Tang Base Tampa Bay

Welcome to Tang Base Tampa Bay

Fox 13 News story on Tang Base Tampa Bay 10 May 2023.

Click the link below to view.

https://www.fox13news.com/news/bay-area-organization-keeps-submarine-band-of-brothers-alive

Upcoming Tang Base Events

****We are going back to meetings on the 3rd Saturday of each month****

******CHANGE OF VENUE******

Our new meeting location is Post 7 Address: 1760 Turner St., Clearwater, FL 33756

Membership meetings are the 3rd Saturday of each month and are held at American Legion Post 7,

Address: 1760 Turner St., Clearwater, FL 33756

Social time begins at 1100 to 1130 , 1130 to 1200 lunch and meeting to start at 1200.

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25 October 2024 Annual Kings Bay Submarine Veterans of WWII Memorial Week from October 23 to October 27, 2024 with the Memorial Ceremony starting at 1000 Hrs.

16 November 2024 General Membership Meeting at the American Legion Post #7, 1760 Turner St., Clearwater 33756 starting 1100 Hrs

7 December 2024 - Saturday, TBD for Christmas Luncheon

14 December 2024 - Saturday,  TBD Pinellas Park Christmas Parade

Important Announcements

**********From the South East District Five Commander.  Base visits are an important way to let USSVI know what is happening at all the bases across the country.  Each time the District Commander visits the base he files a report with the Regional Administrator who forwards it up to USSVI.  This is one way USSVI knows what the many bases are accomplishing during the year.  It is also an opportunity to discuss any problems the base may be having with the District Commander who may be able to assist in a solution.  In addition to in person visits, the Commander can contact the District Commander directly either by e mail or phone to discuss any issues.  I look forward to visiting your base at a minimum once a year, but if possible, more often. 

Green Board, Dave Farrugia, SED5 Commander

Tang Base Associate Member, Rick Connole, visiting Battleship Cove, MA on USS Lionfish SS298

          Tang Base Chaplain Emeritus - Bill Ogburn   

Good Morning Shipmates,

Almighty God, we who gather here, brothers of the dolphin, family and friends of all submariners, and those who truly care; we stand in your presence and pray that you burn into our minds the undeniable truth of the hard work, the failures and triumphs, the willing sacrifices of those who have gone before us that has been a major factor in enabling us to be who we are today.

Without their desire for those who followed them to excel, we would have had no examples, no mentors, and no teachers to guide us in the life we chose to follow. Without their sacrifices defending our great country, we would not be free today to enjoy all the blessings that you have given us. Let us never forget; many died in this endeavor and that all gave some and many gave their all.

Father God quicken us now to the message we have received today. For it is in the precious name of Jesus that we ask these things. Amen

Thank you and God Bless!  --  Bill Ogburn, Tang Base Chaplain Emeritus 

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When the good Lord created a Submariner, it was almost 2300 on the sixth day. An angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble with this one. What's wrong with the standard model?" And the Lord replied, "Have you seen the specs on this order? It has to be able to think independently, yet be able to take orders; have the qualities of both a scientific mind and a compassionate heart; be able to mentor juniors and learn from seniors; run on black coffee; handle emergencies without a Damage Control Manual, respond competently to critical incidents, decipher cryptographic codes, understand pneumatics, hydraulics and sonar, have the patience of a saint and six pairs of hands, not to mention the strength of three its size." The angel shook its head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands - - No way!" And the Lord answered, "Don't worry, we'll make other Submariners to help. Besides it's not the hands which are causing the problem.

It's the heart. It must swell with pride when a Shipmate earns his Silver Dolphins - which above all else signifies the crew members trust it with their lives, sustain the incredible hardship of life at sea in a steel tube, beat on soundly when it's too tired to do so, and be strong enough to continue to carry on when it's given all it had." "Lord," said the angel touching the Lord's sleeve gently, "Stop! It's almost midnight!" "I can't," said the Lord. "I'm so close to creating something unique. Already I have one whose hands blend knowledge with skill to perform the most intricate procedures, yet are strong enough to patch a ruptured seawater pipe; whose ears can discern the sonar sounds of a myriad of ocean life, yet detect the slightest shift in ventilation; whose mind can practice the science of nuclear submarining, yet not lose sight of the art of teamwork; and whose eyes can peer through a periscope to identify a hull down ship, yet search within to embrace and personify honor, courage and commitment."

The angel circled the model of the Submariner very slowly. "It's too serious," the angel sighed. "But tough," said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this Submariner can do or endure." "Can it feel?" asked the angel. "Can it feel! It loves Ship, Shipmates and Country like no other!" Finally the angel bent over and ran a finger across the Submariner's cheek. "There's a leak," pronounced the angel. "I told you you're trying to put too much into this model."

"That's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear." "What's it for?" asked the angel. "It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, frustration and pride!" "You're a genius!" exclaimed the angel. The Lord looked pleased and replied, "I didn't put it there." Filled with pride, the Lord continued, "Great things are planned for this Submariner. It will be one of many and together they will lead a legacy of excellence like none has known before." And with that the Lord rested. It was the seventh day.

CAPT Jane F. Vieira - Chaplain Corps, United States Navy

 Submariners Memorial Service 15 April 2023

USS Trigger (SS-237) Interesting Facts:

USS Trigger (SS-237) was a Gato-class submarine, the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the triggerfish.

Construction

Trigger's keel was laid down on 1 February 1941 at Mare Island, California, by the Mare Island Navy Yard. She was launched on 22 October 1941, sponsored by Mrs. Walter N. Vernou, and commissioned on 30 January 1942, with Lieutenant Commander Jack H. Lewis in command.

Battle of Midway

The submarine sailed for Hawaii on 22 May and reached Pearl Harbor the following week. She sortied for Midway Island with Task Group 7.2 (TG 7.2) on 29 May in anticipation of a Japanese attack on that island. Her station during the ensuing Battle of Midway was northeast of Midway, and she remained there without contacting any enemy shipping until she was ordered back to Pearl Harbor on 9 June.

First patrol: June–August 1942

On 26 June, Trigger got underway for the Aleutian Islands to patrol an area west of Cape Wrangell, Attu Island. She encountered six destroyers, three freighters and a patrol boat, attacking none, before calling at Dutch Harbor on 8 August en route back to Hawaii.

 Click here for more information on the USS Trigger 

********************Tang Base history page COMING SOON to tangbasetampabay.com! Anyone who would like to provide historical information, please feel free to contact Bill Strand, Jr at 727-238-6269 or email at dronelicensedpilot.com.**************************

Thank you for your support..

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