WWII Submarine Veterans numbers are down to fewer than 3,000. Reach out, ask for their stories, and thank them for a job well done. Thank all veterans. I am excited, for tomorrow I will become associate member of the USSVI Twin Lakes Base, Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Submarine Stories of World War II

by Mary Nida Smith

The book was written to record what the Submarine Veterans of World War II endured. Written for children ten and up. Most of the veterans entered the service

when they were teens and it was their first time away from home.

Nine submarines share their stories.

William Dreher USS Boarfish SS-327

Melvin T. Smith USS Snapper SS-185

Marion Shinn USS Guavina SS-362

James Davidson USS Guitarro SS-363

Wayne Goodenow USS Sea Cat SS-399

Billy Grieves USS Thresher SS-200

Gail Diamond USS Scorpion SS-278

Joseph Blanchett USS Seal SS- 183

Ervin O Schmidt USS Saury SS-189

Included in the book are WWII Submarine patches & battle flags,

submarine memorabilia, statistics, a glossary and photos. A poem by Irma, wife of Wayne Goodenow. They were married for 59 nine years before he rested his oars. He didn't get to see the book in print, he passed away shortly after I received his story.

A limited addition has been published and it is looking for a publisher for an up coming addition.

I still have a few copies. To order one or more send $12.00 each, plus $2.00 each for postage to Mary Nida Smith 162 Stamford Drive, Lakeveiw, AR 72642 Thank you!

Submarines Stories, Military writers conference, & book authors. I want to thank the editor of U.S. Submarine Veterans WWII/Minnesota Viking Squadron for sending me their newsletter. A quote from their editor, "It's hard to believe, but this newsletter has been in existence for 48 years!?! It's also hard to believe that we have all been around for 80 years and more." The Military Writers Society of America 2008 Conference will be in San Antonio, Texas November 10-11-12 for more information go to their website http://militarywriters.com/newsletter. It will be in May/June issue or email President Tony Lazzarini, tlazzarini@earthlink.net He and his wife are wonderful people. Information provided by Ralph Luther - Crew members of the USS Sennet (SS-408) http://www.sennet.org/ who have published books. Sarn't Jamey Doan by Jim Brannon ( A fiction about a Civil War Rifleman.) and The Slight Edge by Lee Weidner. Provided by Commander Kirk Smith of the Twin Lakes Base an interesting story, A Nuclear Submarine in the Vietnam War by Admiral Charles R. Larsen, U.S. Navy (Retired), with Captain Clinton Wright, U.S. Navy (Retired) and Paul Stillwell. It can be read on the USS Nathanael Greene website. Check out the USS Sea Fox (SS-402) http://seafoxassoc.homestead.com/ George Arnold and other crew members keeps this updated with all the members news , newsletter and crew list.

Final Patrol by Don Keith, a book dedicated to submarines being preserved as museums with the fighting history of these boats that should never come to appear as old boats ready for the scrapyard. Included is some of the officers and crew members; Crew members names were never listed on patrol reports, only the officers in time of war. They are part of a slowly disappearing special group of men who were sworn to silents while they rode the depth of the sea in submarines to eliminate the enemy roaming the same waters. A very informative written "Prologue" that causes the readers who knows nothing or little about the history of the submarine service to ponder - is this real? It is real, yet verily touches on what the brave men endured. During children's vacations the US Navy Submarine Museums should be number one on the list for places to adventure in, to touch part of history that most kids and adults know nothing about. Please take this book with you as your tour guide. Thanks to D.C. Smay, editor of the newsletter KLAXON, San Diego chapter, U.S. Submarine Veterans WWII for sending me their newsletter. Thanks to George Harlow, a member of the USSVI Twin Lakes Submarine Base for donating the book, FINAL PATROL by Don Keith to the Baxter County Library.

Military handbooks, Vietnam book and searching for boats and crews information. The 2008 free Military Handbooks are now available go to http://www.militaryhandbooks.com/.

Six available books:

• Base Installation Directory
• U.S. Military Retired Handbook
• Getting Uncle Sam to Pay for Your College Degree
• Benefits for Veterans and Dependents Handbooks
• Military Children's Scholarship Handbook
• U.S. Military Handbook

Searching for submarines/boats and their crews go to http://www.ussvi.org/ and click on BOATS AND CREWS button. Then click the FIND A BOAT and select the boat of your choice. Click on the underlined hull number, click the LIST CREW MEMBERS button. Find the CUSTOM SEARCH button where you can enter years aboard. This information was provided by Patrick Householder NJVC.

This book manuscript THE SILENT KNOWING: VIETNAM AND THE LOSS OF OUR FATHERS, a non-fiction written by Candance Browning Moonshower. It is well-written manuscript about Candi's father who had spent over twenty years in the U.S. Army, most of it in Vietnam where he lost his life when his helicopter was shot down in 1968. Filled with family pictures and of her Dad in the service. I believe this is a very important book and it should find a publisher who will published it. To read an excerpt click on http://www.candimoonshower.com/

My email: marynida@lakeviewnet.com Please check out my other blogs and website.

Louisiana's Greatest Generation. When I returned from a week away, I found mail from John S. Smith from Louisiana ordering my book. He also, sent a demo promotional trailer DVD of Louisiana's Greatest Generation documentary he is producing. It touches emotional nerves and you cry out, "Darn wars, why, why." This is a project each state should create to honor their military personnel who served in all wars and conflicts, for death has no chosen age group. http://www.louisianasgreatestgeneration.com/ During the course of one of his interviews, he found Lou Coles, the widow of MoMM1 Hubert Coles who was aboard the USS Trigger (SS_237) on that fatal day 27 March 1945 and was struck from the Navy list 11 July 1945 - All hands lost. Mr. Smith said, "Mrs. Coles is 94 and extremely sharp. She vividly recalls details and even got to go aboard the Trigger in 1944 when it was at Mare Island for repairs." Mr. Smith would like to interview someone who served on the USS Trigger that may have known Mr. Coles or had served on it before it was lost. If anyone has any information get in touch with Mr. Smith at johnsmith@louisianasgreatestgeneration.com. There is lots of information on the USS Trigger on different sites. NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archives http://www.navsource,org/archives/08/08237.htm, http://www.atule.com/USS_Trigger_SS_237.htm, http://www.oldsubsplace.com/USS%20Trigger.htm, and http://aimmatnir.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-memoriam-uss-trigger-ss-237-lost-26.html, just to point out a few. To find military buddies go to http://www.military.com/ To order a copy of my book, Submarine Stories of World War II, send $12.00 plus $2.00 for postage to Mary Nida Smith, 162 Stamford Drive, Lakeview, AR 72642. Thank you to everyone who has ordered my book.

More pictures showing off all the special subvets and their families. I do hope those who are traveling will have a safe trip and stay healthy.