United
States Submarine Veterans, Inc.
Pocono
Base – Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, 16 August 2006
Meeting called to
order at
1906 by Base Vice Commander Frank McDevitt at the American Legion,
Wilson-Fisher Post in Pocono Pines, PA.
The Purpose of the Organization was
read. The Base Bell was tolled once for each of the following US
Submarine
Force Losses during the Month of August:
17 August 1942
USS Bass I
SS 146
25
Men
29 August 1943
USS Pompano
SS 181
77
Men
13 August 1944
USS Flier
SS 250
78
Men
24 August 1944
USS Harder
SS 257
78
Men
06 August 1945
USS Bullhead
SS 332
84
Men
26 August 1949
USS Cochino
SS 345
1 Civilian
26 August 1949
USS Tusk
SS 426
6 Men Assisting Cochino
A moment of
silence followed.
The Chief
of the Boat led the members in
reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Members present
were: Frank McDevitt, Mike Smith, Bill Hannon, Steve Vergalito, James
Dickson,
Jeff Owens, Tom Shields, Bob Smith,
George Eckert and Ken Smith. The members
present introduced themselves and their respective boats.
Guests: None.
The secretary
confirmed that a
quorum was present.
The Minutes: The Vice
Commander tendered a motion to omit the reading of last months’ minutes.
1st motion made by
Jeff Owens, 2nd motion made by Tom Shields. Motion carried.
The Vice
Commander tendered a
motion to accept the minutes as given out at the meeting.
1st motion made by
Jeff Owens, 2nd motion made by Tom
Shields. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: No report
given.
Committee Reports:
Membership: No
report given.
Ways
and Means:
Parades:
No
information.
Speakers
Bureau:
Correspondence: No correspondence.
Welfare:
Fair: The Coolbaugh
Celebration will be held on
Saturday, 9 Sept. 2006 from 1200 to 2030 hrs. The location will be the Coolbaugh Township
Municipal Center.
We still have not
decided if we are going to attend. We also had a hard time trying to
get the
correct date for the fair.
We will go if we can get a better spot for our
stand. We did well last year even though we were set up in the back.
Old Business:
Bill
Hannon contacted Joe O’Hara as part of the ‘name in the hat’ program.
Joe
stated that he was honored to be approached as the next chaplain,
and would
think about it. He stated that he does have a conflict with the day of
the week
that we hold our meeting. He does not want us to change the day on his
account.
Tom
brought the design of the float. Tom wants to use a piece of 4 x 8
plywood to
serve as the backbone of the structure and build upon it with
Styrofoam.
Tom is
looking for someone to check out prices on the foam. He wants to use
the
thickest foam we can get and sandwich them in layers, then cut the body
to
shape.
Then he wants to cover the foam with fiberglass for strength. Frank
stated that he would find a place to build the float. The biggest thing
is to
get an overall cost and the volunteers to help build it.
The
bugle was brought up. The one we are looking at is an electronic bugle.
Bob
Smith stated that he would donate a real bugle. Rich Holmes has the
info on the
electronic bugle.
The
SubVet picnic is to be held on Sunday, 27 August 2006 at the Mountain View Park,
pavilion #4. Tom was concerned about the number of people showing up.
We
divided up the calling list again to get a good idea of how many would
show up.
We set a cutoff date of 23 August to give Tom Shields time to get the
food
prepared.
There were six members at the meeting that said they would show up.
If we did not get enough people, we would cancel the picnic. An
arbitrary number
of 25 people were set.
Tom Shields, Rich Holmes and the secretary will split up
the calls like we did for Rev. Vaughan’s’ farewell party. Rich Holmes
wanted
people to bring a covered dish. This time when we called,
we asked if they
would bring a side dish, a salad or desert, and try to balance it
between them.
Tom Shields stated that he was bringing hamburgers, hot dogs and
chicken only.
Rich was going to bring sodas.
Please submit your ballots to Rich Holmes by
27 Aug.
Good of the Order:
A
farewell get together was held for Rev. Bob Vaughan
and his wife at the Pocono Summit Volunteer Fire Company on 30 July
2006.
To
say that he was surprised was an understatement. The party was held
with the
Fire Company, Sub Vets and other guests in attendance. Tom Shields and
Candlelite Caterers
provided the food. Rich Holmes provided
Rev.
Vaughan with a framed
picture of the USS Quillback (SS 424), this was Rev. Vaughan’s’ qual
boat. The
guests present signed
the back of the picture. There was a good turnout from the Sub
vets membership. Thank you to Mrs. Vaughan for helping to set this up
without
letting her husband know about it.
Bill
Hannon stated that he would bring a book about the 52 losses during
WWII as a
backup since we did not have a reading from the US Submarine Force
Losses in
case
that John Saeli is unable to attend a meeting.
Bill
Hannon received the ballot from Grover Kiick. He will mail it on to
Rich
Holmes.
Next meeting will be held
at 1900 on Wednesday 20 Sept. 2006 at the American Legion Wilson-Fisher
Post in
Pocono Pines.
Frank McDevitt
entertained a
motion to adjourn.
1st
motion made by Tom Shields, 2nd motion made by Ken
Smith. Motion
carried.
Frank McDevitt
led the recitation
of the Creed of USSVI.
“To
perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the
pursuit of
their duties while serving their country.
That their dedication, deeds and
supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater
accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States
Government.”
Frank McDevitt
declared the
meeting of the Pocono Base adjourned.
The meeting was
adjourned at 1944
hrs.
Food and drinks
from the legion
followed.
A 50/50 raffle
was held. We obtained the tickets from the legion since
the treasurer was not here. Ken Smith won the raffle.
Respectfully
submitted
Michael D. Smith
USSVI – Pocono
Base Secretary