Carolina-Piedmont Base Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: August 23, 2025 (Early Fall Picnic)
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
• Carolina Piedmont Base Commander Mike Hubbell called our meeting to order at 1400 hrs. at the Catawba Nuclear Station Park for our early fall base picnic. The weather was pleasant today for a late August meeting by Lake Wylie.
• The meeting followed a fun picnic meal brought in by our base families and the fine barbeque we ordered from Shane’s Rib Shack in Newport SC.
INVOCATION
• Ray Fritz started off our base meeting with words of invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
• All joined in saying our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mike Hubbell.
USSVI CREED
• The USSVI Creed was read today by Jim Goins.
TOLLING OF THE BOATS
• Tolling for the 5 boats, which were lost during August months past, was presented by Ray Fritz and the bell was rung by Rick Petitt. Raymond also shared with us a large number of names of sailors who were lost during past August’s when the boat was not lost.
MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS
• 17 base members were present at today’s meeting at the Catawba Nuclear Park, and we were joined by 11 additional ladies and one other family member.
REVIEW OF LAST BASE MEETING MINUTES
• Members are reminded that minutes for each previous month’s base meeting are posted on our Carolina Piedmont website at carolinapiedmont.org for their review. Members are encouraged to read the previous month’s meeting minutes prior to attending our next base meeting.
No comments or corrections were received on last month’s meeting minutes.
READING OF THE TREASURER’S REPORT
• Base Treasurer Bill Strand read our latest treasurer’s report.
Total account balance as of August 2025 was $20,510.02.
No corrections were received, however, Bill announced that the funds for the check for $10,000 that was never cashed by Lowes Home Improvement Company were credited back into our Sharing and Caring Fund because we had recently abolished our Helene Relief Fund.
A discussion was had by members on what we should do with these returned funds. Members indicated that the funds were raised for those affected by Hurricane Helene so they should be used to support any future assistance to those still impacted by last year’s severe flooding.
We are hearing that the Asheville Base is no longer in need of assistance.
A possible suggestion would be to make $10,000 available to purchase building materials for folks still recovering in the affected areas.
BASE STOREKEEPER REPORT
• Jeff started taking orders for the 2026 USSVI Submarine Calendar, which next year’s theme will be Silent Hunters, which will highlight the 688 boats.
• Jeff is our contact for ordering USSVI items, including patches, vests, challenge coins, calendars, parking signs, etc.
OLD BUSINESS
• None
NEW BUSINESS
• None
GOOD OF THE ORDER
• Kap(ss)-4-Kid(ss)
Dave Violette reported about his wonderful visit on August 7th again to Levine’s Children’s Hospital. Dave was joined by Rick Petitt, Bill Strand and Joel Tuchfeld. (See attached photo and write-up from Dave at the end of this document.
Dave gave us an update about Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte, we won’t be participating in a trunk or treat event, but possibly the 3rd week in October we might be able to participate in an activity room visit at the Ronald McDonald House.
Dave tells us still no news or contact with the Victory Junction, so he’ll periodically keep trying.
Rick Petitt suggested doing something with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Rick will follow up to see if there are any leads for doing something for K4K there.
• School Submarine Presentations
Bill Strand is our submarine school presentation coordinator and Bill has been contacting area schools to see which schools might be interested to in having some of our members come to tell students about life aboard today’s submarines. Bill said it is still a bit early getting any feedback since the schools are just beginning their fall sessions.
• Newton’s Veteran’s Parade
Some of our members went to see the parade for veterans recently in Newton NC. They reported they had the torpedo float in the parade.
NEXT BASE MEETING
• Our next base meeting will be on Saturday, September 27th at Fort Mill VFW in Fort Mill, SC. Doors open at 1230, we eat at 1300, and our meeting starts at 1400.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
• A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 1434 hours. Motion passed.
BENEDICTION
• Today’s Benediction was given by Ray Fritz.
RAFFLE RESULTS
• Tessa Walker won today’s raffle.
Additional News:
• Zeke Rybczyk mentioned there’s a Tim Moore Q & A session coming up on September 4th at Gaston Day School and Tim plans on having many of the Service Academy’s representatives there for the session to answer questions students may have about the service academies.
• Mike Hubbell mentioned today that he is setting up a meeting with the York County Veterans Affairs office in Rock Hill. Mike wants to discuss South Carolina state programs for veterans. Mike stated there are several programs for health and taxes available beyond what the Federal VA offers.
A list of today’s attendees at our base picnic can be found below:
August 23, 2025, Base Picnic Attendees:
• Steve Bell (and his son Mike Bell)
• Bob Bunney
• Doug Cook – Maxine (& Duke)
• Greg Crystal - Linda
• Ray Fritz
• Jim Goins - Marsha
• Jim Harris
• Mike Hubbell – Glenna
• Tom Kelly – Susan
• John McHugh – Donna
• Jeff Nieberding - Michele
• Rick Petitt – Cindy - Missy
• Zeke Rybczyk
• Bill Strand
• Dave Violette
• Kevin Walker - Tessa
• Raymond Zieverink – Linda
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by:
Tom Kelly
Base Secretary