MEETING MINUTES
The attendance at the July 2014 meeting was 102.
Opening Ceremonies: The meeting was called to order by Base Vice-Commander
Don Mook. A quorum was present and the meeting started at 1900. Following the
Pledge of Allegiance, the Invocation and the Tolling of the Boats lost in July was given
by Base Chaplain Nick Nichols. The USSVI Creed was read by Base Secretary Rick Wise.
Don welcomed the members and guests to the meeting.
Memorial Service for MMCS(SS) James “Jim” Gulick: Vice Chairman Don Mook
turned the floor over to Base Chaplain Nick Nichols. With Jim’s family and friends in
attendance, Nick presided over our Charleston Base Memorial Service with Flag Folding.
Introductions: The following was a new attendee to Charleston Base meetings:
SK2(SS) AJ Tassarotti, Qual Boat: USS Boston SSN 703; RMCM(SS) Roy Robertson, Qual
Boat: USS Tang SS 563.
Secretary: Base Secretary Rick Wise reported that the June meeting minutes had
published in the newsletter and on the base website. Jimmy Legg made a motion to
approve the June meeting minutes as published. The motion was seconded and carried
on a voice vote.
Treasurer/Newsletter: Base Treasurer Steve Morawiec gave a report on the
Charleston Base finances. The base financial report is now located as a password
protected file on the base website under Documents and Resources. The password is
the same as needed for the Sailing List.
Steve has requested to be relieved as Newsletter Editor. He will continue as editor until
properly relieved.
The June electronic newsletter has been sent out. The mailing will go out on soon.
Chaplain and Webmaster: Base Chaplain and Webmaster Nick Nichols gave the
following report:
July Report
Highlighted boat of the month:
GRUNION was lost on July 30, 1942 with the loss of 70 crew members while
on her first war patrol near Kiska Harbor. She radioed that she sank two sub-
chasers and damaged a third, but was never heard from again. Grunion’s
mangled remains were found in the Bering Sea in 2006 off the Aleutian Island
of Kiska.
MMCS(SS) Jim Gulick departed on Eternal Patrol in Ladson on July 1st. He
joined Charleston Base in 2011. Jim served in the Navy 1955-1976. He qualified
on GROUPER in 1957 and served on SKATE, POLLACK, TINOSA and
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Rhonda Lewis passed away on Friday, June 20th. A memorial service was held
on the 28th and Jim and his family were very well supported by his friends and
shipmates.
Bettie Yingling, Tom’s mother, passed away on June 24th. She was 92. Her
funeral was on July 1st in PA.
Charlie Rook has finished his chemo and radiation therapy and received good
news. It appears the treatments worked. He asks that the prayers continue for his
recovery.
Don Mook is recovering from a bad case of the shingles. If you’ve ever had them
you know they are not anything you want again.
TMSN(SS) Robert ‘Dex’ Armstrong departed on Eternal Patrol on July 8th. Dex
qualified on the REQUIN. He was a talented artist and a wonderful story teller.
The stories he wrote can be found on the internet. There is a link on the CB
home page to the site where his stories are published.
Rev. Gilbert Van Buren Wilkes III "Father Gil", 76, passed away in CT on June
20th. He graduated from Annapolis in 1961 and attended nuclear power and
submarine training. He served on the HALIBUT, LEWIS & CLARK and the
FLYING FISH. He was the first commanding officer of the CINCINNATI from 77
to 81. He retired from the Navy in 1986 as Commodore of Comsubron Two. He
then graduated from Yale Divinity School and was ordained to the deaconate and
the priesthood in 1992. He was not a member of USSVI.
Robert Dean Boyer departed on Eternal Patrol in Charleston on June 14th. Bob
retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service as a First Class Petty Officer,
serving on numerous ships and submarines. He was not a member of USSVI.
Clyde Peters is still in Mt. Pleasant Manor Nursing Home, 921 Bowman Rd, rm
323. Visitors would be appreciated. His memory and abilities are getting worse.
Estelle Jones’ brother recently passed away. She is Willie Jones’ wife.
Ed Simokat is having a rough time. He has minimal use of his legs and must use
a walker. A card or call would be great. Ed Simokat, 117 Niblick Rd., Summerville, SC, 29483-2925
Doc Hill has a busted knee and is home recovering. A card or call would be
great. John Hill Jr., 1350 Winifred St., Mt. Pleasant SC, 29464-3920
Abe Jenkins is not doing well after the death of his wife and before that the
death of his daughter. Just pick up the phone or send him a card. Abe Jenkins, 203 Morrison Dr., Goose Creek SC, 29445-3404
Lee Allison has moved to another location in FL. He could use some encouragement via a phone call or a card.
Lewis Allison, The Palms of Punta Gorda, 2295 Shreve St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 941.916.2433
Follow-ups were made on those who’ve had surgery or illnesses in the last couple of
months along with the base sending additional cards.
If you know of shipmates or spouses from other bases who are having a difficult time,
had surgery, etc. and would like for USSVI Charleston Base to send them a card please
send their name and address to the Chaplain via email or phone call.
WEBMASTER NOTES:
Website is updated constantly.
Veterans Affairs: Ken Curtis reminded the base that the North Charleston Veterans
Center at 3625 W. Montague Ave. is now open and encouraged members to go by and
see what is available there.
There are four new handbooks out, Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, Military
Retired Handbook, Veteran’s Healthcare Handbook, and Military Base/Installation
Directory. Ken has copies if you are interested.
Storekeeper: Base Storekeeper Ken Hutchison reminded the base that they could get
shirts embroidered with their name, rate and either dolphins or the Charleston Base
logo for $13.50. Either bring the shirt to Ken or take it to Oakbrook Custom Embroidery
at 960 Bacons Bridge Road, Summerville, SC. He also recognized the WWII Submarine Veterans at the meeting.
FRA: Larry Cox told the base that the FRA Annual Essay Contest was underway. He
called on Roger Gibson who reported that his grandson, Christopher Fassulitois, who
received a $1000 scholarship from Charleston Base had received a $4000 scholarship
from the FRA as a result of last year’s Essay Contest.
Branch 269 is trying to start a dart team. If interested contact Larry.
Holland Club: Holland Club Chairman Bill Freligh reported that we would have another
Holland Club Induction Ceremony a the October base meeting. He currently has 5
members to induct.
Submarine Veterans of World War II: Swamp Fox President reminded the base
that Swamp Fox will have a meeting on Thursday, August 21 at 1200 at Ryan’s in
Summerville. Arrive by 1130 for choice seating.
Lee Allison has moved an assisted living facility. The address is in the Chaplain’s Report.
Recreation Committee: Charlie Hudson reported that the Butt Roast is scheduled for
Saturday October 18 at the Cooper Rivers Partners facility at Bushy Park.
Nuclear Historian: Rick Carlson related the following continuing from last month:
On understanding Engineers
Example 3: You have to understand that there are many different types of engineers:
nuclear, mechanical, electrical, civil, aero-space, automotive and train engineers. Lets
examine a couple of the types: What is the difference between Mechanical Engineers
and Civil Engineers? Mechanical Engineers built weapons – Civil Engineers built targets!
Example 4: Engineers think very highly of themselves! They believe a graduate with a
Mechanical Engineering degree asks “How does it work?” A graduate with a science
degree asks “Why does it work?” A graduate with an Arts (or Music) degree asks “Do
you want fries with that?”
Example 5: Three engineering students were gathered together discussing which
discipline designed the human body. One said “It must have been a Mechanical
Engineer, Just look at all the joints!”
The next student said “No, it was an Electrical Engineer. The nervous system has many
thousands of electrical connections.”
“You’re both wrong.” said the third student. “It was a Civil Engineer. Who else would
run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?”
More stories of Engineers next month.
Chief of the Boat: Rick Sparger announced that the float would be moved to Terry
Trump’s house and after a few maintenance items be available for the local area.
He congratulate Base Chaplain Nick Nichols and the other participants for the excellent
Memorial Service for Jim Gulick.
He pointed out that we needed some new people to step up and help out with the base
functions , in particular, for someone to volunteer for Newsletter Editor. We also need
some new volunteers for the Flag Detail. Training will be provided.
We are trying to get a list of items needed for the Walterboro Victory House residents.
Once we get a list there will be a box for donations at base meetings. The Base
Treasurer has placed a link on the base website to make monetary donations.
The COB also volunteered to cook for the Butt Roast if we do not cater the event.
Vice-Commander/Membership Chairman: Base Vice-Commander and
Membership Chairman Don Mook reported we now had 334 members, including the two
that joined before tonight’s meeting.
He also passed on a request from the Base Commander for a Victory House
Coordinator. (Following the meeting Fred Woodley volunteered for the position.)
Old Business: None.
New Business: The Base Treasurer announced he would not be making the motion
that had been announced because some questions had come up about possible cost to
the base of selling shares.
Good of the Order: Larry Cox announced that the James K. Polk reunion was
scheduled for September 25 – 28 at Myrtle Beach, SC. Information on the reunion is the
Charleston Base website. Click on the Reunion Schedule and Pictures block.
Ron Chambers told the base about the Vietnam Era Veterans Memorial Ceremony to be
held in Columbia, SC on August 1. More information as well as the form to fill out is at
http://www.scott.senate.gov/veterans . Ron has arranged a special rate at the Sheraton
at 1400 Main Street in Columbia, SC (Phone # 866-460-7456).
Rodney McKanna reminded the base that the Undies 500 was coming up in September.
Bring underwear in a new sealed package to the August or September meetings. These
donations will go to needy veterans.
Jim Lewis thanked the base for the support he received when his wife died. He advised
members not to take the spouses for granted.
Jimmy Legg asked that we add to the meeting agenda an announcement for members
to silence their cellphones.
Depth Charge: The depth charge was won by Dennis Lloyd. He donated $150 to the
Scholarship Fund.
Meeting Adjourned: Following the benediction by Base Chaplain Nick Nichols, the
Base Commander adjourned the meeting at 2033.
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