Pocono Base – USSVI –
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, 15 Mar 2006
Meeting called to order at 1915 at the Wilson Fisher Post, Pocono
Pines, PA. by Base Commander Jeff Owens. The Purpose of the
Organization was read. The Base Bell was tolled once for each of the 8
boats and the 436 crewmembers lost during the month of February, and a
moment of silence followed. Members present recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Roll Call: Members present were: Jeff Owens, John Saeli, Mike Smith,
Bob Vaughn, Rich Holmes, Gerald Zeman, Bill Hannon, Frank McDevitt, Bob
Smith, Bill Klose, Tom Shields, George Eckert and Bill Egner.
Guests: None
It was confirmed that a quorum was present.
The Minutes: the secretary read the minutes for the February meeting.
Motion to Accept made By: Tom Shields.
2nd by: John Saeli.
All in favor to accept.
Treasurer’s Report: Bill Klose’s reported an ending balance $3337.08 on
2/28/2006 after several outstanding checks for about $157 in
obligations.
Committee Reports:
Membership: John Saeli reported that we have 47 members in our base.
There was one more application by Howard Weinstein, but he has not sent
in his check nor has he returned any e-mails. There are also 2 new
applicants sent in by Joe O’Hara and packets need to be sent to them.
At the end of the month we will be down to 42 members not counting the
applications.
Current members on the DINQ list are; Ed Barr, John
Cortese Jr., Joe Manno, Brett Moyer, and Doug Stevens.
Flag Boxes: Jeff asked if anyone has checked on the box in Blakeslee.
Frank stated that he would take over checking on that one.
Old Business:
Sub Vets License plates: The applications have finally been sent to
PennDot at this time.
Jeff Owens has drafted a letter in conjunction with the other base
commanders in PA, basically requesting why an additional $20 is needed
and to whom the money will go. The Requin base and members of the
Tri-State base are opposed to the asking of more money by Mr. White.
What we are opposed to is that the extra money is to only go into the
base treasury for Philadelphia.
The initial $20 is to get the specialty plate. This is a once and done
fee. The registration fee is a separate charge, with no other money
added to it.
The largest problem that we have with Mr. White is that he has never
returned any information regarding the Plate Program.
A motion was made to send this letter to make an official inquiry into
the use of the additional $20 for the plates.
1st by Bob Smith 2nd by John Saeli
All in favor to accept.
The letter will be copied to the National Commander, Regional
Commander, District Commander and the other three Base Commanders in
Pennsylvania.
New Business:
John has a replacement for the Base newsletter editor. Rich Holmes said
he would take over the position.
Gerald Zeman brought correspondence from the Tullibee Base in Ocean
Springs, MS.
The base is looking for donations to help repair the granite bench at
the memorial since it was damaged during the hurricane.
A motion was made to pass the hat and match the money from the memorial
fund by Bob Vaughn. 2nd by Tom Shields.
All in favor to accept.
Good of the Order:
Elections:
Nominations are:
Base Commander: Rich Holmes
Vice Commander: Frank McDevitt
Secretary: Mike Smith
Treasurer: Bill Klose
Election Results:
Base Commander: Rich Holmes 12 votes
Vice-Commander: Frank McDevitt 12 votes
Secretary: Mike Smith 4 votes
John Saeli 1 vote
Treasurer: Bill Klose 12 votes.
Twelve voting members were present.
The new officers were sworn in By Jeff Owens (outgoing Base Commander).
The hat was passed while the votes were being counted. A total of $55
to be matched for a total of $110 to be sent to the Tullibee Base.
Rich Holmes presented a Citation for Outstanding Achievement Award to
Jeff Owens for his actions as Base Commander for the last 2 years.
It is with sad regret that we must say goodbye to our fellow shipmate
Harold Franklin. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief called him to Eternal
Patrol on March 8, 2006.
Bob Vaughn thanked us for attending and participating in a ceremony at
the viewing for Harold. It showed our support to his daughter Judy and
the rest of the Franklin family.
We received a letter from Judy thanking those members who went to see
Harold in February.
Bob Vaughn and his wife will be moving to Minisink, New York later this
year to be closer to his family. Bob said he will still be a member of
the base, but the distance will be to far to travel to the meetings.
Tentative moving date is in August.
A question was asked if we could look into putting up a sign about the
Sub Vets in the same manner as the Rotary Clubs and other signs you see
along the road when entering a town.
The only correspondence regarding any parades came from the Veterans
Organization of Monroe County. We will decline the Stroudsburg Parade
on Memorial Day since we already participate in the Pocono Pines Parade.
There has been no other correspondence regarding the Armed Forces Day
parade as of yet.
Frank McDevitt stated that he would take over being liaison to the
Wilson Fisher Post after Bob Vaughn moves.
Next meeting will be held at 1900 on 19 April 2006 at the Marine Corps
League Museum in Scranton, PA.
The meeting was adjourned at 2030 hrs.
Food and drinks followed.
Respectfully submitted
Michael D. Smith, Secretary
P.S. It is with deep regret that I am resigning as secretary. I will be
going to Germany to work for ITT Systems before our next meeting in
April. It appears that I will not be back perhaps until 2008.