 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| RECIPIENT LIST SUPPRESSED This is a BLIND CC sent to the entire POC LIST ================================================================= USSVI POC Broadcast 05-015 Date: 07 July, 2005 From: Greg "Gunner" Stitz - webmaster@ussvi.org TO: POC LIST For distribution USSVI Convention 2005 http://www.ussvi.org/2005_Conv/2005conv.htm Base & Nat'l Officers Forum http://www.ussvi.org/o-forum.htm The COMPLETE POC LIST http://www.ussvi.org/poc-cmbo.htm All BROADCASTS http://www.ussvi.org/webmastr/brdcasts.htm 2005 BROADCAST LISTINGS http://www.ussvi.org/webmastr/2005.htm This BROADCAST http://www.ussvi.org/webmastr/2005/05-015.htm Item 01 .... NOTE - USSVI Webmaster Moving Item 02 .... USSVI Caring and Sharing Program Item 03 .... Veterans News Item 04 .... Western Region Election Results Item 05 .... Corvina Base Change of Command Item 06 .... Triton Base Change of Command Item 07 .... Donations needed for USS Batfish Item 08 .... POW Association Patch & Rocker Available Item 09 .... USS Largarto SS-371) Found - New Website Up ================================================================= Item - 01 .... NOTE - USSVI Webmaster Moving ================================================================= Submitted by: Greg "Gunner" Stitz, USSVI Webmaster ================================================================= I am moving from Northern Virginia to Central Arkansas (and doing some research at several naval archives), so I will be temporarily out of touch and unable to respond to e-mails or update the website for a short time. I will be out of touch during the following period: 18 July - 01 August Please continue to send all ROUTINE items (change of command, news items, etc) to me. My e-mail address will NOT, repeat WILL NOT, chage after I move, and I have 400MB of online storage, so don't hesitate to send me stuff, it just won't go up on the website (or go out as a POC Broadcast) until after the 1st of August, when normal service will resume. Truely urgent items should be sent to the attention of Pat Householder, National Junior Vice Commander, for distribution via a ZAP note. ================================================================= Item 02 .... USSVI Caring and Sharing Program ================================================================= Submitted by: Pat Householder ================================================================= Base Commander Shipmates: Annually we ask for donations to provide funds at Christmas time for the SUBPAC and SUBLANT Caring and Sharing programs. This money is needed and very much appreciated by the families of submariners from Guam to La Maddalena. It is our collective gift to those men and their families to whom we have passed the torch of our active brotherhood. As has been the past two years, our national goal is to raise $ 8,000.00 for the Brotherhood Fund to cover this need. Although the money is disbursed in December, now is the time to start gathering the donations so we'll have the funds available come December. This year, in appreciation of those members who go the 'extra mile' and donate $25.00 or more, a special patch will be provided that they can wear on their vests to show they are proud supporters of our Brotherhood Fund. If you gather the donations and send them in collectively as a base donation, be sure to also provide a listing of the shipmates who donated $ 25.00 or more so that we can provide them with this special patch. ================================================================= Item 03 .... Veterans News ================================================================= Submitted by: John Dudas, Chairman, USSVI Veterans Affairs Committee ================================================================= VA Awards Grants to Veterans Homes The Veterans Administration announced on June 8, 2005 several grants that it has awarded to improve veterans homes in five states. http://www.ussvi.org/veterans/vet-2005/050704b.htm Veterans Health Care Improvements Act Wins Support The Veterans Health Care Improvements Act of 2005 (Senate bill S. 1182) received support last week from U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "We strongly support enactment of this measure and we appreciate your inclusion of provisions to carry out the President's plans for assisting veterans and for assisting the Department to carry out its mission," said Secretary Nicholson. http://www.ussvi.org/veterans/vet-2005/050704a.htm VA Seeks Chemically Exposed Vets The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) announced a national outreach campaign to locate veterans who were exposed to mustard gas or the chemical weapon Lewisite during their service. http://www.ussvi.org/veterans/vet-2005/050615b.htm Two Key Benefit Provisions Struck Military.com has learned that both the provision for Full Concurrent Receipt (CR) for Unemployable (IU) 100% Disabled Military Retirees and the Reservists Pay Security Act of 2005 were struck from the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2005 shortly before it was signed into law. http://www.ussvi.org/veterans/vet-2005/050615a.htm VA Lays Blame in Disability Disparities Staffing shortages and an outdated system for assessing claims are among the reasons for wide differences in disability payments for veterans, the government said http://www.ussvi.org/veterans/vet-2005/0505524b.htm ================================================================= Item 04 .... Western Region Election Results ================================================================= Submitted by: Dave Harnish, Western Region Director ================================================================= It is with great pleasure that I announce the results of voting for the Western Region District Commanders. Western Region District-1 Commander Glenn Herold Member of Perch Base 5410 West Cheryl Dr. Glendale, AZ 85302 (623) 931-6387 E-mail: duke7@cox.net Western Region District-2 Commander Dave Linker Member of Rocky Mountain Base 2641 South Hoyt Court Lakewood, CO 80227 (303) 987-9358 E-mail: xssn@msn.com Western Region District-3 Commander James Dunn Member of Farragut Base 20104 E. Cape Horn Rd. Bayview, ID 83803 (208) 683-0998 E-mail: jimandjean@jjdunn.com Western Region District-4 Commander Bob Webster Member of Bremerton Base 11342 Central Valley Rd. NE Poulsbo, WA 98370-7008 (360) 307-9012 E-mail: rwebster@web-o.net Western Region District-5 Commander Rocky Rockers Member of Dolphin Base P.O.Box 8108 Fresno, CA 93747 (559) 970-2143 E-mail: ssbn628@netzero.net USSVI Web Pages Updated: http://www.ussvi.org/basinfo1.htm http://www.ussvi.org/poccmbo2.htm http://www.ussvi.org/poc-txt.txt ================================================================= Item 05 .... Corvina Base Change of Command ================================================================= Submitted by: Leif Larsen, Corvina Base CDR ================================================================= Effective immediately the Corvina Base Command has changed to the following: Commander: Leif Larsen E-mail: subsailor@charter.net Tel: (775)972-0583 Vice Commander: Dan Moran E-mail: MORANDAN2001@YAHOO.COM Tel: (775) 747-2685 USSVI Web Pages Changed: http://www.ussvi.org/Bases_001-025/b019.htm http://www.ussvi.org/poccmbo2.htm http://www.ussvi.org/poc-txt.txt ================================================================= Item 06 .... Triton Base Change of Command ================================================================= Submitted by: Bob Fennel, Triton Base Treasurer ================================================================= Triton Base has a new Base Commander and Vice Commander. They are: Base Commander: Reed Murry 10513 Eagle Fork Ct La Porte, TX 77571-4282 subnavret@earthlink.net (281) 842-1837 Vice Commander: Robert (Bob) Wagner USSVI Web Pages Changed: http://www.ussvi.org/Bases_076-100/b077.htm http://www.ussvi.org/poccmbo2.htm http://www.ussvi.org/poc-txt.txt ================================================================= Item 07 .... Donations needed for USS Batfish ================================================================= Submitted by: Ken Recoy, Batfish Base Treasurer ================================================================= Hello Submarine Veterans and friends: The USS Batfish SS-310 is seeking Donations to help pay for installing Air Conditioning in the Boat. The summer heat is intense here in the South. Please send your Tax Deductible Donation to: The Batfish Memorial Foundation 516 North 17th Street Muskogee, OK. 74401 Please help us meet this goal. USSVI (Fred) and others, as possible please pass this on to your Groups. Thank You! Ken Recoy, Batfish Base Treasurer (918) 639-7667 ================================================================= Item 08 .... POW Association Patch & Rocker Available ================================================================= Submitted by: Art Randall ================================================================= BACKGROUND Last year, the Richard H. O'Kane Submarine POW Survivors Association was launched, the first of its kind in the history of submarine veterans organizations. Working with Paul Wittmer, a SubVet WWII Shipmate, as many of the remaining POW survivors that could be found, were found, by diligently and tirelessly searching many USSVI and US SubVets WWII historical documents as neither organization thought to record the Submarine heroes in their midst. Letters were sent to each and finding a wide appeal for the launch of such an organization, its development was pursued and the organization formed. I had no want for help. For example, in addition to Paul and others that helped, Gumba came up with a perfect name, Richard H, O'Kane and several of the remaining POW survivors came forth with information they had been holding for years. To formally launch the Association, Plank Owner Certificates were prepared and sent to each of the new POW association members, followed by a design of a patch of the "Richard H. O'Kane," SVPOWS, A POW Survivors Association. In forming the organization, the members were promised that there would be no dues, and no request for funds... as they had already paid a price for what they endured. I promised that I would support all that the organization needs and I have. The patches were sent to each of them, also at no cost, as were the Plankowner Certificates. Response? One wife wrote, saying, "When my husband opened your envelope and saw the certificate and patch, he broke into tears saying, ' Oh why...did it take so long?' Thank you so very much!" That one letter was worth it all! But there were many more... the effort was indeed appreciated. They were also promised that part of the commitment would be to help make what they endured known, as far and as wide as possible (as few Americans know or remember that many of our submariners were also POWs), by writing Articles profiling them and their treatment and how they survived. The first was a profile of Robert W. Lents, a Perch Survivor, that appeared in both the WWII Polaris last year and the latest issue of American Submariner. PATCH AND ROCKER Many non-POWs wanted to acquire one of the patches. However it was designed specifically to be worn by a POW Survivor. However, a rocker with the word "Supporter" would make the patch equally applicable to both the POW Survivor and any Supporter of Submarine POW Survivors Association, that desired to have both sewn on their vest, jacket, hat, etc. And of course there are two Dolphins on the patch, one gold, the other Silver. The patch is a standard 4" edge to edge. Both the patch and the rocker are available from USSVI National Storekeeper Huey Hahn, at Subhuey@aol.com at a modest cost a part of which will be set aside to a fund for the sole use by the membership of the POW Survivors Association if they need it! Buy a patch and a rocker today and let the world know there is another dimension to the mystique of the Brotherhood of the Dolphins of which few are aware! ================================================================= Item 09 .... USS Largarto (SS-371) Found - New Website Up ================================================================= Submitted by: Ray Krause ================================================================= I've begun development of a website for the USS LAGARTO (SS-371) on behalf of surviving crew members and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. There's been some serious interest in the LAGARTO lately because it was found off the coast of Thailand earlier this year, and the impact of this find has affected a number of people. Although I have other websites going on right now, this one is pretty significant and means a great deal to me because of what It means for surviving family members of the LAGARTO's crew. I hope that you'll stop by the site at http://www.usslagarto.org and check it out. And if you have information or opinions you'd like to add, please feel free to drop me a line. I plan on expanding the scope of the site to include as much as possible about the LAGARTO. Hopefully what I do with it can honor not only the LAGARTO, but all the boats and sailors on Eternal Patrol. ================================================================= Item 10 - USS Lapon Sail Dedicated ================================================================= Submitted by: Chuck Shepherd, Central District One Commander ================================================================= Friend and Shipmates, The 2005 USS Lapon Reunion and Sail Dedication is now in the history books. All that remains are the fond memories, hundreds of pictures and one very special friend that will forever remain standing tall and proud for the world to see thanks to the efforts of many talented contractors and companies along with the many monetary donations from everyone who supported this project. The weekend kicked off on Friday with a "Port Call" party hosted by the American Legion Post 639. The highlight of the evening was when Ozark-Runner shipmate Rick Stevens and Lapon Sail Project engineer Gary Bockman lit up the old girl for all to see. Emotions ran high as Lapon shipmates walked around the sail, taking pictures and reminiscing. Almost every man present felt compelled to touch the hard metal and remember good time and good friends. There were tears, laughter and the occasional sea story as everyone present felt the strings tugging on their hearts. You didn't have to be a Lapon sailor to feel the emotion running high from those shipmates present. Nearly 250 shipmates and family members descended on the Sheraton Hawthorn Park Hotel in Springfield, Missouri for a weekend that not many will soon forget. A hospitality room was set up and manned by Chuck Petterson, Bill Thompson and Jim Grilli among others to welcome shipmates as they arrived. Friends, as Ozark-Runner Base Commander, I have been involved in many projects hosted by the base from the "Tolling Of The Boats" ceremonies to two major memorial projects, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to witness. At 1600 I was invited to attend the Lapon Association meeting to give an update to the crew of the project and an outline of future endeavors concerning the Lapon Sail Project. I began to tell the over 100 shipmates present that we had, above and beyond the generous donations of time and materials from countless contractors and individuals, about $10,000 invested in the sail, $5000 of which we had borrowed from longtime friend and supporter, Springfield Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Manley. A Lapon shipmate stood up in the sea of faces and proclaimed, "Guys, look around! How many do we have here? There must be over a hundred.pass a hat.$50 bucks a man!" By the time they were done they had raised $3400 on the spot, and another $1600 would come from brick sales the next day. For me, the support and generosity coming from those guys was overwhelming. I didn't know what to say but to thank them and make a solemn promise that the old girl would stand tall and proud for many years to come! At the Lapon banquet, I was given a limited edition commissioning portrait of USS Lapon, which I found out later was donated by former Lapon Captain J. S. Baumstark and that this picture had hung on his wall for many years. This portrait will anchor our memorabilia wall at the American Legion Post for all to see. To make the portrait even more special I asked the five former Captains present at the reunion, Captain Whitey Mack, Captain Tom Murray, Captain J.J. Mackin, Captain P. Wilkins and Captain J.S. Baumstark to sign it. As Sunday morning came, the excitement in the air was almost as high as the heat index. Months of hard work and preparation all boiled down to this. The Lapon Memorial was all decked out in dress colors with recreations of the various award flags flying proudly from the aft end of the sail and old glory flying majestically from the bridge. A sign listing all the civilian contractors who donated countless hours of time and money to this project was proudly displayed for all to see. Various festivities were happening everywhere. The local chapter of the Navy Fleet Reserve brought out their wooden ship parade float for all the kids to climb on and play, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary served a lunch of "Submarine Sandwiches" and the band "Redneck Rockers" entertained everyone with their styling of country and southern rock. Press coverage included the Springfield television affiliates of NBC, CBS and FOX along with the Springfield News-Leader newspaper. Everyone present braved the heat and gathered round as the ships bell, rang by Ozark-Runner Base Secretary Keith Wire, signified the start of the dedication ceremony. Speakers included Ozark-Runner Base Treasurer Garth Greene as Master of Ceremonies, and Vice Commander Skip Smith gave the welcome speech. Guest speakers included Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Manley, Rev Bob Moger of Mt Pisgah Methodist Church and former Lapon Captain Whitey Mack. The dedication speech was given by Ozark-Runner Base Commander Chuck Shepherd which was followed by an awards ceremony in which plaques were given by the Ozark-Runner Base and Lapon Association President Chuck Pettersen to the following companies and individuals for their hard work and dedication. 1) Tri-State Transit in Joplin Missouri, award accepted by owner Glen Garrett 2) Bockman Engineering, award accepted by owner Gary Bockman. 3) Rocks to Roses Landscaping, award accepted by owner Sam McGowan. 4) Professional Equipment Movers, owner Hazen Carter not present. 5) Storee Construction, award accepted by field supervisor Dan Reed. 6) C.B Welders, owner Terry Burton not present. 7) Ozark-Runner Base, award accepted by the Executive Board. 8) And a very special award given to Ed Vorhiss for his countless hours of dedication and hard work making sure the Lapon Memorial became a reality. Thank you Ed! Bravo Zulu! On behalf of the Ozark-Runner Base, the American Legion Post 639 and the City of Springfield we invite all of you to come back often and see the "old girl." For those of you who haven't been to see the Memorial we invite you to come to Springfield and see our project. We welcome everyone and look forward to seeing you all again! Chuck Shepherd District Commander Central District One USSVI ================================================================= |