Charleston Base Members Attend and Participate In The Moonshine Mountain World War II Memorial Service 2014
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Several Charleston base members (and significant others) attended the World War II memorial service at Moonshine Mountain near Hendersonville, North Carolina. The service, sponsored by USSVI Asheville Base, is held in the last place in America you'd expect to find a submarine memorial. Nestled (that's a nice way of saying - 'way out of the way and hard to find') in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina, Moonshine Mountain is a memorial dedicated to the lost boats of World War II.
This was the first year the Asheville Base managed the memorial - and a fine service it was. A local Sea Cadet group, supervised by BMC (SS) Charles 'Chip' Wisard (yes, a Boatswain's Mate bubblehead), provided the color guard - and echo bugles beautifully conducted taps.
One World War II submarine veteran was in attendance. Photographs from the service are available at this link (on the USSVICB website):
Moonshine Mountain
For those of you who prefer to view the photos on Facebook, they are available at the Asheville Base's facebook page at this link:
Moonshine Mountain Facebook Photos
Sessler Receives Distinguished Submariner Of The Year
With modesty and grace, Marty Sessler FTCM (SS) US Navy (Ret.), accepted this year's Distinguished Submariner Of The Year award. The former USSVICB Vice Commander was visibly moved by his selection and thanked the members for their steadfast support.
Sessler's wife and daughter were present for the ceremony. Ceremony photographs are available at this USSVICB website link:
Sessler Distinguished Submariner of the Year
Mook Now Vice Commander - Secretary Still Wise (pun intended)
From left to right: District Commander Paul Viering ETCS (SS) US Navy (Ret.), Base Commander Ed Stank MMCM (SS) US Navy (Ret.), Base Vice Commander Don Mook EMCM (SS) US Navy (Ret.) and Base Secretary Rick Wise MMCS (SS) US Navy (Ret.)
So it wasn't a barnburner election like when the Base Commander and Treasurer were elected last year. Oh, wait a minute. They ran unopposed too!
All kidding aside - congratulations and good luck to Don Mook EMCM (SS) US Navy (Ret.) and to Rick Wise MMCS (SS) US Navy (Ret.) for their acclamation to Vice Commander and Secretary.