March 2003 Newsletter

2 March, 2003

Shipmates:

Welcome to the USSVI Buffalo Base March Newsletter.

Meeting Notice:

The March meeting will be held at 1000 hrs, Saturday, 8 March, at the Steven Sikora American Legion Post, 950 Payne Ave. North Tonawanda, NY Directions to the post are on web site USSVIBuffalo.org – click on Chartroom.

***New Members:

Capt. Edwin A. Kuhn, USN (Ret.) McLean VA. Capt. Kuhn qualified in USS Volador SS 490. He served as XO in Sea Fox SS 402 1960-61and was commanding officer of USS CROAKER SSK 246 from 1962 to 1964.
SOCS (SS) USN (Ret.) William Carpenter, Canaseraga, NY Bill qualified aboard USS Carp SS338 in 1955. Roger Utz, Hornell, NY Roger qualified in USS U.S. Grant SSBN 631 in 1971. Welcome Aboard new Members:

***From Base Commander Staley:

Greetings All Hands;

First I would like to thank all members who paid their dues on time. To those who haven’t or don’t want to re-up for another year please take time to let us know the reason for your decision We would like to keep you as a member of USSVI. I feel that there is always room for improvement but we need your input to make improvements.

I am very proud to be your USSVI Buffalo Base Commander. This is a big step for me to try to run this base, but I have a lot of help I know I can count on.

It has been a long cold and snowy winter. Summer is coming and we will have a lot of work to do. How do we get the work done? Just like loading stores for patrol, all hands pitch in and do what they can.

Our storekeeper is doing a great job; He has all items packed in little bags with prices on them and on display at each meeting. He also furnishes donuts for the meetings. What I would like to try is have the members with e-mail respond back to me at dennis_staley@hotmail.com if they plan to attend. This would help us to get a better head count for the meeting and the donuts.
The Eastern Region Director has come up with a new patch. I have asked our storekeeper to order some for our members to purchase.

I still need a member to fill the position of COB. The COB needs to be able to attend most meetings. His duties are to toll the bell for the missing subs and sell 50/50 tickets. He also takes custody of the meeting equipment (flags, bell etc) and helps set up for the meetings. My Vice-Commander is presently holding this position. I need to free the Vice-Commander up to do his assigned duties.

DENNIS STALEY
BUFFALO BASE COMMANDER

***USS Croaker Restoration Committee News:

The restoration committee is pleased to acknowledge the receipt of a check in the amount of $438.00 from Croaker reunion 2002 coordinator Ken Szablewski.. The check represents unspent funds from the Buffalo reunion. Again we recognize and appreciate the continued support of the former crew of USS Croaker.
Buffalo Base shipmate Ken Nichols has relieved Master Chief Donn Schubert as chair of the USS Croaker Restoration Committee. Ken will announce subcommittee heads and responsibilities in the near future.
Spring is coming and it's time to start planning work on Croaker. Volunteers are needed! Please contact Ken at (585) 786-3821 or cdrkln@yahoo.com if you are able to lend a hand to one of the committees. Sincere thanks and "Attaboys" go to Chief Donn and his assistants for getting the Croaker restoration project underway.

***2003 Base/National Dues Last Call :

Yep, Last call! Beginning 1 November I began soliciting membership dues renewal for 2003. The last notice to all delinquent members went out on 2/24 by email and USPS. 26 members are in arrears as of 1 March. There is little time left as I will be sending in a Control report before 20 March so that the American Submariner magazine mailing list can be finalized.

Make your check to USSVI Buffalo Base. Mail to John Trubee, PO Box 166 Scottsville, NY 14546. Regular member dues are still $20.00/yr. ($10.00 Base - $10.00 National) Life members owe just $10.00 Base dues) Can’t remember if you’ve paid? Email me at jatrubee@aol.com& I’ll let you know.

***Convention 2003, Reno:

USSVI convention coordinator Don Brown (Corvina Base) has passed the word to all Base POCs that the reunion hotel, Reno Hilton is 65% booked as of 15 January. If you are considering going to the convention and want to stay at the convention hotel you should fill out the registration page of your AS magazine and send it now. If you haven’t been to a USSVI convention yet, this is the one to attend. Reno has it all and really goes all out for the SubVets. Reno 99 was absolutely top notch and Reno 03 will be even better as It will include USSV WWII. The one comment heard from all first time convention goers is “ I don’t believe how many guys I met that I knew in the navy” For more information contact me.

***Buffalo Base website:

Our Buffalo Base web site address is www.USSVIBuffalo.org Base news and Information is posted there

News Flash !!

Base storekeeper Fritz Marazita’s excellent Buffalo Base Ships Store and USS Croaker storekeeper John Williams’ excellent Croaker Ships Store are now a part of the Base website at USSVIBuffalo.org

Just go to the website and click on “Ship’s Stores” and it’s all there for your browsing. Ball caps, Patches, Golf Shirts, Dolphin neck ties, Coffee Cups, T-Shirts, Bumper Stickers, Garrison Caps etc. Also, custom ball caps with your boat’s name can be ordered. I know that there are many of you (at least 80) who have never been to a meeting and are not aware of all the great selection of Base and Croaker items we have for sale. Here’s a chance to buy some quality Sub stuff to wear and help support Base and Croaker operations. It’s as easy as going to the site and placing an order. www.USSVIBuffalo.org

***Groton Base SubScol & Anniversary (taken from Groton Base newsletter):

In May 1964, United States Submarine Veterans Inc., was Incorporated in the state of CT, with Groton Base being the first Base. To celebrate this event, SUBVETS Groton Base will host an Anniversary Weekend May 9-10 2002. The keystones to this weekend Celebration will be the May 9th Return to Submarine School and May 10th Banquet and Dinner Dance.
The Return to Submarine School Tour will include attending a Basic Submarine School Graduation Ceremony, lunch at the Base Chow Hall and a catered reception at the Groton Base Clubhouse around 4 PM for Chili and other goodies. This event will be limited to 125 participants. So early registration is highly recommended. Members may include their wives for this event. .If your wife/guest does not want to tour Sub School, they can still join you at the reception for just $10.

The availability of buses from SUBASE will determine how you will be transported on the base and what you are able to see. If base buses are unavailable, SVGB will have to rent commercial buses for transportation at an additional cost to you. We currently plan to have a walk through Wilkinson Hall and tour the Dive, Flood and Escape Trainers. It may also include Diesel, Radio and Electronic Class Rooms. Venues will be added or deleted based on security conditions on May 3rd.

The Anniversary Dinner Dance will begin at 6:00 PM in New London at the Ocean Beach Port & Starboard Banquet Room with a social hour and cash bar. Dinner will follow with your choice of Baked Stuffed Fish w/ Seafood Stuffing, Stuffed Chicken Breast, or Sliced Slow Roasted Top Round of Beef. The guest speaker has not yet been determined. Dancing and entertainment will be to the tunes of Atlantic Coast Entertainment Professional Disc Jockeys.
If there is sufficient interest we will schedule a Bus Tour with a provision that at least 40 people must sign up. The bus trip would be to Prividence RI ot visit the Russian Julliet Submarine berthed there. This Submarine was used in the movie K-19 the Widow Killer. The Bus would make a stop for lunch and please fill out the form below and send with checks made payable to "SUBVETS Groton Base" to John Wynn, 2 Tupelo Lane, Niantic, CT 06357 Attention "SUBVETS Anniversary Registration" no later than April 1, 2003. Please write clearly.

Go to webSite http://www.crashpilot.com/subvets/JanFeb_2003_Boat_Notes.htm for information and a registration blank.

Note: Last year about 10 from our Base attended and had a great time. Again this year we will be stopping Sunday on the return trip at Ben Bastura’s Submarine Museum in Middletown. This visit alone is worth the drive to CT. I’m going to reserve a block of discount rooms for Buffalo Base shipmates. If you want one of those reserved contact me. If you want to attend this year and would like to share transportation contact me for a list of those attending. John T.

I hope to see all you Buffalo area shipmates at the meeting on the 8th. Storekeeper Fritz always has hot coffee and fresh donuts as well as an inventory of shirts, caps, patches, pictures, pins and other goodies. Support your Base, Come and join us.

Keep our servicemen & women in your thoughts and prayers. Many are in harms way!
God bless America!

Fraternally,

John Trubee
Buffalo Base Yeoman

(585) 533-9341     jatrubee@aol.com

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