Arizona Submarine Veterans
Perch Base
Phoenix, AZ
United States Submariners
USS TRITON (SS‑201)
Lest we forget to perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the
pursuit of their duties while serving their country. . .
81 years ago, on Mar. 15, 1943, the USS Triton (SS‑201), sailed off into history on her
final and eternal patrol.
She was lost on her 6th war patrol by depth charges from Japanese destroyers.
74 men were lost.
SAILORS, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmates.
Visit the Perch Base Eternal Patrol page.
VETERANS CRISIS LINE
Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of
Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. It is confidential and available every day, 24/7.
Click on the picture, above, to go to the
VETERANS CRISIS LINE.
VICE-COMMANDER
INSTALLATION
Perch Base member David Heighway was installed as Vice-Commander on March 9, 2024.
Congratulations to Dave, who was previously our Event Coordinator, and thanks to Carl Miner for his service as the
past Vice-Commander since April 10, 2021 (not to mention Carl's contribution as Chief of the Boat (COB) prior to that.)
View more details and pictures
HERE.
USSVI
60TH ANNIVERSARY
USSVI was chartered on May 22, 1964. May 22, 2024 will be the 60th (Diamond) Anniversary.
Celebrate the event with a patch and/or challenge coin!.
To order the anniversary patch and/or challenge coin, see our Storekeeper, John Beckett, at the next meeting or send him an email
at
storekeeper@perch-base.org
View more details and pictures
HERE.
PHOENIX NAVY WEEK
VETERANS CEREMONY
Perch Base member Joe Trotter attended the Phoenix Navy Week Veterans Ceremony & dinner service
at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix, AZ, on February 29, 2024.
Joe represented the Arizona Silent Service Memorial (ASSM) and the Naval Submarine League (NSL.) Joe
is also the Treasurer on the ASSM Board of Directors.
Joe was accompanied by Lt. Cmdr. Hsin-Fu "Sinker" Wu (ret.) Sinker served a 20-year career in the
U.S. Navy, in which he developed and implemented strategies for coalition, joint, naval, and undersea warfare.
View more pictures
HERE.
PHOENIX NAVY WEEK
PROCLAMATION CEREMONY
Perch Base members Dan Marks and Bob Gilmore attended the Phoenix Navy Week Proclamation Ceremony at the
USS Arizona Memorial Gardens at Salt River in Scottsdale, AZ, on February 27, 2024. Several sailors from the
Precommissioning Unit (PCU) of the USS Arizona Virginia-class fast attack submarine SSN-803 attended the ceremony.
View more pictures
HERE.
USS ARIZONA LEGACY
FOUNDATION LAUNCH
Several Perch Base members, including Base Commander George Woods, Treasurer Joe Trotter, Ed Henry and Charles Tobias
attended the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation Launch at the Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe, AZ, on February 26, 2024.
Established in 2021 to support the commissioning of the fourth U.S. Navy vessel in American history to bear the name Arizona,
the Foundation vision is to honor, expand, and nurture the memory of the USS Arizona battleship BB-39 while forging the future
legacy of the USS Arizona Virginia-class fast attack submarine SSN-803.
View more pictures
HERE.
LAVEEN COMMUNITY PARADE
Seven Perch Base members participated on February 3, 2024, in the 23rd Annual Laveen Community Parade.
This year's theme was "The Future is Now!"
Our Perch Base entry was awarded the Third Place (Motor Vehicle Group) trophy!
The crowds along the side of the parade route expressed their appreciation of our service
as our float went by.
View more details and pictures
HERE.
Déjà vu all over again
"Déjà vu all over again" is a quote (a.k.a, "Yogi-ism") from the great philosopher and
baseball player Yogi Berra.
When was the last time you used a sextant?
The Perch Base Life Member & Webmaster, Dan Marks, was frustrated that he never gets to see the Anthem Veterans Memorial
when it is lined up with the Great Seal every November 11 at 11:11:11 AM because we are always participating
in the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade when the solar alignment occurs.
But have you ever considered that the same solar alignment repeats for any solar position twice a year,
except the summer and winter solstices? So the Webmaster put on his Quartermaster hat (he happens to be
a nuke ET) and determined the sun’s azimuth and elevation at 11:11:11 AM on Veterans Day, then went to
the
astronomical tables and determined the other date to achieve the same solar position is January 30th at
approximately 11:40 AM (sometimes January 31 in a leap year).
According to Jim Martin, the Anthem Veterans Memorial chief engineer, the Anthem Veterans Memorial was
designed to align correctly within plus or minus 12 seconds to compensate for pole wandering and seasonal
slowing of the earth’s rotation. Learn more about Jim's engineering of the Memorial on the
Anthem Community Council
website. Jim Martin was also the engineer for the Arizona Silent Service Memorial (ASSM) in
Wesley Bolin Plaza.
I then took a ride to the Anthem Veterans Memorial and took this picture. Perch Base member Carlton Clarke
was also present for the solar alignment.
Did you miss it? Stop by next year at the Anthem Veterans Memorial on January 30, 2025 at 11:40:42 AM! (plus or minus 12 seconds)
ARIZONA MILITARY VEHICLE SHOW
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) set up a static display of the USS Phoenix (SSN-702) float and several tables
at the Military Vehicle Collector Club (MVCC) Arizona Military Vehicle Show at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, AZ,
on January 26 - 28, 2024. In addition to "showing off" the USS Phoenix, our participation in the event was
to promote the USS Phoenix (SSN-702) Cold War Museum Monument at the Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, Arizona
and the Arizona Silent Service Memorial (ASSM) in Wesley Bolin Plaza.
Special thanks to 3 Navy Sea Cadets who visited our display on Saturday morning, 01/27/24. They wiped
down the USS Phoenix (field day!) In appreciation of their work, Joe Trotter gave each of them a Perch
Base challenge coin. They were really impressed with their gift.
View more details and pictures
HERE.
BRAVO ZULU JOE TROTTER!
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Life Member and Treasurer Joe Trotter gave a presentation on
January 23, 2024, to the Naval Order of the United States Sea Services History Society.
Joe discussed submarine life in the 1970's.
Bravo Zulu to Joe for supporting our Creed to ". . . 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."
ASSM MEMORIAL BRICK PAVER INSTALLATION
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Joe Trotter and Dan Marks installed four new ASSM Memorial
Brick Pavers on January 17, 2024 at the Arizona Silent Service Memorial (ASSM) in Wesley Bolin Memorial
Plaza in front of the Arizona State Capital building.
Joe Trotter is the Treasurer and a Board Member of the ASSM Foundation Committee, a 501(c)3 Organization,
as well as Treasurer of Perch Base Submarine Veterans USSVI. Dan Marks is the Perch Base Webmaster.
Thank you for the generosity of those that bought new ASSM Memorial Brick Pavers, which support the upkeep
of the ASSM Memorial:
Bob Saenz: 8" X 8" brick
Tim Haueter: 4" X 8" brick
Kelly & Jill McLaughlin: 4" X 8" brick
Barry Wyatt & Marriah L. Dobbins: 4" X 8" brick
It may not seem like a lot of work, but it took Joe and Dan about 2 hours to pry out old (blank) bricks,
prepare the underlying surface, and install the new ASSM Memorial Brick Pavers.
View more details and pictures
HERE.
ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) held its Annual Awards Banquet on 1/13/2024 at the Pebble Creek Clubhouse in Goodyear, AZ.
Congratulatlions to our Communications Officer and MidWatch Editor, Chris Gahan, who was awarded the 2023 "Sailor of the Year" Award.
The Keynote Speaker was Rear Admiral Michael E. McLaughlin (ret). At the time of his retirement, Admiral McLaughlin was the
Commander, Submarine Group TWO, comprising the 25 attack submarines on the East Coast and associated 4,000 men and women.
Earlier in his career, he commanded the submarine USS LA JOLLA (SSN‑701)
Holland Club Inductions were performed for Gerald Benham, Christopher Gahan, John Mammetti, Charles Tobias, upon achieving 50 years as Qualified in Submarines.
View more details and pictures
HERE.
PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY:
Two Perch Base members, Vice Commander Carl Miner and Event Coordinator David Heighway presented wreaths
at the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day event on 12/09/2023 at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza by the
Arizona State Capitol. We placed two wreaths. Carl Miner placed one for the WW2 Submarine Veterans and
David Heighway placed the other for Perch Base.
Credit (and thanks!) to David Heighway for taking photos.
View more pictures
HERE.
DICK BERNIER ETERNAL PATROL
Perch Base Holland Club and Life Member Richard (Dick) A. Bernier, ICI(SS), passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023.
Our condolences to his wife, Robbie, and nephew, John Langston.
Dick joined the Navy in 1958 and left in 1965. He served and qualified on submarines on the USS Irex (SS‑482) in 1960.
He also served on the USS Lafayette (SSBN‑616) and the USS Nautilus (SSN‑571) then left the Navy in 1965 as
an ICI(SS)
Dick had been a member of Perch Base USSVI since July 13, 2001.
Services were held Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Palm Valley Funeral Home.
Read more and see more pictures
HERE.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.
BILL MONK ETERNAL PATROL
William H. Monk Jr., 79, passed away Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas.
He was born Jan. 5, 1944, in Dallas. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the
U.S. Navy, serving as a proud submariner. He belonged to many military groups. The Holland Club,
U.S.S Ethan Allen (SSBN-608), Perch Base, USSVI in Phoenix, AZ, P.C. Stryker Base, USSVI in San Antonio, Texas, and many more.
He loved his career in the Navy. Following his Naval career, he worked at General Dynamics in
Groton, Conn., then at Procter & Gamble in Mahoopany.
Our condolences to his daughter, Irene L. Monk Walters; granddaughter, Brianna K. Boyle; sister,
Susan Nutche; and many nieces and nephews.
Read more and see more pictures
HERE.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.
12/09/2023 MEETING PRESENTATION
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) had a guest speaker, Al "A.J." Kovac, from the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum at the
December 9, 2023 Perch Base General Meeting.
A.J. discussed the life success story of Del Webb and also the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum located at
10801 Oakmont Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351
(Left-click address, above, for a Google map to the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum.)
Thank you to A.J. Kovac for the interesting presentation. It seemed clear that many Perch Base members
live close to the museum, but didn't know it was there. As is the case with many submariners, we have
traveled around the world, but say we were never there!
View more pictures
HERE.
USS ARIZONA LEGACY FOUNDATION
The USS Arizona Legacy Foundation supports the commissioning of the fourth U.S. Navy vessel
in American history to bear the name Arizona, our vision is to honor, expand, and nurture the
memory of the USS Arizona battleship BB-39 while forging the future legacy of the USS Arizona
Virginia-class fast attack submarine SSN-803.
The photo above shows our Perch Base Life Member & Treasurer, Joe Trotter, giving a presentation to 4th
graders at the Islands Elementary school library in Gilbert with Maura Mackowski. Maura, who holds a Ph.D. in history,
is a research historian currently residing in Gilbert, Arizona. Among other books, Maura authored the book
Life in Space
This was sponsored by the Gilbert, Arizona Veterans Advisory Board who is making presentations at many local schools.
PHOENIX VETERANS DAY
Twenty three Perch Base members and family took the USS Phoenix float to the 27th Annual Phoenix Veterans
Day Parade presented by the non-profit Honoring America’s Veterans (HAV) on November 11th, 2023.
We staged the float at the Firestone Complete Auto Care at 241 W Osborn Rd (Thanks for letting us use
your store lot) and then rode the float to the parade starting point.
This year’s parade theme was "Never Forget, Forever Honor."
Organizers anticipated 45,000 spectators along the parade route. Seven Veteran Grand Marshals,
represented each era of military service from World War II to Afghanistan.
View more pictures
HERE.
SIERRA VERDE STEAM SCHOOL
Perch Base took the USS Phoenix float to the Sierra Verde Elementary School for a static display on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
Sierra Verde, a Science, Technology, Engineering And Math (STEAM) school, conducted a Veterans Appreciation Day program.
They fed us breakfast then held an assembly to show their appreciation for Veterans and their patriotism. They really
treated us like VIPs!
View more pictures
HERE.
BOAT SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
The purpose of the Boat Sponsorship Program (BSP) is to make the active duty
submarine force members aware of USSVI and provide them with information about our
activities through sponsorship of the American Submariner to the various
Submarine related organizations. After all, these force members represent the future
core membership of USSVI.
Perch Base is a sponsor, but did you know that individual members may sponsor each
Fast Attack Submarine and/or each crew of the Boomers? Magazines are also sent to
VA hospitals, NROTC units, schools and other places. The cost is $30 per year for
a total of 12 magazines (three each of the four annual volumes.)
Our Perch Base Holland Club & Life Member Jack Messersmith is the USSVI BSP
Program Manager. Let’s make Jack proud. Check your copy of the American Submariner
to sign up for the program.
VISIT OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE
Come and visit, LIKE and FOLLOW our new Facebook Page,
USSVI Perch Base Arizona.
Building a successful Social Media network for any organization is no longer a "we’ll think about it"
topic. Today, it is a MUST DO for all nonprofit organizations, including United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.
(USSVI) and its Bases. It is critical if we want to expand our membership growth and communicate our unique mission
story in an effective and cost-effective manner.
WANT TO CARPOOL?
NEED A RIDE?
The image, above, shows that we have members all over metropolitan Phoenix. Left-click on the
image for a larger view. If you are a Perch Base member and would like to consider carpooling,
you are willing to pickup another member, or you need a ride to meetings or events, send an
email to the webmaster at webmaster@perch-base.org.
The Board of Directors will attempt to match you with another nearby member who has similarly
asked to carpool, or is willing to pickup another member. The Board will then provide the name,
email, and phone number to the interested members that can then get in touch with each other
to make specific arrangements. We are not publicly posting names or personal information to
maintain privacy.
Keep in mind that if you wait until the last minute to request a match-up for a particular
event, we may not be able to respond in time.
JOIN US AT A MEETING.
We meet the second Saturday of every month at 1200 hours (noon if you’ve been out a while) at Dillon's Restaurant,
20585 North 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308-6821
(Left-click address, or the map above, for a Google map to Dillon's.) Come at 1100 for time to "socialize."
NOTE: Check our SAILING ORDERS page
before "dropping in" on a meeting!
LT(jg) GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH
In the upper picture, above, the crew of the USS Finback (SS-230) rescues downed pilot,
Lieutenant Bush of Torpedo Squadron 51 on September 2, 1944 after Japanese antiaircraft defense
shot down his torpedo bomber between the northeastern end of Minami Jima and
the southern tip of Chichi Jima. (Left-click the picture to enlarge.)
In the bottom picture, Rescued pilots and the crew and officers of the Finback. Lt. (jg) George
Herbert Walker Bush is second from the left in the front row.
Bush, and 4 other rescued aviators remained on the Finback as "guests" while she tracked
and attacked convoys, endured depth charges from Japanese escort ships, and sank two ships
(an oiler and small cargo ship). The five ended their stay on the Finback on Midway Island on
September 29, after 29 days aboard the submarine (and crossing the international date line).
Read more about how the submarine service performed "Lifeguard Duty" during
WW2 in the National Archives
HERE.
65 U.S. Submarines never returned to port. Click on Eternal Patrol and see pictures and stories of the "boats" that remain at sea . . . forever, on eternal patrol.
Need to reach us or have a question?
communications@perch-base.org
"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 accomplishments. 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 camaraderie. 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."
We honor those submariners
who have never
returned to port
and remain on
Eternal Patrol
IF YOU'VE EARNED THESE...
WE are an organization with but one simple requirement to join
— have you ever worn Dolphins?
(been designated, "Qualified in Submarines.")
All of us have served their country
in the Silent Service
...WE WANT YOU!
Because we are the "SILENT SERVICE," many people are unaware of the services our submarine Brothers of the 'Phin performed in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Thirty submarines served in the Korean War, as detailed on the Korean War Educator website *. Sixty-six submarines served in the Vietnam War, as detailed in a letter from United States Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Also check out the related SubVet_News-2019-030 regarding Agent Orange exposure by Blue Water veterans.
Click on this sentence, or the photo, below, to see how the float was constructed
To honor those who currently serve, and those who went before us, we built this
float that we use in parades and static displays. The float is a 1/15 scale model of the
nuclear powered submarine USS Phoenix (SSN-702,) named after our city.
The Phoenix was a Los Angeles-class submarine that was 362 feet long and,
on the surface, had 32 feet of the ship under water.
If you would like us to bring the USS Phoenix to your parade or event, contact our
Event Coordinator.
Need a description of the Perch Base
float, a scale model of the USS Phoenix (SSN-702)?
Click on the document icon, below, to get the approved
and authentic script suitable for parades or other public events.
Refer the event organizers to Float-Announcer-Script.pdf
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR THE WEBMASTER? EMAIL webmaster@perch-base.org