United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.
25003 SE 146^th Street Issaquah, WA 98027

Minutes of the June 16, 2004 Meeting

Held at the Redmond VFW Hall, 4330 148^th Avenue, Redmond, WA 98052-5152

Commander Bob Opple called the meeting to order at 1900.

There were 37 members, 2 guests and 2 visitors present.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Erwin Schmidt and Cliff Nutter gave the opening prayer.

Tolling of the Boats: Ric Hedman and Ted Taylor led the ceremony.

Members and visitors introduced themselves, giving the boats they qualified on and their resident cities and each told a story of a Christmas submarine story.

Binnacle List report: Debbie Householder is recovering well from her recent surgery.

Secretary minutes were approved; Jim Harper gave the Treasurer’s Report and reported a net balance of $3,665.77 in the Base account; Jim explained that the prospective 2005 life member dues structure will double or more than double the current amount. Storekeeper Bill Giese was present to make store sales.

Membership Report: No changes.

Memorial Day event at Tahoma National Cemetery: Robbie Robertson gave a report on this major ceremony at which Bob Opple was the keynote speaker and several Seattle Base members attended and/or marched with flags.

Navy League: Del Robertson and Jeff Fermanks (sp?) from the Everett branch of the Navy League attended; the possibility of coordinating with them on a visit to the Everett Navy Base was discussed.

Break at 1955 and Meeting Resumed at 2005

New Business and Good of the Order

Tolling of the Boats: Don Masoero reviewed plans for the July 31 Tolling of the Boats ceremony at Pier 48. The TOB ceremony will replace the July Seattle Base meeting.

4^th of July Parade: Ted Taylor described the prospective July 4^th parade at Sedro Wooley and lunch following at the Cranberry Tree.

Submarine Veterans of World War II: They will hold their East Side picnic at Squaw Rock State Park and their West Side picnic at Granite Falls on August 11.

Tacoma Rainiers: South Sound Base will hold their second annual tailgate party and Tacoma Rainiers baseball game night at Cheney Stadium on Saturday, July 10^th. Those interested need to contact Jan Stiffey.

Skimmer Tour: Bob Opple is pursuing arrangements for a possible tour of USS Momsen, DDG-92, at the Everett Navy Base on October 14. This is one of the Navy’s newest destroyers.

Program

Bob Opple showed pictures and told tales from his trip towing the USS Razorback (SS- from Turkey to Gibraltar en route to Arkansas. It was quite an adventure.

Cliff Nutter led the closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 2115. A 50-50 raffle and socializing followed.