U.S.Submarine Veterans, Inc.
Albany-Saratoga Base American Legion Post #70
34 West Ave Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866
Meetings every 3rd Wednesday of the
Month
Minutes from April 2007
The muster list was passed around, twenty five members were present. Cdr.
Singleman opened the meeting at 1900.
Invocation was given by Base Chaplin, Janet Irwin.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all hands.
The tolling of the Boats and the Crew lost for the month of April were read and a special remembrance on the passing of Lois Bydairk wife of Walt
Bydairk.
All members stood and introduced themselves and the Boats served on.
WWII Veterans Ray Koch and Vito DeLeonardis were asked to stand and be recognized.
A motion was made for the acceptance of the March minutes by Jim Irwin and seconded by Fritz
Feldhaus.
Treasurer’s report was given by Treasurer Fred Carlson; a motion was made to accept by Al Singleman and seconded by Gus
Negus.
Mike Miller the Regional Coordinator-North for Assemblymen Jim Tedisco was introduced by Cdr.
Singleman. Five years ago Mr. Miller wrote a speech for then Assemblyman Bob Prentiss for the yearly Tolling of the Bell Ceremony. This speech was read to the members by Mr. Miller and a copy of the speech will be presented as a plaque for the Albany-Saratoga Base Museum. Mr. Miller’s father was a Nuclear Engineer at West Milton. He was also given material to take back to Assemblymen Tedisco regarding Albany-Saratoga Base Memorial.
Storekeeper Diane Singleman mentioned she is about to place an order for Ball Caps, Garrison Caps, Shirts, etc., and if anyone is interested please contact her ASAP. Parade Jackets were also discussed and have been addressed in other emails from Cdr.
Singleman.
The Tolling of the Bells Ceremony held at the Saratoga County Complex had a good attendance from the Base but a poor outside attendance. More advanced notice will be given in the future. In attendance was Cdr. Howse the CO of NPTU West Milton. Cdr. Howse participated in the tolling ceremony as a former shipmate of his, SCPO Thomas Higgins (COB) of the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul was lost in the December incident.
TID-BITS
Picnic -- Sign up sheets were and will be available at our meetings. A deposit has been sent to Lanthiers Grove.
Letter of Thanks -- A letter of thanks has been received from the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum for the $147.00 donation “To Save the
Silverside”.
New Members -- Tom Kelley Jr. (Associate Member)
Since our April meeting- Ray Misiewicz has joined as an Associate member and will be our guest speaker for the May 16th meeting.
Parade -- Memorial Day Parade in Saratoga May 23rd at 1800 in which our float will debut. Muster time will be announced at our May
meeting.
Thanks -- To Gus Negus for his acquisition and workmanship of a
Klaxon via the USS Slater and to Jim Bussen for his donation of a Klaxon.
Navy Ball -- The Albany-Saratoga Base has been invited to the annual Navy Ball held in October. MORE TO FOLLOW
New Business -- A motion was made to make a $25.00 donation to Hospice in memory of Lois
Bydairk, accepted by Fritz Feldhuas, voted on and passed.
Jim Irwin was in New Paltz for a meeting and they are still raving about the Saratoga Convention. Jim also had a NY State Sub-Vet License to show and has applications for anyone interested.
District Commander (ED5) Jim Irwin has requested that the proposed changes to the Base by Laws be inserted into these minutes (see below).
Article III, Section 2 Presently reads:
Associate Members may not vote in National Elections nor hold any National Office; they may hold Base positions other than the three Commanders Officers. They may only vote on local base matters when authorized by the Base Commander.
Propose Change to read:
Associate Members may not vote in National elections nor hold any National Office. They may however vote in Base elections and on Base matters
and may hold the elective offices of Secretary and Treasurer.
Article III Section 3 Presently reads:
A member in good standing is one whose dues are paid for the current year.
Propose to delete Article III Section 3. This is covered in Article IV Section 1.
Article III Section 4 Presently reads:
A. The Holland Club is an organization within the USSVI. Eligibility for membership is to be a “Qualified in Submarines” for at least fifty years and who is either a Life Member for at least one year or an annual member in good standing for the past five consecutive years. The National bylaws has complete eligibility. B. Holland Club members are exempt from National dues.
Propose to delete Article III Section 4 – Nothing in this section pertains to Base operations.
Article VII Presently reads:
No part of the income of this organization shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the organization, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the organization affecting one or more of it’s purposes), and no member, trustee, officer of the organization or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the organization’s assets on dissolution of the organization.
Propose change to read:
No officer or member shall be paid any salary for services rendered on behalf of the Base. In the event of the dissolution of this Base, all assets and moneys of the same shall be turned over to the National Senior Vice Commander.
Next Meeting: May 16, 2007 at 1900
Submitted by Mike Lynett, U.S. Navy (Ret)
Albany-Saratoga Base Secretary