MINUTES OF MEETING

ALBANY-SARATOGA BASE, USSVI

Location: American Legion Post 70, Saratoga Springs, NY

 

Meeting Date:  September 17, 2005 

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

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

All WWII Veterans present were asked to stand and be recognized. Ray Koch, Lou Drapalski, Vito DeLeonardis, and Bill Whitney stood and were applauded.

The Base Secretary reported there was a quorum present. 

The Base Treasurer gave his report and the Base has a bank balance of $7774.41 in the treasury.

CDR Ondek reported that the funds for the Foundation Fund have been moved to an interest bearing account and the balance is $40,431.27.

CDR Ondek also suggested we transfer the money in the Base Memorial Account (approximately $700.00) to Trustco Bank stock. A motion was made by Fritz Feldhaus and seconded by Frank Dorchak and was passed by the base to liquidate that account and purchase Trustco stock.

Committee Reports

Nomination committee chairman John Cook reports the following members have been recommended for 2006 Base Officers:

Base Commander         -  John Cook
Sr. Vice Commander     -  Fritz Feldhaus
Jr. Vice Commander      -  Ray Koch
Base Secretary             -  Bill Preece
Base Treasurer             -  Fred Carlson 

Nominations from the floor will be accepted at the October and November meetings. You must be present at the meeting to nominate someone from the floor and they must accept the nomination. Elections will take place at the November meeting and installations will be at the January 2006 meeting.

 Old Business

Base Web Site – The Base received a third place award at the Convention for its web site. We most likely would have placed higher but there were some areas where conflicting information was shown and there were a number of links that had no information. The Base Web master Paul Hartnagel has been unable to keep the web site current due to personal obligations. CDR Ondek has received a copy of the software program that will allow him to gain access to the web site. He will be able to assist Paul with keeping the site current.

Niagara Mohawk Brownfield – We are still pursuing this issue. Our attorney and Congressman Sweeney’s staff are trying to work things out so our plan is acceptable.

We are still looking at some land in Saratoga Springs on South Broadway across from the Dance Museum that might be suitable as an alternative. Frank Hardick will have a land surveyor check out this property to see if it is suitable.

Base meetings – Beginning with the October regular meeting, all meetings will be held at the American Legion Adirondack Post 70 on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Again, this is because of the increased attendance at meetings held there.

As reported last month Base member and renowned author Joe Buff will give a presentation on “Submarines, Today & Tomorrow” on Saturday October 29th from 1 – 3 pm at the NY State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs. He will also do a book signing of his latest book “Straits of Power”

New Business

Holland Club eligible members Bill Whitney, Gene Harvey, and Vito DeLeonardis will be inducted at the October meeting. 

CDR Ondek reported that he has extra copies of the latest edition of American Submariner magazine and that the new editor of the magazine has made it available on line.

Base member Bob Moore’s daughter Kelly sent word that he is recovering from his recent successful surgery and if anyone would like to send him a card his address is as follows: Bob Moore, 187 Bel Aire Drive, Mystic CT  06355.

If anyone is interested in working on the trailer float please contact Bob Ondek. We need your ideas and hope to begin work on it next spring.

Saratoga County will conduct Veterans Assistance Night and Job Fair on November 2nd from 6-10 pm at the Saratoga City Center. We have had a booth the past few years – if anyone is interested please contact Bob Ondek.

Fred Carlson gave a report on the 2005 USSVI Convention. Some people thought it was good other thought it was about average. Our Base members who attended wore their orange Convention shirts and were easily recognized.

Frank Dorchak asked about the possibility of setting up a “sunshine fund” for in house use when members are ill or otherwise incapacitated to let them know the Base and its membership is thinking of them. Frank agreed to help set up this fund.

There will be a presentation on Submarines at the North Pole given by Ray Misiewicz at the Clifton Park Public Library on November 4th at 10:30 am. The program is free. Call the library at 371-8622 for addition information.

We had several requests for donations. It was decided that the requests would be made available to the members if they chose to donate individually but no donations as a Base would be made at this time.

Frank Dorchak spoke about a possible recognition program for those who participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis and about a pin for fast attack submarine deployments.

A motion to adjourn was made by Tom Glenn and seconded by John Cook.

The next regular meeting will begin at 7:00 pm on October 19, 2005.  This meeting will be held at the American Legion Adirondack Post 70 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Submitted by:
Jim Irwin, Secretary 
Albany-Saratoga Base                                         
Pride Runs Deep

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