Stephen (Steve) Petreshock, age 88, of Manitowoe, Wisconsin died on Monday evening, Oct. 26, 2009, at Aurora Medical Center of Manitowoe.

Mr. Petreshock was a national artist for "Polaris" magazine, the official publication for the US Submarine Veterans of WWII for 42 years and designed the submarine calendar for 18 years. His paintings and artwork are displayed in museums and private collections.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at the Jens Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 1122 S. Eighth St., Manitowoc. Rev. Dr. Matthew L. Sauer will officiate with entombment to follow at Calvary Mausoleum. Military services will be accorded by VFW Otto Oas Post No. 659. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at noon.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum or the Rahr-West Museum.

I took pictures of Mr. Petreshock when I was at the National Convention of World War II Veterans, September 09. I waited in line, but not long enough to speak with him. I so wanted one of his submarine paintings for the cover of my book. But, the editor didn't agree.

USS Sea Fox T-shirts: The shirts are available in black or blue, sizes large & x-large and with or without pockets. You can check them out by going to http://seafoxassoc.homestead.com/SK.html then click on the association patch and it will take you to the SK items. All the best. Geo.

Sub Float, S-36, Water S."Gus" Kraus & Book Signing:

Fred Minnick, author of "Camera Boy: An Army Journalist's War in Iraq," will host a book signing on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Border's Books, 3300 Glennstone, Springfield, MO.

The USS Wisconsin SSN-908 float is a 1/10 scale of the Skipjack. It was built in 50 days by 7 men. It cost $5,ooo to build. It is accessible underneath. They installed a battery, inventer, charger and Klaxon inside. It was finished November 6, 2008.

Walter S. Kraus Commander, USN (Ret) is 86 years-old and very involved with the WWII Submarine Organization. He is the last survivor of the S-36 and was a crew member of the USS Snapper SS-185 when Melvin T. Smith was aboard.

NEWS-02: National Conventions - Should they change? Submitted by: Pat Householder on 10/12/2009---------------------------------------------------------For the past several years there has been concerned 'chatter' about the rising costs of our Annual Conventions. Due to the size of our gatherings, it is very difficult to find locations that can handle our size convention that is not expensive.One proposal is to have a national convention every other year on the same schedule with the USSVI national election, rotating, if possible, each convention by region.The thinking is, this would allow subvet families to participate in other vacations on the off year, and could possibly save USSVI up to $10,000 in direct costs saved in the off year.Please visit the online poll at www.ussvi.org and express your opinion. Thanks, Patrick Householder Natl Commander

WWII Submarine Veterans: The Decommissioning Ceremony of the Diamond Chapter WW II Submarine Veterans took place Saturday, October 10, 2009 6:00 p.m. (!800 Hours) at the Clarion Hotel, Bentonville, Arkansas. We seen old friends and made new friends. It was a beautiful, but sad ceremony. So many to thank. In the days ahead I'll continue to add more information on the two day event. I am sorry, that all Arkansas WW II Submarine Veterans were unable to attend. We are sorry the weather kept us from attending the patch dedication at the military museum in Branson presented by Dick Jarenski and the USS Sterlet (SS-392) Association. http://www.usssterlet.com USS Sennet SS-408 is holding their reunion this week October 11-15, at Myrtle Beach, SC. Melvin T. Smith was a crew member of this boat.

WWII National Convention where I visited with four of the veterans who's stories were told in my book, "Submarine Stories of World War II," William Dreher USS Boarfish (SS-327). Marion Shinn USS Guavina (SS-362) Melvin T. Smith USS Snapper(SS-185) and Ervin O Schmidt USS Torsk (SS-423) Mr. Schmidt is a Pearl Harbor survivor of the USS California. I thank each of the veterans who took part in telling their story for my book. It has been an honor. Green Bay, Wisconsin 55th National Convention U.S. Submarine Veterans of WW II, Aug 30-Sept 5 2009. We spent two there before we traveled Highway 29 Westward toward Knapp. I visited family along the route.

We had a great time at the convention. The Wisconsin

subvets and everyone worked very hard to bring us

interesting events. I enjoyed the film on the discovery

of the USS Lagarto that was shared by Jamie Maclend;

one of the divers who was part of expedition. The submarine

was found 230 feet deep in the Gulf of Siam.

St. Marys Submarine Museum, St. Marys, Georgia requested ten copies of my

book for their gift shop. With added sales through the mail

and at the convention I sold the last of my books.

I have loved promoting the veterans and their stories.

USCGC SEA FOX: Commissioning Ceremonies for the USCGC Sea Fox (WPB 87374) were held on 18 Sep 09. Jim Mason (60-62), Lon Schmidt (55-56), Ralph Ruppert (44-45), Jerry Foss (69-70), and Pat Bellew (60-63) along with their guests Evelyn Ryan, Sharon Bellew, and JeanMarie Foss were present for the ceremonies. An article, along with photos, has been submitted to the American Submariner and material, with more specifics, will be sent shortly to Mary Ellen Burdick for the next Association newsletter. Of special note is the donation of the Sea Fox (SS402)'s ships bell by our boat's last Commanding Officer, CDR Walt Stammer. The bell arrived in time to be installed aboard the cutter and a very important part of the Sea Fox (SS402) history will once again return to sea! We have a web page about the cutter and you can view it at: http://seafoxss402.homestead.com/USCG.html There is a link at the bottom of the page that will take you to several photos of the ceremonies. Our association SK, Lon Schmidt, forwarded a Sea Fox (SS402) plaque and some cups to the C/O and crew of the cutter. And, Jim Mason presented the C/O, CWO3 Michael Lemay, with an Honorary Association Membership for he and his crew. Submitted by George Arnold