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| RECIPIENT LIST SUPPRESSED This is a BLIND CC sent to the entire POC LIST ================================================================= USSVI POC BROADCAST No. 05-006 Date: Sunday, 28 February, 2005 From: Greg "Gunner" Stitz - webmaster@ussvi.org TO: POC LIST For distribution USSVI Convention 2005 http://www.ussvi.us/2005_Conv/2005conv.htm Base & Nat'l Officers Forum http://www.ussvi.us/o-forum.htm The COMPLETE POC LIST http://www.ussvi.us/poc-cmbo.htm All BROADCASTS http://www.ussvi.us/webmastr/brdcasts.htm 2005 BROADCAST LISTINGS http://www.ussvi.us/webmastr/2005.htm This BROADCAST http://www.ussvi.us/webmastr/2005/05-006.htm Item 01 .... USSVI Website BACK UP (at a new address) Item 02 .... Policy and Procedures Manual Updated Item 03 .... District Realignment in the Central Region Item 04 .... Books for Boats Program Announced Item 05 .... Veterans' Affairs Committee Speaks Out Against Prescription Pay Hike Item 06 .... DoD Announces Survivor Benefit Proposal Item 07 .... Cuttlefish Base Officers Item 08 .... Mid-Atlantic Base Officers Item 09 .... Dallas Base has a new web address =================================================================== Item 01 .... USSVI Website BACK UP (at a new address) =================================================================== Submitted by: Greg Stitz, USSVI Webmaster =================================================================== www.ussvi.us The USSVI Website is back up, at our temporary home, www.ussvi.us. All directory structures remain the same. So, if a file was at www.ussvi.org/pickafileanyfile.htm, it is now at www.ussvi.us/pickafileanyfile.htm If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to contact me. gstitz@mindspring.com TEMPORARY USSVI Home: www.ussvi.us =================================================================== Item 02 .... Policy and Procedures Manual Updated =================================================================== Submitted by: John Markiewicz, National Secretary =================================================================== The Policy and Procedures Manual (PPM) has been updated. USSVI Pages updated: www.ussvi.us/cb.htm =================================================================== Item 03 .... District Realignment in the Central Region =================================================================== Submitted by: Art Randall, Director, Central Region, ArtRandall@aol.com =================================================================== Shipmates of USSVI: The growth in the number of the Central Region Bases last year was nothing short of phenomenal ... and for all of those that participated in that growth and made it all possible, you can feel good about yourselves ... as in doing so you helped make our Creed a reality by seeking and largely achieving the objectives of Article III, Section 3 of our Creed, which states in part.: "To provide a way for all Submariners to gather for their mutual benefit and enjoyment." In 2004 we doubled the number of Bases in Arkansas (Twin Lakes in the West) Indiana (Fort Wayne), Oklahoma (USS Oklahoma City), Ohio (USS Toledo and USS Columbus) and across the entire State of Texas there was a doubling of the number of Bases as well (Austin Capitol Base - Austin, Golden Triangle Base - Beaumont, Rio Grande Valley Base encompassing the cites of Brownsville, McAllen, and the Harlingen area, USS Cavalla Base - Galveston, and the USS Scorpion SSN-589 Memorial Base - San Angelo.... what a year! We of the Central Region also formed the first Base to serve the SubVets in the Chicago area, (USS Chicago Base) and under the leadership of George St. Martin, we opened Bases in two new states (ND and SD (the first for these two states in USSVI's history, and a 3rd one will be formed next month in Rapid City, South Dakota) the SubVets of which could never before 2004 attend a Base in their own State. With growth, however, comes growing pains. The most growing pains came from Texas, Ten Bases in a land where before 2004 there were but 5. District Five Commander Bret Cortright could not economicall or physically manage the great expanse of Texas, where miles to travel to some Bases meant more than a 2,000 mile round trip. To help, in 2004, we appointed Marv Koch CDR Dallas Base as D5 VCDR, but when he communicated with the Bases in Texas, he had a choice (Phone or e-mail), as we did not have a travel budget for District Vice Commanders. Marv did all he could, and did it exceptionally well, without personally expending his current and/or otherwise impacting other asset funds. When the members of USSVI voted last year to permit District and Regional expansion/alignment, Texas had to be at the head of the list. Accordingly, we are pleased to make a pre-announcement... Texas will become as of this announcement , District 5A, the fourth largest District in the Central Region and the 5th largest in USSVI. Marv will continue to be the D5A Vice Commander (between managing his Base and leading the Base toward a successful National Convention after his very successful bid. Bret Cortright, the current District Five Commander, will be able to more easily "manage," District 5 without the travel burden of physically making major treks to attend Base meetings in Texas. Accordingly, Bret Cortright will continue to serve Bases in the States of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas working with the Bases in those States and well as forming new ones. The Commander of District 5A will have the entire State of Texas and no other States or Bases to dilute his efforts or impinge upon his Base and District 5A Base Development. In response to the above, I am very pleased to announce that Ray Wilgeroth, the current Commander of the Austin Capitol Base (a new Texas Base formed in 2004), in Austin Texas has accepted the position of D5A Commander. He is eminently qualified to accept this position, and I feel very fortunate to have him as D5A's first Commander. The following is a synopsis of Ray's history and qualifications for the position. RAY WILGEROTH'S ABBREVIATED PERSONAL BIO Raymond G. Wilgeroth, Sr.RMC(SS) USN Ret. Born in Reading, PA Raised 20 miles south in Pottstown, PA Graduated St. Pius X High School in 1961 I married my lovely wife Vicky in February 1963 just before reporting to SubSchool We have three children, nine grandchildren, one great granddaughter I Joined the Navy in September 1961, attended Great Lakes for Boot then served aboard the USS Arcadia AD-23 I attended RM A School Bainbridge MD, Sub School in New London and Qualified on the USS Bang (SS-385) May 1963 to December 1963. I was then assigned to NAVCOMMSTA Finnegana Guam then attended RM B School in San Diego and ADCOP Mesa Community College also in San Diego I also served aboard the USS Permit (SSN-594) 1974-1980 and held the position of Director of Student Administration RM A School San Diego I retired from the Navy April 1981 I was then hired as Program Manager - Raytheon Service Company holding that position from 1982-1992 responsible for Installation of GPS and Crypto on West Coast ships We moved to Texas to be with our family in 2003 and now reside in Round Rock, Texas I joined USSVI in San Diego in 1983 serving in all Board positions except Treasurer, including serving as the San Diego Base Commander for a several years. I brought the Base into a Partnership in an Education Program with San Diego City Schools and partnered with Bell Jr. High School. As a part of this program, we lectured in the Social Studies classes, assisted the school in the Library on book distribution and collection days and we also placed a display in the Library for Veterans' Day. Even though we moved to Texas, I still retain membership in the San Diego Base. I started the Austin Capitol Base in March of 2004 with seven members having now grown that number to 23 and still more turning up in the area every day. I am very grateful to have been asked to take on the D5 Assignment and humbled by it. I will do my very best to ensure that the trust placed in me to do the job has been placed well! I thank Art for the opportunity and faith he has placed in me for an on behalf of the members of existing Bases in Texas, and all those that will surely come to follow. Ray ================================================================== The full text of yesterday's momentous announcement follows: Gentlemen and Shipmates of USSVI Please join me in welcoming Ray Wilgeroth (his e-mail address is: Rwilgerothsr@aol.com to the newly created position of Commander of District 5A, who will work with the following twelve Bases of Texas to help them achieve their goals, and to develop new Bases in that great expanse of territory: This is the first major District Realignment in USSVI's history. Rather than being a burden, it is an honor to become the vanguard into a new era for USSVI, expansion of its management team's responsibility due to its expansion of Bases and members. With growth comes challenges in administration, management, expansion, vision and most of all planning (Long Range, Strategic, Tactical and Operational. We should never shy away from what growth brings, but embrace it with a verve that few other organizations can boast, and with that, we can surely say, "Pride Runs Deep.! We are indeed must be doing something right. Ray's District 5A will comprise the following Bases, those asterisked were formed in 2004. * Austin Capitol Base - Austin, Texas Cowtown Base - Fort Worth Dallas Base - Garland * Golden Triangle Base - Beaumont P C Stryker Jr. Base - San Antonio * Rio Grande Base Valley - Brownsville/McAllen/Harlingen area Sea Turtle Base - Corpus Christi Triton Base - Houston * USS Cavalla Base - Galveston * USS Scorpion SSN-589 Memorial Base - San Angelo District Five will be the 4th largest District (out of eleven) in USSVI, and District 5A will be the 5th Largest ... giving both plenty of room for growth. And as always, I thank all of our Regional Bases, their Officers, Members and wives, as well as our three very capable District Commanders (George St. Martin D7, Tom Barnes, D6, Bret Cortright D5 and Marv Koch, D5 VCDR) for giving us all a very successful, awe inspiring and highly welcomed year! Art Randall Director Central Region USSVI Webpages updated: http://www.ussvi.us/basinfo1.htm =================================================================== Item 04 .... Books for Boats Program Announced =================================================================== Submitted by: Art Randall, Director, Central Region, ArtRandall@aol.com =================================================================== The Books for Boats Project A GOOD IDEA FOR THE GOOD OF THE CORPS AND OUR SHIPMATES AT SEA IMPORTANT NOTE The Books for Boats Progam has been a HUGE success! Ron is swamped with over 2,000 books. Please discontinue sending books for this year's collection. If you would like to help, then send funds to help with shipping costs to our Base Treasurer: Chuck Prickett 1705 So. Coolide, Mason City, IA 50401-5514 Thanks, Ron Martini-Base CO-Lockwood Internet Base ================== Text by Art Randall Depending upon who counts the numbers, there exist some 50 submarines of all types, manned by some 7,200 sailors. One day, Ron Martini thought about his days aboard submarines and along with Cribbage, Hearts, Acey-Ducey and Poker, he filled his idle hours reading paperback books. When he finished one he would share it with those that had not read it and they theirs with him. But even with that interchange, there never seemed to be enough to make the rounds for most on board. "Why not," Ron mused, form a project whereby members of US SubVets could, for a nominal sum, become a supplier of "once read," or otherwise in good condition books to our submariners at sea?" The more he thought about it, the more it appealed to him. and the "Books for Boats" Program was formed. He piloted the program in District Seven and wrote to several submarine COBs and CMCs, to test his idea with SubVets and the Sub Sailors! The response from the "test" boats and D7 Bases was very positive so he expanded it to the Central Region and then rolled it out Nationwide. Since I don't read paperbacks, but did like the program, I went to a paperback book store in St. Louis and told them what I wanted to do, that is, have them pick a good set of a variety of books for a price that would be, on the average of 1/4/ to 1/2 the retail new and ship them to Ron Martini who in turn would ship them to the Boats. I ordered 13 books and paid $30 plus shipping. The price could be a little higher or lower depending on the number and title mix. It's a good idea, one well worth supporting, and for at least three good reasons: 1.The submariners getting the books will enjoy them and share them with their shipmates who will also enjoy them and they will know that the US Submarine Veterans were responsible for their being on board. 2.We have often talked about how we can let the active duty submariners know more about us so that more of them will contact us to become members, not only while they are on active duty, but perhaps more importantly when they are discharged. 3. By giving the reader an address for the USSVI Web site lets them know there is an Organization for them and that we do indeed support all submariners from any war or peace time efforts, as submariners are a part of a Brotherhood that transcends the sovereignty of nations and is unique among all other military organizations throughout the world. A letter will be sent in each box listing all the contributors who are responsible for the books, who we are, what we do, what we stand for, etc. In addition each book has a page with a rubber-stamped imprint; "This book provided by members of USSVI (US Submarine Veterans) under the sponsorship of a division of USSVI (Lockwood Internet Base). Please treat this book with care so that your shipmates may also enjoy it. All (SS) may join USSVI. Details and how to join USSVI will be found at www.ussvi.org or (877) 542 DIVE. It is all in the genre' of "Shipmates, Caring about Shipmates", wherever they are, whatever they are doing! Sending them books to read in their leisure time is one way of showing our support for them, but more importantly, that we truly care! USSVI Webpages updated: http://www.ussvi.us/notices.htm =================================================================== Item 05 .... Veterans' Affairs Committee Speaks Out Against Prescription Pay Hike =================================================================== Submitted by: John Dudas, Chairman, USSVI Veterans Affairs Committee, johnpd@vipweb.net =================================================================== Originally published at www.military.com -- After receiving testimony on the President's proposed budget for the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Sen. Larry Craig, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, rejected both doubling prescription drug co-pays for veterans and decreased spending on state nursing homes for veterans. He also called on Congress to provide $244 million more on medical services for veterans above what the president had proposed. In addition he expressed support for the president's $200 million proposed increases in funding for mental health services and prosthetic care for returning soldiers. The senator also supports an increase in funding to pay for emergency medical services obtained by enrolled veterans at non-VA hospitals. Craig made his recommendations on behalf of Republican members of the Veterans' Committee in a letter to the Senate Budget Committee. Senate Democrats are sending another letter to the Budget Committee clarifying their views. Sen. Craig and his fellow Republicans rejected the administration's request that Congress raise the $7 co-pay for prescription medications to $15 per prescription. Republicans also rejected the VA's effort to restrict payments states receive for veterans nursing homes, calling the proposal an "unsound idea." Committee Republicans did agree in their letter to the Budget Committee to approve a $250 a year "enrollment fee" for higher income veterans who have no service connected injuries. How do you feel about the President's budget proposal? Contact your public officials now. Your voice matters! USSVI Web Pages Updated: www.ussvi.us/veterans/top.htm =================================================================== Item 06 .... DoD Announces Survivor Benefit Proposal =================================================================== Submitted by: John Dudas, Chairman, USSVI Veterans Affairs Committee, johnpd@vipweb.net =================================================================== The DoD has released the following information which explains the current status and proposed changes to Survivor Benefits. DoD Outlines Survivor Benefits With renewed public pressure -- not to mention congressional and presidential interest -- to improve the way our government treats the surviving family members of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the Department of Defense has released the following information outlining the current and proposed changes to Survivor Benefits. Survivor Benefits As They Are Now, and The Way Ahead Both DoD and GAO studies conclude that while survivor benefits are adequate, substantial, and comprehensive, they can be improved. As the benefits exist today, a surviving spouse with two young children has the potential to accrue $2 million dollars over her (or his) remaining lifetime. (Most of this comes from income replacement programs, not a "lump sum" payable immediately. See list of benefits below.) The Department agrees that benefits do not provide specific recognition of deaths that occur when our men and women in uniform are sent into harm's way, in service of their nation. DoD supports the principle that the surviving family of a member killed serving in an operation or area designated by the Secretary of Defense should receive about $500,000 as compared to the $262,420 they receive today. (Full Details at the USSVI Veterans Page) USSVI Web Pages Updated: www.ussvi.us/veterans/top.htm =================================================================== Item 07 .... Cuttlefish Base Officers =================================================================== Submitted by: Rocky Rocker, D10 CDR =================================================================== I had the pleasure of installing the new officers of the Cuttlefish Base February 12,2005. The new officers are: Commander Harry White harrywhite@webtv.net Vice Commander and POC Ray Ward SS392@charter.net Secretary/treasure Jack Regan jack.regan@sbcglobal.net R.J.(Rocky)Rockers USSVI D10 Cmdr. =================================================================== Item 08 .... Mid-Atlantic Base Officers =================================================================== Submitted by: Roger Reeves, Past CDR, Mid-Atlantic Base =================================================================== The 2005 Officers for the Mid-Atlantic Base are: Commander / Alternate POC: Charles F. Dauphin 2203 Hearn Road Wilmington, DE 19803-5227 302-656-6354 anchar1@msn.com Vice Commander: Roy J. Anstead RR 1, Box 60 Ocean View, DE 19970-9801 302-537-1011 ranstead@netzero.com Secretary / Web Master: Ronny A. Olson 1001 Stanton Road Wilmington, DE 19808-5830 302-993-0329 ronny.olson@verizon.net Treasurer: Karen R. Engeseth 118 West Park Place Newark, DE 19711-4570 302-731-5936 dachsie.four@verizon.net Chief of the Boat: Charles W. Walker 18020 Maruel Road Marydel, MD 21649-1360 410-482-6994 Chaplain: William R. Galloway, Jr. 8 Meadows Lane Centerville, DE 19807-1208 302-658-1221 matterhorn2@comcast.net Membership Chairman: Roger A. Reeves 11 Alderleaf Dr. Lewes, DE 19958-9463 302-945-2448 rog4fun@aol.com Newsletter Editor/Publisher: James B. Harlan 21788 Eskridge Road Bridgeville, DE 19933-4508 302-629-3763 jharlan@intercom.net Storekeeper: Philip L. Puschel 15 Rambo Drive New Castle, DE 19720-4043 302-322-0681 philip.puschel@verizon.net Photographer: John Matheus 7 Lauren Drive Bear, DE 19701-1804 302-834-1709 jmatheus@aol.com Point of Contact (Primary): William H. Hadden 504 Carew Avenue Pitman, NJ 08071-1813 856-589-1986 engsfrwd@bellatlantic.net Trustees: James Grilli William Hadden William Kraus David Napier Edward Simpson =================================================================== Item 09 .... Dallas Base has a new web address =================================================================== Submitted by: Wayne Standerfer, Dallas Base Vice Commander =================================================================== Dallas Base has a new website. www.dallassubvets.org USSVI Webpages updated: www.ussvi.us/baselink.htm =================================================================== ........END POC BROADCAST No. 05-006.......... |