President’s Corner
November 2016

Hello Shipmates!

The USS SILVERSIDES Museum in Michigan hosted a special celebration of "Mom" Kaye. This was in conjunction with the opening of the "Mom & Pop” Kaye exhibit of the memorabilia they collected over their many years of supporting the Navy—and especially the 703 crew and other Submariners.

Whether it was crates of fresh oranges shipped from Florida to Groton in the middle of winter, or hospitality suites provided for the crew in Fort Lauderdale, the crew of USS BOSTON (SSN 703) remember fondly all their acts of kindness and generosity.

Pat and I attended the dedication of the Mom & Pop Kaye Exhibit at the USS SILVERSIDES Museum in Muskegon, Michigan on Saturday, 10/8/2016.

This event was to honor and recognize Mom & Pop Kaye for the countless boats and ships that they adopted, and for their patriotism and generosity. It was also to recognize them for all of the lives that they touched. During an almost 40 years span, they boosted the morale of an estimated 2 million sailors (according to the keynote Guest Speaker, Admiral Richard Mies, former Commanding Officer of the USS Sea Devil (SSN-664), Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and the 4th Commander in Chief of the United States Strategic Command).

We were in pretty good company there, as there was an Astronaut, James Reilly II, former Captains and Admirals, and crew members from many of the adopted boats/ships.

In attendance from the BOSTON besides myself was Lee Parker (STS2(SS) 1988-1993), Pete Scala (CO, 1991-1993), Demetri Capetanopolous (MPA 1993-1996), and Frank Korfias (MPA 1997-1999) all from the SSN-703.

Pete Scala and Demetri Capetanopolous spoke at the podium about their shipboard experiences with the Kayes. Demetri specifically spoke about the time that he thought that the senior officers were fooling with him (because he was the junior officer aboard), when he was told that they had to go to Fort Lauderdale because the Kayes made a phone call and wanted them there. Mom felt that they hadn’t seen them in quite a while. The story was very interesting—and true. Jim Reilly said that they made a phone call and got him into the Navy when he couldn’t get in. All very good stories and it showed how influential the Kayes were with the Florida businesses and the U.S. Navy.

Mom Kaye looks good. She was very excited and emotional to see so many people attend from the first ship that they adopted and was very happy that the USS BOSTON Shipmates, Inc. made a significant donation and came to this event. Several times she attempted to come over and talk but was pulled away by another important guest. I told her nephew and her grandson about our next reunion and told them that I would love for her to come to it! They said they want to bring her to it. They said she would love it. I gave them my information and they said they would keep in touch. This could be a draw to get more Submariners to come to the reunion next year.

I also spoke to Pete, Frank and Lee about the next reunion, told them it was going to be in Virginia and I expect to see them there. Naturally, Frank said it would depend on his schedule and Rose said, “We will be there, that isn’t too far to go.” (Pete apparently didn’t have a say in it.) Lee said he will be there. I also told Lee that if he had contact with other SSN Shipmates to let them know as well and have them check out our website.

If you have contact with other SSN Shipmates, please let them know as well, and have them check out our website. Get us their contact info so we can put our newsletters in their hands.

In closing I hope to see each and every one of you at the next Reunion in Virginia in July 2017. Have a very Happy Holiday season and a Happy New Year.

Barry

Barry L. Probst
President
USS BOSTON Shipmates, Inc.