Vegas submariners asked to ‘reconnect’
United States Submarine Veterans Las Vegas Base 51 wants to boost its membership by adding submarine-qualified veterans to its roster.
As part of the national organization, Base 51 offers a chance for former Navy submarine sailors to “reconnect with our special brotherhood (and) perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country,” according to Tom Czulewicz, a retired Navy commander and Base 51 spokesman.
“Our common heritage as submariners shall be strengthened by camaraderie. We support a strong U.S. submarine force,” he said.
Base 51 will launch projects to remember shipmates who died aboard submarines. “Their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice (will always) be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments,” Czulewicz said.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Base 51 will dedicate a monument at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City to submariners lost during combat as well as during peacetime.
“Everyone is invited to attend this unique ceremony that includes the ‘Tolling of the Boats’ whereby each ‘boat’ (submarine) lost is acknowledged along with when it was lost and the number of crew members,” he said.
Base 51 meets at 6:30 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month at the Elks Lodge, 4100 W. Charleston Blvd. To join, prospective members can show up for a meeting or contact Base Commander Merle Hendricks at CdrBase51@outlook.com or visit ussvi.org to obtain an application for membership.
Contact Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308. Follow @KeithRogers2 on Twitter.
