MINUTES OF
MEETING
ALBANY-SARATOGA BASE, USSVI
Location: American
Legion Post #1450, Halfmoon, NY
Meeting
Date: February 18, 2004
The February meeting for the 2004 USSVI Convention Committee was called to
order at 7:30 by Chairman Gasser. There
were 26 members and 12 guests present. This
months meeting is being held at the American Legion Post 70, Saratoga Springs,
NY.
Chairman
Gasser introduced himself and for the benefit of our guests gave a brief
overview of the Convention.
Parade
Chairman Bob Ondek was introduced and gave a report on the Parade scheduled
for September 18, 2004. At the
present time we have the US Navy Band and some other local bands we are
working with. Bob reported he would ideally like to have 6 or 8 additional
bands in the parade. Some area of
concern were raising money to put on the parade, transportation for those
unable to walk the distance, finding a Grand Marshal, honoring the oldest WWII
SubVet, and honoring the oldest USSVI member who is not a WWII SubVet. Bob is
working on all those issues. Bob
announced that Jerry Wells from the Saratoga Elks will be the parade
coordinator. Additionally he
spoke about the Parade Program. We will solicit sponsors and advertisers for
the Parade Program from business community in and around the Capital District.
The Convention Program will contain only sponsors from the military,
VFW’s, American Legions, and other civic organizations.
Bob
stated he would like to have an airplane flyover during the parade and said he
has been in contact with someone from the Civil Air Patrol and was hoping to
have C-130 perform the flyover. Retired Navy Capt. Dupree, husband of Lorna
Dupree agreed to look into the possibility of having a jet fighter do the
flyover.
Other
areas of fundraising that were discussed were three fundraising dinners to be
held during the months before the convention. We will also solicit funds by
direct mailing to major submarine vendors and known philanthropic
organizations in the area.
Senior
Chief Santos will be our contact person from the Kesselring Site. He indicated
he will help in anyway he can. Some areas include providing a quarterdeck at
the Welcome Party and the Grand Banquet. He also reminded the committee that
although he was offering help, there were certain limitations tasks that could
be performed. All duties
performed must be in the “best interest of the Navy.”
Another
area that we still need to work on is publicity.
We are looking for someone to send out articles to military magazines,
newspapers in military towns, and any other areas that would have a
concentration of ex submariners that we could get the word out to either join
USSVI, come to the convention, or both.
We still need help in all areas of fundraising, please
volunteer to help in any way you can. Thanks.
The
members were polled to see it there was anything else to discuss.
Being nothing further, the meeting was adjourned.
Submitted
by:
Jim Irwin, Secretary
Albany-Saratoga Base
Pride Runs Deep