U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc.

SUBVETS Groton Base

"First and Finest"

Home of USSVI and Dominic "Joe" Negri Memorial Clubhouse

1200-1700, GB Westport Satellite Group Annual Family Picnic & Meeting

The WSG SubVet Picnic will be on Saturday, August 4th, with a rain date of Sunday, August 5th. The picnic this year will be held at John Kammerer's Riverside home at 89 Housatonic Drive in Milford. The picnic will be from 12 – 5 with food being served at 1:00.

The menu for the day consists of the following:

John will be supplying the Beer, Soda and Water. If you wish to have any mixed beverages you will need to supply that yourself. Anyone is welcome to bring any side dishes if they choose or any types of Beverages.

We are asking everyone to make a $10 donation p/p ticket cost. We are also inviting some Minnesota crew and Sub school students as well but we are not sure if they will be able to attend.

You are welcome to bring a guest I only ask that you email me at madd51@optonline.net and let me know, as soon as possible, if you will be attending and how many will be in your party.

We are looking for volunteers to help set up at John's house on Friday the 3rd, time to be determined, please let me know if you are available and can help. We are also asking everyone to help breakdown at the end before everyone leaves. We will have a final count at our next meeting on July 16th. Hope to see you at the picnic.

Mike DeLeo

Also, during the Veterans Appreciation Day event on  August 18 ^th , we will have a Military Awards Ceremony where those veterans who served during a war-time period. For example, World War II –  December 7 , 1941 to  December 31 , 1946; Korean Hostilities – June 27 , 1950 to  January 31 , 1955; Vietnam –  February 28  to  July 1 , 1975. 

If you served during these periods and were a resident of Connecticut you will be honored with receiving the  Connecticut Wartime Veterans Service Medal, Korean Service medal and Vietnam Lapel Pin . To qualify you need to contact the New London Veterans Affairs office for an application form. It needs to be completed and returned to the below address by no later than  July 31 , 2018.   If you have already sent in your application, disregard this notice.



Any questions or if you wish the forms for the awards, we encourage you to contact us. Thank you from New London Veteran Affairs.

Charles Henry Cushman Jr , CAPT

Qualified in submarines on the USS Cochino (SS-345) in 1949 and was a CAPT when he left the Navy.

CUSHMAN, Charles Henry, Jr., CAPT, USN, Ret., 94, of Hopkinton, R.I., died on Monday, July 23, 2018. Captain Cushman was a Navy veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. He served the greater part of his naval career in submarines. He served on the USS Cochino (SS-345), USS Sea Owl (SS-405), USS Angler (SS-240), USS Archerfish (SS-311), USS Mackerel (SST-1) and USS Corsair (SS-435). He was commanding officer of USS Mackerel, USS Corsair and USS Angler. He was executive officer of USS Hunley (AS-31) and Commander Submarine Division TWENTY TWO. His last duty station was commanding officer USS Cadmus (AR-14). Upon retirement from the Navy he was chief of ship safety at Electric Boat, Groton. Capt. Cushman was a member of VFW Post No. 8170a Holland Club member; Submarine Veterans; board of director North Stonington Historical Society and chairman of North Stonington bicentennial committee. Capt. Cushman was predeceased by Dorris M. Cushman, his wife of fifty-three years on May 13, 1999. He is survived by three daughters, Donna Lando of Hoffman Estates, Ill., Stephanie Shafer of Hanover and Dana Cushman of Bradford, R.I.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. 

Leo A. Amero , SN(SS) 

Qualified in submarines on the USS Chivo (SS-341) in 1956 and was a SN(SS) when he left the Navy.

AMERO, Leo A., 80, of Mystic, CT, died Saturday, July 21, 2018, in Naples, Fla. Leo is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Mary Frances (O'Connor) Amerohis most beloved daughters, Julie Amero, Laura (Amero) Strauss and Adrienne Amero; and his cherished grandsons, Strauss and Benjamin Strauss. Laura Helen (Oakes) Amero and Leo M. Amero were the proud parents of Leo A. Amero. Leo was born in 1937 and grew up in Mystic along the Mystic River. He had a lifelong love of the sea and boating. During his teen years, Leo built and raced many hydrofoils up and down the Mystic River amassing trophies for his race victories. He always loved wooden boats along with many other types of ships. Leo always enjoyed motoring to Block Island and many other destinations with his family and friends in his Cabin Cruiser all throughout his lifetime. After graduating from Fitch Senior High School in Groton, Leo joined the submarine branch of the Navy at the age of 18 to see the world; which he most definitely did. Leo was honored to serve his country as a dedicated and proud member of the crew aboard the submarine USS Nautilus (SSN-571). One of Leo's most memorable voyages on the Nautilus was to surface at the North Pole. He also journeyed to other exotic ports of call throughout his time of honorable service on the Nautilus and other submarines. Leo commenced his employment at General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division, in Groton after his submarine service. He was a life member of the International Association of Machinists. Leo had an extensive knowledge of mechanics and carried those skills to his own business as the proprietor of L&L Marine Engine Company, which was located on Water Street in Mystic. Leo and his father, Leo M. Amero, owned and operated this marine business for many years together. Leo retired as a quality assurance inspector from the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics after 37 years of dedicated service. Throughout his life, Leo held various positions to help in his community. Leo was a member and past trustee of the Elks Lodge in Groton. He was proud to be a life member of the Knights of Columbus in Mystic. Leo was inducted into the US Submarine Veterans Holland Club for 50 years as quailfied in the submarines. Leo was also a dedicated member of the Lions Club of New London. He was a life member of the Groton Sportsman's Club as well. Some of his other club memberships included the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mystic, the Moose Lodge and the American Legion. Leo was a plank owner of the Submarine Veterans Base in Naples, Fla. He greatly enjoyed attending many events at the Submarine Veterans Club in Groton with his wife Mary and friends as well. Leo joined in the fun for many of the Old Salts Pig Roasts and other Sub Vets club activities in various locations throughout the years with his lifelong friend of 75 years, Raymond Williams and Ray's extended family. Traveling to his homes in Randolph, N.H. and Naples, Fla. with his treasured family members and cherished friends was one of Leo's many past-times. He and his wife Mary traveled much of the United States with their three daughters, Adrienne, Laura and Julie. One of Leo's other favorite vacation destinations was St. Maarten in the Dutch West Indies. Leo loved to dance; and he and his beloved wife, Mary, attended many formal and informal functions together. Leo and Mary were the ultimate hosts, giving many backyard barbeques and clam bakes for family and friends. Leo was also a huge sports enthusiast. He loved swimming and biking. Throughout much of his life, Leo rode Indian and Triumph motorcycles; he was always smiling while giving family and friends rides on one of his motorcycles. Leo was a devoted husband, family man and devout Catholic. He attended church services weekly throughout his life at St. Patrick's Church in Mystic, St. Edmunds at Enders Island in Stonington and at St. Elizabeth Seton's parish in Naples, Fla. He will be dearly missed by all. 

Rodney D Bellman , QM2(SS)

Qualified in submarines on the USS Alexander Hamilton (SSBN-617) in 1968 and was a QM2(SS) when he left the Navy.

Visit our new website at USSVI Groton Base Events and Meetings . 

July themes - Begin Membership Renewals

30 MONDAY

31 JULY TUESDAY

1 AUGUST WEDNESDAY

2 THURSDAY

3 FRIDAY

4 SATURDAY

5 SUNDAY