Perch Base USSVI August 2023 National Convention

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Perch Base
National Convention
Tucson, AZ

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The Convention Patch.

OUR "FEARLESS" LEADER!

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Our Perch Base Commander George Woods broke his wrist Sunday night prior to the first day of the 2023 USSVI National Convention, but with a trip to hospital that night, he was at the Convention kickoff the next morning. He then had followup surgery on Thursday afternoon and again was at the Convention the next morning! Talk about dedication!

Special thanks to Tucson Base Commander Mike Ortiz and his wife, Romie, who took George to the hospital and followup surgery, and did their best to make him as comfortable as possible.

Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) and some of their wives & family went to the 2023 USSVI National Convention held from August 27 to September 3, 2022, in Tucson, Arizona at the El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort, hosted by the USSVI Tucson Base and the Phoenix, AZ Perch Base.
Although the major activities did not start until Tuesday, August 29, some of the Perch Base members arrived on Sunday, August 27, to set up the Convention.
In addition to these photos on this webpage, the Convention Committee has posted additional photos at this LINK. It is unclear how long these additional photos will remain available on the link.

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The USS Phoenix (SSN-702) float in front of the resort. Chris Gahan, Dan Marks, Joe Trotter & George Woods helped set up the float. Don Robertson towed the float from Dewey to Tucson for the Convention, even though he could not stay for the Convention.

The USS Tucson (SSN-770) float in front of the resort.

Joe Trotter and Dan Marks placed American and Arizona flags along the driveway into the resort to let everyone know they were welcome.

Photos of Perch Base members attending the 2023 USSVI National Convention.

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Jan & Vic VanHorn.

Georgianne & Chris Gahan

Alice & George Woods.

Kathy & Joe Trotter.

Jim, Jay & Mary Denzien.

Layne & Dan Moss.

Pat & Bob Warner.

Don & Marcia Unser.

Bob Saenz (Bob da COB).

Dave Heighway.

Brad Seidel. Brad was also the coordinator for the USS Pintado (SSN-672) Reunion at this Convention.

John Beckett & his son, John Jr.

Howard Doyle.

Steve Day.

Paul Miller.

Laura & Chuck Luna and Gladys Rosowitz.

Robie Robinson.

Dan Marks.

Jack Messersmith.

Carlton Clarke.

Jerry Benham.

Edison Henry.

Gary Bartlett.

Governor Joy.

Tucson Base staffed the Registration Desk. Although they worked shifts with different members, this photo includes:
(l-r) Bruce Mitchell, Ada Adams & Don Galitz.

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(l-r) Bruce Mitchell, Ada Adams & Don Galitz.

Daily Raffles were held and a Silent Auction and Raffle were also planned:

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Silent Auction.

Raffle.

Daily Raffle.

Numerous vendors sold their wares and services.

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Dennis Nardone (left) representing the USSVI National Office with Charlie Murray (right) from the Groton Base. Dennis will soon retire and turnover to Charlie.

John Wells, CDR (ret) (left) & Rich Elliot (center) representing the Military Veterans Advocacy. Dennis Ottley, Western District Commander (WD1) is on the right.

BC Patch (Barry Commons).

SS Challenge Coins.

Jenny Dugan, "The Vest Lady."

Chip Pomeroy, representing Test Depth Customs Metal Art.

Kathy & Joe Trotter representing the Arizona Silent Service Memorial (ASSM).

Author George Wallace CDR (ret) and his wife, Penny, promoting his books. George's book "Firing Point" became the basis for the movie "Hunter Killer."

Tanya Wheeless representing the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation to support the commissioning of the fourth U.S. Navy vessel in American history to bear the name Arizona, honoring, expanding, and nurturing the memory of the USS Arizona battleship BB-39 while forging the future legacy of the USS Arizona Virginia-class fast attack submarine SSN-803. Tanya is accompanied by Joe Trotter.

Lynn Bennett USN (ret) & Chris Gahan representing the USS Phoenix (SSN-702) Cold War Monument Foundation. Lynn is the Director of the Foundation.

Ken Earls representing the USSVI Charitable Foundation.

Capt. Norman Mims (USN, ret) representing the Naval Submarine League.

Brian & Deb Headden promoting the merchandise from their online store "Always a Submariner."

Mike Burk from USSVI Cod Base promoting the 2024 National Convention which will be in Cleveland, OH.

J. Len Sciuto promoting his books.

Jim Pope showing his personal letter from Admiral Nimitz.

Valerie Speltz was on-hand for the Reserve Component Transition Assistance Advisor (RCTAA.) Her role is to "guide and educate" service members and their loved ones on benefits that the member may have earned during their military service.

Tuesday, August 29, included a tour to the University of Arizona Biosphere 2. Biosphere 2 advances our understanding of natural and human-made ecosystems through integrated research that drives the discovery and development of interventions that increase the resilience and sustainability of Earth systems and human quality of life. We advance research in our unique facilities, conduct interdisciplinary science education, and foster leadership initiatives focused on developing scalable solutions for our planet and beyond.

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Tuesday evening, August 29, was the Welcome Aboard Reception. Consistent with the southwest location of the Convention in Tucson, AZ, we opened with an invocation by a American Indian couple. The invocation was followed by an exceptional music and dance performance by the Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School. They have received national acclaim. They were accompanied by the Ballet Folkloric de Pueblo Guerreros. The remainder of the evening was meeting other submariners and telling Sea Stories!

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Dennis Ottley, Western District Commander (WD1) welcomed the 2023 USSVI National Convention attendees and introduced the American Indian invocation.

The American Indian Wind Raven, accompanied by his wife, present the invocation.

The Ballet Folkloric de Pueblo Guerreros.

Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School and the Ballet Folkloric de Pueblo Guerreros.

Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School.

The Ballet Folkloric de Pueblo Guerreros.

Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School.

Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School and the Ballet Folkloric de Pueblo Guerreros.

Then we told each other Sea Stories through the rest of the evening.

Wednesday morning, August 30, was the Holland Club Breakfast.

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Jim Sandman, the USSVI National Chaplain, led the invocation for the Holland Club Breakfast.

Jim Sandman, the USSVI National Chaplain, has also recently authored a book "Heaven Is Like Eternal Sex."

Jim Irwin, the USSVI National Holland Club Chairman, opened the presentation by introducing two WW2 submarine veterans. Both were given standing ovations by the breakfast attendees.

WW2 submarine veteran Tony Faella.

WW2 submarine veteran Carlos Lopez.

There were 3 inductees into the Holland Club at the breakfast.
(l-r:) Holland Club member Ted Vorce presented the hat & certificate to Bob Saenz.
Mike Ortiz received the hat & certificate from Holland Club member Dennis Ottley
Holland Club member Bruce Mitchell presented the hat & certificate to Doug Holt.

Following the induction ceremony, John Wells, CDR (ret), gave a keynote address on Veterans access to benefits.

Following the induction ceremony, George Murray, CDR (ret), author of "Firing Point," which became the basis for the movie "Hunter Killer" discussed how the future of submarines may change.

The Holland Club breakfast centerpiece at each table.

Wednesday morning, August 30, was the Submariners Association of The United States of America (ISA/USA Inc.) meeting.

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Wednesday morning, August 30, was the USSVI Pre ABM meeting.

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Wednesday, August 30, included a tour to the Pima Air and Space Museum.

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Wednesday, August 30, included a shopping showcase.

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Wednesday, August 30, included a Base Officers Meeting. Each of the USSVI National Officers briefed the Base Officers on expectations and answered questions.

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Wednesday evening, August 30, the Desert Diamonds Casino picked up two shuttles loads of the Submarine Veterans.
They were VERY happy when they left! I didn't see when they returned, so I'm not sure if they were still as happy!

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Wednesday evening, August 30, Jan & Vic VanHorn led a line dancing class.

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Thursday Morning, August 31, there was a Ham Radio Operator's meeting.

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Thursday, August 31, was the Men's & Women's Lunch. The group sang "Happy Birthday" to WW2 submarine veteran Tony Faella, honoring him on his 101st birthday. We then were entertained by David Fitzsimmons. David was an editorial cartoonist for the Tucson Arizona Daily Star. His editorial cartoons are syndicated to over 700 sites worldwide. David performed caricature drawings for several members in the audience, including our Past Base Commander W. Howard Doyle.

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Dennis Ottley, Western District Commander (WD1) led the "Happy Birthday" for WW2 submarine veteran Tony Faella and introduced the guest speaker David Fitzsimmons.

WW2 submarine veteran Tony Faella is presented with a birthday cake for his 101st Birthday.

The lunch attendees sing "Happy Birthday" to WW2 submarine veteran Tony Faella.

WW2 submarine veteran Tony Faella thanks the crowd.

David Fitzsimmons addresses the audience.

David Fitzsimmons drew a caricature of Dennis Ottley.

David Fitzsimmons interviewed Howard Doyle while drawing his caricature.

David Fitzsimmons drawing Howard's caricature.

The finished caricature.

Thursday afternoon, August 31, there was a Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS) meeting.

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Thursday afternoon, August 31, Capt. Pete Lumianski (USN, ret) gave a presentation on the USS Phoenix (SSN-702) Cold War Monument.

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Thursday evening, August 31, included a tour to the Gaslight Music Hall.

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Friday Morning, September 1, was the District Commander, Base Commander, and Vice Commmander Group meeting.

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Friday afternoon, September 1, was the Tolling of the Boats Ceremony.

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I was honored to sit next to WW2 submarine veteran Tony Faella.

Brian played the bagpipes to open the Tolling of the Boats Ceremony.

The Navy Junior ROTC presented the colors.

Rainey sang the National Anthem.

USSVI National Chaplain Jim Sandman gave the invocation.

The Tolling of the Boats Ceremony begins.

Perch Base member Governor Joy announced the Lost Boats.

Perch Base (and Tucson Base) member Gary Bartlett Tolled the Bell.

The ceremony included points on a map of where each boat was lost.

Rainey sang a patriotic song at the end of the Tolling of the Boats Ceremony.

Brian played the bagpipes again at the end of the Tolling of the Boats Ceremony.

Friday evening, September 1, the Desert Diamonds Casino picked up two shuttles loads of the Submarine Veterans.
Several were returning to the casino to win back the money they lost on Wednesday!

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Saturday morning, September 2, was the USSVI National Annual Business Meeting (ABM).

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(l-r:) Jay Mack, District Commander of the Year; Ken Nichols, Southeast Region Director; Steve Bell, National Jr. Vice Commander; Sid Sidlovsky, National Treasurer; Pete Juhos, Western Region Director.

(l-r:) Skip Turnbull, National Parliamentarian; Bill Andrea, National Commander; Dave Campbell, National Secretary; Jon Jaques, National Sr. Vice Commander; Tom Williams, Central Region Director; Les Altschuler, Northeast Region Director.

(l-r:) Bill Andrea, National Commander; Dave Campbell, National Secretary; Jon Jaques, National Sr. Vice Commander; Tom Williams, Central Region Director; Les Altschuler, Northeast Region Director; Wayne Standerfer, National Immediate Past Commander.