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The attendance for the June 13, 2013 meeting was 102.

Opening Ceremonies: The meeting was called to order by Base Commander Ed Stank. Chief of the Boat Rick Sparger reported that a quorum was present and the meeting started at 1800. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Invocation and Tolling of the Boats Lost In June were given by Base Chaplain Nick Nichols. The USSVI Creed was read by Base Vice-Commander Jerry Stout. Ed Stank welcomed the members and guests to the meeting.

Admiral James B. Osborne Scholarship Presentations: Scholarship Committee Chairman Julian Villegas, with the assistance of committee members Ricky Collins and Carl Chinn, presented the following awards from Charleston Base:

$700 to Haley Dawn Hinman, daughter of base member Jeff Hinman, graduate of Cathedral Academy and accepted by USC and CSU

$700 to Chase McCloud Fowler, grandson of base member Richard Alfano, graduate of Stratford High School and accepted by The Citadel, CSU and USC

$1000 to Aaron Schmitt, son of base member CDR Mark Scmitt, graduate of Ashley High School and accepted by Clemson.

A $700 award went to James Kenneth Kidd, grandson of base member Ronald Snyder, a graduate of Seneca High School and accepted by Clemson and Wofford. Ron and his wife, Anne, accepted the check as James was not in attendance.

Introductions: The following were new attendees to Charleston Base meetings: Steven Armell MT1(SS), Qual Boat USS Tecumseh SSBN 628, Ron Chambers RMC(SS), Qual Boat USS George Bancroft SSBN 643, C. E. 'Gene' Stansell RMC(SS), Qual Boat USS George Bancroft SSBN 643, and Lynn Trump EM2(SS), Qual Boat USS Sea Cat SS 399, brother of base member Terry Trump and a member of Columbus Base.

Secretary: Base Secretary Rick Wise explained that we had two choices on the previous meeting minutes either to read them or vote on approving the minutes as published and called for a motion from the floor for the minutes for the May Meeting as published in the newsletter to be approved. A motion was made and seconded and approved on a voice vote.

Treasurer: Base Treasurer Steve Moraweic thanked the base for their trust in electing him treasurer and read a report for the month of May 2013. He stated that the base books were always open for any member who had questions. The base can now take credit cards for any base purchases.

Vice Commander: Base Vice-Commander Jerry Stout stated he is still taking input from any base member who is willing to provide transportation to other base members who need it. He is also getting a database together of base members with skills, e.g. electrical, plumbing and computer, who are willing to help other base members. Jerry will act as the point of contact if you need assistance.

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

SK2(SS) Lawrence 'Lary' Robert Fox, departed on Eternal Patrol on Friday, May 10, 2013, in Georgetown, SC. Larry was a member of USSVI National and USSVI Charleston Base. He enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and left in 1973. He served a short time on USS JACK SSN 605 and then qualified on USS ODAX SS 484 in 1969.

QM1(SS) Patrick 'Pat' Andrew Carswell, departed on Eternal Patrol on Saturday, May 11, 2013, in Mt. Pleasant SC. Pat was a member of World War II Submarine Veterans Swamp Fox Chapter, USSVI National and USSVI Charleston Base, the Holland Club and the VFW. He enlisted in the Navy in 1940 and left in 1952 having served on three submarines and a submarine tender. He qualified on USS SILVERSIDES SS 236 in 1943 with tours STURGEON SS 187 and DEVILFISH SS 292. He also served onboard ORION AS 18.

Thom Beach had a double heart catheterization last Friday. It went very well. He is still waiting on word from the Vanderbilt Transplant Center on a date for a liver transplant.

Ben McDonald has been diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell lung & spine cancer. He had his first chemo last Thursday and was scheduled to have one today. If you get a chance give him a call.

Richard Barnette is having a difficult time. He is on O2 24/7 and is in a wheelchair but he still made it to the meeting tonight.

Ev Fuhr, Ken's wife, is doing very well after her kidney transplant in early April. Migraines are back but her kidney is functioning well.

Bill Roberts: Bill had his hip replacement on Monday. He is doing very well, off his morphine at this point and has been up walking several times already. He will be transferred to the Elms Lifecare Rehab facility tomorrow for a week. As soon as I get the room number I'll put out an email.

Barbara Heinle, Don's wife, is still in treatment for her recurrence of cancer and they both appreciate your prayers.

Doc Hill is still weak from his hospital stay last month. Beetle Bailey has info about some needs Doc and Madeline have. He has agreed to look in on Doc to see what help is required and then coordinate assistance for them.

Clyde Peters is still in Mt. Pleasant Manor Nursing Home, 921 Bowman Rd, Rm 323. Visitors would be appreciated.

The following shipmates departed on Eternal Patrol this past month. None were members of Charleston Base. Online memorial entries were made if possible. (For the information of All Hands: Each time I am contacted about a submariner who has departed on Eternal Patrol I usually receive at least one, usually more, phone calls/emails asking what the base is going to do and when are we going to do it. Our SOP is that we only conduct our Bell Tolling and presentations to the family for those who are Charleston Base members. Base members will receive an email concerning anyone who departs on EP and is not a member of USSVI and/or Charleston Base. This allows anyone who knew the departed to attend services.)

Donald Wayne Coy departed on Eternal Patrol on May 28th in Charleston. He was not a member of USSVI. Gene Weir contacted me to let me know that Donnie had served in submarines.An entry was made in the online memorial page on behalf of Charleston Base and Swamp Fox Chapter.

Jeffrey Peternel departed on Eternal Patrol on May 31st in Moncks Corner. He was not a member of USSVI. Jeff retired as a RMCS and was a COB on one of the boats. An entry was made in the online memorial page on behalf of Charleston Base and Swamp Fox Chapter.

Gene Edward Keen departed on Eternal Patrol on June 6th in Moncks Corner. He had been a member of Charleston Base when it first started but was not a current member. An entry was made in the online memorial page on behalf of Charleston Base and Swamp Fox Chapter.

You may have noticed an unusual number of EP notices for shipmates who served but are not members of USSVI or Charleston Base. I am now connected with the Legacy.com ObitMessenger. I receive a daily email of everyone in the country whose obituary indicates service in the Navy or submarines. I plan on compiling these and then weekly sending an email for the base. You may know of these shipmates or they may have been members of your boat association and you'll be able to get their names on the associations EP listing. I will always send an online condolence to the family of those who served in the boats.

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.

NOTE: Please get your mug shot taken if you have already done so. Also, please complete your Page 2 if you haven’t done so. Copies are on the SK’s table.

Webmaster Updates: New page - FLASH TRAFFIC

This page will be used to keep you updated on new info coming out. Click on the words FLASH TRAFFIC and you'll be directed to a new page with the current info. Info now on the page:

South Carolina CPO License Plate Information
Furlough Impact on Commissaries
No More Vehicle Decals
SSN Removal from IS Cards Continues
Illness Related to the DBNP Additive to 2190TEP Oil
WW II Submarine War Patrol Reports Online
New Facebook Scam Drains Your Bank Account
USS R-12 Found Off of Key West

Veterans Affairs: Acting VA Officer Nick Nichols had no report.

Newsletter Editor: Newsletter Editor Steve Morawiec had no report.

Storekeeper: Base Storekeeper Ken Hutchison reported he had new patches for the WWII Swamp Fox Chapter. They are $6 each.

Rather than stocking base shirts, Ken has made arrangements to have any shirt brought to the storekeeper embroidered with the name, a set of dolphins on the breast and Charleston Base on the shoulder for $14. Bring the shirt to a meeting and it will be ready at the next meeting.

Submarine Veterans of WWII: Swamp Fox President George Scharf reminded members of the next meeting 1130, Thursday, June 20 at Ryan's in Summerville.

Special Events Coordinator: Marty Sessler reported that he was resigning as Special Events Coordinator but would still handle the float as an assistant to the Base Commander. He thanked everyone who came to the Memorial Day Service at Summerville Cemetery. It was the largest group we ever had.

The status on the float is that the design is still being completed. We are working to get the steel from Nucor Steel at cost and the work done at Trident Tech. Marty hopes to have a ballpark figure next month so the base can vote on what they want to do.

Membership: Membership Chairman Don Mook is now accepting membership dues for 2014. National annual dues are $20 and Charleston Base annual dues are $15.

Public Affairs: Mike Knaub is relieving Ed Stank as Public Affairs Officer.

Scholarship: Scholarship Chairman Julian Villegas thanked committee members Carl Chinn and Ricky Collins for all their help.

Little David Project: Little David Project Coordinator Rick Wise had no report.

Nuclear Historian: Nuclear Historian Rick Carlson related this story:

There were three naval officers, a surface warfare officer, an airdale and a nuclear-trained electrical engineer in Afghanistan.

They were at a club; all got drunk and passed out. When they woke up the next morning they found themselves in jail. They asked the guard what they were in for. The only thing he knew was they were to be executed for their crimes.

The day of execution came and the surface warfare officer was strapped in an electric chair. The guard asked if he had any last words.

The skimmer says "I'm from the Texas A&M NROTC Program and I believe in the almighty power of God to prevail to protect the innocent!" The guard flips the switch and nothing happens so they let the skimmer go.

The airdale gets strapped in and the guard asks if he has any last words. "I'm a naval officer who is a graduate of Naval Officer Candidate School from Texas Tech and I also believe in the power of God to protect the innocent!" The guard flips the switch and, again, nothing happens. They let the airdale go.

Finally, the nuclear trained electrical engineer is brought into the room. Looking around he says, "I can tell you this, you'll never electrocute anyone if you don't connect those two wires."

District Commander: District Commander Paul Viering reported that the SC-GA Get Together at the Denizens of the Deep Base in Aiken, SC has been cancelled.

He reminded the base that the 2013 National convention will be in Rochester, MN 25 Aug - 3 Sep.

The WWII Memorial Service at King's Bay, GA is 30 Oct - 2 Nov.

On June 3 the President signed the stolen valor act of 2013 which cleared up some legal problems with the previous act.

There was a question asked about the problems at Groton Base due to operation of their clubhouse. National has formed a discipline committee that is investigating the situation. There are numerous rumors going around and Ed Stank promised to pass factual information on to the base as it is received.

After Battery: Steve "Buddha" Nelms reported that they had added to the donation to the Wounded Warriors Association was now up to $1180. He made a $200 donation from The After Battery to the base operating fund.

Recreation Committee: Chris Hayden has volunteered to be the Recreation Committee Chairman.

Chief of the Boat: Chief of the Boat Rick Sparger pointed out that we had two funds to donate to, the Scholarship Fund and the Base Operating Fund.

He asked the base members who wanted to help to donate $1 each to a jar for a base life membership for Clyde Peters. Clyde is a national life member who is a nursing facility. He will probably never leave the facility but rather than having his wife, Sue, remember the yearly dues the donations could pay for a base life membership. The $100 for the membership was collected.

Base Commander: Base Commander Ed Stank thanked the base for the honor of electing him Commander.

New By-Law changes will be posted on the website for members to read before the next meeting. We will vote on the changes then.

There is a Veteran Information Expo Saturday, June 15 at Low Country Harley-Davidson 11 am - 3 pm.

Old Business: Rick Wise reminded the members that this meeting was the last time to vote for District Commander and those ballots were on each table..

New Business: None.

Good of the Order: George Scharf pointed out that WWII SubVet Abel Jenkins was here tonight and is celebrating 60 years of marriage.

Nick Nichols invited the base to attend the patriotic celebration at Old Fort Baptist Church in Summerville on June 30 at 1000. If you attend, please wear your vest.

Gary Williams reported that www.standup4vets.org is asking veterans to contact their congressmen and senators about the reductions in veteran's centers in the budget under consideration.

Ed Stank reminded members that have trouble getting around that they could use the side door to the parking lot.

Ed asked that if any base members had suggestions about changing things for the base to contact any of the base officers with the suggestion. But, please, have an explanation of how you think it should be done.

District Commander Paul Viering administered the oath of office to all the elected base officers.

Depth Charge: The depth charge was won by Al Lammers, who donated $117 to the base operating fund.

Meeting Adjourned: Following the benediction by the Base Chaplain, the Vice Commander adjourned the meeting at 2014.

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