Perch Base USSVI - Main Page

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Bringing back memories?
Happy Thanksgiving from your Webmaster to our Perch Base members and their families, and all those presently serving under the ocean blue!

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.

RANDY TROUERBACH, RMC(SS) (Ret) ETERNAL PATROL
Chief Randy Trouerbach, RMC(SS) USN (Ret.) passed on to Eternal Patrol on October 13, 2022.
Chief Trouerbach served aboard the USS Lafayette, SSBN-616. Chief Randy was not a Perch Base member, but joined the Navy during the Vietnam war and served during the Gulf wars. Starting as a radioman on the Lafayette from 1971 to 1975, he moved up in rank to Chief Petty Officer.
Services with Military Honors were held on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 2:30 PM at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
View pictures of the services with Military Honors HERE.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.

USS SCULPIN (SS‑191)
Lest we forget to perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. . .
79 years ago, on Nov. 19, 1943, the USS Sculpin (SS‑191), sailed off into history on her final and eternal patrol.
The account of Sculpin's final patrol was given by the surviving members of her crew, who were liberated from Japanese prisoner of war camps after V-J Day. Severely damaged by depth charges after attacking an enemy convoy, Sculpin continued to fight on the surface. When the captain was killed, the crew abandoned ship and scuttled Sculpin. Among those not abandoning ship was CAPT Cromwell, aboard as a potential wolfpack commander, he rode the Sculpin down, fearing that vital information in his possession might be compromised under torture. For this, CAPT Cromwell was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
In all, 42 men were taken prisoner by the Japanese destroyer, but one was thrown over the side almost immediately because he was severely wounded. The group of 38 enlisted men and 3 officers were taken to Truk where they were questioned for ten days. Then they were loaded on two carriers (21 on one, 20 on the other) and started for Japan. Enroute to its destination, the carrier Chuyo, carrying 21 Sculpin survivors, was torpedoed and sunk by Sailfish on 31 December 1943, and only one American escaped.
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.

PHOENIX VETERANS DAY:
Fourteen Perch Base members took the USS Phoenix float to the Phoenix, Arizona, Veterans Day Parade on Thursday, November 11, 2022.
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.
ATTABOY to Marcus Hensley! Literally at the last minute as we were fetching the "People Trailer" in the morning, we had a problem with the hitch on the tow vehicle. Marcus dropped what he was doing in the Firestone Complete Auto Care lot, drove to the "People Trailer" parking area and brought the trailer. Many of our members probably would have been left behind if we didn't have the trailer available.
This year’s parade theme was "Liberty, Honor, and Sacrifice."
Organizers anticipated 15 marching units, 2,500 marchers, 10 floats in the parade and 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.

GILBERT VETERANS CEREMONY:
Three Perch Base members attended the 2022 Town of Gilbert, AZ Veterans Day Ceremony on November 10, 2022, at the Gilbert Regional Park.
Although we did not display the USS Phoenix (SSN-702), the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation for the future submarine USS Arizona (SSN-803) had a display table at the ceremony. There will be Keel Laying Viewing Ceremony (via ZOOM) at the Town of Gilbert Public Safety Training Facility on December 7, 2022. The ceremony included a Keynote speech by Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Major General Patrick Brady (ret). Major General (then Major Brady) flew over 2,000 combat missions in Vietnam and evacuated more than 5,000 wounded.
View more pictures HERE.

2022 Sierra Verde Elementary Veteran Appreciation Photos

SIERRA VERDE STEAM SCHOOL:
Perch Base took the USS Phoenix float to the Sierra Verde Elementary School for a static display on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
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.

2022 SCHOLARSHIPS
Congratulations to the four children and grandchildren of Perch Base members who each received $500 scholarships during the August 13, 2022 General meeting. The Perch Base treasury provided $1,000 toward scholarships and the Perch Base Charitable Foundation provided the other $1,000 toward the scholarships.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to grant the scholarships in person this year because the recipients had already departed for school. The Scholarship recipients were Alexander Miner, Kaden Urness, Paige Urness and Kara Woods.
Alexander Miner is the Grandson of Perch Base members Joan & Carl Miner. Kaden & Paige Urness are children of Perch Base member Chris Urness. Kara Woods is the Grandaughter of our Perch Base Commander George Woods.
Subsequently, we received Thank You notes from each of the scholarship recipients. View the Thank You's HERE

DAISY MOUNTAIN/ANTHEM &
BLACK CANYON CITY PARADES:
Perch Base took the USS Phoenix float to the Daisy Mountain Veterans Day Parade in Anthem, Arizona, on Saturday, November 5, 2022.
After that parade, we took the float up to Black Canyon City for a second parade. Needless to say, we couldn't pass the Rock Springs Cafe on the way up to Black Canyon City without a stop for pie and "whatever."
View more pictures HERE.

October 2022 Jim Andrews' Honor Flight photos

JIM ANDREWS'
HONOR FLIGHT:
Congratulations to Perch Base Submarine Veteran (USSVI) Jim Andrews who was selected for an Honor Flight to Washington, DC, in October 2022.
Honor Flight Arizona took its first flight of 11 WWII Veterans in November 2009 and has now flown a total of more than 2,400 WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Veterans. Trips have also included over 1,600 guardians assisting the Veterans along the way. They also have a base of many active volunteers. They encourage Veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War to sign up for their no-cost Honor Flight.
Honor Flight Arizona is part of the nationwide Honor Flight Network. Both are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations able to do the great work they do because of generous private donations and corporate support.
View more pictures HERE.

DON UNSER
RECEIVES SILVER ANCHOR AWARD:
Congratulations to our Perch Base Events Coordinator, Don Unser, who was awarded the USSVI Silver Anchor award at the Perch Base meeting on October 8, 2022.
The Silver Anchor Award is presented to a Regular or Associate Member in recognition of his/her efforts to support one of the primary objectives of our Creed…to provide a way for all submariners to gather for their mutual benefit and enjoyment.
This Award recognizes the Shipmate’s volunteer support for meetings, projects, and events, including work to recruit new Members and to retain the current membership of the Base, and is intended to recognize recent accomplishments.
View more pictures HERE.

May 2022 USS Oregon Commissioning ceremony Photos

USS OREGON COMMISSIONING:
The USS Oregon (SSN-793) was commissioned on May 28, 2022, in Groton, Connecticut. Perch Base Holland Club and Life member Johnny Corbin attended the commissioning ceremony. Johnny has been a long time participant on the Christening and Commissioning Committees, and was the point man for fundraising in Central Oregon. Leftover funds from the ceremonies will be donated to recreation fund for the crew of the USS Oregon. The following photos were provided by Johnny Corbin from the Commissioning ceremony.
Later, at our Perch Base monthly meeting of October 8, 2022, Johnny reported that he had been proclaimed an Honorary Plank Owner of the USS Oregon (SSN-793) and displayed his plaque, as well as various cups, tokens, challenge coins, pins and patches that he had been awarded. View more pictures HERE.

September 20, 2022 Don Unser visits USS Skate sailor

ATTABOY DON UNSER!
Attaboy to Don Unser! Remember our Creed includes, "Our common heritage as Submariners shall be strengthened by camaraderie."
On September 20, 2022, Don Unser was visiting people at a memory care facility and came across another USS Skate (SSN‑578) sailor.
Don gave the gent a Skate cap and a Skate challenge coin.
View more pictures HERE.

September 2022 Perch Base Williams Patriot Day Parade Photos

WILLIAMS, AZ, PATRIOT DAY PARADE
Fourteen Perch Base Members and family (that's including 2 dogs, as family!) participated in the 3rd Annual Patriot Day Parade in Historic Downtown Williams, AZ, on Saturday, September 10, 2022. The parade theme was "GOD BLESS AMERICA" as a way to remember those injured and killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
World War II veteran Walter Olmsted Jr. was this year’s Grand Marshal. Olmsted is a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart, several Theater of War citations, a Meritorious Service Medal and eight air medals.
The parade honored local law enforcement, EMS and fire personnel.
Both parade participants and the audience turned out in large numbers in spite of rain prior to the parade.
View more event pictures HERE.

2022 NATIONAL CONVENTION IN BUFFALO
Five Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) and some of their wives & family went to the 2022 USSVI National Convention held from August 24 to August 27, 2022, in Buffalo, New York at the Hyatt Regency^® Buffalo Hotel, hosted by the USSVI Buffalo Base:
John Beckett (Perch Base Storekeeper)
Brad Seidel
Joe Trotter (Perch Base Treasurer)
Vic VanHorn (outgoing Western Region Director)
George Woods (Perch Base Commander)
View more event pictures HERE.

ARTHUR HERZBERG FUNERAL
"Bravo Zulu" to Perch Base Life Member Brad Seidel, who "called out the guard" for the funeral and interment of World War II D‑Day veteran Arthur Herzberg on August 10, 2022. Arthur Herzberg was in the Army. He was called "Combat" in the war, because he had seen so much front line fighting. He was part of the 90th Infantry Division, 359th Infantry, Company A. He was a private when he landed on Utah beach on D-Day, among the first wave of GIs to land on the beaches of Normandy. Fighting on the front lines of France, he served as First Scout of his platoon, a position with a notoriously short life expectancy of two weeks. He remained First Scout for almost four months, during which time he received a field promotion to sergeant and was awarded a Bronze Star for bravery. Among many other distinctions, he received a Purple Heart and a Legion of Honor Medal from France.
Sadly, by the time Arthur passed at the age of 97, he had outlived all his veteran friends. When Brad Seidel was notified of the lack of veterans to attend the ceremony, Brad put out the word and mustered out Perch Base member Dan Marks and about 15 other veterans from various services to attend the funeral and interment.

DAVID METJE ETERNAL PATROL
Perch Base Holland Club Member David E. Metje, FA(SS) (ret) went on Eternal Patrol on July 14, 2022. Our sympathy to his daughter Samantha Fry, who informed us of his passing, and the rest of his family.
David joined the Navy in 1968 and retired in 1989, serving on six submarines, as well as the USS La Salle (AGF-3), a command ship, and the USS Acadia (AD-42), a destroyer tender.
David Metje joined Perch Base on January 22, 2014, and routinely attended our meetings and events. He was inducted into the Holland Club after being qualified for 50 years at our June 21, 2021, base meeting.
View the full Eternal Patrol Notice HERE.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.

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.

WE TRAINED FOR THIS!
With all the recent activity and cancellations as a result of the Corona Virus, this speaks for itself!

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!

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 Life Member Vic Van Horn is the USSVI BSP Program Manager. Let’s make Vic proud. Check your copy of the American Submariner to sign up for the program.

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.