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USS Maine Base—USSVI

Meeting 17 Oct, 2010

 

The meeting was called to order at 1300.

 

The USSVI Creed was read, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was performed and then a moment of silence was dedicated to members of the US Armed Forces, past and present, all over the world.

 

Tolling of the Bell for Submarines and Submariners lost in the month of October was performed.

 

After Tolling of the Bell, two visitors were introduced:

Josh Cochrane, son of Dana Cochrane. Josh is a crew member of the USS Tennessee and newly qualified Submariner

Raymond Payeur, a WWII vet that was on a tug, involved with I-400 class Japanese boats.

 

The minutes for last meeting were deemed appropriate and the treasurer was asked for his report. We have $1175.15 in the till, with no large bills looming.

 

 

Standing Committees

 

 

 Parade Committee: Our next parade is the Veterans Day Parade on 11 Nov in Portland, details to follow. As of now next year’s events are as follows:

Memorial Day in Bangor, 4th July in Augusta or Bath, and Veterans Day in Portland. If any member wishes us to march in a particular parade next year, please make the request at our November meeting. The efforts to obtain a Sponsor for our parades has not yielded any results, hope springs eternal however.

 

Kaps for Kids:  It was suggested that Memorial Day in Bangor might be the best time to visit a Children’s Facility in that city. Ed Cockburn will follow-up on this and Storekeeper Harlan Brown will be restocking our larder with hats.

 

Dolphin Committee: Money was sent to the USS Maine (Gold) to purchase Dolphins for newly Qualified Submariners.

 

 

Christmas Party: Our usual pot luck and bring gift for Togus Vets will be on 5 December. Members are requested to be at the hall at 1130 to help set-up. It is expected that the meeting will be at 1230 (short and sweet, John Promised). Secretary Gorman has been in contact with John Busch, the author of a new book, “Steam Coffin”, and he may be speaking at the dinner. Larry Ferrell will check at Togus about what gifts should we give to the Vets this year. We have always given wool socks, (and probably will again this year) but just a check to see if something else might be needed or more appropriate.

 

New Business

 

Maine Maritime Museum: Secretary Gorman reported that he was contacted by the museum wanting help with a new exhibit, now in development, about US naval personnel and operations based in Maine during the Cold War era. Cold Waters, Cold War: the 20th Century Navy in Maine, will run Feb.18, 2011 – August 7, 2011. Secretary Gorman will contact the Curator and set-up a meeting to discuss our involvement.

 

By-Laws and Constitution Review:  Larry Ferrell will do the annual review of these documents and report back.

 

D-1 Eastern Region Meeting: CDR Starbird attended the meeting and reported that there was little participation from other Bases. Two items from the meeting that seemed to merit consideration by the USS Maine Base were:

1. The sail of the USS Augusta is available and it might be possible to get it for Maine. This will be discussed at a future meeting.

2. The Lionfish, moored at Battleship Cove in Massachusetts, needs work and will be setting up work weekends. Secretary Gorman will contact Lionfish Curator and get more details.

 

Calendars: The 2011 calendars are in, they are $8 each. Harlan will have them at the November meeting in Portland. We don’t want any left this year. Harlan had one left last year and it will be another year before we hear the end of that.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 1420.

 

At 1420 our guest speaker, Raymond Payeur, entertained us with stories and photographs of WWII.

 

Respectfully submitted Secretary Roy Gorman