so he wrote her a letter. "My love," he wrote "we are going to be apart for a very long time. Already I'm starting to miss you and there's really not much to do here in the evenings. Besides that we're constantly surrounded by young attractive native girls. Do you think if I had a hobby of some kind I would not tempted? "So his wife sent him back a harmonica saying, "why don't you learn to play this?" Eventually his tour of duty came to an end and he rushed back to his wife. "Darling" he said, "I can't wait to get you into bed so that we make passionate love!" She kissed him and said, "First let's see you play that harmonica." 5
Binnacle List Joe Casten: On Friday, October 18, on the way to the Lunch Bunch, I stopped at Emeritus at the Seasons and had a visit with Joe. He looked good and had a pleasant demeanor, but his eyes have not improved. I had to tell him who I was because he could not recognize me from a distance. He said to give his best to all his Corvina Base friends and that he misses seeing us. Joe has made some good friends at Emeritus. CELEBRATION! Channel 8 KOLO Television from Reno came and recorded the 70 th wedding anniversary of William and Marcedes Parsons, held at their daughter s house in South Reno. The Parsons thought they were just going out to dinner with their family but Surprise, it was a big celebration. CBN News out of Virginia Beach picked it up and titled it Pearl Harbor Survivor, wife celebrate 70 th anniversary. The Corvina Base members were invited and we that attended had a great time celebrating with them, their family, and many friends; lots of good food, drink, and dessert, including a special cake with a little black submarine on top with the hull number 200 because Bill qualified on the USS Thresher (SS-200). He reported to the Thresher at Pearl Harbor on August 26, 1941 and was coming back into Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941 after a 40 days simulated was patrol off Midway Island. The Thresher was delayed because of the attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor and were instructed to meet up with their escort the destroyer Litchfield. On surfacing, it fired on them so the Thresher went back down until the next day when the destroyer Thornton escorted the Thresher into the harbor. Proceeding to the submarine base it looked like the entire fleet was burning or exploding. After surviving 8 war patrols with many close calls from depth charge attacks, the Thresher entered the Mare Island Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul. During the overhaul, Bill and Marcedes met and were married. The following words are from the interview of the Parsons by Channel 8 KOLO News Now: Reno, NV It s a special day for one local WWII veteran, William Parsons is celebrating a milestone with his wife, Marcedes of 70 years. William Parson s life was changed after facing bombs at Pearl 6
Harbor. The Japanese got irritated at us for sinking their ships, he said. We were trying to get away from them and they were throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us. It paled in comparison when he met Marcedes. Just three days after their first conversation, they tied the knot in 1943. Submarine people don t wait around, he added. His eldest daughter, Kathy Shaffer, says they are still madly in love with each other. He calls her his bride all the time til this day, she said. It s a marriage that has withstood WWII. Three days after the wedding, Parsons was shipped back to war. The captain says, oh you just got married. I said yes, sir and he says we re going to send you to new construction in the east coast, he said. After a few months apart, the couple reunited and started creating a life together in Ely, NV. They became parents to four, grandparents to six, and now, great-grandparents to four; they ve kept the promises they made to each other 70 years ago. Renew once or twice just for drill so you don t forget what they mean, he joked. If you didn t have an argument, you wouldn t be alive. You re going to have arguments, you just have to work through it and that s about it, Marcedes said. They say the real secret is taking it one day at a time. There s not magic to it. It s just something that happened and we re still thankful for it. Marcedes volunteered to be the assistant chaplain for the Corvina Base because of her love for God, country, family, and United States Submarine Veterans. The Parsons are members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Reno, NV and stay active in many events and also travel when they can. They still have the original decoration for the top of their wedding cake from 70 years ago and Marcedes informed me that they have not yeat eaten the little black submarine cake from the anniversary cake. Bill retired in 1984 as Chief of Law Enforcement for Nevada Fish and Game and Boating Safety. Marcedes worked as an LPN for several years in doctors offices and hospitals. Then after receiving a Masters in Social Work, she worked at St. Mary s Hospital Reno. Of course, during these years they were raising children and very involved in community activities. CONGRATULATIONS, Bill and Marcedes on 70 years of marriage and many thanks for your service to the United States of America. Scripture: Job 12:10-12 In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? ================================================================================= While I was an instructor at NPTU Charleston aboard the MTS-635 (the former USS Sam Rayburn SSBN- 635) we were running drills when a particularly nervous EOOW student inadvertently sounded the collision alarm when a Fire was reported over the 4MC. Without skipping a beat our leading crew Chief, MMCS(SS) Thomas, said, "Don't worry about the fire, the flooding will put it out!" ET2(SU) Chip Muser NPTU Charleston, Crew E, June 1996 7
2013 BASE BOOSTER CLUB LIST NOVEMBER 2- Base Meeting & Election 1400hrs 11 Veteran's Day Parade 1100hrs (Virginia City) 15- Lunch Bunch 1130hrs DECEMBER 3- BOD Meeting 0900hrs 7- Christmas Lunch 1130hrs (Pearl Harbor Day) 25- Merry Christmas to All 31 BOD Meeting 0900hrs Steve Warner Leonard Stefanelli R. Dennis Wiley Mark Hogan Jim (Smokey) Jordan Birthday List November Frank Lipera 7 Bob Little 20 Dan Moran (2) Jack Quade Bill Parsons Dave Aunkst Terry Bolin Bob Heaps Don Brown Oscar Rambeau Terry Sheldon-Brown Bill Desormier November 15 2013 Casino Fandango (Palm Court) 3800 S. Carson St. Carson City, NV Scott Stanfill Pete Akerson (2) Frank Kenyon Primo Quarisa Mary Ellen Schwicktenberg Della Quarisa 8
CORVINA Base Christmas Party & Officer Installation Saturday December 7, 2013. John Asquaga s Nugget in the Poolside Terrace Room Located on the 5th floor in the East Tower. Cocktails 1130 1400 Cash Bar. Lunch 1130-1430 CHRISTMAS 2013 LUNCH SELECTION ($30.00 per person) (Buffet ) No Host Cocktails Premium Brands Call Brands Well Brands House Wine by the glass Imported Beer/Microbrews Domestic/Non Alcohol Beer Soft Drinks $6.50 ea $5.50 ea $4.75 ea $5.00 ea $5.50 ea $4.50 ea $3.00 ea Jolly Luncheon Buffet Cold Selections Fresh Field Green Salad Bar with Seasonal Accompaniments and Dressings Spinach & Chicken Salad with Mustard Bacon Dressing Mediterranean Pasta Salad, Nugget Caesar Salad Sliced Fresh Fruit and Melons Hot Selections Baked Vegetarian Cannolli Cost $30.00 per person Make checks payable to Corvina Base Mail checks to Don Brown 13730 Algonquin Trail Reno, NV 89521-7220 To be received no later than Dec 2, 2012 Do not forget to bring a raffle prize Braised Sirloin Tips Poached Salmon with Ginger-Wine Butter Fresh Seasonal Vegetables, Rice or Potatoes Rolls & Butter Kahlua Yule Logs- Bread Pudding Pumpkin Cheesecake Choc. Mousse Parfait Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce Cranberry White Mousse Torte Brewed Coffee, Herbal or Iced Tea 9
Welcome to our newest members: Paul Young Qualified on the USS Whale SSN-638 in 1976 Thomas R. Bonner Qualified on the USS Bonita SSK-3 SS-552 ================================================================================================ Award Pictures ===================================================================== REMINDER: 2014 Dues MUST be paid prior to 31 December 2013. Captain, don t think this is the North Pole 10
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. 11
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 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) 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 12
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) 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 Wayne Levie SN (SS) USS Bashaw AGSS-241 Elmer Hopson USS Pomfret SS-391 13