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NOW HEAR THIS!
NEWSLETTER OF THE
USS DAVIS DD937 ASSOCIATION
________________________________________________________________________
VOL. 11 NO. 3 JULY, 2009
MEMBERSHIP
Many thanks to those shipmates who joined the Association for the first time, as well as those who renewed their membership; your support is really welcome in these tough economic times. All those who have paid in for 2009 should have received membership cards in the mail. As of this month, paid membership stands at 121 regular members, 33 associate members, total 154 and the highest yet.
2009 ANNUAL REUNION – MYSTIC, CT
Reunion registrations are coming in more slowly than ever; as of July 20 we have only one-third the number of people necessary to break even on costs. If you are planning to attend, please send your registration in soon, so we know where we stand financially.
The twelfth annual reunion will be held October 15-18, 2009 at the Best Western Mystic Hotel, 9 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic, CT. Our second reunion, in 1999, was held in this same hotel. We’re still hoping for those who reside in New England, New York and New Jersey, and don’t often get to attend a reunion, to turn out for this one!
REUNION ACTIVITIES
The hospitality room will open Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and remain open throughout the evening. On Friday the hospitality room will open at 9:00 a.m., with the memorial service, business meeting and raffle commencing at 7:00 p.m.
On Saturday, the optional tour will depart at 9:00 a.m. for Sub Base New London and a tour of USS Nautilus, the United States’ first nuclear submarine. On the morning of January 17, 1955, Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson ordered all lines cast off and signaled the historic message “Underway on nuclear power.” Over the next several years, Nautilus shattered all submerged speed and distance records. At 11:15 p.m. on August 3, 1958, with 116 men aboard, Nautilus was the first sub to reach the geographic North Pole- 90 degrees north. The Submarine Force Museum and souvenir shop is adjacent to the ship.
The hospitality room will remain open on Saturday for those not on tour, but will close by 3:00 p.m. in preparation for the evening’s dinner-dance, which begins with a cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m. The reunion will end following Sunday morning’s farewell breakfast.
HOTEL COSTS AND RESERVATIONS
The hotel room rate is $99 plus 12% tax per night, which includes a complimentary continental breakfast. The room charge is not included in the reunion registration fee; those attending must make their own reservations. The hotel’s deadline for reservations is September 15, 2009. If you’re not sure you can attend, make a reservation anyway; you can cancel without penalty up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. The hotel is holding a limited number of rooms for three days before and after the reunion, in the event that anyone wishes to make a vacation of it. Call the reservations desk at (860) 536-4281 and be sure to specify that you’re with the USS Davis reunion group. Or on line at www.bestwestern.com; reservation code for our group is “DAVI.” Please note that this is a two-story hotel with no elevator; if you don’t wish to cope with the stairs, be sure to specify a first-floor room. Handicapped-equipped rooms are available.
REUNION COSTS AND REGISTRATION
The registration fee for the entire reunion, Thursday or Friday arrival, including hospitality room, dinner-dance and farewell breakfast, is $92.00 per person. If you wish to tour the USS Nautilus, add $8.00 per person. For those attending only the Saturday evening banquet, the registration fee is $40.00 per person for any dinner choice.
A reunion registration form is included with this newsletter. Since the tour is optional, please read it carefully, and mark your preferences. Please return the form with your check, payable to USS Davis Association, to Pete Lennon, Secretary, 5 Skyline Drive, Plainville CT 06062-2612. Registrations must be received not later than Friday, September 25, 2009 to allow time to finalize attendance and costs with the hotel, order crew badges, etc. Partial payments will be accepted if anyone finds that to be more convenient, with final payment due by September 25.
RAFFLE-RAFFLE-RAFFLE
As usual, following Friday evening’s memorial service and business meeting, our rowdy and fun raffle will be held to raise funds for the Association. If you’re into crafts of any kind, please make an item (or 2 or 3) to be included in the raffle.
GUNNERS WANTED
Gerry Frazier, GMG3 ’64-’66, plans on attending the Mystic reunion, and would like to hear from any other gunners from that period, especially any who also plan on attending. Gerry can be reached at GerrySmallEngine@gmail.com.
DIRECTIONS
From Maine, eastern New Hampshire and the greater Boston area, take I-95 south to exit 90 in Connecticut. Turn left off the exit ramp and almost immediately turn right into the hotel driveway. The hotel is visible from I-95.
From central Massachusetts, take I-90, the Mass Pike (toll) to I-395 south, then I-95 north to exit 90. Turn left off the exit ramp, under the overpass, and the hotel driveway is immediately on the left. The hotel is visible from I-95.
From western Massachusetts, western New Hampshire and Vermont, take I-91 south to CT-9 south, to I-95 north to exit 90. Turn left off the exit ramp, under the overpass, and the hotel driveway is immediately on the left. The hotel is visible from I-95.
From New York and points west, avoid I-95 north because the highway goes from multiple lanes down to two in order to cross the George Washington Bridge in NY City, a permanent traffic jam. Instead, try I-80 or other interstates east to I-287 or the Garden State Parkway (toll) north; then bear right onto I-87 / I-287 (actually headed east) for Tarrytown and the Tappan Zee Bridge (toll). Make sure to stay on I-287 in White Plains, which will take you to I-95 north at the Connecticut border. Follow I-95 to exit 90. Turn left off the exit ramp, under the overpass, and the hotel driveway is immediately on the left. The hotel is visible from I-95.
If you plan to fly in, try for T. F. Green Airport in Warwick, RI (airport code is PVD – Providence) where you’ll need to rent a car. The airport access road links directly to I-95 south, and you’re only about 30 miles / 30 minutes from exit 90 and the hotel. Turn left off the exit ramp and almost immediately right into the hotel driveway. The hotel is visible from I-95.
If you can’t make connections to Green Airport, Connecticut’s Bradley Field (airport code BDL) is in the northern part of the state, and has plenty of car rental agencies nearby, with courtesy phones in the lower level baggage area. From the car rental, get directions to Connecticut Route 20 east, follow that to I-91 south, to Connecticut 9 south, to I-95 north to exit 90. Turn left off the exit ramp, under the overpass, and the hotel driveway is immediately in the left. The hotel is visible from I-95. Travel time from the airport will be 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
AGENT ORANGE, PART 4
The Association has obtained from the VA an updated list of current conditions considered by VA as presumptive to Agent Orange. At the moment, there are 39 different illnesses on the list. You can find the list on the web at www.veteranprograms.com. When the home page comes up, in the top left column, click on “current presumptive conditions.” Then click on “Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions.”
If you are affected by any of these and have not applied for VA assistance, or have been turned down by the VA, contact the secretary. The Association will provide you with a copy of the deck logs for those portions of either the 1966 or 1968-69 WestPac cruise, proving that USS Davis was in coastal waters, primarily in and around Danang harbor; instructions on filing an appeal if you have been turned down; and copies of a couple of appeals previously filed. There is no charge for these documents. You will also need a copy of your DD214, proving you were aboard and received the Vietnam Service Medal. Be sure you give the VA a copy of your DD214, do not give away the original.
FINAL MOORING
We have been advised of the passing of HMC(S) William C. Spence, of Ormond Beach FL, on May 9, 2009, Chief Spence was aboard USS Davis in the very early 1960’s.
USS LIBERTY AGTR5
The May issue of “Liberty News,” newsletter of the USS Liberty Veterans Association, mentioned the passing of crewmember George Golden. George, veteran of several major WW II battles, was a Lieutenant and Engineering Officer aboard Liberty on June 8, 1967. When word of a torpedo attack was passed, though already wounded by rocket fire, he ordered the engineering spaces evacuated and ran the plant almost alone. For this action he was awarded the Silver Star. George attended the USS Davis reunion in Virginia Beach in 2000, where he spoke to the assembly and thanked our crew for its efforts in assisting USS Liberty. Those of us who had an opportunity to speak wth George found him to be both a gentleman and a gentle man, and only later learned that he was a true hero. The Davis Association has made a contribution to the LVA in his memory.
Following the attack, Liberty crew members variously received the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, 11 Silver Stars, 23 Bronze Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, and more than 200 Purple Hearts. None of these mentioned Israel as the attacker. However, the website www.Military.com reported in June that James Halbardier, an ET3 who repaired an antenna while under fire, after all had been shot away, allowing Liberty to get out a mayday, recently put in for the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon, which he had never received. He was quite surprised to also receive the Silver Star, the third highest award for valor. Notable is the fact that his award is the only one that mentions Israel. Halbardier wonders if Navy officials erred and forgot to expunge the reference.
The LVA has established a new website- www.usslibertyveterans.org.
SEA STORIES
Also regarding the USS Liberty are two new books. The first is entitled “The Attack of the Liberty,” by James Scott. The author is a journalist and the son of Ensign John Scott, who was damage control officer on 6/8/67, and whose efforts at shoring bulkheads following the torpedo attack likely prevented the ship from sinking. The book can be ordered via Amazon.com. The second is “Guilt by Association” by Jeff Gates, the fourth chapter of which deals with the attack.
If you’d like a good read about a Forrest Sherman class destroyer, try “Scorpion in the Sea” by P. T. Deutermann. The book describes the “USS Goldsborough” as an old ship close to decommissioning, not armed for modern combat, and restricted to training activities and miscellaneous cruises close to her home port of Mayport FL. The ship tangles with a middle-eastern submarine that is attempting to sink the carrier Coral Sea in retribution for its attack on Libya. The book’s author graduated from the Naval Academy in 1963, commanded a gunboat in Vietnam riverine warfare, served on the destroyer force gun line and in Tonkin Gulf, later commanded an Atlantic Fleet DDG and finally a Pacific Fleet destroyer squadron. He retired from active duty in 1989 with the rank of Captain. The author’s descriptions of various parts of the ship are accurate, so he is likely a veteran of time aboard one of “the sweet 18.”
A second book by Deutermann is “The Edge of Honor,” which deals with many unaddressed problems aboard a guided missile destroyer in combat in Vietnamese waters, as seen from the point of view of the ship’s weapons officer. The ship ultimately is crashed by a MiG brought down by the ship’s missiles. A very good story about the willingness of junior officers to assume responsibility, possibly at the cost of their careers.
Published in 1992 and 1994 respectively, both books are available through the Barnes and Noble used book service.
ACTUAL LETTER TO THE EDITOR
“To all you hunters who kill animals for food, shame on you; you ought to go to the store and buy the meat that was made there, where no animals were harmed.” Sent in by Steve Pomeroy, who laments that “They walk among us and they are allowed to vote!!!”
COWS
Does anyone else find it amazing that, during the mad cow epidemic, our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And they tracked her calves to their stalls as well. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
The real reason that we cannot have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: You cannot post ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal,’ ‘Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery’ and ‘Thou Shalt Not Lie’ in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment.
(Both of the above also sent in by Steve Pomeroy, who obviously doesn’t have enough to do!)
THE CHIEF STRIKES OUT
The Chief sees a beautiful woman at the other end of the bar. He walks up to her and says, “Where have you been all my life?” “Well,” she says, “for the first half of it I wasn’t even born.”
CORRECTION
The April newsletter stated that comedian Danny Kaye and singer Vicki Carr came aboard USS Davis by way of a helicopter sling, to entertain the crew as part of a USO tour in 1959. That event actually occurred in 1966 (as most of the 1966 crew told me!).
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS MAY BE REACHED AT:
USS DAVIS WEBSITE
The official USS Davis Association website is located at www.ussdavisdd937.piczo.com.
USS DAVIS DD937 ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL REUNION
OCT. 15-18, 2009, MYSTIC CT
Name of spouse/guest attending___________________________________________________
Rank/rate when aboard USS Davis______________Dates aboard___________to____________
Arrive at reunion day & date___________Depart reunion day & date__________
Number attending reunion (Thursday or Friday arrival, includes hospitality room, crew badge, banquet, and farewell breakfast): ________________
Dinner choice:____Prime Rib of Beef x $92. ____Chicken Cordon Bleu x $92.
____Stuffed Sole x $92. (enter number of each dinner choice) Total:_________
YES, I/we will tour the USS Nautilus on Saturday morning. Number on tour x $8. = $_________
Grand Total $_________
BANQUET ONLY
Fill in this section only if you are attending the banquet but no other activities.
Number attending Saturday evening’s banquet only (includes banquet, crew badge)__________
Dinner choice: ____Prime Rib of Beef x $40. ____Chicken Cordon Bleu x $40.
____Stuffed Sole x $40. (enter number of each dinner choice) Total:_________
Make check payable to “USS DAVIS ASSOCIATION.” – AMOUNT $_______CHECK NO.______
Mail this registration form and check to Pete Lennon, Secretary, 5 Skyline Dr., Plainville, CT. 6062-2612. Registrations MUST be received NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPT. 25, to
allow time for final payment to the hotel, ordering crew badges & guest badges, etc. Partial payments will be accepted if anyone finds that to be more convenient, with final payment due in the Secretary’s hands NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPT. 25.
YOU CAN PRINT THE RESTORATION FOR BY "COPY - PASTE" INTO WORD AND PRINT IT, THEN FILL IT OUT AND SEND IT TO PEAT LENNON.
USS DAVIS DD937 ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL REUNION
OCT. 15-18, 2009, MYSTIC CT
Name of spouse/guest attending___________________________________________________
Rank/rate when aboard USS Davis______________Dates aboard___________to____________
Arrive at reunion day & date___________Depart reunion day & date__________
Number attending reunion (Thursday or Friday arrival, includes hospitality room, crew badge, banquet, and farewell breakfast): ________________
Dinner choice:____Prime Rib of Beef x $92. ____Chicken Cordon Bleu x $92.
____Stuffed Sole x $92. (enter number of each dinner choice) Total:_________
YES, I/we will tour the USS Nautilus on Saturday morning. Number on tour x $8. = $_________
Grand Total $_________
BANQUET ONLY
Fill in this section only if you are attending the banquet but no other activities.
Number attending Saturday evening’s banquet only (includes banquet, crew badge)__________
Dinner choice: ____Prime Rib of Beef x $40. ____Chicken Cordon Bleu x $40.
____Stuffed Sole x $40. (enter number of each dinner choice) Total:_________
Make check payable to “USS DAVIS ASSOCIATION.” – AMOUNT $_______CHECK NO.______
Mail this registration form and check to Pete Lennon, Secretary, 5 Skyline Dr., Plainville, CT. 6062-2612. Registrations MUST be received NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPT. 25, to
allow time for final payment to the hotel, ordering crew badges & guest badges, etc. Partial payments will be accepted if anyone finds that to be more convenient, with final payment due in the Secretary’s hands NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPT. 25.
