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August
09-23-12, 11:18 PM
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/23/world-war-ii-submarine-veterans-forced-to-disband-national-group/?intcmp=trending

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The submarine veterans of World War II have seen this coming for a long time.
At their national convention this month, 62 veterans attended where thousands used to go.
The U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II disbanded at the end of its convention Sept. 7 in Norfolk, Va. Local chapters now must decide whether to continue operating under another name or to dissolve as well.
This month in Groton, J. "Deen" Brown announced to his fellow WWII submarine veterans that the Thames River Chapter has a new name.
"Eastern USA Chapter U.S. Submarine Veterans of WWII," he told members before their monthly luncheon at the U.S. Submarine Veterans clubhouse.
"We simply have to face the fact that we're all getting older and, as we do so, eventually we simply cannot remain a viable national organization," said Brown, 90, of Oakdale.
Walter "Gus" Kraus, the last national president, said the veterans who wanted to keep the national group going "until the last man is gone" prevailed in a vote three years ago. Two years ago, the vote was split.
By this year's convention, some of the stalwarts had died, or their friends had. Of the 1,100 members, the youngest is 86. The oldest is 102.

Gargamel
09-23-12, 11:31 PM
Wow.

Just about cried reading that.

I can't imagine looking around each year and knowing that.

:salute:

nikimcbee
09-23-12, 11:58 PM
I wonder how many US WW2 sub vets there are left?

(In or out of the organization)

Jimbuna
09-24-12, 06:20 AM
Sadly, it is inevitable that we will reach the same position we recently have with WWI veterans.....sad :nope:

Gerald
09-24-12, 06:25 AM
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=198655&highlight=WW2+Sub+Vets+group+forced+to+disband