VENTING SANITARY INBOARD Issue 319, November 2021 OUR CREED: “To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in 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 of America and its Constitution.” Hello Shipmates, As we enter the Holiday period, I would like to extend my well wishes to all. I hope your holidays are filled with love, family, and fun. Everything is on track for us as we get closer to the Christmas luncheon. Jay has worked hard in getting this set up and lets be sure to thank him when we see him. We are currently on track to have our first in person meeting in the month of Nov, Saturday the 13 th . I will be attempting a hybrid type meeting with the equipment I have. It will be an experience and all we can do is hope for a good experience. I was planning on taking our float up to Auburn for the Veteran’s Day parade but some personal issues came up that did not allow me to attend. Thanks to those who were going to participate with me in the parade for stepping up. We are a bit behind the power curve on elections. If you are interested in helping out our Base as the Secretary, Treasurer, or Vice-Commander, please let us know so that we can get you on the ballot. (See “Commanders Log”. Page 11 FORWARD BATTERY BASE COMMANDER Randy Weston 503.779.5439 [email protected]VICE COMMANDER Jay Agler 503.771.1774 SECRETARY Alan Brodie 360.369.6400 TREASURER Dave Vrooman 503.466.0379 CHAPLAIN Vacant CHIEF OF THE BOAT Arlo Gatchel 503.771.0540 WAYS & MEANS OFFICER Steve Daniels 503.806.3790 MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Dave Vrooman 503.466.0379 PAST BASE COMMANDER George Hudson 503.843.2082 SMALL STORES BOSS Woody Turner 360.635.1319 TRUSTEE John “Jay” Perry 503.397.5095 NEWSLETTER EDITOR Bill Long 989.906.7772 HISTORIAN/POC/ALL-AROUND GOOD GUY Bob Walters 503.284.8693
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VENTING SANITARY
INBOARD Issue 319, November 2021
OUR CREED:
“To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates
who gave their lives in 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 of America and
its Constitution.”
Hello Shipmates,
As we enter the Holiday period, I would like to extend my well
wishes to all. I hope your holidays are filled with love, family,
and fun. Everything is on track for us as we get closer to the
Christmas luncheon. Jay has worked hard in getting this set up
and lets be sure to thank him when we see him.
We are currently on track to have our first in person meeting in
the month of Nov, Saturday the 13th. I will be attempting a
hybrid type meeting with the equipment I have. It will be an
experience and all we can do is hope for a good experience.
I was planning on taking our float up to Auburn for the Veteran’s Day parade but some
personal issues came up that did not allow me to attend. Thanks to those who were going
to participate with me in the parade for stepping up.
We are a bit behind the power curve on elections. If you are interested in helping out our
Base as the Secretary, Treasurer, or Vice-Commander, please let us know so that we can
November 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... Election Day
November 6……………………………………………………………………...56th Annual Veterans Day Parade, Auburn Wa. @1100
November 7 ............................................................................................................................................ Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 11 .............................................................................................................................................Veterans Day (Observed)
November 13………………………Monthly Base meeting (1100 American Legion Post #15, 8329 SE 89th ave. Portland, Or.)
November 25 .......................................................................................................................................................... Thanksgiving Day
November 29……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…Hanukkah
December 7 .................................................................................................................................. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 11 ........................................... Base Meeting/Christmas Brunch (1130 at the Monarch Hotel, Clackamas, Oregon)
December 16 ....................................................................................................................... National Wreaths Across America Day
December 24 .................................................................................................................................................................Christmas Eve
December 25 ................................................................................................................................................................ Christmas Day
December 26………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….Kwanzaa
December 31 .............................................................................................................................................................. New Year's Eve
January 1 ................................................................................................................................................................... New Year's Day
January 8………………………….Monthly Base Meeting (1100 at American Legion Post 150, 8329 SE 89TH AVE. Portland, Or.)
January 15 ................................................................................................................................................ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1900 - Blueback Base virtual meeting called to order by Base Commander Randy Weston Invocation: Arlo Gatchel Pledge of Allegiance: All Reading of USSVI Purpose and Creed: Base Commander Randy Weston Tolling the Boats: Arlo Gatchel Introductions: All Secretary’s Report: Alan Brodie presented a summary of the October Executive Board meeting held just prior to this evening’s General Membership meeting. There were no minutes from the September 2021 Blueback Base meeting. Treasurer’s Report: Dave Vrooman presented the Treasurer’s Report. A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report as read. The motion was seconded and passed. Commander’s Report:
Our November meeting will shift from Thursday nights to Saturday morning per our bylaws, so we will meet at 1100 on Saturday, 13 November. This will be an in-person meeting at the American Legion Oregon Trail (Post 150 on SE 89th Avenue in Portland, just off I-205). We will also attempt to make this a “hybrid meeting” so members unable to attend in person can attend virtually via Zoom.
Due to personal reasons, Patrick Dilley had to step down as Base Chaplain. If you are interested in serving in this important position, please let one of the Officers know. Also, we are still looking for a volunteer to take over as Treasurer.
We are still having issues with accessing the national website. Although I have been told that only certain web browsers will access it, I have yet to accomplish this. The ability to receive and distribute bulletins is deteriorating due to our antiquated web site. National will continue to do its best until we get this issue resolved.
Do not respond to any emails requesting money or gift cards from anyone purporting to originate within USSVI. This is a verified scam!
The Western Roundup has been postponed until at least April 2022 (the week right after Easter). It will still be held in Reno at the original hotel. Volunteers are being sought to serve on the committee. If anyone is interested in being a part of this effort, please let me know.
Old Business:
Randy Weston and Dave Vrooman will represent the Blueback Base at Auburn, WA’s 56th Annual Veterans Day parade on Saturday, November 6th from 1100 to 1400. The USS Albacore float will be on full display, and all base members are strongly encouraged to attend. Please reach out to Randy if interested or if you’d like additional details.
Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 5
BLUEBACK BASE MEETING MINUTES (Continued from Page 5)
Old Business (cont’d):
The Base will host this year’s Christmas brunch at the Monarch Hotel on the afternoon of Saturday, December 11, 2021. Full details will be forthcoming shortly via email. We are still seeking a volunteer to coordinate the Silent Auction. A Toys for Tots donation box will be available for anyone wishing to donate to this most deserving charity.
Arlo Gatchel announced that a date has been set for the commissioning of the USS Oregon: 12 March 2022 at General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton. A full commissioning ceremony, while not guaranteed, is currently being planned. Tickets to the ceremony will be available soon on the USS Oregon commissioning web site (https://ussoregonssn793.org); contact Arlo or Steve Daniels with questions or for additional details.
New Business:
Randy is proposing offering an installment payment plan for individuals interested in becoming Life Members of the Blueback Base to ease the financial burden of paying all at once. If you are already a National Life Member of USSVI and this would be of interest to you, please reach out to Randy or Dave Vrooman and let them know so details can be worked out.
Due to an oversight, the base is behind the power curve relating to scheduling upcoming elections for the positions of Vice Commander, Secretary and Trustee. Randy will set up a Nominating Committee right away to get the ball rolling and is seeking one or more individuals willing to serve on this committee. If you know of anyone you believe is well-suited to serve in any of these three positions, please consider nominating him/her (Associate members are eligible to hold any office with the exception of Commander or Vice Commander). Self-nominations are not only permitted but are encouraged.
For the Good of the Order:
Although Ed Aban and Gary Thrall remain on the Binnacle List this month, both are believed to be doing much better as they continue to convalesce. It is also believed that Mike LaPan’s condition continues to improve slowly but steadily.
Bob Wonsley encouraged everyone who served aboard submarines to have an annual chest x-ray, particularly those with COPD or other breathing issues, to rule out Asbestosis.
Gary Webb hopes to have a number of Quilts of Valor (at least one, but potentially as many as 11 or 12) available for presentation at the Christmas party in December. Bill Bryan mentioned that he loves his quilt and expressed his appreciation to all for having received one to honor his service.
Benediction: Arlo Gatchel 1947 – Meeting Adjourned Sailing List: Glen Anderson; Alan Brodie; Bill Bryan; Don Cook; Steve Daniels; Ron Darkes; Arlo Gatchel; Bill Musa; Sandy Musa; Jay Perry; Ron Schumacher; Dave Vrooman; Bob Walters; Gary Webb; Randy Weston; Bob Wonsley
Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 6
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of
the 11th month of 1918 an armistice,
or temporary cessation of hostilities,
was declared between the Allied
nations and Germany in the First
World War, then known as “the Great
War.” Commemorated as Armistice
Day beginning the following year,
November 11th became a legal
federal holiday in the United States in
1938. In the aftermath of World War
II and the Korean War, Armistice Day
became Veterans Day, a holiday
dedicated to American veterans of
all wars.
THE GREAT WAR & ARMISTICE
DAY
Though the Treaty of
Versailles was signed on
June 28, 1919, November
11 remained in the public
imagination as the date
that marked the end of
the Great War. In
November 1918, U.S.
President Woodrow Wilson
proclaimed November 11th
as the first
commemoration of
Armistice Day. The day’s
observation included
parades and public
gatherings, as well as a
brief pause in business
activities at 11:00 am.
On November 11, 1921,
an unidentified American
soldier killed in the war
was buried at Arlington
National Cemetery in Washington,
D.C.; the U.S. Congress had declared
the day a legal federal holiday in
honor of all those who participated
in the war. On the same day, the
remains of a number of unidentified
soldiers were laid to rest at
Westminster Abbey in London and at
the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
On June 4, 1926, Congress passed a
resolution that the “recurring
anniversary of [November 11, 1918]
should be commemorated with
thanksgiving and prayer and
exercises designed to perpetuate
peace through good will and mutual
understanding between nations”
and that the president should issue
an annual proclamation calling for
the observance of Armistice Day. By
that time, 27 state legislatures had
made November 11th a legal
holiday. An act approved on May
13, 1938 made November 11th a
legal Federal holiday, “dedicated to
the cause of world peace and to be
hereafter celebrated and known as
Armistice Day.”
FROM ARMISTICE DAY TO
VETERANS DAY
American effort during World War II
(1941-1945) saw the greatest
mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy,
Marines and Air Force in the nation’s
history (more than 16 million people);
some 5.7 million more served in the
Korean War (1950 to 1953). In 1954,
after lobbying efforts by veterans’
service organizations, the 83rd U.S.
Congress amended the 1938 act
that had made Armistice Day a
holiday, striking the word “Armistice”
in favor of “Veterans.” President
Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the
legislation on June 1, 1954. From
then on, November 11th became a
day to honor American veterans of
all wars.
The next development in the story of
Veterans Day unfolded in 1968 when
Congress passed the Uniform
Holidays Bill, which sought to ensure
three-day weekends for federal
employees – and to encourage
tourism and travel – by celebrating
four national holidays (Washington’s
Birthday, Memorial Day,
Veterans Day and
Columbus Day) on
Mondays.
The observation of
Veterans Day was set as
the fourth Monday in
October. The first
Veterans Day under the
new law was Monday,
October 25, 1971;
confusion ensued, as many
states disapproved of this
change and continued to
observe the holiday on its
original date.
In 1975, after it became
evident that the actual
date of Veterans Day
carried historical and
patriotic significance to many
Americans, President Gerald R. Ford
signed a new law returning the
observation of Veterans Day to
November 11th beginning in 1978. If
November 11th falls on a Saturday or
Sunday, the federal government
observes the holiday on the previous
Friday or following Monday,
respectively.
Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 7
Red poppies, a symbol of World War I (from their appearance in the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae), are sold in Canada and the United Kingdom on Remembrance
Day to raise money for veterans and are often worn in the lapel as a tribute.