Date:
To: Distribution List
NEWS-01: Quick Bytes
NEWS-02: Some people just can't stay busy enough
NEWS-03: Talking about USS Cavalla (SSK-244)
NEWS-04: SubVet Computer School: Keyboard can help
NEWS-05: Just because...
NEWS-06: You're invited to say farewell...
NEWS-07: A Stain on our Honor...
NEWS-08: NTINS
NEWS-09: Honoring Nautilus
NEWS-10: Yee Haw!!!
NEWS-11: Not Starwars, SPARWARS!
NEWS-12: A Salute to Henry...
VET-01: New VA Vet Centers opening or soon to oen
VET-02: 2008 Federal Benefits Book available on Web
CHARITABLE-??: no Charitable news this time .....
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NEWS-01: Quick Bytes
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 3/5/2008
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Scorpion Memorial Service May 23-25 in Norfolk VA
The Radisson Hotel, located in downtown Norfolk, VA has given attendees a
reduced rate of $94.00 per night from Friday, May 23rd, through Sunday, May
25th.
For phone reservations call: 1-800-333-3333 and ask for the USS Scorpion
Memorial Service group rate. If you book on-line, make
sure you place the letters: "USSS" in the
"promotional code box". If you encounter any
problems, just ask for Mr. Brad Deise.
T-shirt
The Petersen family is conducting a T-shirt sale to help defray the costs
connected with the programs being presented during the memorial weekend. The T-shirts were very tastefully designed by Shannon
Petersen (Dan Peterson EMC was lost on the 589)and will be a wonderful
remembrance of this very special weekend. The right
front area of the T-shirt displays the 40th anniversary logo and the back lists
the names of the entire USS Scorpion crew.
To order your T-shirt, please state the size and send a check or money order
made payable to Laura Petersen for $20.00 to:
The Petersen Family
227 Christenbury Lane
Clayton, North Carolina 27527
2) Pakistani Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir has declared that the test-firing of a
nuclear-capable Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM)
by Indian Navy (IN) on February 26 "is going to start a new arms race in
the region."
3)After nearly a decade of retiring ships early, with the hope of being able to
shift money from maintenance and modernization into new construction, the Navy
now is considering operating its existing ships beyond their normal service
life to help reach the goal of a 313-ship fleet.
Vice Adm. Paul Sullivan, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), has appointed a team to study the feasibility of
extending the service life of all surface ships by five years.
4)
5)The Defense Department has detected a sharp increase in the use of crude
submarines by South American drug cartels who are finding new ways to ferry
tons of contraband.
Adm. James Stavridis, commander of U.S. Southern
Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that so far this year, SOUTHCOM has detected 30 semi-submersible submarines, a
number equal to the total observed 2007.
In 2006, the
6)The Navy has developed systems using floating radio
antennas and buoys that will provide submerged submarines with two-way
communications for the first time in history, a top official at the Space and
Until now, submarines had to be at periscope depth with masts above the water
to handle two-way radio communications. While
submerged they could receive but not send radio messages over low-frequency
networks.
SPAWAR's Communications Speed and Depth program will
use floating antennas to provide two-way communications to submerged submarines
over high-frequency radio systems adapted to handle Internet protocol traffic
as well as floating buoys to communicate with military and commercial
satellites.
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NEWS-02: Some people just can't stay busy enough
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on
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BZ's to:
Mike Bircumshaw for starting another new Base
(Bonefish)and for serving on the Sailor of the Year/Pacific Selection and Award
Committee.
John Carcioppolo for his selection to the Executive Board of the
Also he announces: Green Mountain Base To Dedicate New Memorial to the USS
Flyer Lost Boat Memorial Saturday May 10, 2008 at the VA Hospital in White
River Jct VT
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NEWS-03: Talking about USS Cavalla (SSK-244)
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 3/7/2008
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Did you know there is a 'webcam' where you can watch
the happenings at Seawolf Park in Galveston? (see link below)
The US Navy transferred possession of the Cavalla to the Texas Submarine
Veterans of World War II. The Cavalla was then brought
to her permanent berth at
Next to her is the USS Stewart DE-238, one of only two remaining destroyer
escorts in the world.
The Cavalla Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization is
responsible for the restoration and maintenance of the USS Cavalla and USS
Stewart.
They are seeking your assistance in our efforts to restore and maintain these
ships. Your tax deductable
donation may be sent to:
Cavalla Historical Foundation
2504 Church Street
Galveston, TX 77550
http://www.cavalla244.org/webcam.htm
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NEWS-04: SubVet Computer School: Keyboard can help
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 3/7/2008
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During the last School of the Boat, we talked about using the keyboard to copy
and then paste any selection or group of words from one area/page/email to
another or even from one program to another such as a document you are reading
into your email to send to your shipmate. You can also use the right mouse
button to copy and paste. It is actually faster. However we are now going to discuss more keyboard
shortcuts. I will use the following methodology: when
I say;
Ctrl+Z that means to press and hold the Ctrl key and
then press the Z key (small z is fine.) Most of the
following work in most Windows versions:
Ctrl+C means to copy a section/selection of text you
want to copy
Ctrl+V means to paste what you just copied wherever
you want it pasted
Ctrl+X means to cut/delete the highlighted selection. It’s history but can be
pasted with Ctrl+V
Ctrl+A means to select/highlight the entire page you
are looking at
Ctrl+Z will undo the last operation you performed. For example you used Ctrl+X when
you actually mean Ctrl+C. Using Ctrl+Z
will restore it
Ctrl+P opens the Print dialog box
Ctrl+B bolds your highlighted words
Ctrl+U underlines your highlighted words
Ctrl+I makes your highlighted words into italics
Ctrl+F brings up a search box. Enter
the word or string of words you want to find and press Find Next and it will
take you there. This search box will also globally
replace one word or string of words with another.
Ctrl+Home takes you to the beginning of a document
Ctrl+End takes you to the end of the document
Ctrl+S saves the document you are working on with the
same name it had at opening
Need the © in your work? Press the Num Lock key, press
the Alt key then on the number keypad on the right press in sequence 0169 and
release the Alt key. The ¢ sign is 0162, £ is 0163,
0176 is the degree symbol °, ± is 0177. Want them all? http://biega.com/special-char.html
WHEN IN INTERNET EXPLORER:
ALT+D takes you to the address bar
Ctrl+R refreshes or reloads the current page
Ctrl+H brings the history of where you’ve been to the screen
Ctrl+i pops the Favorites onto the screen
F1 brings up a help screen
F11 cycles between full or minimized screen size
Alt+Home returns you to home page.
There are more. I only use 5-6 regularly. Ctrl+F is my most used, Ctrl+B (Bolding), Ctrl+H, Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V are used daily
by this author. Pick out your favorites. Stick a post-it note with yours near your monitor.
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NEWS-05: Just because...
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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As of
# Members: 12,728
# with E-mail: 9,546
# Life Members: 7,076
# Associate Members: 737
# Holland Club: 3,343
# Annual Members: 4,318
# Unrenewed Annual Members this date: 1,254
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NEWS-06: You're invited to say farewell...
Submitted by: Jerry Drumm on
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The Service for our departed SVWWII/USSVI shipmate,
Stanley K. Nicholls YNCM(SS)/LCDR USN Retired, will take place at the SubBase Chapel in
It will be followed by internment at "Punchbowl"
Stan qualified on the USS Pompon (SS-267) in 1943 and was a LCDR when he left
the Navy. Most recently he was the SVWWII
State Commander for
In lieu of flowers the family of Hawaii Submarine Veteran Stanley K. Nicholls
wish to establish a USS Bowfin Memorial Scholarship in his name.
Donations to the Stan Nicholls Memorial Scholarship may be made to:
Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (Memo: Stan Nicholls Fund)
and mailed to:
Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association
http://www.ussvi.us/e_showmember.asp?dpa=8191
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NEWS-07: A Stain on our Honor...
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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Officers and sailors aboard the San Diego-based submarine USS Hampton falsified
weekly chemical tests for the boat's nuclear reactor and cheated on advancement
exams during a seven-month deployment last year to the western
The commanding officer was relieved of his duty because of a loss of confidence
in his leadership
The report laid much of the responsibility on the shoulders of Cmdr. Mike
Portland.
“Commander
These and other leadership lapses, Walsh said, “directly contributed to
problems identified in this investigation . . . (and) his failure to identify
these problems for over one year.”
Click the link for the story
http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=2098122585
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NEWS-08: NTINS
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 3/11/2008
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From Geo. St. Martin-District Commander-Central:
I have been checking out room rates for our district conference in St. Paul for
Aug. Here is a conversation I had with a room manager of one of the hotels.
I said, "I'm looking for a rate for a block of rooms for Aug of this
year".
She replied, "Who do you represent"?
I said, "The United States Submarine Veterans Inc".
She replied, "Thank you for your service". "What
branch of the military is that"?
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NEWS-09: Honoring Nautilus
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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As you may know, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the USS Nautilus’
(SSN 571) crossing of 90 North – the North Pole.
To help mark this historic milestone in the history of the modern submarine
force, Congressman Joe Courtney is circulating a resolution to his colleagues
in the House of Representatives this significant achievement by the Nautilus,
her officers and crew.
Below, you will find a “Dear Colleague” describing the resolution and
attached you will find the text for your review.
HONOR THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE USS NAUTILUS’ CROSSING OF THE NORTH POLE
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Current cosponsors: Skelton, Larson (CT), Langevin, Bordallo, Doyle, Brady, Scott (VA), Murphy (CT), DeLauro,
Shays, Braley, Cohen, Bartlett
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Dear Colleague:
In June 1958, the USS Nautilus (SSN 571), the world’s
first nuclear powered submarine, departed
This historic achievement took place at a critical time in our nation’s history: the Cold War was heating up, the
Soviet Union had seemingly laid claim to space with the launch of Sputnik, and
many Americans – and many around the world – were looking for
something to rally around, a sign that we were not ceding big ideas and notable
achievements to others. Having reached the North Pole,
the Nautilus clearly demonstrated our undersea superiority and opened the
region to decades of scientific research and exploration.
The crossing of the North Pole was praised by numerous world leaders of the
time, being described by President Eisenhower as a “magnificent
achievement” from which “the entire free world would benefit.” A ticker tape parade was held in honor of the crew in
In the fifty years since, the United States Navy and Coast Guard have
repeatedly followed in the footsteps of this historic voyage.
Dozens of
I urge you to join me in supporting a resolution honoring the USS Nautilus, the
116 men aboard her and their historic journey to the North Pole – 90
Degrees North.
For more information or to sign on, please contact Neil
McKiernan(Neil.McKiernan@mail.house.gov) in my office. You
can learn more about the USS Nautilus and the history of our submarine force at
the US Submarine Force Museum at http://www.ussnautilus.org/.
Sincerely,
/s/JOE COURTNEY
The Congressman deeply appreciates your help and support as we work to honor
the legacy of our submarine force and the men of the Nautilus who helped
achieve this milestone at a critical time in our nation’s
history.
As we continue to build support for this effort in Congress, I hope you will
consider spreading word to other submariners and submarine enthusiasts to urge
them to ask their Representatives in the House to support this resolution.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 225-2076 or
Neil.McKiernan@mail.house.gov if you need additional information or have any
questions about this effort.
Sincerely,
Neil McKiernan
Senior Legislative Assistant
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NEWS-10: Yee Haw!!!
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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Git along, lil Doggies!
Dallas Base is hosting the 2008 USSVI National Convention in
Make your reservations NOW, while you're thinking about it, cuz
this is one convention you DON'T want to miss!
Click on the link for ALL the details!
See ya there!
http://ussvi2008.com/
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NEWS-11: Not Starwars, SPARWARS!
Submitted by: Carl Schmidt on
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The Navy has developed systems using floating radio antennas and buoys that
will provide submerged submarines with two-way communications for the first
time in history...
Click on the link for the rest of the story
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=39459&dcn=todaysnews
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NEWS-12: A Salute to Henry...
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 3/11/2008
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Shipmates, it is with great regret that I tell you that shipmate Henry Espinoza
has slipped his lines from the pier of life March 11, 2008.
Until very recently, Henry was Base Commander of Bullhead Base in New Mexico,
and most likely the longest serving and one of the hardest working Base
Commanders ever in USSVI.
Henry qualified on the USS Sea Robin (SS-407) in 1949 and was a ENC(SS) when he left the Navy.
Rest in peace, shipmate, and thank you for all you did for your shipmates. You stand relieved. We've got the
watch.
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VET-01: New VA Vet Centers opening or soon to oen
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 3/6/2008
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The 15 new Vet Centers that are open in permanent locations are in Binghamton,
N.Y.; Middletown, N.Y.; Watertown, N.Y.; Hyannis, Mass.; DuBois,
Pa.; Gainesville, Fla.; Melbourne, Fla.; Macon, Ga.; Manhattan, Kansas;
Escanaba, Mich.; Saginaw, Mich.; Grand Junction, Colo.; Baton Rouge, La.,
Killeen, Texas; and Las Cruces, N.M.
Five additional Vet Centers are providing services in temporary space while
they finalize their leases: They are in
The final three locations where Vet Centers will open for clients later this
year are in
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VET-02: 2008 Federal Benefits Book available on Web
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on
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The 2008 edition of Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents is now
available for download from the Internet as a PDF.
On the VA Home page (www.va.gov), click on "Benefits Booklet" in the
Top Info Requests section on the right-hand side of page.
The popular booklet describing benefits and services available to veterans and
their dependents is also available on OPA's Feature
Items page (http://www.va.gov/opa/feature/index.asp).
Anyone setting links on a Web page or in a newsletter or other document should
link to http://www.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp, which is a page dedicated
exclusively to the booklet. While the booklet will
always be available from OPA's Feature Items page, it
will not always be at the top of the page, as it is today.
The book is being printed and should be available in printed form in 3 to 4
week
http://www.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp