USS SENNET SS-408
AUGUST 2008
Dear Shipmates, Wives, Widows, and Friends,
I have not received a newsletter from the original Sennet family organization since June 2006. Up until that time, they had been holding annual reunions in conjunction with the National Conventions of World War II Submarine Veterans.
In June of this year, the Charleston Base of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. released this message:
The United States Submarine Veterans of World War II (USSVWWII) will be formerly ceasing operations as a national organization at the end of 2009.
The ranks of WWII veterans are being thinned daily, and this loss of membership has made maintaining their national structure no longer practical. Past members are being encouraged to join The United States Submarine Veterans Inc. (USSVI). Many have, and in a few cases are still maintaining their local group autonomy. Responsibility for maintenance of memorials and museum displays previously created by USSVWWII will be assumed by USSVI.
I contacted EM2(SS) Jim Fields (46-49) for some additional information, and he responded with this:
The USSVWWII as well as our original Sennet Reunion Group are now operating in the twilight zone. Most of the Plank Owners, Operation High Jump, and early 50's shipmates have reached the stage in life where they are either on Eternal Patrol, in Assisted/Skilled Living Facilities, or not well enough to travel. In some cases it is the veteran that has the health problem and in other cases it is the spouse. In either case, we are operating on a "catch as catch can" basis.
We in this Sennet Group have had a quarter of a century of good times together with lot's of memories and good times all refreshed annually.
USSVWWII is winding down and turning many of its operations over to USSVI. It looks like the last USSVWWII National Convention will be in 2009, which also will be the cessation of its Polaris Magazine and its WWII calendar. In Louisville in 2008, we will decide if the organization will close up shop on September 1, 2009.
My guess is that that will not fly, but instead will continue the implementation of the winding down process. Thirty five hundred members are too many to leave high and dry. That number is dwindling rapidly, at the present rate of 150 a month.
Since the above correspondence, Jim Fields has had a stroke and is recuperating at home. The only other information I can provide is that this year's National Convention of World War II Submarine Veterans is scheduled for August 31 - September 6, 2008 at the Clarion Hotel, 9700 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville, KY. Phone: (502) 491-4830.
If any of you have additional information please pass it to me at sennet408@earthlink.net, and I will post it here. Thanks.
In the meantime, the Independent Sennet Reunion Organization, headed up by Ralph Luther, is actively pursuing 2009 "ALL HANDS" Sennet Reunion plans for Myrtle Beach, SC. You World War II vets and early Sennet crews laid the keel of our reunion family organization. You led the way, made the sacrifices, and deserve a break. We invite you to relax and join us on the beach.
Let us relieve you at the helm and assume the watch.
Green Board,
Stan Pollard
USS SENNET SS-408
AUGUST 2008