MINUTES OF MEETING

ALBANY-SARATOGA BASE, USSVI

Location: Mohawk American Legion Post 1450 Clifton Park, NY

Meeting Date:  June 15, 2005

 The Bell was tolled for Boats lost during the month of June.

 All WWII Veterans present were asked to stand and be recognized. Ray Koch and Ralph Folger stood and were applauded.

 All members present stood and introduced themselves and the boats they served on.

 The Base Secretary reported there was a quorum present.  The minutes of the previous months meeting were not available. They will be mailed or emailed to the membership when they become available.

 The Base Treasurer gave his report. The current balance of the account was $8882.46. A motion to approve the report was made by Al Singleman and seconded by Tom Glenn.

 Old Business

 Diane Singleman reported that approximately $240.00 was donated to purchase clothing and supplies to be donated to the U.S. military hospitals servicing the wounded troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Clothing was purchased and the Prime Hotel along with the Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn donated large quantities of personal care items (soap, shampoo, combs, etc.) and will be packaged and mailed to the hospitals.

 Additionally about 223 books were donated for donation to the “Books for Boats” program. This program is however overloaded with books and the base was asked to find an alternative outlet. After some research Al Singleman reported they will be going to the East Coast Fleet Library. The books, along with the clothing will be boxed up and shipped to their destinations at a cost not to exceed $250.00.

 Last evening, June 14th the Base presented a check to the Schuylerville Elementary School Band in appreciation for their performance during the “Welcome Aboard” celebration for the 2004 USSVI Convention. There were 16 Base members present to present the check and a certificate of appreciation to the band.

 There was some discussion as to whether or not the Base should in some way or other continue to financially support or sponsor the Schuylerville music program. Ralph Folger brought up the fact that the Father Flanagan Band from the St. Augustine Church in Troy could also be considered for support. Several points of view were brought out and discussed and it was eventually decided to think about it and table any action until next month. 

 New Business

 The Saratoga Tourist Bureau is going to have a table at the 2005 USSVI Convention in Kansas City to solicit the Sub Vets to bring their Boat Reunions to Saratoga. George Gasser has asked that any Albany-Saratoga Base members that are attending the Convention if they would be willing to work for a few hours at the booth.

 A show of hands of those present at the meeting showed only a very few members that planned to attend. George asked if the Base paid a stipend of $300.00 to all who went and were willing to work at the booth if that would entice more members to attend. That didn’t seem to make a difference to those present so any further discussion was tabled until next months meeting. CDR Ondek will poll the complete Base membership to get a more accurate idea of how many are attending and how many are willing to help out.

 Tom Glenn has some commemorative coins from the USS San Francisco. He was selling them for a donation of $5.00 or however much more you were willing to pay. All proceeds would go to the family of the submariner who died. 

 The Base received a request to by a brick from the Ozark-Runner Base for their Submarine memorial. The cost of the brick is $50.00. Since we will be doing the same type of fundraising in a few years it was suggested we purchase a brick. A motion was made by George Gasser, seconded by Bill Preece and carried. The Base Secretary will solicit suggestions for the wording. There are three lines with sixteen places per line. Any suggestions can be forwarded to Jim Irwin. 

 Al Singleman gave a brief summary of what steps the Base will be going through to get the sail and the rudder for our memorial and some of the logistics involved. Gus Negus offered to check into transporting the parts via the rail system.

 A motion to adjourn was made by Al Singleman and seconded by Fred Carlson.

 The next regular meeting will begin at 7:00 on July 20, 2005.  This meeting will be held at the American Legion Adirondack Post 70 on West Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY.

 Submitted by: 

Jim Irwin, Secretary
Albany-Saratoga Base
Pride Runs Deep

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