ColumbusBase

The Columbus Base annual Christmas Dinner and Toys for Tots toy collection was combined with the Awards and Holland Club induction ceremony and held Saturday 5 December at VFW #4931, 2436 Walcutt Road, Columbus OH 43228. Photos of this event are posted in the photo gallery and may be viewed by either clicking the thumbnails in this article or the "photo gallery" button in the main menu.

Columbus Base participated in the Columbus Veterans Day parade on 6 November, held our monthly meeting on 7 November and participated in the Logan Veterans Day parade on 8 November. Photos of these events are posted in the Flickr photo gallery and can be viewed by either clicking on the thumbnails in this post or on the "Photo Gallery" tab in the main menu. As always please forward additional photos of these events to the webmaster so they can be added to the albums. All hands are reminded that we have base officer elections occurring soon, please submit candidate nominations to Jim Tolson ASAP

The Columbus Base October meeting was held at: American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239, 700 Morning Street, Worthington, OH 43085 (Map). Photos of this meeting are posted in the gallery and can be viewed by either clicking on the thumbnails to the left or "Photo Gallery" tab in the main menu.

Charles Sabino provided these photos of the dedication of the USS Birmingham (SSN-695) sail at the DSCC Land and Maritime Command Weapons Park on Wednesday, September 23, 2015. Several members of the Columbus Base of USSVI were also in attendance. Additional photos of this event are posted in the gallery and can be viewed by either clicking on the thumbnail to the left or "Photo Gallery" tab in the main menu.

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of our WWII shipmate John Alexander, TM3(SS). John qualified on the USS Haddock (SS-231) in 1944.

John A. Alexander, 89, of London died Monday, August 11, 2015 in Mount Carmel Hospital. Born January 7, 1926 in Rockport, MA; he was a son of Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Sheehan) Alexander. John had been the director of government and association sales for Hertz Rent-A-Car in London, England. He was also a US Navy veteran of WWII, serving on three different submarines and he belonged to the US Submarine Veterans of WWII and the US Submarines Veterans, Inc. Survivors include his wife Marilyn (Trumper) Alexander, daughter Deborah Ann (Rob) Lowe of Ft. Myers, FL; grandsons Patrick Fuchs, Christopher Fuchs and Sean Alexander, granddaughter Kelly Alexander and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Jenny and son John, Jr. Per John’s wishes, no services will be held and he will be cremated. The family suggest memorials be made to Madison Memorial Post #105, American Legion c/o Mr. Chet Molt, 840 Circle Dr, London, OH 43140. The family is being served by the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 N. Main Street, London. Online condolences for the family may be sent to http://www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com/

Columbus Base will make a $100.00 donation to the USSVI Scholarship Fund in John Alexander's memory.
We will miss you, John.
Sailor, Rest Your Oar.

The Columbus Base August meeting was held at: American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239, 700 Morning Street, Worthington, OH 43085 (Map). Mike Milenovic gave a presentation about the Sea Cadets, along with informational handouts. Very interesting and informative. We should all be proud of these young men and women. Udo Maroscher (from the Navy League) reminded us about the Navy Ball on Oct 3rd. All Hands are reminded that there will not be a September meeting, the next meeting will be October 3 at the American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239. Upcoming events are: 22 August Highway Cleanup; 7-12 September USSVI National Convention in Pittsburgh; Sept (TBD) Kaps for Kids at Nationwide Childrens; Watch calender for details of these events. Photos of this event are posted in the gallery and can be viewed by either clicking on the thumbnail to the left or "Photo Gallery" tab in the main menu.

This year for July 4'th Columbus Base marched in the Hilliard Ohio parade and on Saturday July 11'th held our annual Picnic / Meeting at the Buckeye Lake VFW Post 1388, 3430 N Bank Rd NE in Millersport, OH. 43046. We would like to thank the post for their hospitality and venue. A good time was had by all. Photos of these events are posted in the gallery and can be viewed by either clicking on the thumbnails to the left or "Photo Gallery" tab in the main menu.

May and June have been busy for the Columbus Base Members: On Saturday May 16th. marched in the Heath Armed Forces Day Parade, Assisted in placing Flags on Veterans graves in at Resurrection Cemetery, on 23 May, Marched in the Worthington Memorial Day Parade, on June 1st visited Nationwide Children's Hospital as part of the USSVI "Kaps-for-Kids" program, and on June 6th The Columbus Base June meeting was held at: American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239, 700 Morning Street, Worthington, OH 43085 (Map). Photos of these events are posted in the gallery and can be viewed by either clicking on the thumbnails to the left or "Photo Gallery" tab in the main menu. Anyone having additional photos please forward to either the Base Commander or Webmaster so they can be added to the album

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of our WWII shipmate Russell Ferguson, EM3(SS). He qualified on the USS Haddo (SS-255) in 1945.

Russell L. Ferguson, age 90 of Hilliard passed away Sunday, May 17, 2015. Born July 16, 1924 in Logan County, Ohio. Loving husband for 67 years to the late Winifred Jeffers Ferguson; devoted father of Debbie (Matt) Cox, Tom (Betty Blau), Carol (Greg) Godec, Matthew (deceased), Janice (Pat) Blubaugh; Grandfather of Spencer (Erisa), James (Amber), Meredith (Pat), Jackie (Kevin), Joel (Kelsey), Nick , Leslie and Scott. Great grandfather to Jesse, Dahlia, Jenna, Evan, Stella and Reagan. Loving brother-in-law to Ruth Pekar and Ivaleen Jeffers. Russ is preceded in death: by his parents Arley and Elva (Frey) Ferguson, brother Verle (Betty) and sister Vidah (Marvin) Coulter. Brother-In-law to the following deceased: Wanda (Allen) Pyers, Wilma (Harry) Winkler, Selma (Don) Royer, Frank Pekar, Jim (Margret) Jeffers, Bernard Jeffers, Naida (Al) Larson; and Loving Uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Russ was a Submariner in WWII serving in the Pacific theater aboard USS Haddo (SS-255) as an electricians mate. Electrical contractor by profession, always giving his time and skills to friends. Russ had been involved at church for many years. Memorial contributions can be made to Abundant Life Lutheran Church, PO Box 6021, Hilliard, OH 43026 or Mt. Carmel Hospice, c/o Mt. Carmel Foundation, 6150 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43213.

Visitation Saturday, May 23 from 1:00-3:00 pm at Tidd Funeral Home, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, Ohio 43026. Service will be held immediately following the visitation at 3:00pm at the Tidd Funeral Home. Columbus Base will honor EM3(SS) Russ Ferguson during the funeral service and vests will be worn.
Columbus Base will make a $100.00 donation to the USSVI Scholarship Fund in Russ Ferguson's memory.

We will miss you, Russ.
Sailor, Rest Your Oar.

Jim Tolson
Commander, Columbus Base

The Columbus Base May meeting was held at: American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239, 700 Morning Street, Worthington, OH 43085 (Map). We welcomed two new members John L. Bethea and Bob Bryan as well as special guest Lt. Erienne Kresch. Lt Kresch qualified on the USS Ohio (SSGN-726) Gold and is currently a Submarine Warfare Instructor, Assistant Professor of Naval Science at Ohio State. Onboard the USS Ohio, LT Kriesch served as the Tactical Systems Officer, the Damage Control Assistant and the Strike Planning Coordinator. She was onboard the USS Ohio for several Eastern Pacific Deployments and Major Maintenance Periods. We were also informed of the passing of two dear friends and shipmates of Columbus Base: Chris Damo who led the annual flags on veterans' graves at Resurrection Cemetery when Columbus base first became involved and recently was heavily involved in the Honor flight program; and Mamie Murphy (widow of Columbus Base WWII submarine veteran and Holland Club member Joe Murphy), She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by all. Photos of this meeting are posted in the gallery and can be viewed by either clicking on the thumbnails to the left or "Photo Gallery" tab in the main menu.