United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.
Pocono Base – Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, 20 September
2006
25 Sep 1925 USS S-51 SS 162 33 Men
09 Sep 1943 USS Grayling SS 209 76 Men
28 Sep 1943 USS Cisco SS 290 76 Men
A moment of silence followed.
The Vice Commander led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
Members present
were: Frank McDevitt, Mike Smith, Jeff Owens, George Eckert, Bob Smith,
Denis
Opiela, Tom Shields,
Ken Smith, Gerald Zeman, Bill Klose and John Saeli.
The members present introduced themselves and stated their qual boats.
Guests: None.
The secretary confirmed that a quorum was present.
The Minutes:
The secretary
read the minutes from the August meeting.
Treasurer’s Report: The base treasurer reported an ending balance of $3395.49 on 31 Jul 2006 and an ending balance of $3051.90 on 31 Aug 2006. The secretary gave the treasurer an additional $10 from the July 50/50 raffle.
John Saeli read from Submarine Operations of WWII, an account of the loss of the USS Cisco (SS 290), which occurred on 28 Sep 1943.
Committee Reports:
Membership:
John Saeli reported that we
have 41 members with one new member to be signed up.
He qualified on the USS
Cavalla and is from
Publicity:
Jeff stated that next months
meeting in
Parades:
Next parade should be the Veterans Day Parade in November in
Speakers
Bureau: No requests yet.
Correspondence: No correspondence.
Flag Boxes: Our three flag boxes are doing well. The one in Blakeslee has the new plaques attached. Jeff Owens suggested taking a picture of the rejuvenated flag box for our newsletter.
Old Business:
Frank
McDevitt called Larry Crawford as part of the name in the hat from a
couple of
months ago to find out how he is doing.
Frank found out that Larry was
diagnosed with MS and has a driving problem where he is restricted to
about 15
minutes of driving around the
Larry still likes to get the newsletter and the minutes and would like
to
try to get to one of our events.
Gerald
Zeman got in touch with a gentleman in
being busy with hosting the National Convention in
Jeff
Owens has been unable to find information locally about obtaining the
foam for
the sub model.
The other problem is the max thickness is typically 2” and
the cost.
John
Saeli brought up the point that the D2 & D5 meeting will be held in
The remaining members of the meeting made a vote by show of hands. All those in favor, there were none opposed. Motion carried.
New Business:
John
Saeli obtained two bronze plaques from the Long Island Base, which he
then had
mounted on wooden backs. The bronze pieces cost $35 each, the mounting
and
engraving only cost an additional $10 at a place in
Frank stated that we are unable to get any more boxes from the Postal service due to concerns that people may try to put explosives in them. The other issue is that the postal service is refurbishing the old boxes and reusing them elsewhere. Tom wondered if we could get one from either Fed-Ex or UPS but the secretary brought up the point that these are different in construction to a regular postal box and have an indicator system attached.
Frank stated that as a member of the local Lions Club he has access to a pop-up trailer at no cost other than title and registration if we want it. The Lions Club is trying to get rid of it and is willing to donate it to us for use as a float. It will cost us nothing to store it. Frank wants to know if we could use it both as a base for the float and/or for another purpose. Frank passed around pictures of the trailer.
Frank made a proposal that the USSVI - Pocono Base accept the trailer as a donation from the Pocono Pines Lions Club with no strings attached.
1st motion made by Tom Shields. 2nd motion made by Jeff Owens. All in favor, motion passed.
Good of the Order:
The base picnic was a good success even though the weather was dreadful.
We did not attend the Coolbaugh Fair this time.
Next meeting will be held at 1900 on Wednesday 18 Oct. 2006 at the Marine Corps. League Museum in Scranton.
Frank McDevitt entertained a motion to adjourn. 1st motion made by Bob Smith, 2nd motion made by Jeff Owens. 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.”
A moment of silence followed in lieu of a closing prayer.
Frank McDevitt
declared the
meeting of the Pocono Base adjourned.
Food and drinks from the legion followed.
Respectfully
submitted,