Chapter Officers
President - CAPT Bill Weisensee,
USN(Ret)
Vice President -
CAPT Dave Volonino, USN
Acting Secretary -
LT
Dwight Brisbane, USN
Treasurer - CAPT Mark Kevan, USN(Ret)
The Naval Submarine League normally meets quarterly (Feb/May/Aug/Nov), usually on the third Tuesday of those months, at 11:30 to 12:30 at the “GOAT LOCKER” onboard the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga.
Our next quarterly meeting of the Chapter will be held mid-November 2007. The date and time will be announced.
After our regular meetings you are welcome to visit the St Marys Submarine Museum on the waterfront in downtown St Marys. There is a lot to see, including quite a bit of material that we inherited from Ben Bastura’s extensive privately-owned Submarine Library and Museum in Middletown, CT. You will be pleasantly surprised about the amount of information we have on file of those “boats” you proudly served on.
During the first week of November ‘07, several Chapter members will participated in the annual Memorial Service for the U.S. Navy Submarine Veterans of WWII who visit Kings Bay. Nearly 800 WWII and other SubVets arrive from across the nation, and there are always numerous positive comments received about the outstanding treatment they received from the CO and active duty members from the Kings Bay Submarine Base, the St. Marys Submarine Museum Staff, and the local submarine veterans associations.
Our Chapter member, Bob Hurley, had more outstanding results with our Chapter’s April 20th fund raising Golf Tournament held at SUBASE Kings Bay. Twenty five teams and 100 people attended. After all expenses associated with conducting the golf tournament were paid, $1,303 was raised. The proceeds go to benefit dependents of local Submariners and to support other NSL Chapter programs. The Chapter members voted to donate $500 to the Dolphin Scholarship Fund, and $500 for one local NJROTC student scholarship.
In the past our Chapter members have made presentations to the NJROTC Unit students at Camden County High School. These presentations were to familiarize the junior and senior NJROTC students about the Naval Submarine League, and how submarines systems operate. These presentations were very well received, and the students asked some pertinent questions during very active discussions. We will be working with the NJROTC Unit commanding officer regarding future presentations.
Our Chapter President had the pleasure of presenting the Naval Submarine League’s Admiral “Fearless Freddie” Warder Award to an NROTC officer candidate at Jacksonville University in April again this year. Also, in addition to having an outstanding presentation by a guest speaker at each quarterly Chapter meeting, we recognize a Kings Bay junior officer or senior enlisted sailor, selected by Submarine Squadrons 16 and 20, for performance above and beyond their normal duties.
Please bring a friend and join us at our November 2007 meeting in support of the world’s greatest submarine force. Sandwiches and soda will be available at a cost of $5.00. The meeting is open to anyone; member or non-member, military (officer and enlisted) or civilian, and buying lunch is not a requirement. Contact Bill Weisensee at 912 729-2939 or bwnw0527@tds.net if you have any questions.
WHAT IS THE NAVAL SUBMARINE LEAGUE
The Naval Submarine League is an organization which allows submarine advocates in all walks of life to demonstrate their strong and continuous support while providing a forum wherein this group can become acquainted with and educated on significant details of the goals and issues confronting the Submarine Force.
Founded and incorporated in Virginia in 1982 as a not for profit organization, the Naval Submarine League has grown steadily. Our membership now numbers about 3,500, which includes approximately 15% active duty submariners. Corporate Membership remains at around 75.
All members receive the quarterly SUBMARINE REVIEW plus internet access to the League DIRECTORY. The REVIEW is recognized as one of the best publications of its kind, and is continuing to receive many accolades. Also, frequent timely NSL Update e-mails are sent to Chapter members who have internet access, to keep them informed of current events and happenings. Informational materials are available on a loan basis.
WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE NAVAL SUBMARINE LEAGUE?
The membership shows great diversity, from retired WW II Medal of Honor winners to junior active duty Petty Officers and Officers, from giant Corporations to small consultant firms, and from CEOs to those whose only connection is a vibrant interest in submarines. We have as many retired Chief Petty Officers as we do retired Admirals, and about as any civilian members as military, both active duty and retired. None of that should be surprising, of course, since the aim of the League is to represent the greater Submarine Community of builders, designers, support people, operators and that part of the public who give them support and encouragement.
NAVAL SUBMARINE LEAGUE CHARTER
1. To stimulate and promote an awareness, by all elements of American society, of the need for a strong submarine arm of the U.S. Navy.
2. To encourage mutual understanding and a close working relationship between American society, and those segments of the United States government responsible for the acquisition and employment of submarines for the common defense and national security.
3. To identify and study submarine problems affecting the common defense and national security of the United States, develop solutions to such problems, and provide such solutions to those governmental agencies charged with the responsibility for common defense and national security.
4. Through individual and collective action, to help the active and reserve military establishment to address submarine maritime issues.
5. To bring together the various diverse elements of the military, particularly in relation to problems associated with maritime submarine service.
6. To promote greater liaison and communication among the military, academic, and business communities on issues concerning the maritime submarine force.
7. To provide a forum whereby the views and perceptions of its members can be focused and expounded.