“There is but one requirement for membership, Have you ever worn dolphins?”(and if you have to ask, you haven’t)
After World War II, veterans of the wartime Submarine Force organized the “US Submarine Veterans WWII” open to those who served during the actual combat period.
But, their group was adamant; no sub sailor could join who did not serve during the war years.
Motivated by this limitation, some members organized anoth- er group, the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. whose only requirement was to have been qualified in submarines.
These far-viewing shipmates shared a belief in the need for an organization open to all submarine qualified shipmates, from the very beginning of the Submarine Service through to the present and into the future – not limited to just those who served so ably in the second World War. They wanted to make it known that those lost on submarines, in the line of duty for their country, will never be forgotten.
Starting in Groton Connecticut, the group started contacting past shipmates. Favorable responses came from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and many more from Connecticut.
In 1963 members from several northeast states held several meetings to firm up plans for what was to become the USSVI. The final meeting was held on 12 October, 1963 in Orange, NJ and the United States Veterans was born. The organization was officially chartered and incorporated in the State of Connecticut, as recorded on May 22, 1964 under that name. But, informally, we shall always be known as SubVets.
Our organization’s purpose is stated:
“To Perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accom- plishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.
In addition to perpetuating the memory of departed shipmates, we shall provide a way for all Submariners to gather for the mutual benefit and enjoyment. Our common heritage as Submariners shall be strengthened by camara- derie. We support a strong U.S. Submarine Force.
The organization will engage in various projects and deeds that will bring about the perpetual remembrance of those shipmates who have given the supreme sacrifice. The organization will also endeavor to educate all third parties it comes in contact with about the services our submarine brothers performed and how their sacrifices made possible the freedom and lifestyle we enjoy today.”
Our organization currently has just over 13,000 members organized in 165 local chapters called Bases in all the states except Alaska. Bases are geographically grouped into 22 Districts and further collected into four Regions. The Bases and Districts are headed by elected Commanders. While the Regions are headed by Directors. The four Regional Directors plus five directly elected national officers, a selected District Commander of the Year and the Immediate Past National Commander all form the Board that governs USSVI.
For members who cannot connect with a local Base, there are four non-geographic cyberspace or internet Bases that are open to all.
In addition to the comradery of Base meetings, one of the more popular ways for SubVets to support and live the spirit of first paragraph of our creed is through public appearances in parades and static displays. Many Bases have built trailer- mounted models of U.S. submarines, some are like this precise 1/15 scale copy of the USS PHOENIX (SSN-702) created by Perch Base of the namesake city. These floats, supported by eager Base members, also make appearances at schools, civic clubs and other events where submarine history is told first person.
But, like so many veterans in organized groups, Sub-Vets are aging. The days of walking the length of any parade are gone for most of us. Instead, trailers or other high visibility vehicles carry us while we wave, smile and look nautical.
Our USSVI and local Bases have a strong social sense. We make a major commitment to our “Kap(SS) 4 Kid(SS)” program. Pronounced “caps for kids,” we arrange visits to children’s hospitals and wards where children are battling severe and sometimes terminal illnesses. We hand out pink and blue submarine ball caps (the program name,) certificates and other small, approved items to try and bring a little diversion and cheer to their hospital stay.
This has proven to be an exciting time to be a member of USSVI as we develop our business plans and move from what was effectively a loosely run reunion group to a more business- like non-stock corporation as we should have been. Our new website is in its final stages of being tied together the way we want it after a couple of false starts and delays and we hope to go on-line with it around April 2017. Our upcoming 2017 National Convention at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando is contracted and details are developing nicely. Our 2018 Conven- tion is a planned Caribbean Cruise out of Fort Lauderdale on Holland America. The dates and costs are still pending the release of the 2018 cruise schedules by Holland America. 2019 plans are still in the early stages, but Texas is looking good with bids expected in both Fort Worth and Austin.
The major goal of National Commander, John Markiewicz, over the next two-years, is to increase USSVI membership through community involvement of our Bases and their members. All Bases will be helped to get involved in community activities that will both give the members and those we wish to recruit a reason to want to be a part of the organization. This will also increase the exposure of our Bases so that they become known entities in their local communities.
Very important to us is our Charitable Foundation, a separate corporation. The Foundation members are the USSVI Board of Directors plus others elected by the Board and are headed up by Immediate Past National Commander, currently Al Singleman as president, and Retired VADM Al Konetzni, elected as Executive Director. The Foundation is being revitalized to have it become more active, both in the areas of fund raising and disbursement of funds.
New members are a must for any organization to survive and grow. To attract new members, many of our bases contribute yearly subscriptions for our quarterly magazine, the American Submariner to boats and tenders, bases, NROTC units and other places that may reach current or future dolphin wearers. Many members proudly wear baseball caps, embroidered with Dolphins and other information that often stops passersby to ask questions.
USSVI has shifted gears and is moving more purposefully towards the future with a dedication to remembering those submarine sailors that have gone before, recruitment of new members, and service to our country and community.
