VICE COMMANDER INSTALLATION
Perch Base member Don Robertson was elected and installed as our Vice Commander at the Perch Base meeting on May 10, 2025, at Dillon's Restaurant.
Don fills the role as our Vice Commander since it became vacant on March 8, 2025, when Dave Heighway was installed as our Base Commander. Congratulations to Don, who was our Chief of the Boat (COB) since June 2021, and thanks to Don for his service to Perch Base as the COB.
Don was sworn in by Perch Base member Vic Van Horn who was formerly our Western Region Director and also District Commander WD1.
See more pictures HERE.

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.

FRANK ELLIOT ETERNAL PATROL
Perch Base Holland Club Member and Life Member Frank Elliott, IC1(SS) (ret) passed onto Eternal Patrol on April 30th, 2025. Frank was 88 years old.
Frank joined the Navy in 1957 and retired after 20 years in 1976. He qualified on the USS Sablefish (SS-303) and also served on the Thomas Edison (SSBN-610), the USS Tinosa (SSN-606), the USS Finback (SSN-670), USS Spadefish (SSN-668), and the USS Pintado (SSN-672).
Frank joined Gold Country Base in 2003 and served as their Base Commander in 2009 and 2010. He joined Perch Base when he moved to Surprise, AZ, in 2024.
Frank is survived by his wife, Byrnece; his daughter, Kelly Shipp; stepchildren, James Morgen and Theresa McAdams; and numerous grandchildren.
Services will be held at the at the Phoenix National Cemetery on May 20, 2025, at 1400 hours.
Read 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.

ROBIE ROBINSON ETERNAL PATROL
Perch Base Holland Club Member and Life Member Bruce D. (Robie) Robinson, MMCM(SS) (ret) passed onto Eternal Patrol on May 4th, 2025. Robie was 89 years old.
Robie transferred to Perch Base from Wyoming Base in 2000.
Robie joined the U.S. Navy in 1953 and initially served on 3 destroyers in his first 4 years, the USS Taussig, USS Marshall, and the USS Cowell. He then served his next 4 years on a cruiser, the USS Rochester, before entering the Submarine Service in 1962. Robie served and Qualified in Submarines on the USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) from 1962 to 1963. He then rode the USS Halibut (SSN-587) from 1968-1969 following its conversion from a Regulus missile boat to a special operations missions submarine. Although details remain classified to this day, based on his service dates, he was probably a crewmember on the Halibut during the discovery of the sunken Soviet submarine K-129. MMCM(SS) Robinson served on two of the missions described in the book, Blind Man’s Bluff. He also served on the USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN-640) from 1969-1970. Other submarine-related assignments included COMSUBRONs 14 and 16 and at the S5G prototype in Idaho.
Robie retired from the Navy in 1975. He is survived by his wife, Marge, daughter, Debbie, and son, Larry. Robie and Marge had 68 years sharing their lives as husband and wife.
Burial is planned for Pikes Peak National Cemetery. Details of the Master Chief’s Memorial Service will be provided later.
Read 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.

USS LAGARTO (SS‑371)
Lest we forget to perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. . .
80 years ago, on May 3, 1945, the USS Lagarto (SS‑371), sailed off into history on her final and eternal patrol.
Lagarto, along with the submarine Baya were engaged in heavy contact with enemy ships near the outer waters of the Gulf of Siam. At 15:00 on 3 May 1945, Baya sent the first “of numerous contact reports to Lagarto.” By 23:47, “having sent Lagarto contact reports almost half hourly with no receipt,” Baya decided to go it alone. Again, however, the Japanese escorts drove off Baya when she attacked during the mid watch on 4 May, again saving their charges from destruction. Post-war examination of Japanese records revealed the most likely reason for Lagarto’s silence. One of the two escorts made an attack on 3 May against a submerged submarine in 30 fathoms of water at Lagarto's probable position.
86 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.

BRAVO ZULU JOE & JIM!
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Life Members Joe Trotter and Jim Denzien gave a presentation on April 24, 2025, to the Naval Order of the United States Sea Services History Society.
Joe & Jim discussed "miscellaneous submarining."
Bravo Zulu to Joe & Jim 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."

ANNUAL PICNIC
Perch Base held its Annual Picnic meeting on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Paloma Community Park in Peoria, AZ.
We had a special guest, Davy Jones, who hadn't been able to make it to a meeting in quite some time.
Many of the side-dishes and desserts were brought in by the membership, but the "duty chef," Stan Reinhold, who has a food handling license, cooked the burgers and hotdogs. Our Perch Base Chief of the Boat (COB,) Don Robertson also "mess cranked" for Stan. Special thanks to both Stan and Don for their contribution to the success of the picnic. The desserts included a cake celebrating the 125th year of the Submarine Service.
A Holland Club Induction Ceremony was conducted by our Past Commander George Woods and Base Commander Dave Heighway. The ceremony, which recognizes 50 years being Qualified in Submarines, inducted Pat Habel, Duane Kanitz and Joe Trotter.
Read and see more pictures HERE.

BILL TEBO ETERNAL PATROL
WWII SubVet Bill Tebo from the east coast (Thresher Base) passed away here on February 17, 2025, while visiting his daughters. He was a TMSN(SS). He was a Past Base Commander with Thresher Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Bill was born in Grafton, Massachusetts on 08/22/1927, and carried Submarine Veterans of World War II (SVWWII) card 02511. At the time of his passing, Bill was the Executive Director of the Portmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the SVWWII State Commander for Maine and New Hampshire.
Bill joined the Navy in 1944 and left the Navy in 1948 as a Seaman Torpedoman Mate, TMSN(SS). He served on the USS Clamagore (SS‑343) as a Torpedoman striker, lookout, and a bow & stern planesman. Bill Tebo Qualified in Submarines on the USS Sea Owl (SS‑405) in 1945.
Bill also qualified aboard the German Type XXI U-Boat EX‑U‑2513 after WWII, which included both evaluation tests of the U‑boat's design and duty in conjunction with the development of submarine and antisubmarine tactics. The Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program (GUPPY) would be initiated because of the results of these tests, where we learned about the schnorchel (a.k.a., snorkel.)
Bill's daughter Sandie Hembree held a memorial service for him on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, at the Vineyard Church (North Campus) in Peoria, AZ. David Heighway, our Perch Base Commander put together an Eternal Patrol certificate and our Base Chaplain, Governor Joy, presented the certificate.
Read 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.

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!

DANA ALLMOND, ARMY LtCol (ret)
GUEST SPEAKER
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Dana Allmond, Chief of the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services Office of Veteran & Military Family Affairs within the Arizona Department of Economic Security was our guest speaker at the Perch Base monthly meeting on March 8, 2025. She was also accompanied by her Deputy Chief Marcus Trombetta.
Dana discussed the services available from her organization and a theme of "No Veteran Left Behind."
See more pictures HERE.

LONGEVITY PINS
Membership Chairman Paul Miller awarded Longevity Award pins to 3 Perch Base members at the March 8, 2025 base meeting.
Chris Gahan received a 5-year longevity award pin.
Caroleen Culbertson received a 5-year longevity award pin.
W. Howard Doyle received a 25-year longevity award pin.
Congratulations to each recipient!

CAPT. RAAZ VISIT
Hawkbill (Idaho) Base Life and Holland Club member Capt. Dick Razz (USN, ret) visited Perch Base at our March 8, 2025, meeting at Dillon's Restaurant.
Captain Raaz first served and qualified on the USS Pomfret (SS‑391) in 1969. He also rode the USS Sculpin (SSN‑590) from 1972 to 1974, and the USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN‑640) from 1974 to 1978.
Captain Raaz then served as Executive Officer on the USS George Washington (SSBN‑598) from 1978 to 1981, Commanding Officer of USS Haddo (SSN‑604) from 1983 to 1986 and finally Commanding Officer of USS Georgia (SSBN‑729) from 1986 to 1989.
Four others attending the meeting had served with him during his career (back row, l-r: Tim Goforth, Chris Gahan, Doug Newland, Governor Joy.)

BASE COMMANDER INSTALLATION
Perch Base member David Heighway, who was our Vice-Commander since March 9, 2024, was elected and installed as our Base Commander at the March 8, 2025, Perch Base Meeting at Dillon's Restaurant.
Congratulations to Dave, who was also previously our Event Coordinator, and thanks to George Woods for his service as the past Base Commander since March 13, 2021 (not to mention George's contribution as Vice-Commander from March 9, 2019 to March 13, 2021.)
David was sworn in by Perch Base member Vic Van Horn who was formerly our Western Region Director and also District Commander WD1.
See more pictures HERE.

WESTERN REGION ROUNDUP
Perch Base member Joe Trotter and his wife Kathy attended the Western Region Roundup at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA from March 6 – 9, 2025.
Thanks to Joe Trotter for the photos.
More photos are being added as they are received from Joe, so keep returning to see what has been added!
See more pictures HERE.

ASSM PAVER INSTALLATION
Perch Base USSVI member and Arizona Silent Service Memorial (ASSM) Chairman Joe Trotter & Dan Marks, Perch Base Webmaster installed a new paver at the ASSM in Wesley Bolin Plaza at the Arizona State Capital on February 17, 2025.
Perch Base Life member John Brown donated to the ASSM to place an 8" x 8" paver. John qualifed on the USS Pintado (SSN‑672) in 1980 and also served on the USS Guitarro (SSN‑665). Thanks John!
Contact Joe Trotter at (724) 854-0514 if you would like to place a paver. They are available in 8" x 8" and 4" x 8" sizes.
Read and see more pictures or order a paver HERE.

HONOR FLIGHTS
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) can apply for a trip to Washington, DC from Honor Flight Arizona.
Application forms are available on their website, www.honorflightaz.org. There are 124 Honor Flight hubs across the country, including Honor Flight Arizona. The cost to send a Veteran on the 3-day Honor Flight from Arizona is $1,300 and includes airfare, hotel and food, but the Veteran pays nothing. The cost is covered by donations to the 501(c)(3) organization. Guardians that accompany a Veteran pay their own way. Spouses cannot be Guardians, but other family members are encouraged. They are presently sending mainly Korean and Vietnam War Veterans between 1941 to 1975, including Cold War Veterans. A recent flight (which included our Base Commander George Woods) that just returned on May 10, 2024, had 30 Veterans. The Honor Flight Arizona usually has 5 flights in the spring and 5 flights in the fall, but intends to increase to a total of 12 per year.
Tour activities included the US Navy Memorial, Fort McHenry, the National WW2 Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Marine Corp Memorial, Military Women’s Memorial, Maryland Museum of Military History, the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a group picture at Fort Myer Air Force Base. George Woods was highly complementary of his Honor Flight in 2024. Jim Andrews was on an Honor Flight in 2022.

BRAVO ZULU RON!
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Member Ron Perkins was inducted into the Holland Club at our monthly meeting on February 8, 2025, having been qualified in submarines for over 50 years. Ron Qualified in Submarines on USS Cusk (SS‑348) in 1969.
The photo shows the Perch Base Commander, George Woods, (right) awarding Ron Perkins (left) his Holland Club certificate, letter and coin during the monthly meeting on February 8, 2025.
See more pictures HERE.

JOSEPH HAWKINS ETERNAL PATROL
Perch Base Holland Club Member and Life Member Joseph J. Hawkins, CSC(SS) (ret), 89, passed away November 14, 2017.
Joseph joined the Navy in 1946 and honorably served in the US Navy during WWII, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War until 1966. He retired from the Navy as a Chief Culinary Specialist, CSC(SS).
Perch Base officers had been trying unsuccessfully to make contact with Joseph, but it was not until 2025 that we discovered the location of his interment in the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, RI, that we learned he had passed onto Eternal Patrol.
Joseph's first submarine assignment was aboard EX‑U‑2513 as a Seaman after WWII, which included both evaluation tests of the U‑boat's design and duty in conjunction with the development of submarine and antisubmarine tactics. The Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program (GUPPY) would be initiated because of the results of these tests, where we learned about the schnorchel (a.k.a., snorkel.)
Joseph then served on the USS Dogfish (SS‑350) and subsequently Qualified in Submarines on the USS Becuna (SS‑319). He also served on the USS Sculpin (SSN‑590) and the USS Sailfish (SS‑572).
Read 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.

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.

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.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Roadwork will require lane restrictions and full closures on Loop 101, the interchange ramps and cross streets between 75th Avenue to I-17. Work will occur primarily during overnight hours and weekends to minimize traffic impacts, thus may affect travel time to future meetings at Dillon's starting September 27, 2024.
Although there is presently no closure scheduled for our next meeting on May 10, you can check the current status on the ADOT website HERE.
You can also view the live Loop 101 cameras on the AZ511 website HERE.
We will try to keep the restrictions up-to-date on the Sailing Orders page prior to each 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.