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The attendance for the November 2013 meeting was 99.

Opening Ceremonies: The meeting was called to order by Base Commander Ed Stank. A quorum was present and the meeting started at 1900. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Invocation and Tolling of the Boats lost in October was given by Base Chaplain Nick Nichols. The USSVI Creed was read by Base Vice-Commander Jerry Stout. Ed welcomed the members and guests to the meeting.

Introductions: The following were new attendees to Charleston Base meetings: FTGC(SS) John M. (Marty) Scogin, Qual Boat USS Puffer SSN 652; YNCS(SS) Carl Smith, Qual Boat USS Sam Rayburn SSBN 635; ET1(SS) Jon Simmons, Qual Boat USS Sam Rayburn SSBN 635; TMCS(SS) George Fucls, Qual Boat USS James Madison SSBN 627.

Secretary: Base Secretary Rick Wise said he was glad to be back and asked for a motion on the September meeting minutes. A motion was made by Jay Pierce and seconded and approved on a voice vote.

Treasurer: Base Treasurer Steve Morawiec read a report for the month of October. He reported that the base made a $90 profit on the Butt Roast in October. Steve also let the base know that if they wanted to look at the base books they could contact him and he would send a link so they could see the base books on-line. Steve also said he was down to 19 tickets left for the Christmas Party. If you would like to go to the Christmas party contact him soon.

Vice Commander: Vice Commander Jerry Stout had no report.

Chaplain and Webmaster: Base Chaplain and Webmaster Nick Nichols gave the following report:

· Ben McDonald is in Roper Downtown going through rehab and radiation for the recurrence of his cancer. Moon Mullins has been keeping close tabs on Ben and Shirley and keeping the base informed. Still no visitors please.

· Charlie Rook is at home. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the end of June and has undergone chemo since then. On Dec. 11th he will have a scan to see if the chemo has helped. The scan taken immediately after completion of chemo was not able to detect the mass.

· Ralph & Betty Wieland’s daughter, Vickie Bryant, was killed in an auto accident on October 3rd.

· Soupy Campbell will be having surgery on 26 November. It will be spinal cord surgery and is very serious.

· 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.

Webmaster: Nick gave out the user name and password for the sailing list and let the base know information would be on the website soon about using Dropbox to post base pictures.

Membership: Membership Chairman Don Mook reported we have 37 members that owe National dues and 78 members who owe base dues. Dues must be paid by the end of January or you will be dropped. If you are having a problem coming up with the money because of the holiday please contact a Board member to make arrangements. There is a link on the base website www.ussvicb.org to pay dues on-line. Click on the blue button in the Membership Information box.

Storekeeper: Base Storekeeper Ken Hutchison reported that he had 2014 Calendars for sale at $9 each.

Newsletter: Steve Moraweic reported that the electronic and printed newsletter have been sent out.

Veterans Affairs/DAV: Ken Curtis reported that there is a VA dental program starting on Nov. 15. Information is available at www.va.gov. The cost of living increase has been passed by the House and Senate at 1.5%.

FRA: The FRA Christmas Party will be on Dec. 21. Tickets are available at the bar.

Scholarship: Chairman Julian Villegas reminded the base that he had Charleston Base Challenge Coins for sale at $12 each to support the Scholarship Fund. The new applications are available on-line.

Recreation Committee: Chris Hayden reported that all receipts had been received for the Butt Roast.

Special Events Coordinator: Jerry Stout congratulated the base for the participation in the Veteran’s Day Ceremony in Summerville. Ed Burns who MC’s the event said it was the biggest crowd he remembered.

Kaps 4 Kids: Walt Deal reported that next week is National Kaps 4 Kids week. We have nothing planned.

Little David Project: Rick Wise had no report.

Nuclear Historian: Rick Carlson gave the following report:

Tonight I’ll start out with a very ambiguous question: “Have you noticed just how much the Navy has changed?” I know there are some of you who are not sure of the date or the place. Today! Is it dementia or Alzheimer’s or is it just “Old Timers Disease” or are you just “Nucs”???

In the past we had flat hats, bell bottoms and 13 button flaps on our pants. I don’t want to go too much on uniforms because the meeting are only supposed an hour or so long. In the past it used to be “officers and men”. Today it may be “ladies and gentlemen” or “officers and guys and gals or just “officers and them”. It seems now that the girls are guys and the guys are girls or something like that. How about “givers and takers” or “hims and shims”? How about the award program the Navy started a number of years ago that let the anchor pool winner receive the first kiss from their wives, sweetheart, girlfriend … let’s just say mate and we won’t be wrong.

If these changes had happened when we were in, I’m not sure how long many of us would have lasted! There are no “Sea Farers”, Bell’s Tailors, Locker Clubs, No Drinking, No Beer Ballgames, No Smoking, No Fraternizing. They don’t even have Family Grams anymore; they have e-mail underway!!! Most of the rates on submarines have changed. No Signalmen, no Boatswain’s Mates, no Gunner’s Mates, no Quartermasters, no Radiomen no ICmen, no Torpedomen, no Commissarymen, no Storekeepers, and no Enginemen. Have you wondered why? They now have women on submarines … so you can’t have a rate that ends with …MEN. Due to mixed gender. I wonder why they changer Quartermasters??? If you noticed when they introduced women on submarines it was in the Supply Department, but instead of Storekeepers they are Logistic Specialists. Lest we forget … this is another of the non-watchstanders!

I asked myself “Why Storekeepers?” … and then I figured it out … The Female Tendencies! To all of my shipmates that I have not singled out in 2013 … Please hang in there … Next year is coming!

After Battery: Steve “Buddha” Nelms reminded the base that The After Battery was located in Dorchester, SC. Every Wednesday night we have a get-together. We have everything needed for card games and acey-deucy. There is a fire bowl that is marked for the SC WWII boat, the USS AMBERJACK SS-219. Come out for a good time. The After Battery Annual Hog Roast is Saturday, April 5, 2014. People will start arriving on Monday, March 31.

District Commander: Ed Stank made the following report for District Commander Paul Viering: The 2014 SE Regional Convention is Monday April 7 to Friday April 11, 2014 at the HOLIDAY INN CARY, 5630 Dillard Dr, Raleigh NC 27518. Price is $79.00 a night. Please deal directly with the Holiday Inn at 919-277-2011.

Chief of the Boat: Rick Sparger reported he had been told by Mike Emerson that the Honor Flights Program is now taking Korean War Veterans. Rick thanked Chris Hayden and everyone who helped make the Butt Roast a success. The base has a new storage area on Naval Weapons Station Annex (what used to be the Army Depot). This saves the base ~$1200 a year. If you need to check out any of the base equipment please contact a board member. A map will be placed on the base website. He thanked everyone who came out for the breakfast at the FRA. The next breakfast is scheduled for Feb. 9.

Base Commander: Ed Stank told the base that the WWII veterans were at Stratford High School being honored and receiving a US Flag. He reminded the base that with the holidays comes a lot of celebrating and drinking. If you see a base member that shouldn’t be driving talk to them or get someone to talk to them. The last thing they need is a DUI or an accident because of their drinking.

For the Christmas Party on Dec. 7, if you want to dress in clothing appropriate to the WWII era you might win a prize. You do NOT have to wear a costume.

Old Business: None.

New Business: None.

Good of the Order: Tom Lufkin gave a status on saving the USS Clamagore. The USS Clamagore SS 343 Restoration and Maintenance Association, Inc (CRAMA) is working to get the Clamagore in a land berth close to the H.L Hunley Museum. We recently met with SC Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell and he was very supportive. The website for CRAMA is www.savetheclamagore.com.

CRAMA is not a Code 501.(c).3 non-profit organization but the paperwork is being submitted. CRAMA is offering membership for $20 a year. Since it is so late in this year any membership bought will also cover 2014. This money is needed for operating funds for the association. Anyone can join the association. Just see any CRAMA Board of Director member (Tom Lufkin, George Scharf, Rick Wise, Jerry Stout, Butch Bryar, Jack Harden, Roger Gibson, Ronnie Kerstetter, or Don Mook) or send Name, Address, Phone Number, E-mail Address (if you have one) and a check for $20 to CRAMA, PO Box 60388, North Charleston, SC 29419. You’ll receive a membership card and a copy of the Bylaws, Conflict of Interest Policy, and Board of Director Meeting minutes either electronically or by snail mail. (Secretary’s Note; CRAMA has been recognized as a Code 501.(c).3 non-profit organization by the IRS.)

Depth Charge: COB Rick Sparger thanked Charlie Hudson, Gary Williams, and Walt Deal for handling the depth charge tickets. The depth charge was won by Joe Hayes. There was a drawing for either a year’s FRA Dues or a steak dinner at the FRA (tickets were provided to each member when they signed in) was won by Jim Kimbrell.

Meeting Adjourned: Following the benediction by Base Chaplain Nick Nichols, the Base Commander adjourned the meeting at 1955.


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USSVICB Newsletter is copyrighted in 2013 by USSVI Charleston Base.