Arizona Submarine Veterans
Perch Base
Phoenix, AZ
United States Submariners
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.
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.
USS CAPELIN (SS‑289)
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 Dec. 2, 1943, the USS Capelin (SS‑289), sailed off into history on her
final and eternal patrol.
Japanese records studied after the war listed an attack on a supposed United States submarine
on 23 November, off Kaoe Bay, Halmahera. Evidence of an actual contact was slight, and the
Japanese state that this attack was broken off. Enemy minefields are now known to have been
placed in various positions along the north coast of Sulawesi (Celebes) in
Capelin's area, and she may have been lost because of a mine explosion. Gone without a
trace, with all her crew, Capelin remains in the list of ships lost without a known cause.
76 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.
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.
USAA 5K RUN STATIC DISPLAY
Seven Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) set up a static display of the USS Phoenix (SSN-702) float
and several tables at the USAA 5K Run in Phoenix, AZ, on November 4, 2023. The USS Phoenix (SSN-702) float was on the
5K running course and the display tables were at the starting point, along with other veteran organizations and causes.
The photo shows Missile Tech (Carl Miner) at work. Missile Tech's hammer is not visible in the photo.
See more pictures and discussion
HERE.
NANCY NELSON MEMORIAL SERVICE
Eight Perch Base members and family attended the Memorial Service for Nancy Nelson. Nancy, who was a Perch Base SubVette, was the wife
of Perch Base Holland Club Member Jim (Nellie) Nelson who previously departed on Eternal Patrol on August 15, 2020.
Our condolences to her son Brent, who is also a Qualified Submariner, and the rest of the family.
Nancy was proud of the fact that she was the daughter of a Submariner, wife of a Submariner, sister of a Submariner, and
mother of a Submariner.
Jim (Nellie) was our Perch Base Chief of the Boat (COB) in 2001, the Base Storekeeper from 2003 to 2008, and was awarded
Perch Base Sailor of the Year Award in 2007.
See more pictures
HERE.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The USS Arizona Legacy Foundation is looking for veterans and community volunteers to make
Pearl Harbor Day presentations in valley schools the first week of December.
We will provide the presentation, script, training, and scheduling. We ask that you bring your energy and patriotism.
Please contact Tanya Wheeless with the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation if you’re interested in learning
more about volunteering, or if you have a school or classroom that might be
interested in receiving a presentation.
Email: tanya@ussazlegacy.org
A (LESS THAN) SUBTLE REMINDER
It’s time again to appeal to our members. This is our yearly Membership Drive in which we ask for dues and donations.
As you know Perch Base relies on dues and donations to support its day-to-day duties and ongoing activities throughout
the year. Dues alone will not cover the expenses involved. All members are encouraged to support our base with a generous
donation.
You may also wish to donate to the Perch Base Foundation. This is how we support the scholarships that we give out each
year to qualified students. It also supports and helps offset what we charge for other base activities such as our
Awards Banquet.
Please make your checks out to: Arizona Submarine Veterans – Perch Base – USSVI. Only one check is required but please
make a note on the memo field if your donation is for the Perch Foundation. Otherwise, any amount not specified for the
Foundation will go to Perch Base to support its day-to-day duties.
You can bring your cash, check or credit card to one of our monthly meetings or you can mail a check to Chuck Luna, our
Membership Chairperson. If you have any questions, please contact Chuck at
membership@perch-base.org.
Thanks for your continued support.
LT BRAD BRAASTAD ETERNAL PATROL
Perch Base Holland Club Member and Life Member Lt. Wayne Anton "Brad" Braastad, USN (Retired) passed away
September 24, 2023, at the age of 101. Our condolences to Brad's wife, Stella, and children, Barbara, Wayne, Marilyn and Ruthie.
Born in Minneapolis, Minn on July 7, 1922, Brad was a deeply religious man, husband, father and WWII naval leader.
Although a resident of Tucson, AZ, Brad became a member of Perch Base in Phoenix, AZ, in our early years, then chartered the
Tucson Base USSVI and was the first Tucson Base Commander on January 1, 2004.
Services have been held.
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.
EXTRA, EXTRA! Read all about it!
The new MidWatch newsletter is published. Click HERE to
read the new issue.
BRAVO ZULU
CARLTON CLARKE MODEL
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) member Carlton Clarke created an awesome model of the
USS Nautilus (SSN-571) that was placed on display during the Awards Ceremony at the 2023 USSVI National Convention in Tucson, AZ.
See more photos of Carlton's model
HERE.
USSVI NATIONAL CONVENTION
August 28 - September 2, 2023
About 35 Perch Base Submarine Veterans and family members attended the 2023 USSVI National Convention in
Tucson, AZ. As co-sponsors with the Tucson Base, we not only attended, but participated in planning and staffing
support.
The photo, above shows Jan & Vic VanHorn leading a line dancing instruction session.
See more photos and activities
HERE.
In addition to these photos on our base webpage, the Convention Committee has posted additional photos at this
LINK.
It is unclear how long these additional photos will remain available on the link.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Thanks to Perch Base Life Member Glenn Posniack who pointed out the availability of a little known
ASU scholarship at our August monthly meeting. Glenn discussed the Spouses of Military Veterans
Tuition Scholarship. This award ensures tuition and fees are covered for ASU students who are pursuing
an undergraduate degree and are married to an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
Read more about this scholarship from the Pat Tillman Veterans Center on the ASU Website
HERE.
KAREN EMMETT MEMORIAL SERVICE
Our condolences to Life Member, Holland Club Member and Past Base Commander Chuck Emmett.
Chuck's wife, Karen, passed away on July 2, 2023.
Her memorial service was held at the Salvation Army Center Chapel in Surprise, AZ.
View more details and pictures HERE.
PRESCOTT FRONTIER DAYS® PARADE
Perch Base took the USS Phoenix float up to Prescott, Arizona on July 1st, 2023, for the Prescott Frontier Days® Parade.
The parade had many entries and a very large crowd to watch the parade. We were in the parade with Gudgeon Base.
Tucson Base also was there with their USS Tucson (SSN-770) submarine float. Members and family rode or walked in the
parade from the 3 bases!
As shown in the photo, Perch Base member Doc Dawkins towed our USS Phoenix (SSN-702) float with his patriotic truck.
Also shown in this photo is Carl Miner who walked the entire parade route in his dress blues uniform!
The 2023 Parade Theme was "DANCES WITH BULLS."
After the parade, we had a BBQ lunch at Sherry and Tom Warner's home in Prescott Valley.
View more event pictures HERE.
WWII Veteran Emil Joseph Schoonejans, TM2(SS) ETERNAL PATROL
World War 2 submarine veteran, Holland Club member and Perch Base Life member Emil Joseph Schoonejans
passed onto Eternal Patrol June 1, 2023, at age 98. Our condolences to his children Lynn, Laura and Mitch,
and grandchild Coral (Jon) Sololowski.
Emil was born February 24, 1925, in West Hoboken, New Jersey. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 at age 16, and immediately
went to work on submarine relief crews. He was later assigned as crew on the USS Burrfish (SS‑312) and
earned the War Patrol medal for participation in the Burrfish's 4th, 5th and 6th War Patrols in the South Pacific.
He returned to Pearl Harbor from the Burrfish's final War Patrol and then rode the Burrfish to Portsmouth Navy Yard
for a major overhaul, arriving June 19. 1945.
Emil then left the Navy on February 1, 1946.
Read more and see more pictures, including a video interview with Emil,
HERE.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.
MEMORIAL DAY:
Perch Base USSVI participated in the Memorial Day Ceremonies at the National Cemetery of Arizona,
including Tolling of the Boats, on Monday, May 29, 2023.
Carl Miner and Dan Marks placed the wreaths for the Submarine Veterans of WW2 and the Perch Base
Submarine Veterans at the Memorial Day ceremony. Governor Joy and Howard Doyle conducted the Tolling
of the Boats ceremony. The following photos are from the both the Memorial Day Ceremony and the
Tolling of the Boats.
View more details and 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.
Governor Hobbs has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to
half-staff immediately until sunset on the day of interment, as a mark of respect for the memory of retired
Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor who passed away on Friday, Dec. 1. Day of interment will be announced at a later date.
Governor Hobbs issued the following statement:
"Justice Sandra Day O’Connor put people above all else and created an eternal legacy that will forever
be ingrained in the fibers of our state and nation’s history.
On behalf of the State of Arizona, I send my deepest sympathies to her family, loved ones & everyone touched by her trailblazing legacy."
Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
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