Gertrude Check

Next event, Submarine Anniversary Run at Bangor, Sat, Apr 12 at 10 AM. behind Gym. Bremerton Base, under Immediate Past Cdr John Gardner, administer run. It is a recruiting and profit making opportunity for the base.

Details of the 2008 Enlisted Submarine Birthday Ball have been announced. three free tickets, and three $65 tickets remain. They are offered to you, first come, first serve. Call me/Don (One stipulation, One free ticket per couple)

It will be held on Friday, April 25th at the Seattle Sheridan Hotel. As you are well aware this is an annual event organized by active duty personnel. This year the Sub Ball committee has been kind to allot 20 slots for USSVI members. For details: click on http://gertrude-check.up-scope.org/subball.pdf. Call me (Don, 360-479-1642) for Sub Ball tickets before making hotel reservations.

Longevity Awards. Today, the Bremerton Base E-board approved a policy of awarding longevity award lapel pins to members who pass 10 year increments in continuous base membership, which will include dual & associate members. That is 10, 20 & 30 year awards. That is, starting in 2008, those members passing the 10, 20 and 30 year mark in continuous USSVI Bremerton Membership will receive their awards at the annual Christmas Dinner/Holland Club Induction event. A quick look at the data base indicates that about 20 members joined in 1998 so they would receive the 10 year lapel pin this year. No continuous base members joined in 1988, so no 20 years pins will be awarded. Of course the base was not in existence in 1978. This policy has been instituted to encourage continuous USSVI Bremerton Base membership.

For those members that steadfastly continued membership and fall in between the milestones noted above can purchase, as I have, a USSVI pin, or pins in 5 year increments through 40 years from the base SK, Tommy Robinson.

WD4 Commander Bud Berg announced that the WD4 logo patch you see here, 4" in diameter, is available from SK Tommy Robinson for the rock bottom price of $3 each, normally a $5 item. Bud also announced that the price will go up to $5 after the 2008 national convention.

WD4 Bases should contact Tommy or Bud to obtain patches.

Please review the 2008 Convention Web site at this site: http://ussvi2008.com/. It will be held in the Dallas/Ft Worth area of Texas.

PS: At least one base member, Shane Foraker, with wife, Janet, will be attending Mariners game, Sept 1 in Texas.

FLASH-01: Spread the word! What if USSVI earned a penny every time you searched
the Internet?

=========================================================
FLASH-01: Spread the word! What if USSVI earned a penny every time you searched
the Internet?
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 2/27/2008
---------------------------------------------------------
What if USSVI earned a penny every time you searched the Internet?

Or, how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support
our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its
advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users
designate.

Starting NOW, use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search
results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of
each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed
up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your
favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter USSVI as the charity you want
to support.

GoodSearch also has a toolbar you can download from the homepage so that you can
search right from the top of your browser. Click the link at the bottom for the
options.

You can keep track of USSVI's estimated earnings by clicking on “amount raised”
once you designate USSVI as your organization of choice.

The more people who use the site, the more money we’ll earn so please help
spread the word and forward this email to as many people as possible.

We hope you’ll forward this email to your family, friends and co-workers and ask
them to change their search engine to GoodSearch.com.

And, be sure to spread the word!

Thanks, Shipmates...

http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbars.aspx

Take a look at the lower end of the right column for WRD4 Base newsletter links

UPDATE_-The Submarine Association of Canada (SAOC West) is putting on an International Gathering of Submariners in Victoria BC from 2-5 May 2008. They are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the commissioning of the HMC submarines Okanagan and Rainbow . We are invited. Please look at this web page for details and a registration form. (141 registered, expect total of 160-170) http://members.shaw.ca/saocwest/2008.htm: Look at attendee list:

.http://members.shaw.ca/saocwest/2008attendees.htm

The registration fee covers a Friday meet and greet event, the Saturday evening Banquet and Dance and the Sunday brunch plus a tour or two. ( Saturday mens day is a go with a visit to the base museum, a tour of one of the new destroyers and dockyard. (Sub is drydock) and a light lunch with beers at the Submarine complex)

Some of our members have registered, including myself. I suggest others consider this opportunity reunite or meet with our Canadian hosts. Several supported us on our cruise convention and you will find them very delightful and friendly.

UPDATE

Ahoy All,
Arrangements are progressing nicely for our 2008 Submariners Gathering, May 2-3-4, in Victoria, BC.
Ray Hunt, commanding officer of both Rainbow & Okanagan, has confirmed as our Guest of Honour and recent registrants include Keith Nesbit & Brian Fisher ... this is shaping up to be quite the party !!! ... all look forward to visiting Victoria and catching up with their Grilse / Rainbow shipmates.
A reminder that registrations received prior to February 29th are eligible for our Early Bird Draw for refund of one person's registration fee ... on-line details & a downloadable Registration Form are available at http://members.shaw.ca/saocwest/2008.htm
Yours Aye & We look forward to seeing you this coming May.
2008 Gathering Committee,
Submariners Association of Canada West

2008 Lt William "Willie" Spoon Memorial Scholarship Program Update

In mid-January of this year the 2008 Lt. William "Willie" Spoon Memorial scholarship raffle tickets were mailed out to the Bremerton Base membership and, to date,133 members have responded with donations which represents 45% of the membership base. Other members have also responded with generous donations in lieu of raffle tickets.

There are still ~800 raffle tickets at the National Office if anyone wants to sell them to friends and neighbors. Bud Berg has personally sold well over110 tickets.

V/R
Bob Webster - 2008 Scholarship Chairman

Raffle Prizes (gift certificates) are solicited from local restaurants that we visit 2 or 3 times a year each. Listed to the right are the ones that made contributions in 2007. Also individual members are encouraged to solicit prizes or cash contributions from businesses that you trade with. It is suggested that you go back to the ones you solicited last year for a donation. Here is a pdf file that appeared in last July/August's Puget Soundings that could be used to show what we did. Also this letter (word file) could be used to solicit prizes.

GO GET EM!

As many know, Base Storekeeper Tommy Robinson has really revved up of the Bremerton Base Ships Store. His sense of business has really made the store a profitable venture for the base. His enthusiasm and constant updating of products available for you to purchase is remarkable. He has even started up a webpage for the store and is taking vest orders via an order form. Please take a look here. The page is just a starter and I am sure he will have more info on it later on. His reputation has Subvets around the country ordering from him. Great job Tommy!

The Lone Sailor Statue Project Bremerton Base has forwarded a check to the Lone Sailor Statue Project for $1000 and received a thank you npte. According to Co-chairman, Tim Thomson, the base will get permanent recognition. Hopefully you will consider contributing to this project's success. See Donor list here and recently updated.

NEW SKED You can still make your submarine experience count! Trident Training Center (TTF) Command Master Chief Scott Fusco and USSVI Bremerton Base Past Commander John Gardner have a program that lets you share your submarine experience and lessons learned with young sailors graduating from the TTF ET course. Each one of the classes has been named after one of the "Forty One for Freedom". On graduation day Master Chief Fusco invites a team of two Bremerton Base members (preferably that has served on that class's name sake boat) in, to give a short talk on their experiences, etc. We have been involved in two or three of these graduations to date.

Coming up on the following dates are graduating classes with the boat names with members names that served on those boats. TEAM UP! Then/or e-mail John (jgardner@donobi.net) or call him at

360-692-8994.

NAVET Radioman
USS Sam Houston - 15 APR 08 @ 1100 USS Thomas Jefferson - 02 SEP 08 @ 1100

USS John Marshall - 17 JUN 08 @ 1100                  USS Lafayette - 10 DEC 08 @ 1100
USS Alexander Hamilton - 19 AUG 08 @1100
USS Andrew Jackson - 15 OCT 08 @ 1100

Subject: USSVI POC Broadcast : #200-009 <Direct Link

Date: 3/11/2008
To: Distribution List

NEWS-01: Quick Bytes
NEWS-02: Some people just can't stay busy enough
NEWS-03: Talking about USS Cavalla (SSK-244)
NEWS-04: SubVet Computer School: Keyboard can help
NEWS-05: Just because...
NEWS-06: You're invited to say farewell...
NEWS-07: A Stain on our Honor...
NEWS-08: NTINS
NEWS-09: Honoring Nautilus
NEWS-10: Yee Haw!!!
NEWS-11: Not Starwars, SPARWARS!
NEWS-12: A Salute to Henry...
VET-01: New VA Vet Centers opening or soon to oen
VET-02: 2008 Federal Benefits Book available on Web
CHARITABLE-??: no Charitable news this time .....

Bremerton Base nominations for 2008/2009 elected officers is open. A base member (if he agrees) in good standing may be nominated by another base member in good standing. All 5 base offices, Cdr, Vcdr, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief of the Boat are open for nominees.

Duties of officers are sighted in the Base bylaws.

Today, I announced I would be a candidate for Base Cdr for the 2008/2009 session.

You make take action on this note by calling nomination chairman Fred Borgmann at 360-377-2978 or e-mailing him at ussvi@telebyte.net Nominations shall be made prior to May 1, 2008. Additonal nominations from the floor may be made at the election night, normally at the June meeting.

Paper ballots will be made available after May 1.

Western District Commander 4 nominations are open:

U.S. SUBMARINE VETERANS INC.
WESTERN REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Dave Harnish
6509 West Devonshire Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85033-3350
Home: 623-846-0367
Cell 602-526-6100
daveharnish@cox.net

April 1, 2008

Shipmates;

Effective immediately nominations are open for USSVI District Commander for USSVI WD’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Nominations will remain open until the close of business May 31, 2007. Base Commanders are encouraged to contact me at any time via email or cell phone, to discuss the nomination process. Those nominated must accept and agree to serve if elected. Election procedures will be discussed under a separate cover.

Any member desiring to nominate a member in good standing may do so via their Base Commander or via email, phone, or US Postal service to the Western Regional Director. The member making the nomination should ensure that the member being nominated is willing to serve as a district commander.

Duties of USSVI District Commanders as defined in Section 7 of the USSVI By-Laws: (B3/02)
The District Commander is directly responsible to the Region Director for the conduct of organizational business within his district.

The duties of the District Commanders shall include but not be limited to:
A. Assist the Base Commanders within their respective districts in the performance of their duties, to include providing assistance as required to insure the proper operation of base meetings and events, recruiting and retention.
B. Appoint all District committees, committee chairman and appointed officers as required to conduct District business.
C. Represent his respective District at official functions.
D. Assist the Regional Director with the oversight of the performance of all Base Commanders within his district; the performance guidelines having been established by the Region Director.
E. Approve Base bylaws, insuring compliance with National and State laws regulating the operation of the organization within his district (i.e. charting, maintaining non-profit status, etc.)
F. Actively promote the establishment of new bases with the assistance of the Base Development Committee.
G. Perform as liaison with other veteran organizations including SVWWII in their respective areas.
H. Annually prepare a written report on the ‘state of his district’ to be given to his Regional Director with copies for publication in each of the District’s Base Newsletters.
I. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity but without voting privileges.
J. Serve as a member of the Base Development Committee.
K. Serve as a member of the Awards Committee, as outlined in Article VI Section 15 (B4-02)
L. Prepare a “Turn Over” folder for his relief, containing all information and correspondence relative to his office.

Current Western District Commanders:

WD1, Jim Dunn, Perch Base
WD2, Dave Linker, Rocky Mountain Base
WD3, Charles Riley, Farragut Base
WD4, Bud Berg, Bremerton Base
WD5, Rocky Rockers, Dolphin Base
WD6, T. Michael Bircumshaw, Scamp Base

It is requested that all addressees acknowledge receipt of this communication via email, phone or US Postal service and ensure that it is made available to all voting members of your bases via base newsletters or as the Base Commander desires.

Fraternally,

Dave Harnish
USSVI Western Region Director

Greetings,

My wife Denise slipped away from us on Saturday evening after an eight-month battle with brain cancer. She went peacefully with a smile on her face. She was not in any significant pain and under no apparent duress. Thankfully she was still conscious up to the moment of her death, although she could not talk and could not even squeeze my hand any more. She went while I was reviewing our wedding pictures with her while also recounting to her the many great milestones of our life together over the past 25+ years. She finished well, and for that I thank God and our many friends who encouraged us through this tough battle with brain cancer.

I want to thank the Base for great support over the months. Thanks to those who prayed for us and showed various gestures of sympathy and support.

Best regards,
Angus McColl

CSG9's Pam Love Sends:

Denise McColl passed away 29 March.

Her memorial service is scheduled for 1400 12 April at the Ocean View Baptist Church, 1900 S. Western Avenue, San Pedro CA 90732. The phone number for the church is 310-833-4413.

CDR McColl's address/phone is:

1242 W. 16th Street

San Pedro 90731-3832

310-832-0634

Don "Red" Bassler

Commander

USSVI Bremerton Base

360-479-1642

down-scope@comcast.net

NAVAL SUBMARINE LEAGUE MEETING APRIL 16th, 2008--MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!!!

CAPTAIN “BUTCH” HOWARD, USN, COMMANDER SUBMARINE DEVELOPMENT SQUADRON 5, WILL SPEAK TO THE MEMBERSHIP.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 11:30 for lunch at noon.

WHERE: Bangor Plaza, Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor

COST: $12 at the door. Please consider contributing an extra $12 to go toward our fund for active duty submariners (LT and below) at lunch. Please note that this really helps our chapter defray the cost of having members of individual ships Wardrooms and CPO Quarters to our monthly meetings as our guests. Hosting our active duty shipmates gives tremendous support to increasing name recognition for the Naval Submarine League among active duty submariners and submarine supporters. Many, many thanks to those of you who have contributed to this initiative in the past.

MENU: Chef’s Choice Buffet

RESERVATIONS: Make reservations with Paul Ogg at 360 692 6032 or E-mail him at kjoggpr@aol.com by close of business on Friday, April 11th, 2008.

SPOUSES AND FRIENDS OF THE SUBMARINE FORCE ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND:

This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear about the latest developments in Submarine Development Squadron 5, now fully-fleshed out by the arrival of USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21) and USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22). Commodore Howard’s biography is attached.

Bobby Baker Sends:

Subject: John Patten's Obituary

Hi Everyone,

It's a bit humbling to address this amazing group of friends and family for the first time, but while my big sis is delivering Pop's 'dress blues' to the funeral home, I figured I'd pick up the slack for her on the e-mail front, and let you know that Dad's obituary in the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette is available online at:

http://www.legacy.com/news-gazette/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=106583799

The photo was taken by his good friend Dave Hire. It arrived by e-mail yesterday, only hours before we were scheduled to meet with the funeral director, and it captured his spirit so well that we decided to submit it with his obituary. If you look closely, you'll notice two pieces of the John Patten trinity: a Navy hat and an Illini t-shirt. And because it was taken at his favorite beer festival in Madison, Wisconsin, we are 99% certain that there's a cold beer in his hand, making the trinity complete! No wonder he looks so content.

Of course, at the end of the day, after the cap and the t-shirt came off and the beer or martini glasses were put away, that smile, that spirit, was still there. Looking at that photo, I think his happiness had far more to do with the people around him that day than with anything else. We saw that smile at the 'Captain's Bierfest' in the McQueen's backyard in Champaign this summer, far from Madison. We've seen it many times in the 60+ years of photos we've been poring over. In every one of them, he is with family and/or friends. All of you are such an enormous part of who he was.

Before I turn sitrep duties back over to Andrea, let me say another thank you for your wishes, prayers, messages, and many kindnesses. You are an amazing group of people. This has been an incredible and a memorable year for our family, one that we're now describing as "Awefulsome". But thanks to you, it's been more awesome than awful, and you've helped to provide memories that will only become sweeter as time goes by.

Art Patten

INVITE COPY FOR THE CARRIER

KCTS 9 & PBS
Invite you to a Sneak Preview of the new PBS series

THE CARRIER
An unprecedented look at life aboard the USS Nimitz

After the screening, join filmmakers
Maro Chermayeff, Executive Producer/Director
Jeff Dupre, Producer and
Deborah Dickson, Producer/Documentary Feature Director
For a panel discussion and live Q&A session

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Seattle Center Pavilion, Room B
305 Harrison Street
Seattle, WA 98109

18:00-19:00
Reception with light refreshments

19:00-19:55
Screening of Episode 1
“All Hands on Deck”

19:55-21:00
Q&A

RSVP by calling 1.800.362.6463

2008 Soup Down Sked

11:45 Start Time

1-4	Sunset Grill, 4926 Point Fosdick Dr NW, Gig Harbor
11	Keeper's Cove Restaurant,7989 Salish Lane NE, Kingston
18	Pats Restaurant, East Bremerton
25	Aztecca, Silverdale
2-1	Harbor Rock Cafe, 6565 Kimball Dr , Gig Harbor
8	Boat Shed, Bremerton, under the Manette Bridge
15	Azteca, 19045 Highway 305, Poulsbo
22	Tony's, 4908 Kitsap Way, Bremerton
29	Clear Water Casino, Suquamish
3-7	Silver City Brewery, 2799 NW Myhre Rd, Silverdale
14	JJ's Fish House, 18881 Front St NE, Poulsbo
21	Red Robin, 10455 Silverdale Way Nw, Silverdale, WA 98383
28	Cloverleaf Sports Bar and Grill, 1240 Hollis St, Bremerton
4-4	FRA #29, 521 National Ave, Bremerton
11	Brother Don's, 4200 Kitsap Way, Bremerton
18	Whiskey Creek, 1918 Washington Street, Keyport
25	Sunset Grill, 4926 Point Fosdick Dr NW, Gig Harbor
5-2	Sizzler, 3558 Wheaton Way Bremerton, WA
9	Mandarin, 2928 Nw Bucklin Hill Rd, Silverdale, Next to Azteca
16	Ceasar's Restaurant, 3621 Wheaton Way, East Bremerton
23	Airport Diner, Bremerton Airport
30	Ponderay Café , Callow Ave Bremerton
6-6	2 Margaritas, 10600 Silverdale Way, Silverdale
13	Pats Restaurant, East Bremerton
20	Whiskey Creek, 1918 Washington Street, Keyport
27	Brother Don's, 4200 Kitsap Way, Bremerton