Upcoming 2008 Reunion
The business meating was held late Saturday night after the events started slowing down It was voted on and decided the there would be a reunion in 2008 and would be held in Philly. The Sub Vets group in Philly, taking care of the Becuna would be invited to attend. As more information comes in it will be posted. Date, hotel and events are being worked on by the reunion committee.
2006 Reunion
It wasn't as big as previous reunions but the comoraderie was still there. Another success however I was hoping for a better turnout. There was two skippers there, LCDR Bob Anderson & LCDR Bob Flood.
I got there to late to enjoy the setup for the Hospitality Room. Saturday shipmates broke up into small groups and visited the local attractions which included the Nautilus Museum and the Casinos. The main event, the banquet, had excelent food and plenty to go around. I counted about fifty people there but when I get the official count it will be posted. There was a nice cake decorated with the Becuna patch.
Lou Capone won the drawing for a free room. There was also a 50/50 drawing where half the procedes go to the Becuna in Philly. The winner will be posted when I get the name.
DBF History (Click Patch)
One of two Screws from Becuna
Click on the screw for a path to the Museum
Reunion 2008
Oct. 10 thru Oct. 12
Becuna Survey Letter (NEW)
I [Gitch] want to thank all those shipmates that responded to the mailing. I have passed the responses from this mailing to my contact in Philly who is working with the Seaport personnel to put this next reunion together. You will be receiving further information about finalized plans which will include the hotel where we will be staying and the cost for the meals. This letter will go out to all those that said they will be attending this upcoming reunion. I expect this letter will be sent the beginning of July.
CLICK here to see perspective attendies....
Reunion Committee
Dick Geiler (Gitch)
Ken Szablewski )Ski)
Bob Palma (in Philly)
Becuna in Distress
Want to fulfill the Creed and help a distressed boat?
USS Becuna, a Guppy 1A, The memorial boat Becuna in Philly is hurting. MBT 6B is leaking were it not for temporary repairs, the boat would be listing 7°. Temporary repairs aside, the boat needs to be drydocked for permanent repairs. Individual and Base donations greatly appreciated. Please consider a Base project to raise funds to help.
Mark your donations to:
Becuna Dry Dock Funds, c/o Independence Seaport
Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd, Phil., Pa 19106-3199.
(this was checked with District Cmdr and local Base Commander for validity.)
USSVI Convention 2007
Alaska Cruise
I recieved some some pictures from the cruise and recognized a few Becuna crew and posted them for all to dream about. I have been to Alaska by RV and it was my favorite travel experience in the USA. The note with the pictures explained that the cruise was also enjoyed by all. The cruise ship (Oosterdam) went through a lot of extra effort for the USSVI. Setting the manuvering watch, diving alarms and tours through the engineering spaces to mention a few.
Click HERE to see the pictures...
Help out the reunion committee and click on the form below to download a PDF form that can be mailed to Gitch to gather info for the upcoming reunion. Thanks !!
Past Reunions
The 2002 reunion was a great success. Thanks to our shipmates who contributed there time and expertise.
The official attendance was 97 people. I counted the pic's in the 2000 reunion cruise book and there were 99 pic's.
A special thanks to Dick Gudis for the great job organizing the sub-base tour, the night at the museum and almost a color guard.
Mike Pelhemus helped out a lot with the sales of Becuna items and instrumental in finding the "Ship's Bell" and getting it to Philly at his expense.
Subbase gave us a great tour. Had security SNAFU been avoided we could have avoided the veal meal offered at the mess hall.
Awards
The Mayor of Groton, CN awarded the Becuna certificates for outstanding service that will be given to the Becuna Museum at Philly.
Mini Reunions
New pictures from the SubVets / Becuna reunion in Kansas City, Missouri and Glacier Nat Park, Montana have been posted on the Reunion page.
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The COB was a liaison between the officers and the crew. Usually the senior most Chief in the Goat Locker. Back in the early days of Submarines (1900), the Chief of the Boat was the executive officer, in fact, if not in name, for the commanding officer was the only commissioned officer on board. The original crew of Holland, consisted of five men and one officer as captain.
First Chief of the Boat................... W.H.Reader CGM
First Boat to have COB ............... ?
USS Holland SS1
First Skipper to have COB.......... ?
LT ?H.H. Caldwell
The Skippers I served under were Legs Legare, Robert Flood and Robert Anderson.
The COB's I remember on Becky B were
Gunner Lewis & Quackenbush EMC
Dolphin Insignia
Pin worn by personnel qualified in submarines (enlisted - silver, officers - gold). This qualification period takes 5 to 12 months and teaches all major systems aboard the ship. A specific amount of signatures were required each week and if not adhered to a delinquent status (dink) and liberty restrictions are enforced. Once all signatures from qualified enlisted are obtained then a review by the Qualification Officer makes the final decision. Some ceremony and initiation takes place when the opportunity becomes available. This usually consists of being thrown over the side, photos and the drinking of the dolphins. I was surprised to see how many shipmates still had there sign-off sheets at the reunion 35 years later.
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