Date:
To: Distribution List
NEWS-01: Quick Bytes
NEWS-02: Spotlighting a leader and a 'worker bee' in our ranks.
NEWS-03: USS Flier, lost in WWII, memorialized in VT
NEWS-04:
NEWS-05: ComSubLant Sailor of the Year @ Norfolk
NEWS-06: Talking about Baseball!
NEWS-07: 3 SubSchool men receive commendations
NEWS-08: Let's hear it for Paul Kidd, Escolar Base
Cdr!
NEWS-09: Memorials in the News
NEWS-10: For Oregon Subvets...
NEWS-11: Coastal Carolina Base Commissioned in ED3
NEWS-12: USS Bonefish Base Commissioned in WD6
NEWS-13: 1,000 to go...
NEWS-14: Frank Lister to Relieve Bill Britt, HC Commander
VET-01: Are you service-disabled and run your own business? This
is for you.
CHARITABLE-??: no Charitable news this time .....
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NEWS-01: Quick Bytes
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 3/12/2008
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A new shallow water combat submersible (SWCS) capable
of covertly delivering up to six special forces operators and supplies for
three days – and then to bring them back to a ship of submarine waiting
offshore: That is what the Naval Special Warfare Program Office in U.S. Naval
Sea Systems Command is aiming to acquire in the coming years. Naval special
warfare is planning to build up an inventory of 10 of these submersible
vehicles, with initial operational capability to be achieved in FY14 (October 2013-September 2014) and full operational
capability two years later.
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NEWS-02: Spotlighting a leader and a 'worker bee' in our ranks.
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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We have in our ranks a number of 'unsung' heros, who
really go way 'beyond the call' in working on our collective behalfs.
Most of us, in the course of our busy lives, have no clue as to what they do or
how it impacts on our USSVI experience. Truthfully,
many don't even know they exist.
But you should know, and they deserve recognition for what they do. Some get well deserved recognition through our national
awards system, but all to many do not.
I'm shining a light on the life and career of a shipmate that qualified in 1950
aboard a diesel boat as a Fire Controlman. He went on to serve in four submarines and two tenders,
rising to the rank of Commander before retiring in 1980.
He joined USSVI in 1997 and has assumed many positions of leadership throughout
the years, doing the work that needed to be done to benefit us all. And not only USSVI, but also within Naval Submarine League
and in his boat association. He's been a Base
Commander and President of his boat Association.
Whenever help has been needed, he is always first in line.
With such passion also comes intensity, and the truth is, he has been
oftentimes misunderstood and sometimes maligned by shipmates who do not have a
complete picture of how selfless and dedicated his service to USSVI has been.
In his later years, he has suffered the tragedy of loosing his dear wife, and
is afflicted himself with cancer along with the usual ailments of advancing age. Through it all, he continues to perservere
in the name of our brotherhood of the dolphin.
Gil Shaddock of Snug Harbor Base and Vice Commander of Holland Club richly
deserves this recognition and the appreciation of all members of USSVI for his
selfless work on our collective behalf.
It can be fairly said that Gil was the 'change agent' that brought Tim VeArd's online membership system to USSVI and for that
alone we should be immensely grateful.
I am personally very grateful to our shipmate Gil for all the help he has so
unselfishly given me over the years, and I hope you will consider sending Gil a email thanking him for his service as well.
Gil Shaddock can be reached at gil@ssbn601.com
Fraternally
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NEWS-03: USS Flier, lost in WWII, memorialized in VT
Submitted by: PW Louthain ED1 Cdr on 3/13/2008
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Green Mountain Base will dedicate the USS Flyer Lost Boat Memorial Saturday,
May 10, 2008, at the VA Hospital in White River Junction, Vt.
The ceremony will begin
The VA Hospital address is
All membership and the public are invited to attend.
Green Mountain Base Commander Bill Livendale has
requested that those who plan to attend please RSVP to ensure enough
refreshments are available.
You can phone him at (802) 426-3572, or you can email PW Louthain at
pwloutha@gdeb.com.
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NEWS-04:
Submitted by: Base on
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Have you heard about Adaware or Spybot. These are programs that you can get from the Internet. There are many, many others (virus checked) that are
available from sites such as:
http://freewarearena.com/html/
http://download.com
http://downloads.zdnet.com/
http://tucows.com
Everything from Word clones, video handling, burning, spyware,
and all manner of programs to help you.
How do you download?
(if not clear, email me your phone number and I'll walk you through it
(rontini@bresnan.net)
-----
Step 1--If you chose "Save" when you were prompted by the File
Download window, then pay attention to where it downloads it to and the
filename. A small window appears asking you if you
want to open or save. Select "Save." This will start the download.
Step 2--When that is complete, click on Run if that option is given you. If not you will have to fine the file and click on it. That's the reason for steps in one above.
Once the install completes
then,
Step 3--You should be looking at the first window of the installation process. At this point, you may want to close any other
applications running on your computer before proceeding. Once
you're ready, click the Next button to continue.
Step 4--The next screen is the end-user license agreement. Read
it or not. When you're ready to continue, check the
box marked, "I accept the license agreement,"
or "I Agree" then click the Next button.
Step 5--The next screen allows you to choose the folder where your download
will install itself. Normally, you do not need to
change anything here. If you'd like to install the
program to a different folder than the default location, click the Browse
button and select a new destination directory. Otherwise,
click Next
Step 6--Sometimes you will get a screen asking you who may use the program or
that the install is about to begin. Click Next.
Step 7--Occasionally you be ask if you wish an Icon to be put on your desktop. I always say yes. It might even
offer you the choice to read the programs manual and then finally, click the
Finish button to complete your installation. It may
also want to reboot. Do it.
Step 8--Find the program on the desktop icon or it will be the last one in
Start-All Programs.
You can also delete the initial .exe file that was downloaded.
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NEWS-05: ComSubLant Sailor of the Year @ Norfolk
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 3/14/2008
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Representing USSVI were many members of Hampton Roads Base, Groton Base
Commander, ER Director, ERD3 Cdr Dick Kanning, and National Commander Tom Conlon.
ED1 Cdr PW Louthain, Groton Base, Long Island Base
and USS MAINE BASE combined resources to present checks for $400.00 each to the
following individuals chosen as the "Finalists":
JR Sea: ET2(SS) Timothy Duncan USS Louisville-
SR Sea: STS1(SS) Jason Destrada
USS Alaska-
ED3 Dick Kanning, Hampton
Roads Base, USS Virginia Base, USS Haddo Base, Tarheel Base, North Virginia Base combined resources to
present checks for $300.00 each to the Runners-up:
JR Sea: ET2(SS) James Mandile
USS Florida-
SR Sea: MM1(SS) Michael McMurtray USS Oklahoma
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NEWS-06: Talking about Baseball!
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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The Convention Committee for the 2008 USSVI Convention is happy to announce
that group rates have been negotiated for the Texas Rangers vs. Seattle
Mariners baseball game on Monday night, September 1.
Cost for the game is $20 per person, which includes transportation to and from
the Hilton Fort Worth. We will be recognized on the Jumbotron screen and may have one of our members selected
to throw out the first pitch. Transportation will
leave from the Fort Worth Hilton at
To take advantage of this special event, please email me at
lyndafox@sbcglobal.net and tell me how many tickets you want.
The fees for the game may be paid when you pick up your registration
packets upon your arrival in
Questions may be addressed to Stan Miller at bubblehead75@sbcglobal.net.
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NEWS-07: 3 SubSchool men receive commendations
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on
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NEWS-08: Let's hear it for Paul Kidd, Escolar Base
Cdr!
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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Recently a non-USSVI subvet passed away.
A USSVI member shipmate of his on USS Irex, on behalf the man's family,
contacted Escolar Base Cdr Paul Kidd, and asked if he
could arrange for subvets to attend his funeral
service as a mark of respect for his service.
Paul stepped up to the request and travelled across
the state to attend the subvets
funeral because he was of our brotherhood, even though not of our organization.
BZ Paul! You are a sterling example of a shipmate
doing the right thing, and BZ to CRD Carl Schmidt,
for bringing it to my attention.
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NEWS-09: Memorials in the News
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 3/20/2008
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A group of World War II submariners are one step closer to breaking ground on
creation of a new memorial in Beaverton's Memorial Park.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission last week approved a $26,000 grant
that would cover a portion of the costs to build a monument in the northeast
corner of the park honoring the 86 sailors and officers lost on the USS
Albacore SS218 when the submarine hit a mine Nov. 7,
1944, while submerged in waters between the main Japanese islands Honshu and
Hokkaido.
The proposed monument is designed to look like the bow of a submarine rising
from the sea at a 60-degree angle with the bow planes extended.
-------------------------
Green Mountain Base will dedicate the USS Flier Lost Boat Memorial
The VA Hospital address is
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NEWS-10: For
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 3/20/2008
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Submariners To Get A Memorial In Beaverton Park
State Grant Will Help Build A Submarine Monument To Honor Vets, By Christina
Lent, The Beaverton Valley Times, March 20, 2008
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission last week approved a $26,000 grant that
would cover a portion of the costs to build a monument in the northeast corner
of the park honoring the 86 sailors and officers lost on the USS Albacore SS218 when the submarine hit a mine Nov. 7, 1944, while
submerged in waters between the main Japanese islands Honshu and Hokkaido.
The proposed monument is designed to look like the bow of a submarine rising
from the sea at a 60-degree angle with the bow planes extended.
For more information about how to support creation of the USS Albacore
memorial, contact Robert Meidell Lee,
noregon@meidell.com.
http://www.localnewsdaily.com/news/story.php?story_id=120597625939321600
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NEWS-11: Coastal Carolina Base Commissioned in ED3
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 3/20/2008
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On 19 March, ED3 CDR Dick Kanning
swore in the officers of ED3’s newest base, the “Coastal
Carolina Base” in Wilmington NC.
Congratulations to Dick and the new Base Commander, Bill Mussel on the startup
of our 149th base.
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NEWS-12: USS Bonefish Base Commissioned in WD6
Submitted by: Mike Bircumshaw WD6
CDR on
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The newly established USS BONEFISH SS-223/582 BASE is having a gala
inauguration ceremony to be presented their USSVI Charter Certificate and all
area USSVI and WW-II Sub Vets are invited.
WHERE?
AMERICAN LEGION HALL
820
WHEN?
WHAT TO BRING? JUST YOU ,
YOUR GUESTS, A SMILE AND A WELCOMING HANDSHAKE.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND SO THAT WE CAN GET A HEAD COUNT FOR
THE MEALS TO BE SERVED. I AM SURE THAT IT WILL BE A
VARIED MENU TO PLEASE EVERYONE - MORE ON THAT LATER.
LET ME KNOW - I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE !
Michael (wd6subvet@yahoo.com)
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NEWS-13: 1,000 to go...
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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We have 10 days until ALL the non renewed members will have to be dropped from
the rolls.
If you have non renewed members, now would be a good time to make a last effort
to retain them.
Why would any sub vet not want to belong to USSVI? The
magazine alone is worth the dues!
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NEWS-14: Frank Lister to Relieve Bill Britt, HC Commander
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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This letter is to update you concerning my resignation as Holland Club
Commander effective as of
As directed I have been conducting a search for my replacement
I am pleased to announce the following.
Frank Lister, Bandera
Frank is a Holland Club member and retired Master Chief and comes as a highly
recommended replacementm with impressive credentials,
having served as Fleet Master Chief, Atlantic Fleet Force Master Chief,
Submarine Force Atlantic COB, and COB of SSN-688 & SSBN-601G.
Frank will serve as Holland Club Commander and preside over the Holland Club
Breakfast meeting in
At that time nomination and election of the Holland Club Commander will be
conducted at the annual breakfast.
I will remain as Holland Club Commander through May 31st, and continue to
perform my duties as such until after the USSV
National mid term meeting which is being held 19-20 April. The
remaining time (June 1) will allow time for an orderly transfer of materials
and information.
I of course will be available as long as needed to assist if necessary.
Pride Runs Deep
William (Bill) Britt
HC Commander
Comment: Bill Britt deserves our gratitude for the steady HC work he has
carried out these past eight years. Most do not know
the amount of work and hours spent that Bill has done to prepare the HC
Certificates and letters, not to mention the arrangements made for the annual
Holland Club breakfast.
If you wish to thank Bill for his service, and I hope you will, you can reach
him at britt4@earthlink.net
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VET-01: Are you service-disabled and run your own business? This
is for you.
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 3/18/2008
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The General Services Administration announced its new 21 Gun Salute initiative
in an attempt to maximize the number and percentage of agency contract dollars
going to service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses. The
strategy of the Twenty-One Gun Salute initiative is to raise awareness among
GSA buyers and contract officers, identify service-disabled veteran businesses
that provide high-demand government products and services, assist those
businesses in finding markets; establish a mentor program, partner with
veterans organizations and support business-to-business partnerships among
businesses in this category.