Patient, Volunteer, Submariner Honored for 50 Years of Service

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Dave Buchholz inducted into prestigious Holland Club

It was a day of well-deserved honors and accolades for a Cleveland Heights veteran who is also a Hospice of the Western Reserve volunteer and a patient.

Navy veteran Dave Buchholz, a longtime Hospice of the Western Reserve Resale Shop volunteer, was inducted into the “Holland Club” on June 27. The ceremony at his house included fellow submariners, fellow hospice volunteers and plenty of family and friends, including his wife Ginny and son Andy. (Sons Hank and Stephen were unable to attend.)

Buchholz, who served on two Navy submarines, the USS Croaker and the USS Trigger in the late 1960s was designated as “Qualified in Submarines” for 50 years or more. This earned him entrance into the prestigious Holland Club, which is named after John Holland, designer of the first Navy submarine. The Holland Club is an exclusive group within the U.S. Submarine Veterans organization and members are considered a living historical memory of submarine heritage.

He was inducted by current Cod Base Commander Bill Henderson with Fellows Jim Talarico, Ed Lyons and Tim Conroy standing by. Cod Base is affiliated with the USS Cod Submarine Memorial, where Buchholz was head shipkeeper.  He joined the Cod Memorial, which is permanently stationed in Cleveland’s North Coast harbor, in 2006.

“These men are justifiably proud of their accomplishments,” Henderson said. “They represent the living historical memory of our rich submarine heritage. We would not be where we are today in submarines without them. Dave is a true friend and shipmate.”

Following his military service, Buchholz spent years as the commander of Cod Base, the local chapter of U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc., a national organization dedicated to perpetuating the memory of submariners lost in the line of duty.

After the induction, Buchholz received a pin from Conroy, who told him it was well earned.

“Sometime long ago, you stood up and took an oath…to protect and defend,” Conroy said. “Sailors have always been asked to face danger, and if necessary, stand in harm’s way. Recognition for you, and all you’ve endured, is well-deserved.”

“I’m glad I could do it,” Buchholz said after receiving the bright yellow cap that marks him as a member of The Holland Club.

Asked what the honor meant to him, he said he was glad -but it meant more that he was able to live as long as he had, recognizing that many other submariners had not had the opportunity. “I’ve lived long enough,” he said. “They didn’t get to live as long.”

In addition to the Holland Club induction, Hospice of the Western Reserve volunteers and veterans Bob Hayes and Wayne Stofan honored Buchholz and fellow sailors in a pinning ceremony that recognizes veterans for their military service to the United States.

The ceremony was capped with the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteer Service from Hospice of the Western Reserve.  Buchholz volunteered at the agency’s Resale Shop for six years. Volunteer Service Manager Lori Scotese, Resale Shop manager Debora Ludvik, Connie Greenwald, Dale Greenbaum,  Rose O’Donnell,  Mike Hoffman and social worker Theresa Suing were on hand to help Buchholz celebrate.