The Klaxon Online

Apr-June 2009

From the Desk of the President

SFMLA President

David M. Goebel
RADM, USN (Ret)
President

By the time this issue of the Klaxon reaches your mailboxes we should be starting to thaw and will be looking forward to spring.  We are hopeful that, despite the current economic climate, folks will turn out in large numbers to visit the museum as the weather warms up.

We continue to seek artifacts and papers of historical significance to the US Submarine Force to add to the museum collection.  The main article in this issue titled “We’re all ears” Oral History Collections at the Submarine Force Museum, written by archivist Wendy Gulley, is a reprint that originally appeared in the winter 2006 issue of the Klaxon.  The article provides some insight on the small but, hopefully, growing collection of Oral History at the museum.    

March 2009 will mark the 3rd anniversary of the Docent Program.  Now, as when we first started the program, we need enthusiastic volunteers to man the watch and help welcome visitors to the museum.  No experience is necessary.  We will provide all required training.
 
Speaking of training, the museum has hired an education specialist who starts at the museum on March 16.  This is really exciting news!  A viable education program is a key component of the museum ultimately attaining accreditation which is one of our long term goals.  Accreditation will help us provide a more enriching experience for museum visitors and, importantly, will also improve our chances of obtaining financial grants.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you for your support of the Submarine Force Library & Museum Association throughout the past year.  Indeed many of you have been faithfully supporting the museum for many, many years.  The Donor Registry for 2008 will be mailed very soon.  As always, we try to provide an accurate listing of all who have contributed to the museum; if we have made any errors, please let us know.  We want to properly recognize all of our donors.

 We will hold the annual Submarine Force Library & Museum Association Meeting on Friday, May 15, 2009.   All members are invited and we hope to so see many of you at the annual meeting.  As is our tradition, there will be a reception following the meeting; a time to renew old friendships and perhaps make some new ones.   Remember, this is your museum; please come visit often and bring your friends.