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News & Events

Dive Into History on Thursday, 29 October in Muskegon, MI

Posted: 7/21/2026

USNA 1966 Classmates are invited to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of Charlie Votava’s (17th Company) WWII Submarine Legacy at USS SILVERSIDES and Museum in Muskegon, MI on Thursday, 29 October.

Charlie Votava wants to celebrate the day he became a sailor in the US Navy Submarine Reserve. He would like any Classmates, spouses and widows to join him and Sharon, Thursday, (plus a day or two) on 29 October 2026 at the WWII submarine USS SILVERSIDES (SS 236) and Museum in Muskegon, MI.

That date, 66 years ago, Charlie was sworn in aboard SILVERSIDES and would like another photo with Classmates on the same deck location as shown in the newspaper photo. His father was present because Charlie was just 17 years old [by 2 months] at the time and parental consent to enlist was required if you were under 18.

SILVERSIDES was the 3RD most decorated submarine of WWII: after THRESHER (SS 200) and TANG (SS 306).

A few Classmates have expressed interest in joining him and Sharon, but he would like to get an idea of who else may be interested before he arranges for a hotel gathering place. The museum has provided him a point of contact for a group visit.

Full disclosure: There may be an issue actually going aboard SILVERSIDES. Mid-July she was towed to a Sturgeon Bay, WI. shipyard for needed maintenance. Present schedule is for her to return to Muskegon in mid- October.

Let him know if you would like to attend. Email: charlievots17@gmail.com.

For a look at the museum click: silversidesmuseum.org. Below is a photo of SILVERSIDES moored alongside the Chicago Naval Armory about the time Charlie enlisted onboard. That is not his MG. He drives a Fiat.


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