Attendees greeted each other while Barry Turano sold Raffle tickets.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch provided by CCB.

At 14.32 Commander Scott Powell called the Coastal Carolina Base meeting to order and presided.

Commander Scott Powell, Base Secretary Bill Underwood, Base Treasurer Terry Kuhn, Base Storekeeper Barry Turano, Base Chaplain Bruce Rae, Base Website Manager Frank Blackmon, Richard Schrum, Gerry Rowe, Doug Mays, Charlie Backes, Phil Kraus, Mike Bowers, George Depta, Dick Gudis, New Members Tom Punda, Dave Anderson & Dave Henclewski and guest Ken Badoin.

Base Chaplain Bruce Rae started the invocation with a moment of silence for Kevin Kesterson’s son and Dick Gudis’ wife Sally, who have passed since our last meeting.

Commander Scott Powell led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

No World War II Veterans were present at this meeting, but Scott spoke about his meeting with John Potanovic in Wilmington. Scott said that John planned to attend the meeting today, but mutually agreed to stay home due to the weather. John served on the USS Archer-Fish (SS 311) during WWII and made 7 war patrols including the one in November 1944 on which Archer-Fish sank the Japanese Carrier Shinano. CommanderPowellsaidthat Potanovic is eager to attend future CCB meetings. Dick Gudis, who had served on the recommissioned USS Archerfish (AGSS 311) recounted some of his exploits while serving on the boat.

Each attendee introduced themselves and their guests and gave their Qualification Date and the Boats on which they served. New members Dave Anderson, Dave Henclewski and Tom Punda introduced themselves and spoke about the boats they served on. Charlie Backes’ guest, Ken Badoian, introduced himself as well.

Base Storekeeper, Barry Turano, presented the below Storekeeper’s report. He pointed out that the Storekeeper holds inventory and cash on hand totaling $878.90. He also showed attendees some of the shirts and jackets he has in inventory and mentioned he has several personalized shirts for members to pick up.

Base Treasurer Terry Kuhn passed out the below approved 2021 CCB budget. He pointed out that CCB had an available bank balance of $7,273.84, but that CCB currently is paying between $100 and $175 per month for storage of the Base Float materials. In addition, with Belk’s in bankruptcy, the Bases fundraising income is in serious jeopardy.

He ended by pleading to members to keep their USSVI National Dues up to date because it creates a tremendous amount of work for him when members go delinquent.

Commander Powell explained that we normally perform the Tolling of the Boats ceremony for the boats lost in the months since out last meeting, but at this meeting we did not have the Tolling Bell or the list of lost boats. He suggested we catch up the ceremony at the next CCB meeting.

Barry Turano informed attendees that since John Williamson has moved to South Carolina, CCB needs to procure another trailer and place to store the Base parade float. He has researched the cost of a similar trailer and said it would be between $2,500 and $3,200 for a trailer similar to those we have used in the past. New member, Dave Anderson, said that he has a trailer he uses for his construction business that the Base could use for parades. When we explained how much time the trailer would be needed each year, we concluded that he could not be without his trailer for that long. After extensive discussion the following Motion was made:

Bill Underwood offered a MOTION that the CCB Board could decide to spend up to $3,200 to acquire a suitable trailer for the float. The Base would own the trailer and float and Storekeeper Barry Turano would register the trailer in his name and on his insurance. CCB would reimburse Barry for the actual additional cost on his insurance. Richard Schrum SECONDED the MOTION and the MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote of the attending members.

Attendees had several ideas for finding a less expensive place to store the trailer/float between parades and agreed to follow-up on their ideas and inform Barry of any viable options.

Barry found an option to purchase a 7ft by 18ft tandem trailer for about $2,600. The CCB Board authorized Barry to order the trailer and the trailer will arrive in late May. Secretary Bill Underwood contacted a friend of his who owns a large warehouse in Wilmington and got permission to store the float and float materials inside his warehouse and park the trailer at his gated loading ramp for free. The warehouse location is on 13th Street in central Wilmington and has a high chain link fence with locked gates around it. Bill and Barry visited the facility and decided it had suitable security for the Base float & trailer. Barry is planning a day to move the float and float materials out of the existing storage facility before May 5th. Volunteers to help should contact Barry at barryturano@gmail.com. Barry will set up another working party when the new trailer arrives to build the appropriate rails, speaker mounts and mount the float cradle. Currently, our next parade will be the Azalea Festival parade scheduled for Saturday, August 21, 2021.

Vaccination Status of Members: Most attendees had already had at least one of their COVID vaccination shots. Commander Powell encouraged members to be safe and get their vaccinations. Meeting Dates and Locations: Secretary Bill said that most of the events CCB usually participates in have not yet solidified their dates. Consequently, the Base Calendar has a lot of TBD on it until the dates are determined. Bill also said that Elizabeth’s Pizza is not planning to reopen their dining rooms until masks are no longer required. Attendees agreed to plan our next meeting for Memorial Day (May 31) at the Pavilion in Battleship Park. 2021 Parades: Currently, the 4th of July Parade is cancelled, so we anticipate participating in the Azalea Festival Parade in August, a Veterans Day Parade and the Oak Island and Wilmington Holiday Parades in December. CCB Elections in 2021: Commander Powell said that it didn’t make much sense to hold elections this year, but he would like to appoint Barry Turano to Base COB to replace John Williamson. He asked for volunteers to take over the Storekeeper position. Commander Powell did encourage CCB members to vote in the National USSVI elections and for the Southeast Region District Commander electronically.

A discussion ensued about holding the annual CCB picnic and Memorial Day Observance at the Pavilion at Battleship Park in Wilmington. Frank Blackmon said that he would perform the Memorial Service at the S-28 memorial on Memorial Day (May 31st). Commander Powell said that he would invite WWII SubVet, John Potanovic, to the Memorial Day event. Terry agreed to reserve the Pavilion at Battleship Park. Members will be encouraged to bring their significant others, lawn chairs, drinks and side dishes or desserts. We will start at noon with the picnic and business meeting, adjourn to the S-28 memorial for the Memorial Service and return to the pavilion for fun and submarine fellowship. I will put out a detailed agenda as we get closer to the event.

There was no update at this meeting.

Secretary Bill announced that the CCB annual fundraiser is in jeopardy as Belk’s has filed for bankruptcy. Past Commander Charlie Backes said that he had some ideas for replacement fundraisers that he would present to the CCB Board for evaluation. Historically, CCB has raised between $2,000 and $3,000 each year from the Belk’s Fundraisers. We need some way to replace that income to support our charitable contributions and activities.

Frank Blackmon, Base Website Manager, presented the below website management proposal from American Hero. Frank explained that American Hero will develop a new CCB website, host and maintain the site for $39.99 per month.

After substantial discussion about the attributes for this option, the following MOTION was offered:

Barry Turano offered a MOTION to approve Frank to commit to American Hero according to the attached proposal. Bill Underwood SECONDED the MOTION and the MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote of the attending members.

Commander Powell asked for volunteers to work with Frank and American Hero on the new CCB Website. He wants redundancy of knowledge about how to operate and maintain the website. New member, David Anderson and Base Chaplain Bruce Rae agreed to work with Frank on the Website.

Frank asked that CCB members email him pictures, stories, etc. that he can use on the new website.

Doug Mays, the CCB member responsible for the CCB Facebook Page announced that he is planning to move to Asheville and will transfer his membership to the Asheville Base.

Commander Powell asked for a member to step up to manage the Base Facebook Page. If you have the skills to manage our Facebook Page, please contact Scott Powell at subdog639@yahoo.com.

Mike Bowers announced that the Battleship is conducting its Annual Legacy Series event this year through Zoom call presentations. Mike will host a Zoom session on “Sailing Through Time on Ships Named North Carolina” on Saturday, April 17th at 2:00 pm. All you have to do to join in is go on your computer, iPad or phone and click on the following link; www.battleshipnc.com/meet-the- showboat. Mike will be talking about the ships named for North Carolina. Don’t miss it!

Brother Dick Gudis reminded attendees that every year he sees Veterans and Veteran’s families that are living on Food Stamps. He expressed his disgust that a veteran should have to live that way and said that we, as veterans, should find a way to identify and help those families.

Attendees joked that, somehow, Charlie Backes or Mary Backes always win the drawing. Barry Turano pulled a ticket and, once again, it was Charlie Backes’ ticket. Gerry Rowe donated a brand new Submarine Veterans cap to the drawing and Secretary, Bill Underwood won the hat.

MOTION: Richard Schrum offered a MOTION to adjourn the meeting. Mike Bowers SECONDED the MOTION and the MOTION CARRIED by unanimous vote by the attendees and the meeting was adjourned at 15.54 hrs.

The next CCB Base meeting will be on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st starting at noon at the pavilion at Battleship Park in Wilmington, NC. Please mark your calendars and plan to bring your family, a side dish or dessert, your preferred drinks and lawn chairs for your party.