November 2002 Newsletter

01 November, 2002

Shipmates:

Welcome to the November USSVI Buffalo Base Newsletter. This is an abbreviated version due to lack of news and time. Below are some news announcements, the meeting notice as well as a warmed up version of the previously published call for volunteers to take a Base office and or assist with the USS Croaker project..

Meeting Notice:

The November meeting will be held at 1000 hrs, Saturday, 9 November in the Admiral's quarters aboard USS Little Rock at the Buffalo Naval Park. Go to the base web site chart room for driving directions.

This is a good opportunity to attend a meeting, meet other shipmates, swap stories and check out the Base Ships Store. Croaker will be open and available to board and check out. Perhaps you can identify a project you can work on to make your mark of improvement on the boat. Ship Supt Don Smith and his committee will coordinate all work so check your suggestions out with him. Please make every effort to attend this meeting and volunteer your help in some way. If you have a family member or friend who may be interested in this kind of work please invite them to attend. All help is needed and appreciated.

***Base Officers Nominations Committee:

Elections will be held for Base offices at the December meeting. Treasurer Neil Bellenger, COB John Farrell and I are acting as the Base Officers Nominating Committee. Candidates are needed for Base Secretary and Base Vice Commander. Secretary John Sherman has held that post since 1997. We have about 65 members who reside in the Rochester-Buffalo area. There must be one or two of you who can step up to volunteer to run for that post. It involves attending the meetings, tape recording the meeting dialogue and writing out the highlights for the official meeting minutes. All the rest of the duties normally assigned to the secretary such as dues collection, Base correspondence and control reports to National are performed by myself. A candidate for Vice Cdr. should be one who can to attend meetings regularly and is willing to assume the Base Commander's office in the future.

Some of us presently in office have served for several years now. The Base membership has grown to over 120. We have taken on the responsibility of restoring USS Croaker. Everything has grown except active participation. There is/has been a reliable core of about 10 members who regularly attend meetings and Base events who have been doing more than their share for 3 or 4 years. It's not that any of us wants to sit back and do nothing; we just need some help and support. As the one who has signed up over 100 new members in the past 3 years I can remember several who said upon joining that they looked forward to participating in Base activities and events, especially an opportunity to work on Croaker. Now is the time when your participation in a Base activity is needed. Your attendance at Base meetings when able would be appreciated.

If you have any questions about volunteering for a Base office or would like to find how to help, please call me at 585-533-9341 evenings or email me at jatrubee@aol.com. I'd be glad to hear from you.

***Subvets Vests:

I am able to order a limited number of six vests to be delivered within sixty to ninety days. They are the same as we have been getting. Cost is $85 to $105.00 depending what you have on it. Priority goes to Base members. First come - First served.

***2003 Base/National Dues:

Again this year I’m beginning the dues renewal campaign early so that all have renewed by the National deadline of 15 Feb. 2003. Last year there were some dinks well into May. I personally request your cooperation in easing my paperwork load by paying your dues soon. 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)

***USS Buffalo COB to be in Town:

Jerry Nicholson, MMCM(SS), Chief of the Boat, USS Buffalo, SSN 715 will be visiting the Naval park at 1000 Hrs. Tuesday, 5 November. You are invited to come down to the Naval Park and join with several other Base shipmates for an informal get together with the Buffalo COB. Lunch is planned at the Anchor Bar if his time permits. It should be a good time as well as a good opportunity to ask questions about active duty these days. Chief Nicholson is visiting the area as an official representative of R.C. Ward, Commander U.S. Navy, and Commanding Officer of USS Buffalo. Jerry joined our Base in August and is a native of Rochester.

*** Commander’s Standing Order :

Exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, 5 November! Encourage others to do so! Its one of the reasons we served!

I hope to see you on the 9th aboard Little Rock.

Fraternally,

John Trubee

Buffalo Base Cdr.

(585) 533-9341     jatrubee@aol.com

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