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MEETING MINUTES

The attendance at the June 2014 meeting was 111.

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 was given by visiting Chaplain, Father David Worsley, Parish Priest of St. George’s Presbytery in Sevilla Spain. The Tolling of the Boats lost in June was given by Base Chaplain Nick Nichols. The USSVI Creed was read by Base Vice- Commander Don Mook. Ed welcomed the members and guests to the meeting.

Admiral James B. Osborn Scholarship Awards: The Base Commander introduced Scholarship Committee Chairman Julian Villegas. Julian introduced the other members of the Scholarship Committee, Ricky Collins and Gary Williams. He then asked the sponsors or each of the recipients to present the scholarship. George Scharf presented a $500 scholarship to his grandson, Kevin Scharf. Richard Walsh presented a $500 scholarship to his granddaughter, Emily Stanovitch and Rodger Gibson presented a $1000 scholarship to his grandson, Christopher Fassulitois. A $500 scholarship had been sent with sponsor Terry Trump to present to his grandson, Trent Trump in California. Following the presentations and pictures, Base Commander Ed Stank congratulated the recipients and thanked them and their families and friends for coming and asked the guest to leave so we could continue our meeting.

Introductions: The following was a new attendee to Charleston Base meetings: TM/IC(SS) Troy Burnett Qual Boat: USS James K. Polk; QM1(SS) Walter Curtis a WWII Submarine Veteran, Qual Boat: USS Shad SS 235; and guests of Steve “Buddha” Nelms, Sgt. John D. Haynes and Nicholas Schaeffer, Buddha’s grandson. Secretary/Little David: Base Secretary Rick Wise reported that the May meeting minutes had published in the newsletter and on the base website. Jay Pierce made a motion to approve the April meeting minutes as published. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

The Berkeley County Museum will not be doing anything to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the return of the Little David Replica.

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 May electronic newsletter has been sent out. The mailing will go out on soon.

Vice-Commander/Membership Chairman: Base Vice-Commander and Membership Chairman Don Mook reported we now had 332 members. A total of 48 members have voted on-line in the national election. The paper ballots collected at this meeting will be mailed into the election coordinator. We have received assurances via e-mail that this is acceptable.

Please check your information in the on-line Sailing List and send any changes to either mookster50@aol.com or webmaster@ussvicb.org

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

June Report

Highlighted boat of the month:

R12 (SS-89) was lost 71 years ago today on June 12, 1943 with the loss of 42 men near Key West, FL during a practice torpedo approach. The cause was probably due to flooding through a torpedo tube. The CO and 2 other men on the bridge survived, as did 18 crew members on liberty at the time of the accident.

Jim Gulick has been in and out of the hospital since the last meeting. He has stage IV pancreatic cancer which has spread to his lungs. My wife and I visited him at MUSC last Thursday evening. He had a blood clot in his right arm being treated with meds. He is now home with hospice care and is no longer on chemo. Maria said that if you want to visit just call first to make sure it’s OK to come by. 502.379.9400 cell

I need some help. In 1957 while stationed on Grouper SS214 as an EN3, Jim was electrocuted, clinically died and was revived. Nothing can be found in his records about this and he’s trying to find a witness who can verify this for VA purposes. If you know someone who was on the Grouper around 1957 please have them contact me.

IT IS IMPORTANT: An additional issue they are having is getting all of their records together. Shipmates now is the time to gather everything you have and put it in one place. It’s not fair to make your wife have to dig around in a bunch of paperwork and files trying to find this or that for proof that something happened to you or you had a medical condition while in the Navy. If you don’t have all your records, now is the time to get them ordered. Just a note to the wise. I have the following forms up here if anyone should need/want them:

Charleston Base Page 2 – please complete one What My Family Should Know package – lots of important info. A guide for getting your affairs in order for your family so they don’t have to guess at your wishes. Form to request Military Records

Diane McBride, Beetle Bailey’s daughter, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She is in stage 3 and being treated with chemo and radiation.

Steve Everett’s sister-in-law passed away on May 23rd.

Mike Emerson had a heart procedure on May 30th. As he said, “They poked many holes in me, ran two tubes up my veins and found there is a heart there (Not gold, lead). I must rest for a week; lift no more than a gallon of milk, how does that convert to beer? But thank all the guys for thinking of me, hope to make the meeting.”

Diana Fritz who is the wife of our USSVI National Chaplain, Ray, suffered a heart attack a week before Memorial Day and is having serious medical issues. She is now on peritoneal dialyses which means it’s done through a tube in the vein on the left side of her neck directly into her heart. That will be done for the next 1 1⁄2 weeks then hopefully go to regular dialysis.

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. 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 has been updated with pictures from May events.

Online Sailing List is being kept updated with the info provided by Don Mook, Membership Chair.

As soon as you turn 65 ensure you apply for homestead exemption with your local county assessor. It could save you big bucks.

Veterans Affairs: Ken Curtis announced the opening of the new North Charleston Veterans Center at 3625 W. Montague Ave, at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 9. He also announced that new VA identity cards are being sent out. He also talked about Camp Corral, sponsored by Golden Corral, for the children, ages 8 -15, of wounded or disabled veterans.

FRA: Larry Cox announced that there would be Father’s Day Remember When Breakfast” on June 15th. There will also be a Fourth of July Indoor Picnic at the FRA starting at 1300. The picnic is free for FRA members. The FRA is asking Charleston Base to consider combining the FRA and Charleston Base spring picnics.

Submarine Veterans of World War II: Swamp Fox Treasurer Mike Emerson reminded the base that Swamp Fox will have a meeting on Thursday, June 19 at 1200 at Ryan’s in Summerville. Arrive by 1130 for choice seating.

Recreation Committee: Gary Williams talked about a group going to a Riverdogs game on Friday, June 20. The plan is also for Butt Roast on October 18 at the Cooper River Partners Picnic Area. We will be selling tickets for the event to get an accurate head count for the caterer. More will be put out on this closer to the event.

Kaps 4 Kids: Coordinator Walt Deal reported that he had set up a presentation at Summerville Medical Center on Monday, June 16.

Nuclear Historian: Rick Carlson related the following: I heard something yesterday that bears repeating. “Those sailors today have it easy! Back in our day we had to haul all those protons and neutrons in buckets and pour them into the hydro-super-nucleator and polish all them magic wands, spread the pixie dust and rewind the stairmaster. Damn, we had it rough!”

To understand Nucs you have to realize that they were assigned to the Engineering Department, which meant they had to associate with engineers.

Example 1:

Two engineering students were walking across the campus and one said “Where did you get that great bike?” (I don’t know why they were walking when one had a bike.) “Well” said the other engineering student “Yesterday, as I was walking on the campus, a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She stopped, threw the bike down, tore off all her clothes and yelled “Take what you want!”” The other nodded and said “Good choice, the clothes probably wouldn’t have fit you!”

Example 2:

To an optimist the glass is half full. To a pessimist the glass is half empty. To an engineer the glass is twice a large as it need to be!” More next month.

The After Battery: Steve “Buddha” Nelms reminded the membership that The After Battery is open almost every Wednesday and that directions are on the Charleston Base website.

District Commander: District Commander Paul Viering asked the base to please vote in the national election.

Chief of the Boat: Rick Sparger reported he wants to try to set up a group texting service for those members without e-mail addresses.

He gave a well done to the Recreation Committee for the picnic.

He also talked about the “Salute to Veterans” at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Pleasant. It was a great event. They have the event once a quarter and all veterans and their spouses are welcome.

Base Commander: Ed Stank encouraged the base to vote in the national election. There are paper ballots available to vote tonight. He also passed on the recommendations of the Charleston Base Board of Directors on the proposed amendments. He thanked the Scholarship Committee for the work they put in for a successful Scholarship presentation. He stated that we need a new Holland Club Chairman. He would prefer a Holland Club member for the post but that is not required.

Old Business: None.

New Business: None.

Good of the Order: Scholarship Committee Chairman Julian Villegas thanked Carl Chinn for designing the Scholarship certificate. He also auctioned off a long sleeve tee shirt for the Scholarship Fund.

Depth Charge: The depth charge was won by David Taylor. He donated $100 to the Scholarship Fund.

Meeting Adjourned: Following the benediction by Base Chaplain Nick Nichols, the Base Commander adjourned the meeting at 2010.


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