The NC Subvets have been meeting annually at the Burnsville Memorial since we dedicated it as the North Carolina?s Submarine Memorial in 2003 (with the exception of 2004). Our meeting headquarters have changed over the years from the Nu-Wray Inn on the town square of Burnsville, to the Pinebridge Inn in Spruce Pine, and since last year the Skyline Inn off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
This year on May 18 and 19, we had 34 Subvets, many of which were accompanied by their wives or guests, and was one of the largest groups since 2003. The bases represented were the Charleston Base, Carolina Piedmont Base (host base), Nat Greene Base, Tarheel Base, and the soon to be the newest USSVI Base in the state ... the USS Asheville Base.
Once again, Steve Bell and the Carolina Piedmont Base were great hosts for the meeting. The local band we had last year performed again this year. The fiddle player is as good as any of the big name fiddle players such as Charlie Daniels.
The Tolling of the 52 Boats was again done at the memorial with the color guard provided by the Carolina Piedmont Base and Hoppy Hopkins played taps as part of the ceremony. The current owner of the memorial, Tony Valovich and his wife were present at the ceremony and later at Saturday night?s dinner at the Skyline Inn. We are very lucky to have an owner of the memorial who has been so dedicated to maintain it in its excellent condition. Tony is an Associated Member of the Tarheel Base.