December 2002 Newsletter

25 November, 2002

Shipmates:

Welcome to the December USSVI Buffalo Base Newsletter.

Meeting Notice:

The December meeting will be held at 1000 hrs, Saturday, 7 December, at the Ely-Fagan American Legion Post, 260 Middle Road in Henrietta. (260 Middle Road is at exit 46 on the thruway and exit 12 on rte 390.) The annual Base elections and change of command will take place at this meeting.

***Annual USSVI Dinner for Sailors Program: -URGENT- :

Shipmates, I would like to ask that you consider a donation to the 2002 USSVI Dinners for Sailors program this year as part of your holiday giving. This is the third year of the program. It has expanded each year to include more ships and stations. Please read the following letter from National Commander John Peters.

(Forwarded message from John Peters, National Commander)

It ALL DEPENDS ON YOU and your Base fundraising if we are to meet our goals for this worthy cause. The first year of DFS, $1,100 WENT to East Coast Sub Bases, 2nd year $4000 to West Coast Sub Bases, this year it would be good to split the money 50/50 PAC and LANT. The number of boats is equal, the need is the same. Worse in high cost of living areas, and worse when more SSN are deployed for the current war.
If we can raise $6,000 I'd like to see $3,000 to PAC and LANT; raise $8,000 provide $4,000 each like we did last year...which really helped. More and we'll start saving for 2003.
The Active Duty guys ARE helping too. Boats have sent donations to the Force Master Chief...it's a team effort to take care of a big problem.
I plan to let the two FMC, Rick West (SUBPAC) and Don Kultti (SUBLANT) decide where the money goes in the Force. They are in touch with the COB/CMC/Chaplain in every area. I think we must reach La, Mad, Yoko, Guam...those are high cost of living duty stations and the families suffer as a result.
When the SSN optempo is this high, the families at home suffer and the deployed sailor can't send all his money home to help. A young married guy is having as many problems as ever and the cost of living is rising faster than Navy pay. But, you know the need is there and we plan to help meet it in time for Christmas Dinner. Same Commissary gift certificates for Christmas Dinner items as before.
Base Commanders, give a fund raising status for your Base to me and USSVCF Treasure John Andersen ( jqa1@earthlink.net ) when you know the result of your Base efforts. We'll see what we've raised at the end.

John D. Peters
petersj007@hawaii.rr.com
NC

Buffalo Base members: If you would like to help, please send your donations in the form of a check made to USSVI DFS Program. Mark the check Buffalo Base (for Base credit) and mail to:
USSVI: DFS
PO Box 3870
Silverdale, WA 98383-3870
Or, Make check to USSVI Buffalo Base and mail to Neil Bellenger, One Morningside Park. Pittsford NY 14534-9707. Please do it now as National needs an available amount total available by early December.

***Base Officers Nominations Committee:

Elections will be held at this meeting for Base officers. Vice Cdr. Dennis Staley is running for Base Cdr. Treasurer Neil Bellenger has agreed to continue to serve in that post., COB John Farrell has agreed to run for the Vice Cdr. Post. Lyle Doody has agreed to run for Base secretary. If you would like to volunteer to take the COB duties, please contact Dennis Staley at Dennis_Staley@Hotmail.com (there is an underscore in the space between Dennis_ and Staley) 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.


***USS Croaker 2002 Lottery Calendar:

The 2002 Croaker lottery calendar sales campaign is over. Approximately 880 of the 1000 calendars were sold. A few more 02 calendars were sold than in 2001. Had the remaining 120 been sold the Croaker fund would be $1,400.00 richer. A discouraging fact is that fewer Base shipmates participated this year in both selling as well buying even one for themself. More participation from D2 sister Bases and the national membership purchases via the internet this year helped make up for lower Base sales. I want to very sincerely thank all those who did help this year’s effort. Both Base members and outsiders. A special “atta boy” goes to Chief Donn Schubert and assistant Lyle Doody. They spend a tremendous amount of time on this project. ( if it takes 2 minutes to log a calendar stub how many hours are spent logging 880 of them?) Ans: 23 - - - - - Add to that the time to write, log and mail 180 checks.
The lottery calendar is our largest fund-raiser. If we expect to get grants from outside sources we are going to have to show that we have the interest and ability to raise money on our own. In terms of profit vs effort it’s our best source of revenue. We need to spread out the effort on the sales side next year. We can’t expect 35 people to sell 1000 calendars again! Also we won’t have the USSV WWII convention to absorb 80 calendars.

***2003 Base/National Dues:

Dues are due! 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) As of 14 Nov. 41% have paid their dues.

***COB USS Buffalo Visit:

Jerry Nicholson, MMCM(SS), Chief of the Boat, USS Buffalo, SSN 715 visited the Naval park on Tuesday, 5 November. About nine Base members were on hand for great bull session with him. We had lots of questions about the Buffalo and her refueling & overhaul (the first at Pearl Navy Yard). We heard some good “modern Navy” sea stories. We then adjourned for a look at the USS Boston sail and took a walk through tour aboard Croaker. Jerry is going to try to assist in the “procurement” of deck material for Croaker’s after battery compartment. Usta be we called it “comshaw”. We enjoyed more stories over a late lunch (wings & Beer) at the Anchor bar. COB Jerry joined our Base in August and is a native of Rochester. He plans to return to the Rochester area after retirement. We look forward to having him aboard as an active member. He’s a real BTDT sailor.

My best wishes to you and your families for an enjoyable holiday! I hope to see you on the 7th in Henrietta.

Fraternally,

John Trubee

Buffalo Base Cdr.

(585) 533-9341     jatrubee@aol.com

PS.. Am out of town till 12-2

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