Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) held its Annual Awards Banquet on 1/26/2025 at the Pebble Creek Clubhouse in Goodyear, AZ.
Congratulations to our Storekeeper, John Beckett, who was awarded the 2024 "Sailor of the Year" Award.
The Keynote Speaker was Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyer (ret). At the time of his retirement, Admiral Sawyer was the chief of staff for special activities for the Submarine Force Atlantic in the office of United States Strategic Command. Earlier in his career, he commanded the submarine USS LA JOLLA (SSN‑701).
Holland Club Inductions were performed for Kenneth Kennedy and Samuel Mecham, upon achieving 50 years as Qualified in Submarines. Mark McCreary and Ron Perkins were also recognized for induction into the Holland Club, but were not present at the Awards Banquet.

At 7:00 PM, the dining room opened and the ceremonies started. Perch Base Commander George Woods welcomed the guests and then Perch Base Chaplain Governor Joy gave the invocation.

Perch Base Commander George Woods announced our "Early Bird" award winner. The "Early Bird" raffle is randomly selected from those annual members that renew their membership in October to be eligible to have their next years base dues paid by the base. Klaus Perkins won the Early Bird drawing and will have his 2026 Perch Base dues paid.

Perch Base Commander George Woods awarded our Storekeeper, John Beckett the "Sailor of the Year" award.

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Perch Base Commander George Woods then gave a special award in appreciation of the support of Perch Base to Perch Base Life Member Kirby Anderson, Henry Duran and United Rentals. Kirby, who is a Field Service Manager for United Rentals, arranged for a desperately needed "OVERHAUL" for our parade float USS Phoenix (SSN-702.) The overhaul was also supported by Henry Duran, one of the United Rentals employees. Thanks to Kirby, Henry and United Rentals! Kirby accepted his award and also accepted the awards on behalf of Henry Duran and United Rentals.

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Perch Base Commander George Woods then conducted the Holland Club Induction Ceremony. The Holland Club is a special group of members of the United States Submarine Veterans who have been designated "Qualified in Submarines" by the United States Navy for 50 or more years. They dared to do what others feared and went where others dared not. They hold pride in whom and what they were and are today. Pride in whom and what they represent today, the United States Submarine Veterans, and pride in the Silver or Gold Dolphins on their chests. As the ceremony started, Perch Base Commander George Woods had all the Holland Club members stand to honor the new inductees. Holland Club Inductions were performed for Kenneth Kennedy and Samuel Mecham, upon achieving 50 years as Qualified in Submarines. Mark McCreary and Ron Perkins were also recognized for induction into the Holland Club, but were not present at the Awards Banquet.

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Base Commander George Woods then introduced our Keynote Speaker, Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyer (ret).
Phillip Sawyer was born in 1961 in Phoenix AZ. In 1983, he graduated from US Naval Academy with a BS in Systems Engineering and received a Masters Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
As a career submarine officer, He served onboard the USS Bluefish, (SSN-675), USS Florida, (SSGN-728), XO on the Salt Lake City (SSN-716) and the CO of the USS La Jolla (SSN-701) and Submarine Squadron 15 in Guam.
VADM Sawyer also served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy from 2019-2021. He previously served as commander for Naval Mine & Anti-Submarine Warfare, and was commander of the US 7th Fleet and Task Force 74/54.
On shore, VADM Sawyer was appointed to branch Chief in Joint Chiefs of Staff for anti-terrorism and force protection. He was also appointed deputy director for operations at COMPACFLT and executive assistant to the vice-commander-in-chief for the Pacific Fleet. Later, he served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel as a placement officer and assistant captain detailer. VADM Sawyer was later appointed to the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Atlantic, where he served as an instructor. He was later appointed to the office of United States Strategic Command as chief of staff for special activities for the Submarine Force Atlantic. VADM retired in September, 2021.
Phil, as he preferred to be called at our Annual Banquet, discussed the threat from China, the importance of the AUKUS Alliance (Australia/United Kingdom/United States) to "promote a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable," increasing the speed of submarine production, and the incredible capabilities of the current submarine crews.
After his presentation, George Woods presented the Admiral a plaque of appreciation, a Perch Base challenge coin and an ASSM challenge coin.

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Perch Base Commander George Woods then called out the Lost Boats while Chief of the Boat (COB) Don Robertson tolled the bell for the January "Tolling of the Boats" ceremony. Then Perch Base Chaplain Governor Joy called out the names of our Perch Base members who passed on to Eternal Patrol during 2024:
Michael Baka 04/26/2024
Ed Wolf 05/04/2024
Edgar T. Brooks 05/20/2024
Roy Miller 08/19/2024
Wayne Hembree 11/27/2024
Governor Joy explained the meaning of each of the items on the Submariner's Eternal Patrol table and the banquet attendees raised a glass to the "Missing Man."

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The 50/50 drawing was held. Our Keynote Speaker's mom drew the winning ticket. The winner was our Base Chief of the Boat (COB) Don Robertson. Don donated his $138 share of the winnings to the Perch Base Foundation.

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Governor Joy gave the benediction to close the dinner.

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C. C. Clarke displayed the models he built of the USS Nautilus (SSN‑571) and the USS Parche (SSN‑683)

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Throughout the evening, the Silent Auction was open. Thanks to Alice Woods, who organized the Silent Auction and made up all the baskets that were included in the Silent Auction.

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Members, families and friends attending the banquet. Apologies to any that were up from their tables as pictures were taken.

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