We had a special day and a half at the USS Sea Fox Reunion at Branson. I wish it could have been longer. Good thing we did not. A tree limb weakened by the January ice storm came crushing down bushing the roof, yet it was still attached to the tree. If it was allow to come down on it own, the larger end would do damage to the roof. So I had to find a tree cutter fast. He came in three hours to remove it and another tree bending to the ground. It was very windy that day. Jim Mason & Evelyn Ryan from Port Orchard, Washington in the above picture wrote a review print in the front of my book, Submarine Stories of World War II for ages ten and up (Nov 07). It was very special to see and meet them at the reunion. George will soon have pictures and happenings up on the Sea Fox website. http://seafoxassoc.homestead.com/ This has been a busy month with military events to attend. May 11& 12 we went to Branson for the USS Sea Fox Reunion. It was picnic time with Fleet Reserve Association and the USSV Inc, Twin Lakes Base, dinner at the American League and the Memorial Day events. I am now trying to get out the Arkansas Submarine Veterans World War II Diamond Chapter newsletter done and mailed. Associate Commander Jim Stephens helped by submitting several printed pages and Commander Bob Wight for update information on the upcoming WWII Submarine National Convention. All the newsletters should be mailed by Tuesday. To learn more of the history of submarines, click on http://About.com/submarines (USSV Inc) Subvettes: President of the Ladies Aux, Rita Kruel is offering a special rate for a Life membership to all regular members of the Ladies of Submarine Veterans of II for $20.00 and the offer is good only until June 20th. I joined May 26, 2009. I have been doing so much multi-tasking, I feel I need a few quiet days at a B&B.

To all Military Men & Women

REMEMBER How can we forget

for it continues year after year.

USS Sea Fox(SS-402) Reunion May 10 through 15, at the Branson Settle Inn, Branson, Missouri. We have plans to spend a couple of days there. Sea Fox website http://www.seafoxss402.homestead.com

Hello Mary......I've just finished reading your book and want you to know that it brought me right back to those days of sailing aboard the Tinosa. They were great voyages, interrupted by occasional moments of dreadful fear, but overall cruises filled with special feelings. Those "special feelings" were inspired by the nation that was so very much together in our objectives and with a patriotism we rarely see anymore. Thanks again for the wonderful gift Mary and I'm very happy to have met you and Mel. Very sincerely, Loyal

SUBMARINE STORIES OF WORLD WAR II Compiled and written by Mary Nida Smith

Stories of nine teenagers who served on US Navy Submarines during the 1940s. Many had never been away from home when they ventured beneath the sea to an unknown world of silence to spy and torpedo enemy ships. It was a world that quickly changed naïve teenagers into men who took home memories of good and painful times. Submarine Stories of World War II was written to honor the men who have served and are serving today on submarines.

William Dreher USS Boarfish SS-327 Marion Shinn USS Guavina SS-362 James A. Davidson USS Guitarro SS-363 Wayne Goodenow USS Cat SS-399 Gail Diamond USS Scorpion SS-278 Joseph Blanchett USS Seal SS-183 Melvin Tolbert Smith USS Snapper SS-185 Billy Grieves USS Thresher SS-200 Ervin O. Schmidt USS Torsk SS-423 USS Saury SS-189 and the USS California BB-44

A poem by Irma Goodenow honoring her submarine husband of 59 years. Mary Nida Smith - Wives of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, Arkansas Diamond Chapter (Newsletter Editor), former Idaho member of the Spuds Chapter Twin Fall, Idaho, Associated member Twin Lakes Base USSVI, Military Writers Society of America, Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Missouri Writers Guild, and Ozarks Writers League. To order copies send $12.00 plus $2.00 Postage to: Mary Nida Smith 162 Stamford Drive Lakeview, AR 72642