Nat'l Sr. Vice Cdr John Fredericks will assume the duties of the National Commander and apparently plans to serve out the remainder of Gary Stewarts term.

National Secretary Tomas M. Conlon reported the results of voting as follows:

Nat'l Sr. Vice Cdr position and vacant National Commander positions will be filled by John Fredericks who received the majority of votes.

Randy Little received the majority of write-in votes for the position of Nat'l Jr. Vice Cdr and agreed to accept the responsibility and remain in that position for another term.

Thomas M. Conlon received the majority of votes for the position of National Secretary.

John Andersen received the majority of votes for the position of National Treasurer.

All of the above officers were sworn in at the Business Meeting on Saturday Morning.

All of the following Amendments to Constitution and ByLaws Passed as proposed:

(1) Change in dates for submission of Amendments to C&B.
(2) Offer Submariners of Allied Navies Associate Membership in USSVI.
(3) Delete requirement for financial audit by commercial accounting firm.
(4) Change in term of office for National Commander.

UPDATE ON SUBMARINE BERETS WITH DOLPHINS. I found out at the National Convention in Reno that the membership at the National Convention in 1997 had voted to make a Black Garrison Cap the official head cover for Submarine Veterans Incorporated. Needless to say I was quite surprised as I had never heard about this before. I was also quite surprised to find out that even though this was voted in a couple of years ago, the SubVet Inc. Nat'l Storekeeper still doesn't have an approved design of what they are supposed to look like or any garrison caps to provide to our members. Out of nearly 1,600 members at the National Convention in Reno, only about six members were wearing Black Garrison Caps and they were from the Bremerton Base. They had apparently purchased them from the Navy Exchange Uniform Shop and had a Chapter member embroider their Base name on one side and put miniature dolphins on the other side. Fortunately I found this out prior to placing an order for our berets. As a result of this, our Treasurer Royal Weaver will be contacting our members who provided checks to purchase the berets and make arrangements to return them to you. We will be doing more research to find out exactly what will be considered acceptable garrison cap and keep you informed of our progress. I'm sorry if this caused you any inconvenience.

Also, don't forget to contact me ASAP to get your reservations for the December Cruise on the Emerald Princess and also reserve rooms at the Holiday Inn.

For your info, I have invited COMSUBGRU TEN RADM Terpstra to be a guest speaker at our next Trident Chapter Meeting. I will let you know if he accepts my invitation.

Bob Hurley, Base Commander

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