US Submarine Veterans Inc. (USSVI) Seattle Base

Volume 19, Issue 1 January - February 2017

Meeting Recap

Outgoing Sr. Vice Commander John Roberts was on hand to say good-bye to the group and we had a chance to thank him for all the good work he did while he was with us. We wish all the best to John and his family. This was also Carl Minor’s first meeting as our new Sr. Vice Commander. Carl will also be taking on responsibilities for the Seattle Base’s Kaps for Kids program and our annual Tolling the Boats ceremony. November Meeting Our speaker for November was We started the November meeting with a Ric Hedman. He presented a biography recap of the Auburn Veterans Day Parade (see page 7 for photos). We had four USSVI of one of the survivors of the ill-fated submarine USS Squalus (SS-192), Alfred Bases represented, each with a float, the Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC), and Gustave Prien. Ric took us through Prien’s life introducing us to his family including two of our World War II veterans were the parade Grand Marshals. We received a nice all his brothers and sisters. He entered the Navy in 1932, served not only on Thank You note from the Auburn Special Squalus but also on quite a few other Events Coordinator and we were awarded boats, including several during World War the Harold Page Memorial Award for the parade. Because the city only provided one II. After World War II, Prien let the Navy and settled in Portsmouth, NH. He died in plaque, we voted to purchase three extra 1957 in a boating accident and is buried in plaques and send them out to the other Portsmouth. bases. Thanks again to Ric Hedman for We did not have a December helping to organize the parade this year. meeting due to the Holiday Luncheon. We also got a recap of the Veterans The monthly meetings are always a Day Ceremony at Tahoma National good chance to catch up with shipmates and Cemetery and were reminded about the share a few sea stories. We hope to see you Seattle Base USSVI Holiday Luncheon (see at the next meeting. pages 8 and 9 for photos). Here is a short recap of the most recent base meetings. You can read the minutes of each meeting on the Seattle Base website: http://www.ussvi.org/base/Seattle.asp and blog. A copy of the previous meeting minutes is also available to read before each meeting.

The Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Seattle USSVI Base

The Dolphin Brotherhood

Our Creed: 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 of America and its Constitution.

Commander’s Corner By Al Smith, Base Commander

Greetings Shipmates, I do hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Well, here we are at a new year with a new start. There are a few things I would like to implement in the coming year. First, I want to add a Board meeting before every third regular meeting. It will be a half hour prior to the regular meeting and there will be time for members to give their input on what the Base is doing.

Next, I would like all of us to think about our membership. Not just bringing in new members, but also reaching out to members who have drifted away to see what we can do bring them back into the fold. One more thing that has crossed my mind is having group get-togethers two or three times a year. This would be a time where we can have some lunch, tell a few sea stories, and generally relax and spend some downtime with each other. See “Commander’s Corner” on Page 2

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U.S. Submarine Force Losses January - February Losses

Remembering our lost shipmates; thank you for your service and sacrifice. January USS Scorpion (SS-278) lost on 5-Jan-1944, with the loss of 76 crew, when sunk in the East China Sea on her 4th war patrol. It is assumed she was sunk by a mine. Note: Date spread is 1-5-44 to 2-24-44 and this entry often appears in February. USS Argonaut (SS-166) lost on 10-Jan-1943, with the loss of 102 crew, when sunk by Japanese destroyers off Rabaul on her 3rd patrol. USS Swordfish (SS-193) lost on or after 12-Jan1945, with the loss of 89 crew, on her 13th patrol. The cause is unknown, but probably a mine. Note: Loss declared 15 Feb 45, some use this date. USS S-36 (SS-141) lost on 20-Jan-1942 when destroyed after grounding on Taka Bakang Reef in Makassar Strait, Indonesia, on her 2nd war patrol. All the crew were rescued. USS S-26 (SS-131) lost on 24-Jan-1942, with the loss of 46 crew, when sunk after being rammed by USS PC-460 in the Gulf of Panama, 14 miles west of San Jose Light. February USS Barbel (SS-316) lost on or after 4-Feb-1945, with the loss of 81 crew, when sunk in southern entrance to Palawan Passage on her 4th war patrol. Note: Loss date could be as late as 6 February; however Japanese records indicate the 4th as the sinking attack date. USS Shark (SS-174) lost on 11-Feb-1942, with the loss of 59 crew, when sunk east of Menado, Celebes on her 1st war patrol. Shark was the first US submarine sunk by enemy surface craft in the Pacific. USS Amberjack (SS-219) lost on 16-Feb-1943, with the loss of 72 crew, when sunk off Rabaul by Japanese air and surface forces on her 3rd war patrol. USS Grayback (SS-208) lost on 26-Feb-1944, with the loss of 80 crew, when sunk in the East China Sea by Japanese aircraft on her 10th war patrol. USS Trout (SS-202) lost on or after 29-Feb-1944, with the loss of 79 crew, when sunk by Japanese escort ships in the middle of Philippines Basin.

THE DOLPHIN BROTHERHOOD

“Commander’s Corner” continued from page 1

I really want to know what you all think of these ideas, what you would like to see us do, what would excite you, and what would get you riled up and ready to come to our meetings. Our Christmas lunch at the Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club went very well and I sent a letter to the Commodore letting her know that the staff did a wonderful job taking care of us. Past Base Commander Dick Gonzalez and the rest of the team did a great job with the arrangements for the lunch. I, for one, had a good time and would like to thank all involved. I would like the Board to meet at 1800 before our February meeting, since our new Sr. Vice Commander will be unable to attend our January 18 meeting. He has some ideas the he would like to bring to the table. So until our next meeting, be safe out there and have a great time. Your Shipmate and Base Commander, Allen Smith

January is renewal time for the Boat Sponsorship Program Your contribution to Boat Sponsorship Program (BSP) pays to send three copies of each issue of American Submariner magazine for the subscription year to the command, boat, or other place where news of the Silent Service is welcomed. The cost is $30 per year or a total of 12 magazines (three each of the four annual volumes). The subscriptions may be made in the name of a Base or an individual. The Program Manager is Jack Messersmith ([email protected] or (928) 759-9544). Questions on the program may be addressed to him. Each sponsor will receive the special BSP patch the first time they sponsor. Additionally, all sponsors will be entered in the quarterly USSVI Boat Giveaway contest, a $500 value (one entry per sponsorship).

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 1

Membership Renewals Remember that if you are an annual member, it is renewal time for National and Base USSVI dues. Contact Jim Harper (tel: 425-357-6485) if you have questions or to take care of your dues. Be sure to take care of this as soon as possible. You might even consider going with a lifetime membership. Talk with Jim about your options. But you don’t want to be on the DINK list!

2017 USSVI Calendars Available The 2017 USSVI calendar is available from our base storekeeper. Be sure to get your copy soon, so you can enjoy all 12 months! This year’s calendar covers the history of submarine classes, covering different diesel, nuclear attack, and ballistic missile submarines. Be sure to talk with Ralph Sterley, our Base Storekeeper, about getting your copy.

Calendar Recycling While you are thinking about getting the new submarine calendar, you might be wondering about what to do with your old submarine calendars. How about turning them back in for recycling? Karl ‘Dutch’ Krompholz has asked that members bring any old submarine calendars to him at future meetings. He will recycle the old calendar pictures for other purposes, such as giving away to kids and veterans. So think about bringing your old calendars to the next meeting and give them a new life.

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From the desk of the Senior Vice Commander I would like to thank all of you for your support and encouragement that has been extended to me as your new Senior Vice Commander. I pledge to do my best for the Seattle Base of the Submarine Veterans USSVI. I have a few projects that have been put before me in addition to my normal duties. They include carrying on the tradition of Kap’s for Kids and our tolling ceremony in August. Kap’s for Kids is usually done during the month of November. However, due to my swearing in at our October meeting and an unplanned trip to Alaska for my father-in-law’s funeral service, this was not possible. I have conferred with Richard Gonzales and feel that we can best have this event during the month of May this year. This would be sometime in mid-May, so it would be just before Memorial Day. This provides ample time for planning and acquiring the necessary supplies and volunteers for this event. I will be meeting with Al, our Base Commander, sometime after Thanksgiving so that we many discuss plans and set the date for our Base Officers Board Meeting in February. As most of you know, I will be in San Diego for in January and in Arizona during the first week of February. I expect to begin working on both projects shortly and hope to have an announcement of the date for Kap’s for Kids at the February general meeting. Along with a briefing on where we stand on our Tolling Ceremony in August. On a final note; I want to assure you that I am always open to suggestions or questions. I can be reached by phone at (206) 819-2189 during the day or early evening or email at [email protected]. Thank You all for your support, Carl Miner Sr. Vice Commander USSVI Seattle Base.

Carl and Joan Miner

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Holland Club Funding Shipmates, The Holland Club’s entire membership roster consists of Submarine qualified USSVI members. But as a free-standing group it does not receive funding from our National Organization and must rely on donations from the general membership to meet expenses. The line item in our budget for the Holland Club is predicated from the number of donations that are received during the previous year. In anticipation of the first question some of you will ask, as to why National doesn’t fund the Holland Club, I would like to state that since 2008 I have had the honor and privilege of being a Holland Club member and I wear my patch with pride, but it remains a fact the only requirement I had to fulfill to become a member of this group was being able to live 50 years after my qualification date and be a current member of USSVI. It is a problem justifying this expenditure to our younger members as to why my fellow Holland Club members and I, that have managed to dodge departing on eternal patrol for this length of time should be funded out of their membership cost. It cost approximately $10.00 per inductee to cover the cost of materials (certificate, patch, coins, mailing etc. alone, without factoring in the miscellaneous unexpected cost that pop up each year in the process of honoring these shipmates. To cover the expenses in the past, our Bases have been asked to donate a minimum of $1 (more would be appreciated if you can afford it) for each Holland Club member of their Base. This enables the Holland Club Chairman to cover his annual out of pocket administrative expenses. At the present time, the Holland Club Fund is completely depleted and I am asking that each of the Base Commanders ask their Bases to revive this funding practice and approve a donation of at least $1 for each of their Holland Club members,. This should be an ongoing annual donation coming from our Bases. Donations are to be sent to Fred Borgmann our National Office Manager at: USSVI PO Box 3870 Silverdale, WA 98383-3870 Make your check out to USSVI and add Holland Club in the memo space. Wishing all of you the best, Wayne Standerfer National Senior Vice Commander

THE DOLPHIN BROTHERHOOD

The Navy Retires a Submarine that Miraculously Survived a Terrifying Collision Sam Fellman, Navy Times,

Sailors and former crewmembers bid farewell at a ceremony to the attack submarine that survived a devastating 2005 collision and would go on to serve another decade, including four more deployments. USS San Francisco is being retired from the fleet after 35 years of service and will shift to Norfolk later in November to become a nuclear reactor training ship. A look at its traumatic history: On Jan. 8, 2005, the submarine struck an underwater mountain going nearly full speed. The violent collision slammed sailors into bulkheads and equipment. One crewmember recalled chaos and carnage from the impact, which was like hitting a cement wall at 40 mph. The shocked chief of the watch leaped back into action and actuated the emergency ballast tanks, bringing the sub to the surface from a depth of about 500 feet. The force of impact killed Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Joseph Ashley and wounded dozens more. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class(SS) James Akin and another crewmember later received the Meritorious Service Medal for setting up an emergency triage center and caring for 70 injured shipmates. The impact crushed the submarine’s bow and caused at least $88 million in damages. A command investigation faulted the submarine’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Kevin Mooney, and his navigation team for failing to properly chart a safe voyage plan. They transited an area filled with undersea volcanoes when they could have avoided the area and also failed to take additional precautions, like more frequent soundings to check depth changes. It would take the better part of three years to return the San Francisco to operational service. Crews would take the submarine on at least four more deployments. They returned to cheers in San Diego from their final cruise on Oct. 14. Later in November, the submarine will head to Norfolk for a two-year conversion to become a moored training ship, where future submariners will learn to safely operate nuclear reactors and engineering systems. “By any measure, the San Francisco has had a stellar career as an operational submarine,” said Cmdr. Jeff Juergens, the outgoing commanding officer, in a Nov., 4 ceremony in San Diego. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to be one of the few to command this fine submarine, and especially lucky to get to command San Francisco for the last three years, which have been so successful.”

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 1

USS Springfield Conducts Burial At Sea, Reuniting a Sailor with Lost Shipmates Chief Petty Officer Steve Owsley, Dolphin News

More than 50 years ago, on April 10, 1963 USS Thresher (SSN 593) was lost at sea while conducting deep-dive trials approximately 200 miles southeast of Cape Cod, Mass. costing the lives of all 129 crew members aboard. The loss of Thresher forever changed the U.S. Navy’s submarine force and the life of one young Sailor. At the time, Capt. Paul “Bud” Rogers Jr. was a recently commissioned officer who had only been at his command for a few months when he was scheduled to go aboard Thresher as part of a weapons inspection team, but the leadership team decided to send someone more senior, said Rogers’ son-in-law, retired Cmdr. Fred Henney. “Bud lived the rest of his life with the knowledge that someone else died in his place and I believe it drove his decision to be buried at sea.” While on routine operations Nov. 30, 2016, at the site where Thresher was lost, the Los Angeles class, fast-attack submarine, USS Springfield (SSN 761) held a burial at sea where Rodgers’ last wishes were fulfilled as he was sent on his eternal patrol alongside the submarine and Sailors he always felt connected to. “My husband loved submarines and he loved serving on them,” said Rogers’ widow, Barbara. “He went from being a boy scout to a submariner.” According to his obituary, Rogers served in the U.S. Navy for 41 years. He served as a Fire Controlman aboard the diesel submarines USS Sea Cat and USS Bang, then aboard one of the Navy’s first ballistic missile submarines, USS Robert E. Lee. He was commissioned as an officer in 1963 and became one of the first-ever limited duty officers to be promoted to the rank of captain. According to Barbara her husband joined the Navy during the Korean War and took part in the Blockade of Cuba during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. According to Barbara they were always stationed on the East Coast, from Key West, Fla. to Maine. “It was a sad time in Groton, when the Thresher was lost,” said Barbara. “I never saw my husband cry before, but he was crying when it went down.” She said, “He always said he wanted to be buried at sea, but particularly after the Thresher went down.” On an overcast day, approximately 200 miles southeast of Cape Cod, Mass. USS Springfield’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Brent Spillner, Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Rene Cano,

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and Chief of the Boat, Master Chief (SS/DV) Michael Johnson were in the submarine’s sail with Navy Chaplain, Cmdr. Paul Rumery. Rumery read the biographies of Rogers and three other Navy veterans who had requested a burial at sea. Then he read scripture before each Sailor received a three-round gun salute in honor of their service. The ceremony ended with a playing of Taps and the Sailors being committed to the sea. When speaking about her husband’s thoughts on being laid to rest with the Sailors of USS Thresher, Barbara said, “I think he would have been very, very happy. He felt bad all these years, because he felt he should have gone down with the ship. I feel that he would have felt like he was where he belonged.” After the ceremony Spillner reflected, “It’s an absolute honor as captain of USS Springfield to be a small part of bringing Capt. Roberts to his final resting place as we transit to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for our scheduled maintenance availability. The submarine force changed on April 10, 1963 and 100 years from now Submariners will still know the name Thresher.” Thresher was built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine and homeported in Groton, Conn. The Navy believes a leak sprayed sea water on an electrical panel, which caused Thresher’s nuclear reactor to shut down. Thresher’s loss resulted in the SUBSAFE program which led to a series of design modifications, training improvements and submarine safety criteria. The program, which was established approximately two months after the loss of Thresher, is still in place today.

USS Thresher

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The U.S. Navy’s Next Missile Sub Is Called USS Columbia Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics

The first ship of America’s next-generation ballistic missile submarine fleet has officially been named USS Columbia. The ship will cruise the oceans of the world carrying a lethal load of long-range nuclear-tipped missiles, providing a lethal second strike capability designed to discourage enemies from launching a surprise attack. Nuclear ballistic missile submarines make up one leg of the U.S. nuclear “triad.” Along with bombers planes and ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, missile submarines give war planners options for deterring—and if necessary, fighting—a nuclear war. The stealthy nature of submarines makes them a perfect place to hide missiles from enemy attack, ensuring that they can survive a surprise attack to launch a devastating response. More than any other arm of the triad, missile submarines deter war by ensuring a revenge attack is possible. The current generation of ballistic missile sub, the Ohio-class, was built in the 1980s and 1990s. The boats are reaching the ends of their service lives and replacements are needed. The Columbia class will start replacing those boats starting in 2031. Twelve Columbia subs will be built to replace fourteen Ohio subs. The Navy claims that a more efficient nuclear power plant that won’t require refueling will allow twelve ships to do the same job as fourteen, lowering the overall cost of the program. Design details for the submarines are still being worked out, but some are already set. Each Columbia will have sixteen missile tubes, meaning the fleet will have 192 Trident D-5 nuclear missiles in total. Each Columbia will be 560 feet long. The subs are expected to serve for approximately 42 years, into the 2080s. The name Columbia was chosen to honor the District of Columbia, as well as acknowledge Columbia, the feminine personification of the United States of America. There have been eight U.S. Navy ships previously named USS Columbia, from 50-gun sailing frigates to a Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine.

THE DOLPHIN BROTHERHOOD

Navy To Get New, More Deadly Torpedo Kyle Mizokami, Popularmechanics.com

The Pentagon is developing an improved version of the venerable Mark 48 heavyweight homing torpedo. A standard of U.S. Navy submarines since the 1970s, the torpedo is being updated to deal with new threats. The Mark 48 torpedo was originally fielded in the early 1970s as a “one torpedo sinks all” replacement for the older Mark 37. Unlike the Mark 37, which was only useful against other submarines, the Mark 48 could attack both surface ships and submarines. The Mark 48 weighs 3,695 pounds, is nineteen feet long and has a diameter of 533 millimeters. It has a 650 pound PBXN-103 high explosive warhead, an effective range of 35,000 yards, and an estimated maximum depth of 2,500 feet. It has both active and passive guidance systems capable of locking onto targets at 4,000 yards, and can also use wire guidance. The U.S. Navy has 1,046 of the torpedoes fleetwide. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin is upgrading existing Mark 48s to a new standard. A new, upgraded torpedo will run quieter, have an improved propulsion system, be more resistant to electronic countermeasures, and have an allnew guidance control system known as Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System, or CBASS. The new system should allow for locking onto enemy vessels at even longer ranges. In addition to upgrading older torpedoes, Lockheed will deliver 250 more brand new Mark 48s to the U.S. Navy.

War Winning Weapons

Concept drawing of USS Columbia

When asked about the weapons used to win the war, Fleet Admiral Halsey offered: If I had to give credit to the instruments and machines that won us the war in the Pacific, I would rate them in this order: submarines first, radar second, planes third, bulldozers fourth.

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 1

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2016 Auburn Veterans Day Parade

It was a cool, rainy Saturday for the 51st annual Auburn Veterans Day Parade. The rain continued most of the morning, but let up a little as the parade started. Even with the rain, we had a good turnout of submarine veterans with members from Seattle, Bremerton, Yakima, and Rogue River – Umpqua bases, the Silent Service Motorcycle Club, and a color guard from USS Michigan (SSGN-727). World War II submarine veteran Ralph Sterley was the Grand Marshall for the parade. Western District 4 Commander Al Durkee was also part of the parade dignitaries. Even with the rain, the crowd was enthusiastic and welcoming, and everyone seemed to have a good time. It was great to see all the veterans out for the parade. Here are a few photos from the event. More can be found on the Seattle Base blog (http://sealebase.blogspot.com/).

Rogue - Umpqua Base float

USS Michigan crew color guard

Al Durkee talks with active duty submariners

Submarine Veterans (and some active duty sailors) at the 2016 Auburn Parade

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THE DOLPHIN BROTHERHOOD

2016 Seattle Base Holiday Luncheon On Saturday, December 3, 2016 USSVI Seattle Base submarine veterans, family, and guests gathered at the Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club in Bellevue for our annual holiday luncheon. The day started with the social hour, which gave us a chance to catch up with shipmates we have not seen for a while, share our exploits from the past year, and to look at some of the submarine memorabilia on display. We then moved to the dining room for opening remarks and lunch. After lunch, our new Senior Vice Commander, Carl Miner, presented the Shipmate of the Year Award to Dick Gonzalez. Dick was key to the successful operation of the base this year. He helped with all our base events, including organizing the Bangor sub base tour, and meetings.

Social time in the dining room

With the award presented, the floor was then opened for sea stories and holiday remembrances. The microphone was passed around and we heard some old favorite stories, along with a few new tales. We all had a good time at the luncheon and special thanks goes out to everyone who helped organize and setup the event. It is always good to see all our shipmates and get a start on the holiday season with them. Here are some photos from the event. More photos can be seen on the Seattle Base blog (http:// sealebase.blogspot.com/).

Submarine models, representing subs from World War II to the present, on the memorabilia table

Submarine photos on the memorabilia table

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 1

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Social time in the sun room

Don Ulmer providing the luncheon toast

Base Commander Al Smith talks about the our submarine family

Sharing some sea stories with the group

Dick Gonzalez getting the Shipmate of the Year award

World War II Veteran Ralph Sterley and his guest, Lois Twelves

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THE DOLPHIN BROTHERHOOD

Base News and Information Page Mark the Date

2016-2017 Seattle Base Officers & Chairs

We are working on a new calendar for 2017 Seattle Base events. We will get the information out as soon as it is available. Here are a few items we know about. Be sure to mark them on your calendars so you don’t forget. More dates will be posted as events are announced.

Commander:

Al Smith

253-631-5010

Sr. Vice Commander:

Carl Miner

206-819-2189

Jr. Vice Commander:

Pat Householder

425-392-0440

Secretary:

Bill Giese

425-335-5990

Treasurer:

Jim Harper

425-357-6485

Membership Chair:

Pat Householder

425-392-0440

Jan 18: First Seattle Base meeting of 2017 Sept 1 - 6: USSVI National Convention, Orlando FL.

Base Chaplain:

Andrea Geisler

425-702-2121

Chief of the Boat:

Ralph Sterley

360-568-4420

Storekeeper:

Ralph Sterley

360-568-4420

Webmaster:

Steve Shelton

206-526-1130

Newsletter Editor:

Dave Schueler

206-243-6784

Contact the Newsletter Editor for more information on these events. Be sure to check the 2017 Base Events Calendar for more items.

January 18 January, General Meeting

Birthday Wishes

Here is a list of Seattle Base member birthdays for January and February. Be sure to wish them a ‘Happy Birthday and many returns’ the next time you see them, offer to buy them a drink, and see if they remember what year they were born.

Roy Rasmussen Gary Van Dusen Thomas Prettyman Doug Gilman Curt Maier Al Smith Bob Opple Fred Ensslin Lehman Booher Leland Davis Tim Floersch James Shepperd Dennis Doyle Jay K. Davis Bob Morris Edward Lemay Bill Giese C Angus McDonald

Upcoming Meetings

Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 7 Jan 18 Jan 20 Jan 22 Feb 3 Feb 6 Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 11 Feb 13 Feb 14 Feb 16 Feb 21 Feb 25 Feb 25

On the Internet Seattle Base Website: www.ussvi.org/base/Seattle.asp USSVI National Website: www.ussvi.org Ric Hedman’s Website: www.pigboats.com Don Gentry’s BBS: www.bottomgun.com/bbs2/ Ron Martini’s BBS: http://rontinisubmarinebbs.com/

February 15 February, General Meeting Meetings are held at the Lake Washington VFW Post 2995, 4330 148th Ave Redmond WA 98052 The meetings start at 7:00 PM with social time in the lounge and meeting room before the meeting.

Newsletter Notes A full-color version of the current Seattle Base newsletter is available on the Base website (www. ussvi.org/base/Seattle.asp). Remember, if you do not need a hardcopy of the newsletter mailed to you or if you just prefer reading the newsletter online or receiving a copy by email, please let me know. You would be helping out the base by reducing the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter. Also, remember to check the Seattle Base blog (http://sealebase.blogspot.com/) for event updates and new articles. Finally, if you have any comments, good or bad, about the newsletter or if you have an article you would like to contribute, please feel free to talk with me about it. My mailing address is the return address for the newsletter or you can call me at: (206) 243-6784, or email at: [email protected]

Dave Schueler, Newsletter Editor

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 1

VA to let Vets Pre-Select Cemetery Burials before Death By Amy Bushatz from Military.com

A rule change at the Veterans Affairs Department will allow veterans to apply for burial in national cemeteries before their death, rather than requiring family members to apply on their behalf after it. Veteran burial benefits previously were approved at the "time of need." For families, that meant waiting until after the veteran died to apply for the benefits via fax or email by sending in a copy of the veteran's DD-214 or separation documents and then following up by phone. The rule change instead allows veterans to be approved for burial in a VA national cemetery "pre-need," or before death, through a form submitted by fax, email or mail. The form can be filled out by the veteran or by someone else on his or her behalf. Burial locations are assigned based on availability at the time of need, VA officials said. Although veterans cannot reserve a gravesite, they can indicate on the form a cemetery preference. Doing so allows VA officials to predict need at cemeteries, and may help inform decisions for those choosing a burial site after the veteran's death, officials said. The predetermination process qualifies veterans for burial in 135 cemeteries and 33 soldiers' lots operated by the VA nationwide. The process does not include Arlington National Cemetery, which is operated by the U.S. Army and uses a different application system. After receiving the burial benefits application, the VA will provide written notice of its decision regarding eligibility, officials said in a release. The decision and supporting documents will then be stored electronically by the VA to make burial arrangements faster when they are needed, they said. The change is an easy way for the VA to simplify the burial process for grieving families, officials with the Veterans of Foreign Wars said, and allow veterans to put their affairs in order. "We think it's something that's a no-nonsense, easy solution to ease the burden as people enter the later years of their lives," said Patrick Murray, an associate director for the VFW's national legislative service. "We tell people to be proactive, but in this [the VA said], 'Oops, you can't do this, you have to wait until you die,' " he said. "We view this as a common sense solution for a problem we're glad is being taken care of." Officials with the American Legion agreed. "A predetermination is the right thing to do. It allows the veteran and their family a small

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measure of comfort at a time when they can use any comfort they can get," Lou Cell, the Legion's national director for veterans affairs and rehabilitation, said in a statement. "The American Legion reviewed this policy when they were recommending these changes several months ago and assured the VA they had the American Legion's full support," he added. In addition to burial in a national cemetery, the VA provides most veterans who were not dishonorably discharged with a government headstone or marker, a burial flag and a presidential memorial certificate after death. Some veterans’ survivors also qualify for burial allowances, designed to cover some burial and funeral costs. Predetermination forms can be submitted by fax to 1-855-840-8299, email to Eligibility. [email protected] or mail to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office, P.O. Box 510543, St. Louis, MO 63151, according to the VA.

USSVI Member: Please cut out and attach this note to your will or final instructions. ** IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ** In the case of my death, please immediately notify the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc., (USSVI) at 877-542-3483 or 360-337-2978 and give the person on duty the information regarding my death, funeral, and burial arrangements, plus who they can contact for follow-up and support. Please ask them to contact my local chapter Base Commander with this information as well (they can look it up in the membership records). The information can also be E-Mailed to the National Office at: [email protected]. Also, all members should provide Pat Householder, Membership Chair, with next of kin information if not your wife. USSVI Member: Please cut out and attach this note to your will or final instructions.

USSVI Seattle Base Newsletter c/o Dave Schueler 10631 31st Ave SW Seattle, WA 98146

To:

“No matter where you travel, when you meet a guy who’s been... There’s an instant kind of friendship ‘cause we’re brothers of the ‘phin.”

- Robert Reed, G.W. Carver (SSBN-656) -

Contents Meeting Recap.................................................. 1 Commander’s Corner......................................... 1 U.S. Submarine Force Losses.............................. 2 January is renewal time for the Boat Sponsorship Program ..................................................... 2 Membership Renewals........................................ 3 2017 USSVI Calendars Available.......................... 3 Calendar Recycling ........................................... 3 From the desk of the Senior Vice Commander ...... 3 Holland Club Funding ........................................ 4 The Navy Retires a Submarine that Miraculously Survived a Terrifying Collision......................... 4 USS Springfield Conducts Burial At Sea, Reuniting a Sailor with Lost Shipmates............................. 5 The U.S. Navy’s Next Missile Sub Is Called USS Columbia..................................................... 6 Navy To Get New, More Deadly Torpedo................ 6 War Winning Weapons........................................ 6 2016 Auburn Veterans Day Parade ...................... 7 2016 Seattle Base Holiday Luncheon.................... 8 Base News and Information Page.........................10 VA to let Vets Pre-Select Cemetery Burials before Death................................................11

Sailors from USS Michigan join us at the Auburn Veterans Day Parade. See page 7 for more.