Our Service
This page is the History of Corvina Base in Sparks, NV. It will also inform you of the Services we provide to our Submarine Veterans and our Community.
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In 1999 United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI) held their National Convention in Reno, NV. As a result of this Convention, Don Brown FTGC(SS) RET, decided that there were enough former submariners in the Reno area to start up a new base (USSVI uses Base rather than Chapter to identify the individual groups). Until this time, the closest base was Mare Island Base in Vallejo, CA, over 200 miles away.
Don contacted Jim Avitt RMI(SS), USN, RET, who lived in Carson City, about contacting these former submariners. An extensive advertising campaign was startd and Feb 12, 2000 was set as the first meeting date. Thirty-two men attended the inaugural meeting. From all walks of life, from all age groups, with only a few knowing anyone else there, the commanality of each having Dolphins made them instant comrades. The officers initially elected were: Don Brown, Base Commander; Bruce Hedrick, Vice Commander; Leif Larson, Secretary; and Primo Quarisa, Treasurer. The following men are "plank owners" of CORVINA Base.
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Congress, after World War II, had designated USS CORVINA (SS226) as the Nevada "State Boat", so the group thought the new Base should be called CORVINA BASE. Once the name was decided, the papers were filed with the National Office and the Base Charter was granted.
Since then, the base has grown from the original thirty-two "plank owners" to over eighty five vibrant, diverse and enthusiastic members. We participate in several parades each year in Northern Nevada, perform community service projects and maintain a memorial to USS CORVINA (SS226) at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. We have several associate members who are very active - some are former sailors who, for various reasons, were not able to get "qualified in submarines", one is a former US Army helicopter pilot and one is a woman freelance writer. They support the creed and philosophy of USSVI and we are proud to have them with us.
CORVINA Base, in conjunction with Sacramento Chapter United States Submarine Veterans of World War II, hosted the First National Convention of the two submarine organizations. This historic event took place in Reno, NV, September 2 - 5, 2003. For more information on this, contact any officer of CORVINA Base.
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