If the National Officers promoted this program, more base commanders would support it. But unfortunately in many other bases of USSVI, The Scholarship fund just doesn't get that much attention.

I have come to know Paul very well over the last 4 years. Paul Orstad has completely dedicated himself towards the success of this program. He has been a one man band.

I do believe that the USSVI Scholarship Fund is definitely in keeping with our creed.

The problem with our creed, and the organization is that everyone focuses on the first part of the creed:

"To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of thier duties while serving their country."

We do well with that. Everyone focuses on those things that perpetuate their memory. Memorial Services, Tolling of the Boats, Submarine Stamps, etc. etc.

But what about the second part of the creed:

"That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments"

Isn't helping the son, grandson, or stepson of one of our own members through advanced education in college a demonstration of "motivation toward greater accomplishments"?

I think that it is, and so did Jimmy Page when he established the Scholarship Fund.

Our days of accomplishments are done, but our offspring are not. Every bit of help that we as an organization of Submariners gives to them is in keeping with our creed.

Whether we get a thank you letter or not should be irrelevent.

What should be important to us is just knowing that we were able to do our part in promoting greater accomplishments.

It may not be much of a scholarship, but it certainly could be if all the Bases gave it common and equal support as they do to Memorials, Parades, and good times.

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When I took over at Groton Base in 1998, I realized that the National Scholarship fund was embarassing because of it's low output. I set it as one of my goals as Base Commander that we were going to do our part in helping. We do fund raising all year long. And really kick it up a notch between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And at the last three conventions, I have had the distinct pleasure of presenting checks in increasing amounts towards the Scholarship Fund.

In 1999 we raised $1,000.00, in 2000 $1,500.00, and last year we donated over $2100.00. This year our donation will be even larger. No it's still not a lot, but it's closer than if we hadn't donated.

Imagine if you will if every base commander, and every base in USSVI made that a priority, and made the same committment to raise funds. I would think that if that were to happen, that the USSVI Scholarship Fund would grow over the present $16,000.00 amount.

Just recently one of our new associate members donated $100.00 towards the USSVI Scholarship Fund, with a matching contribution from his employer Pfizers of $100.00 for a total donation of $200.00. That's great! I would think that if the USSVI Scholarship Fund were promoted more, that more of our members would do the same with their companies. Getting those corporate sponsorships does not come to a Scholarship Fund that is not known.

Every year at the Submarine Birthday Ball, Foxwoods Casino gives $10,000.00 towards the Dolphin Scholarship Fund. Although I couldn't advertise this at the time, but in our discussions with the Mohegan Sun, had we had the 2002 convention there they would have done the same for the USSVI Scholarship Program. That was already a done deal, but because of an agreement with the Mohegan Pequot's that was not to be disclosed prior to the choice for the convention.

But my point is that we will not get those Corporate Sponsorships until we go to those large Corporations and ask them. This has to be done at levels above Paul Orstad. It has to be done at the National Executive Board Level.

So until we get serious about it, our National Scholarship Fund will continue to be stagnant, and will continue to give out a measley $16,000 a year.

I have also asked John Peters to get the USSVI scholarship fund on the Combined Federal Campaign listing, since we are now charitable. That goes to every Federal Employee, and service man once a year for a donation. Many Submariners who are members would see that and possibly make a donation. But all that I have been told is that to get on the list you must be a charitable foundation for at least 3 years. But have we asked for a waiver? Have we forced them to tell us that we are ineligible. If we really wanted to help our scholarship fund we would be beating on their doors to get us on the listing, or forcing them to say no, but we haven't done that.

So in summary, I do believe that supporting the Scholarship Fund is important. I believe that it is in keeping with our creed, and I believe that we as a base of USSVI need to be taking larger strides in promoting the Scholarship Fund. We cannot take large strides before we start to walk.

John C.