In August of 2007, Jerry Stout, District Commander for USSVI called known sub vets in the Columbia area to meet with the possibility of forming a new base of USSVI. Five local sub vets came to the first meeting which happened to be the number required to form a new base. These vets were Russ Cline, Leonard Snell, Joe Gawronski, Jim Stark and DW Eggleston. Volunteers for office were Joe Gawronski, Vice Commander, Russ Cline, Treasurer and DW Eggleston Secretary. There were no volunteers for Commander. The next five to six months were spent with initial efforts to organize and recruit additional members. Ron Friend, a past commander of a VFW post accepted the position of Commander. A charter was requested and granted by USSVI. The charter ceremony was held at the Crab Shack in Lexington, SC on February 9, 2008. The Charter was presented and the four officers were sworn in by Jerry Stout, District Commander. Charter members and Plank owners were those that were members at the time of the charter ceremony. They are:  Mark Basnight, Russ Cline, Allen Danielsen, DW Eggleston, Mae Friend, Ron Friend, Joe Gawronski, Glenn Harris, Stoney Hilton, Jim Kirby, Bill Lindler, Tom O'Brien, Tommy Richardson, Leonard Snell, LE Spradlin, Jim Stark, Brian Steffen and Jerry Stout.

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