MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 MEETING

Because they were refinishing the floors at American Legion Post 186, our usual meeting place, we instead enjoyed Happy Hour at Hooters of Chesterfield, followed by the meeting at Base Commander Jack Winn's home. Jack's house is just a stone's throw from Hooters so it was a short drive from one to the other.

Needless to say, the eight sub vets who showed up at Hooters had a great time swapping sea stories, eating chicken wings and drinking beer for just over an hour as evidenced by the photos below:

Good food & drink combined with good company	Our server 'April' didn't want her photo taken by herself so she stood (yes she is actually standing) next to Kenn, who is seated!

We then all drove over to Jack Winn's house where three other members were waiting for us and we started the meeting.

A flag was retrieved from Jack's den and we pledged allegiance to it and the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God. The invocation was offered by Bob Warren and a bell was tolled for each boat lost during August.

Jack read letters from U. S. Senator George Allen about his efforts to get our Base a ship's bell, along with a letter from the skipper of VIRGINIA, Captain Kern, thanking us for supporting their boat.

We went around the room providing brief Navy & Sub Service biographies on ourselves - because we did have several new members in attendance - Ed Kiplinger and Robert J. Warren. Ed is a retired EMCM(SS) who lives at Lake Monticello and rode down with Kenn McDermott. Bob Warren, a retired Catholic Priest and USSVI Life Member, was inducted into the prestigious Holland Club during our meeting. Jack Winn, who conducted the ceremony, is also a Holland Club member. The Holland Club recognizes submarine veterans who have been designated "Qualified in Submarines" for over 50 years. Congratulations Bob - and a hearty welcome aboard USS Virginia Base to both Ed and Bob.

Jack's wife, Bonny, made a great pineapple upside down cake and served it to everyone with coffee as we discussed old and new business. Jack said it was time to consider officer positions for next year and Thurman Register and Kenn McDermott offered to serve on the nominating committee.

Everyone agreed that Jack had been doing a GREAT job and urged him to stay on as Base Commander - but Jack said he would need more help administering the Base if he were to do that. Sharing the duties of Secretary were discussed, with the possibility of having co-secretaries or at least alternate secretaries so Jack wouldn't have so much paperwork to do in addition to running the Base. Jack also asked for more help putting on the dinner meetings since so much of that work had fallen to him and Bonny.

The meeting was never really formally adjourned, but faded into small group discussions and fellowship. This was really a fun evening. Thanks Jack & Bonny!

Now here are the 'official' minutes as received from Jack Winn via e-mail:

USS Virginia Base, Richmond, VA

Minutes of 4 September 2003 Meeting

1830- Happy Hour - at Hooters Restaurant on Huguenot Parkway

1930- Commenced meeting - at Commander Jack Winn's house
    9 Members in attendance with 2 new members joining:
    Jack Winn - Commander
    Roger Warden - Vice Commander
    Herby Ortiz - Treasurer
    Dave Jonkers - Chief of the Boat
    Kenn McDermott - Webmaster
    Frank Kenyon - Storekeeper
    John Williams - Membership Chairman
    Thurman Register - Chairman Nominating Committee
    Rob McNamara

    New members
        Robert J. Warren
        Eddie Kiplinger

Invocation - by Acting Chaplain Robert Warren

Tolled bell for boats lost in September

Read Minutes of August meeting - Approved as read

Treasurers Report - Read and accepted

Committee Reports
    Vice Commander & Historian Roger Warden reported on cataloging papers, pictures and books obtained by Shipmate Keith Link that he obtained from his father. This is now on the web for anyone that would like to see the list.

    Frank Kenyon, Storekeeper, will start taking orders for items available in USS Virginia Ship store. Order form will be on web.

    Kenn McDermott, Webmaster, reported on Web site and a change of name from virginiabase.org to ussvirginabase.org was discussed and approved to more accurately reflect the name of our base.

Old Business
    Roger Warden will give design for new base patch to Kenn McDermott who will put it on his computer and finish the design. Design will be submitted to Thurman Register to get price from patch maker he has used for USS Grampus patches.
    Kenn McDermott reported he finished customizing the bylaws for our base. Reports that our Web Site has had over 6300 hits.
    No news on getting bell from Naval Museum.

New Business
    October 2nd meeting will feature "Turk" Turner WWII veteran that spent 3 ½ years in a Jap prison camp.
    A Potluck dinner will be held prior to the meeting.

    Gave Holland Club award to Robert Warren, Life Member of USSVI. Qualified in 1951. Spend six years on submarines then became a Catholic Priest for 40 years before his recent retirement from the church.

    Thurman Register volunteered to be Chairman of the nominating committee for new base officers to be held in November. New Officers are to be sworn in at the December meeting. Kenn McDermott volunteered to assist Thurman.

Good of the Order
    Read letter from Captain Dave Kern, Captain USS Virginia (SSN-744)
    Read Letter from Senator George Allen saying he will help base get a bell from the Naval Museum.

2100 Adjourned Meeting