1MC ANNOUNCEMENTS                   

Photo of our namesake boat autographed by the first skipper, CAPT Dave Kern

WHO ARE WE?

This web site is intended to be an information source for all USS Virginia Base submarine veteran members, their families, friends and others interested in submarines - along with USS Virginia (SSN-774) crew, family and friends. Our Base was chartered and named in honor of the USS Virginia (SSN-774) and all of our members are proud to be associated with those who built and serve on this first boat in a new class of nuclear, fast attack submarines. Our Base is an official division of United States Submarine Veterans, Incorporated (USSVI) and was chartered as such on July 25, 2002 (click here to see the Certificate of Charter).

The USSVI Creed is "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."

That's our CREED above, but it's not who we are. We are United States Submarine Sailors! We were, and are, members of an elite fighting force of the United States Navy. We are all QUALIFIED IN SUBMARINES.

Included are submariners from the very early boats: S, R or earlier: WWII boats; post-war GUPPY boats and Boomer and Fast Attack submariners. Anyone designated as "Qualified in Submarines" - from E2 to 4 Stars - retired, short timer, or active duty - it makes no difference and are all eligible and invited to join with us.

YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN US

If you are "Qualified in Submarines" we want you to join USSVI and, if you live anywhere within the central Virginia area, we want you to also join our USS Virginia Base. USSVI has 150+ local Bases (chapters) from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and two Internet bases. Members are from every state in the Union. In addition to the local Base, regional and district meetings throughout the year, USSVI also holds a National Convention in a different city every year.

If you want to learn submarine history from the people who wrote it, tell or hear sea stories from Pre-WWII, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Cold War or right now - USSVI and USS Virginia Base are where you want to be. If you want to find shipmates, plan or attend a boat reunion, eat, drink, or just share a common bond that all undersea warriors have that never goes away - USSVI and USS Virginia Base fit the bill.

HOW DO YOU JOIN US?

To learn more about joining USSVI and our USS Virginia Base you can:

1. Send an e-mail query to our Base Commander & Webmaster, Kenn McDermott and/or to our Treasurer/Membership Chairman, Jim Lencalis. Let us know if you have any questions about membership, meeting times and location, etc.
2. Click here for more information about the national USSVI organization and/or click here for a USS VIRGINIA BASE AND USSVI MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (in Word DOC format). Fill this form out and then mail it, along with either one check or two checks (your choice) for both USSVI 1st year dues ($20) and USS VIRGINIA BASE 1st year dues ($20), to

Jim Lencalis
USS Virginia Base Treasurer & Membership Chairman
13035 Spicers Mill Road
Orange, VA 23960

You can make a single check payable to USS VIRGINIA BASE

THEN WHAT?

We hold monthly meetings on the Second Thursday of most months at 1900 (7pm if you've been out of the service long enough to forget 24 hour time) immediately after a two-hour Happy Hour/Dinner period that begins at 1700 (5pm) - to which our ladies are always invited. (The ladies get together separately just before the meeting starts so sea stories can be shared without embarrassing them). We tried one Saturday meeting in 2009 instead of a Second Thursday meeting but the turnout was pretty much the usual suspects (although we were fortunate to have more wives in attendance) so unless a member wants to champion a specific date, time and venue for a Saturday meeting - that strategy is tabled for the time being.

We also schedule unique events and special presentations from time to time, along with a GREAT Sub Vet annual picnic every October. Spouses and family are always invited to attend the monthly happy hour/dinner, the annual picnic and special events whenever possible. If you are interested in the technical aspects of our organization, click here to read our Bylaws.

THIS WEB SITE

Click on the navigation buttons along the top of each page to peruse the various phases of how USS Virginia was named, her seal designed, the class of submarine she is the first of, her first crew, her Christening, her Sea Trials and her Commissioning. Also click on the various navigation buttons & links along the left side to view the different web pages that have been published so far.

IF YOU ARE 'QUALIFIED IN SUBMARINES' PLEASE JOIN WITH YOUR BROTHERS OF THE 'PHIN TO CELEBRATE EVERYTHING THAT IS UNIQUE AND PRAISEWORTHY ABOUT OUR SPECIAL UNDERSEA WARRIOR SERVICE!! 

Click here to learn more about this web site and how you can help.