Date:
To: Distribution List
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NEWS-01:
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on
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How to save favorite Web Pages on Your PC?
Today tip will help you to save any webpage on your disk in proper way. Many
times you find a webpage, which want to view or read when you are not connected
to the internet. It's happened to you dozens of times in a month. Here I have
solution to this problem, almost all web browsers allow you to save any webpage
to your computer and when you can enjoy those pages whenever you want. There
are many options in web browser to save your favorite web pages.
First open your favorite web page then go to File menu in web browser to save
that page. In File menu choose Save as option here. You should browse to any
folder where you want to save that webpage and choose the proper format to save
it in.
Webpage Complete (*.htm, *. html)
This option saves the webpage in its regular HTML format. With this format,
Internet Explorer saves all the graphics of that webpage only in one folder.
Webpage, HTML only (*.htm, *. html)
With this option you can save only the HTML portion of the webpage, with this
option you can save webpage without any graphics. For the next time when you
will try to open the page which you have saved though it might be difficult to
read because graphics are normally use to hold the pieces of webpage together.
If you want to reuse the HTML in a webpage you want to create then choose this
option.
Text File (*.txt)
You can save a webpage as text format (text only) with using this option. If
you want to save only text from a page and you do not want about the pictures
then this is good option for you.
When you want to read that saved page, open your browser and go to File menu
and then browse to that folder where you have saved that pages.
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NEWS-02: Why are you a member of USSVI?
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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There probably are many reasons why a submariner would belong to USSVI, and the
order of importance may change over time.
You are asked in this Poll Question to pick the single ONE MOST important
reason why you belong to USSVI.
Clearly, it is not the ONLY reason, but it should be the most important one.
Clearly, there are many potential reasons, but they mostly can be distilled
down to these three.
Vote in the poll at www.ussvi.org.
Click the green VOTE IN POLL Button.
The final results will be reported back Oct 1st.
www.ussvi.org
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NEWS-03: All Subvets in SF Bay Area take note!
Submitted by: Bill Parker on
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Through USS PAMPANITO volunteer Al McDonald's extensive communications with
Alistair Urquart over many months, a visit to USS PAMPANITO on
Curator Diane Cooper has confirmed
That infamous railroad cost over 22,000 Allied POW lives during its
construction, principally due to brutal treatment and starvation at the hands
of their captors. Finally, an ungodly toll occurred through inevitable disease
and sickness that followed prolonged conditions of inhumane brutality and
starvation.
The
Following the railroad work, the POWs were then moved by land to slave at the
A convoy was assembled and sailed on
In all, there were now 12 cargo ships and 5 warship escorts proceeding
northward off the coast of China about 200 miles from Hainan, bound for Tokyo
Bay. On September 12th, USS SEALION and USS PAMPANITO sighted the convoy and
set up for attacks.
The Japanese typically gave some notice whenever moving Allied POWs by sea,
thereby creating a safe haven from Allied attack. For some still unknown
reason, warning was not given regarding this particular convoy's precious human
cargo.
COMSUBPAC had alerted US submarines in the area of the convoy based upon intercepted
Japanese messages that the
Thus, over the next four days from
On
Unbeknownst to the two submarines, there were some 2,300 allied POWs in the
cramped holds of these two targets that they had just dispatched to the bottom
of the
According to official records, over 2,000 Allied lives were lost in these two
sinkings. Other Japanese ships in the vicinity reportedly began rescuing
Japanese personnel and holding off Allied survivors at gun and bayonet point,
abandoning them to die as they clung to bits of floating wreckage in the
blistering sun of the
Some days later, Japanese fishing and small coastal boats revisited the area
and rescued a few of the remaining Allied POWs who were, by this time, in desperate
physical condition. In addition, a total of 159 Allied POWs were rescued by
four
Alistair was one of those Allied POWs who was abandoned at sea to die but later
rescued by a Japanese boat, transported to
He visits USS PAMPANITO all the way from his home in Scotland on Sunday, 64
years and one day* after his ship was sunk by USS PAMPANITO. [* note -
International Date Line]
During a brief ceremony at
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NEWS-04: Re-post of the
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on 9/15/2008
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Shipmates,
The winners are in but the total money to be disbursed has not yet been
determined as there are still funds coming in. We have at least $16,000.00 to
distribute.
The total income was in excess of $32,000.00 with half of that going to the
Bases receiving the donations. part of the accounting situation is that a
couple of bases sent in all of their money and that must be compensated, while
a couple other bases have yet to get their ticket money in. Tickets were in,
just waiting on the money, which I have been assured is in the mail.
Assuming $32,000.00 minus the $16,000 for the bases would leave $16,000.00 for
the Costs, Charitable Foundation, and prize money: $16,000.00
We pledged 10% to the Charitable Foundation: - $ 3,200.00
Sub Total: $12,800.00
$800.00 in printing and postage out: - $ 800.00
Second Sub Total: $12,000.00
The contribution to the Charitable Foundation will be equally divided among the
6 sections of the Charitable Foundation.
Half of the remaining funds go to the Grand Prize Winner: $ 6,000.00
Nine others drawn will receive equal shares of the other
half approximately $666.00 each. 666 X 9 = + - $ 6,000.00.
Balance: $000000000
The drawing was conducted by volunteers including Joan Peters and others at the
conclusion of the Annual Banquet at the Convention Center in Ft Worth. The
winners were announced at that time and as are follows:
GRAND PRIZE: ANTHONY WADDELL NORTH PORT FL
SECOND PRIZE: PAUL GOETZINGER SAN DIEGO, CA
SECOND PRIZE; JOHN BERRY PUNTA GORDA
SECOND PRIZE; HARRY METZGER MUNCIE, IN
SECOND PRIZE: JOE KOCH FULLERTON, CA
SECOND PRIZE; MEL POLEN DALLAS, TX
SECOND PRIZE; MIKE WHITE PHILA, PA
SECOND PRIZE: DAVE BALL SAN DIEGO, CA
SECOND PRIZE; RONALD GIBSON SAN FRANCISCO, CA
SECOND PRIZE: BIOLL DORNIK VALLEJO, CA
Any further questions please feel free to E-Mail me or call.
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NEWS-05: From "The Sub Report" and worth hearing...
Submitted by: Pat Householder on
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"I found a speech written by a WWII Submarine Veteran Billy Grieves.
From what I could find out about the speech it was presented at a Submarine
Memorial Dedication in 1993. I was deeply moved by the words in this speech
which gave me a renewed appreciation for the WWII Submariner that were our
predecessors. Their dedication and sacrifice is a timeless reflection to ones
devotion to duty and country.
I have re-presented the speech in a podcast which is located here in text: http://www.subvetpaul.com/Memorials.html
It is done with a high degree of reverence with the Memorial Piece American
Elegy in the background."
Runtime -
http://thesubreport.com/blog/?p=21
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NEWS-06: New C02 absorbent technology when power is lost.
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on
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A technology that removes carbon dioxide from air in submarines without the use
of power could help save lives in an emergency.
Reactive polymer curtains (RPCs), thin polymer sheets that use a chemical
reaction with lithium hydroxide to remove CO2, would be hung around the
submarine when the power had been shut down. Usually mechanical extraction
units would be used for the job.
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NEWS-07: Ben Bastura Historical Achievement Award winner's responses.
Submitted by: Ronald L Martini on
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From: Greg Zonner (co-winner)
I very much appreciate USSVI's honoring me. I don't feel it is deserved as many
of you would have done the same in similar circumstances.
[Greg is one of very few that managed to get the Razorback returned to the
From: Paul Witmer (co-winner)
My heartfelt thanks to all the members of US Sub Vets Inc., who recognized the
contributions of so many Submarine Veteran members who devote much of their own
personal resources and time for the good of the order. Especially for the
enhancement of our mutual Creeds. "To Perpetuate the Memory of - -
-".
With this, Ben Bastura award, added to the prior Robert Link award, presented
at the Kansas City Convention a few years ago, I am most grateful.
The other, non tangible, awards are received every week; from relatives of US
Submarine Men Lost during WWII, who want some detailed information on their
Uncle, Grandfather or Father. When received, these messages really "Make
my Day".
Many thanks from
Paul W. Wittmer, Researcher
subvetpaul@aol.com
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NEWS-08: USS Dolphin Museum Sub - Call for Volunteers in Greater San Diego
area.
Submitted by: Pat Householder Nat Cdr on
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This message is primarily of interest to Sub Vets in the greater
-----
"As many of you already know, on September 18 the Maritime Museum of San
Diego will be entering into a contract with the Navy to accept control and
responsibility for the care of USS Dolphin. By the end of the month, we hope to
take physical possession and begin preparing Dolphin for the next phase of her
career.
Considering the current excellent condition the vessel, one might assume this
to be a simple task, but public accessibility and interpretation present new
challenges for Dolphin.
The
I heartily encourage the involvement of former Dolphin crew and support staff,
as well as the local submarine community at large, and we at the Museum will
work hard to earn your respect and to be included as new members of Dolphin's
extended family."
Please contact Mark Montijo at curator@sdmaritime.org for more information, and
mention that you got the message through USSVI. (We want them to know of our
interest.)
Thanks to Mike Hyman for the 'heads up'
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NEWS-09: SubVet Computer School: and saving streaming audio to your computer in
MP3 format
Submitted by: Ron Martini on 9/15/2008
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Many online music sites (such as Pandora) prefer to stream audio offerings
rather than serving them up as downloadable files. This tutorial will show you
how to record streamed audio as an MP3.
Note: This tutorial was completed using Windows XP
Cost: Free
Time commitment: Varies on your Internet connection
*****NOTE: PRINT THE BELOW INSTRUCTIONS OUT and PRACTICE BEFORE YOU REALLY NEED
TO RECORD SOMETHING.
1. Download and install Free Sound Recorder available on the link provided
below. Do not enter any spaces in this URL or ANY URL for that matter.
2. Open Free Sound Recorder and the streaming audio source you want to record.
NOTE: Make sure you close all other programs, and turn off any audio alerts you
may have on your desktop. The software records from the sound card, so it will
pick up anything you hear through your computer's speakers or headphones.
Only two open apps.
3. Set the output file type
For the purposes of this tutorial, we will be recording in MP3, since it is
fairly universal and also small enough to be transferred to portable devices,
but the software also gives WAV and WMA as options if you prefer. Click the
Settings button to get to the below menu.
Click the General Settings tab, and select the MP3 file option. You may also
designate where you want the file saved in the Output Directory field.
4. Set the file bit rate
The quality and size of the file depends on the bit rate. The higher the bit
rate, the better the audio will sound. The lower the bit rate, the smaller the
file will be. We're using the highest available bit rate for
MP3--256kbps--which will result in a larger file but it sounds better.
Click the Output Format Settings tab, and drag the toggle to the desired bit
rate.
5. Set the inputs
Hit the device button to view the options (if they are not already visible).
You will be recording stereo audio from the sound card.
The top drop-down allows you to select the sound source. Make sure it is set to
your sound card. Under Recording Mixer, select Stereo Mix.
6. Test the volume
Play some audio from your streaming source and observe the levels meters. Make
sure that they are not clipping, or showing a reddish hue at the top. Adjust
the volume slider up if the levels are too low, or down if the levels are to
high. Try to adjust it so that the levels are about two-thirds of the way up.
Once the adjustments are made, stop the audio playback.
If the recording volume is set too high, an error message will flash by the
levels meters. Lower the volume until the message stops appearing.
7. Record
Hit the red record button, then name your file when prompted, and immediately
start your stream. Stop recording once you have reached the end of your song or
stream.
8. Repeat or split
You may repeat the last step for as many songs or streams as you wish. Or, you
may choose to record one long stream, and then split the audio into individual
tracks.
http://www.download.com/Free-Sound-Recorder/3000-2168_4-10698910.html?cdlPid=10876234&tag=mncol;txt
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VET-01: VA CATEGORY 8 CARE UPDATE 06
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 8/29/2008
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VA CATEGORY 8 CARE UPDATE 06: Congress is moving to reopen the VA health care
system to many more thousands of Priority Group 8 veterans – those who
aren’t poor, at least by government standards, and have no service-related
ailments. Disabled American Veterans and some partner organizations support
such a move but with two caveats, explained DAV representatives.
• First, accepting new “Priority 8” enrollees should be gradual
to protect access to care for service-disabled veterans and all other current
enrollees.
• Second, resumption of Group 8 enrollments, which were suspended in 2003,
should not occur without reform of VA health care budgeting to ensure that VA
health budgets, year after year, finally become “sufficient, timely and
predictable,” said Joseph A. Violante, DAV’s legislative director.
Congress has refused to pass a law that would mandate full funding of VA health
care based on number of enrollees. But Violante said DAV has joined with eight
other veterans’ service organizations to back an alternative to mandatory
funding that lawmakers are more likely to embrace. With the House having voted
this month for a 10% rise in Priority 8 enrollments starting 1 OCT, and with
Democratic senators also supporting for such a move, DAV and its partners
believe VA budgeting reform has a new urgency to protect enrolled veterans’
access to care. The Veterans’ Health Care Budget Reform Act, to be
introduced after lawmakers return from recess in September, has two parts.
• One would put VA health care under an “advance appropriation”
schedule. If it were in effect already, Congress this year would be passing a
VA health budget that would take effect in fiscal 2010, a year ahead of the
current schedule. The goal, said Violante, is to end a crippling pattern by
lawmakers of failing to pass VA health budgets before the fiscal year begins 1
OCT. These budget delays, which last two to three months, force VA medical
facilities to operate under “continuing resolutions” which freeze
spending at previous year levels until a new appropriations bill finally is
passed and signed.
• Part two of the reform package would seek to keep funding levels for VA
health care sufficient. Until very recently, VA health budgets were sharply
under funded, Violante said. Yet Congress declines to support a mandatory full
funding law, arguing that it limits congressional prerogatives. It also is an
expansion of VA entitlements which triggers a “pay-go” budget rule.
That rule requires that any new entitlement spending either be offset by an
entitlement reduction or paid for with tax increases.
What DAV and fellow organizations in the Partnership for Veterans Health Care
Budget Reform now propose is that VA be directed to use a new actuarial model
it has developed which very accurately can project the per capita cost of
providing health care to its enrolled patient population. The Partnership's
proposal would require the Government Accountability Office to verify annually
the accuracy of these VA health cost projections so everyone knows the cost of
continuing to provide current services to enrolled beneficiaries. If the
administration then were to seek a budget that fell short of covering those
projected costs, the White House would have to explain why both to Congress and
to veterans, and the political heat could be severe. VA now won’t share
what its actuarial model shows about proper funding of VA health care, said Peter
Dickinson, a consultant to DAV and former professional staff member on the
House Veterans Affairs Committee. “It’s sort of behind the curtain,
inside the black box. Instead they put forward a number that may or may not be
based on that but also reflects other [spending] priorities of the
administration. Requiring an annual audit to force VA to reveal what health
care spending must be to support full services to all VA patients would make it
politically difficult to short these budgets in the future. If we can get a
budget process that’s a year in advance and based on numbers we can look
at, the cost of re-opening enrollment to Group 8’s veterans would be known
and presumably fully funded. ”
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VET-02: Bush Signs Sole Survivor Benefits Law
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on 9/10/2008
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Week of September 08, 2008
President Bush on Friday signed the Hubbard Act, surrounded by members of the
California family whose multiple sacrifices inspired the military
pay-and-benefits law. Bush took only a second to sign the Hubbard Act,
restoring recruitment bonuses and assorted benefits to sole survivors who are
discharged early from the military. He took more time to commiserate with eight
members of the Hubbard family gathered around his Oval Office desk
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VET-03: VA to Halt Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on 9/10/2008
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Week of September 08, 2008
Unless Congress extends the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) authority to
guarantee adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and hybrid adjustable rate mortgages
(HARMs), these loan types will expire on Sept. 30, 2008. Lenders have been told
to not accept applications for VA-guaranteed ARMs and HARMs after
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VET-04: VA Launches Mobile Clinics
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on
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Week of
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is rolling out four new mobile health
clinics. These facilities are outfitted to bring primary care and mental health
services closer to veterans in 24 predominately rural counties, where patients
must travel long distances to visit their nearest VA medical center or
outpatient clinic. VA is currently in the process of procuring and outfitting
the vehicles. Officials expect the mobile clinics to be operational by early
2009. Rural areas in
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VET-05: Veterans History Project
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on 9/10/2008
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Week of September 08, 2008
The Veterans History Project collects and preserves the remembrances of
American war veterans, and the civilian workers who supported them. The project
relies on volunteers throughout the nation to collect veterans' stories on
behalf of the Library of Congress. Interviews taped through the program go on
file at the Library of Congress where they are available for researchers, and
the veteran gets a personal DVD copy. For more information, including details
on how to participate, visit the Veterans History Project website.
http://www.loc.gov/vets/vets-home.html
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VET-06: MEDICARE PART D UPDATE
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on 9/14/2008
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Less than one month from now, private insurance companies will begin marketing
their 2009 Medicare health and drug plans, hoping to convince people with
Medicare to sign up for coverage for the new year. The open season for seniors
to initiate or switch carriers is 15 NOV through 31 DEC. The marketing of
Medicare private health plans has been plagued by abuse. Unscrupulous agents
who troll senior housing complexes and even nursing homes have misrepresented
or outright lied about the plan benefits and coverage, and cajoled or tricked
frail older adults into signing enrollment forms in order to gain the
commissions, bonuses and prizes the insurance companies award for these
enrollments. The passage this summer of the Medicare Improvement for Patients
and Providers Act over President Bush’s veto sets some new ground rules
for marketing this fall, including a ban on cold-calling and other unsolicited
contact (such as accosting patients in hospital parking lots), and federal
regulation of agent commissions. How these new rules are implemented and
enforced will determine whether the Bush administration seizes, or squanders,
its last chance to stop the abuse that has so far characterized the market for
Medicare private health plans.
Only aggressive oversight and enforcement—levying hefty fines and freezing
enrollment—by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will
discourage plans from employing agents who flout the rules. (A little due
diligence and oversight by the plans will uncover who most of these agents
are.) CMS can send a signal of a new, no-nonsense approach with the marketing
rules it sets for the new season. Here are three examples:
• No cold-calling prospective clients. Period. No exceptions, including
cold calls that follow up mailings.
• No outrageous commissions, bonuses or promises of trips to Vegas that
encourage agents to sell unsuitable plans to boost their sales volume. Reports
of agents engaging in fraudulent and abusive marketing invariably lead back to
plans that pay the highest commissions, or give volume-based bonuses. CMS needs
to ensure high commissions are not used to push low-value plans.
• Clear explanation of plan benefits and coverage restrictions on all
marketing material. In particular, the Summary of Benefits and the CMS plan
finder must clearly list what, if any, services, are excluded from the financial
protection provided by an annual limit on enrollee out-of-pocket spending.
[Source: Medicare Consumer Advocacy Update 4 Sep 08 ++]
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VET-07: MEDICARE PART B NON-ENROLLMENT
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on 9/14/2008
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Tricare beneficiaries who qualify for Medicare Part A will automatically be
enrolled in Medicare Part B at an increased marginal cost unless declined by
the beneficiary. However, subject to the exceptions noted below, the
consequences for declining Medicare B can be potentially disastrous, as Tricare
can pay nothing for care while a beneficiary is eligible for Medicare Part A
unless the beneficiary also has Medicare Part B coverage. Tricare will also
recoup any benefit payments made to physicians for a disqualified beneficiary
for the period that the beneficiary was eligible for Medicare Part A but
declined Medicare Part B. The same consequence would apply to Tricare
beneficiaries who are awarded two years or more of retroactive Medicare Part A
coverage because of a Social Security disability award but decline the option
to take Medicare Part B for the period of retroactive Medicare Part A coverage.
Any payments made to physicians during a period of retroactive Medicare Part A
coverage for which Medicare Part B is declined will be recouped by Tricare.
The mandatory Medicare Part B enrolment rule does not apply if the beneficiary
has an active duty sponsor, is enrolled in the US Family Health Plan, or is
covered under Tricare Reserve Select. Tricare beneficiaries who are changing
Tricare coverage, such as those switching to Tricare for Life and those Tricare
beneficiaries with potentially successful Social Security claims should particularly
take heed of the Medicare Part B requirement if they want to continue Tricare
coverage. The clear message from Tricare Management Activity to Tricare
beneficiaries covered by Medicare Part A is that if they decline Medicare Part
B coverage, they do so at their peril as this could terminate Tricare payments
of claims. It is possible to later enroll in Medicare Part B for those who
decline the initial coverage but substantial penalties could apply. Questions
on this requirement should be directed to your Tricare contractor. You can also
visit the Tricare website for your region or program as follows.
• North Region: www.healthnetfederalservices.com
• West Region: www.triwest.com
• South Region: www.humana-military.com
• Tricare for Life: www.tricare-4u.com