The 5 News Volume 24, #2 USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Association Spring/Summer 2020 Las Vegas Reunion Cancelled ————————————————————————-——————- Las Vegas Valley Re-Opening After Coronavirus Shutdown but Risk Factors for Association Members a Major Deciding Factor

By Rich Galecki, President, USS Nimitz Association

ay it ain’t so! A Nimitz Association Transportation S reunion cancelled? Transportation is also a challenge since our Unfortunately, as the world suffers amidst members come from around the country, the deadly Corona Virus pandemic, the many must travel long distances to Las Association leadership had to make a Vegas. Almost all would be using the airlines decision to proceed or not with our to get there. The airlines are just beginning scheduled reunion 31 August to 3 to ramp up their operations. At first, all of September. Internal discussions had been them were not fully loading their planes ongoing since the nation shut down in the (including not selling the middle seat). Spring. Recently, American and Delta airlines said Since then it had been a “wait and see” they will begin fully-loading their planes. All situation. What would the states do? What airlines now require facemasks and do would Las Vegas do? Will conditions be temperature checks. Some of our members such that we could safely get together and might be denied boarding at the last minute enjoy each others’ company? and miss the reunion altogether. Risk Factors Restrictions & Lack of Entertainment The factors were obvious. Most of our All Nevada residents and visitors to the members are in the population most state must wear masks in public places. The vulnerable to the virus: aged 55 or above casinos are open and have instituted and many with pre-existing medical precautions according to state and federal conditions. Hesitation to register is guidelines. But, there are severe restrictions understandable. for safety. There is very little opportunity (Continued on Page2) President’s Notes: By Rich Galecki

It was a very hard thing for our leadership to do. We had to cancel a reunion of our shipmates. The only time we came close to cancelling a reunion was in 2004 when Hurricane Ivan caused so much damage in the Pensacola, FL, area that the association moved the reunion cross-country to Coronado, CA. This was after the invitation of CO, NIMITZ, CAPT Robert Gilman, to host some reunion activities on board NIMITZ, then homeported in San Diego. The CDC advises that older adults who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. This is one of the main reasons the Association Board of Directors decided to cancel this year’s reunion in Las Vegas and make plans for a new one in 2021. The Scholarship will still be awarded and we will work out a plan to have officer elections this year. Check our website and future emails. I feel our Board of Directors made the right decision. In the Navy we learned that the most important part of a ship is the crew. It’s been a while since we last met but we look forward to getting together as soon as we can. Vegas Reunion Cancelled; to be Re-Scheduled

(Continued from Page 1) for entertainment. All shows in the hotels decision has an impact on our planning for and other venues are prohibited. It may be the 2021 reunion in St. Louis, MO. The some time before the big shows return as coordinator for that event related that the they were. There are almost no virus situation and other factors in the St. international visitors at this time. Louis area made it impossible to properly Even with the precautions that are in place, make arrangements to hold a reunion as there is a current spike in COVID-19 cases in scheduled and wisely recommended a Nevada. Casinos have been open since 4 reconsideration of the reunion site. June, and in Clark County, where Las Vegas Accordingly, and in light of the possible re- is located, coronavirus cases rose these past scheduling of Las Vegas in Spring 2021, the few weeks. reunion in St. Louis fpr 2021 is cancelled. Teleconference Shipmate John Wilder put in a tremendous effort over the past 2 years in planning and The Board of Directors met on 25 June via arranging the event in Las Vegas. His efforts telephone conference and each participant are not wasted. We all learned a lot and had an opportunity to present their found out that, as Scottish poet Robert opinions. There was a discussion of each Burns wrote: “The best-laid schemes of mice opinion and the risk factors involved. In the and men go often askew, and leave us end, a consensus was reached that the 2020 nothing but grief and pain for promised joy!” reunion will be cancelled and possibly rescheduled in the Spring of 2021. This Page 2 Recent News about USS Nimitz...

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) left San Diego, CA, on Maritime Strike Squadron 73. Monday, 8 June 2020 for an expected Western CSG 11 consists of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz Pacific deployment. (CVN-68), guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton The 8,000 sailors of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CG-59) and guided-missile destroyers of and Carrier Air Wing 17 entered an isolation Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, which includes period in early April – Nimitz at its homeport in USS Sterett (DDG-04), USS Ralph Johnson (DDG- Bremerton, WA, and the CSG staff and air wing in 114) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17. California. The Nimitz Strike Group was last deployed in 2017. The carrier returned the previous week from The USS Nimitz pulled into Apra Harbor, Guam completing its composite training unit exercise (pictured here), recently for a scheduled port (COMPTUEX). visit. The Navy developed and refined the COVID-19 prevention procedures following an outbreak on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) that sidelined the carrier in Guam for almost two months. The outbreak resulted in more than 1,000 sailors testing positive for the virus and the death of one sailor. The Nimitz group will provide maritime security, maintain freedom of the seas in accordance with international law and customs, and operate with international partners and allies to promote regional stability and prosperity. The Navy confirms that aircraft carrier personnel “Learning to operate in this COVID environment on liberty will be limited to a designated safe haven has not been easy, but the Nimitz crew has area within the confines of the pier and designated demonstrated their adaptability and resiliency in beach area on Naval Base Guam. The safe haven overcoming the challenges and have remained concept allows sailors to spend some leisure time focused on maintaining readiness,” said CAPT Max on shore in a cordoned-off area. Clark, the commanding officer. “I couldn’t be more Sailors will be able to take part in recreation and proud of the team in being ready to deploy on time morale activities on the beach and pier, but will not and mission ready to answer any call.” physically interact with any base personnel or Deployed on the carrier are: Strike Fighter anyone outside of the ship's crew. Squadron 22, Strike Fighter Squadron 94, Strike Fighter Squadron 137, Marine Strike Fighter Many thanks to shipmate Bruce Maas who lives close to Squadron 323, Electronic Attack Squadron 139, the Nimitz’s home port in the Pacific Northwest. From time to time he provides our newsletter with info and pictures Airborne Command and Control Squadron 116, appearing in the local press and other media.  Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6 and Helicopter

Page 3 Fleet Admiral Nimitz Scholarship 2020

Scholarship will be awarded this Year! ith the postponement of the Las Vegas reunion until next year, the Association W will still award the FADM Nimitz scholarship in 2020. Members are encouraged to have your nominees prepare their packages as they would when the reunion was originally scheduled. I would like to receive applications no later than 15 August 2020. Contact me if you aren't able to make this deadline and still have an application or if you have a question. Please include an email address and telephone number with your applications. The winner will be announced when the packages have been reviewed and judged in early September. The scholarship award amount is set to be $3,000! The details for our scholarship program can be found on our website at:

http://www.ussnimitzassociation.org

Any association member in “good standing” can nominate an applicant whether or not that applicant is a dependent child or grandchild. “In good standing” infers “dues paying members”. Again, all Scholarship applications to be considered will need to be received no later than 15 August 2020. Please send the applications and supporting material to:

Tim Gildea Chairman, Scholarship Committee USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Association 6510 Matthias St Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 480-2640 [email protected]

Page 4 There is an Urgent Need for a Secretary/Treasurer Candidate in 2020

ur current Association Secretary/Treasurer (SECY/TREAS) will term out O at the end of 2020 after six years and 3 consecutive terms. This means that another shipmate will have to step forward to take over Ed’s duties. The Secretary/Treasurer is an important member of our executive board. We cannot exist as an association or maintain our 501(c)(19)veterans’ non-profit organization status without a member in that position. Some of the duties required of the SECY/TREAS are: ❖ Maintain the Association’s bank account with Navy Federal Credit Union. ❖ Keep the books using Quick Books Software. ❖ Be familiar with Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets to keep updated member info on dues and attendance at reunions. ❖ Be familiar with PayPal as that is how many members pay for membership, annual dues and ship store items. ❖ Send out notices for renewal of annual dues, the Association’s 5 Star Newsletter, updates on reunions, and general messages of interest to the Association using Constant Contact. ❖ Filing the Association’s taxes at end of year. ❖ Sending out letters of Welcome to new members and when needed a new membership card as well as Life Membership Certificates. The Executive Board extended Ed’s term through the end of 2020 (12/31/2020) and he will have the remainder of the year to train and work with whoever is elected the new Secretary/Treasurer. He cannot serve beyond that time but will always be available for help or advice when needed.

Page 5 Board of Directors & Special Assistants President: By-Laws Committee Chairman (NIMITZ Commanding Officers with dates Rich Galecki Rich Galecki, of command. All former NIMITZ 6495 Lancaster Dr., Warrenton, [email protected] skippers are Association members.) VA 20187, (540) 454-8636 [email protected] Membership Committee RADM Bryan W. Compton, USN (Ret.) (Term Expires 2020) Chairman 12 July 1972 - 21 August 1976 Ray Bigelow RADM Richard T. Gaskill, USN (Ret.) [email protected] 21 August 1976 - 12 February 1979 Vice President/PAO Dave Wood Nominating Committee RADM John R. Batzler, USN (Ret.) Apple Valley, MN Chairman 12 February 1979 - 26 February 1982 (630) 575-7572 Ed Deats CAPT Matt Yelland, USN (Honorary) (Term Expires 2020) [email protected] (Kirk Douglas) 1980

Secretary/Treasurer Scholarship Committee VADM Raymond P. llg, USN (Ret.) Ed Deats Chairman 26 February 1982 - 26 September 1984 95 N Founders Way, Tim Gildea RADM Eugene D. Conner, USN (Ret.) Hattiesburg, MS 6510 Matthias St., Philadelphia, 26 September 1984 - 28 August 1987 39401-5579, (916) 509-2646 PA 19128; (215) 480-2640 VADM Brent M. Bennitt, USN (Ret.) [email protected] [email protected] 28 August 1987-16 September 1989 (Term Expires 2020) Newsletter Editor-in-Chief RADM Robert Williamson, USN (Ret.) Rich Galecki 16 September 1989 - 16 April 1992 Director-at-Large [email protected] Steve Crabtree ADM John B. Nathman, USN (Ret.) (Term Expires 2020) Memorabilia & Association 16 April 1992 – 26 August 1994 Storekeeper VADM Alfred G. Harms, Jr., USN (Ret.) Director-at-Large Dave Wood 26 August 1994 - 8 November 1996 Marc Berlin RADM Isaac Richardson, III, USN (Ret.) Historian (Term Expires 2020) 8 November 1996 - 8 June 1999 Jeff Crabtree

[email protected] Captain Steven F. Firks, USN (Ret.) President Emeritus 8 June 1999 – 17 May 2002 Bill Paschall Reunion Coordinators Captain Robert J. Gilman, USN (Ret.) [email protected] 2021: Las Vegas, NV, 17 May 2002 - 23 November 2004 John Wilder Spouse Advocate VADM Ted N. Branch, USN (Ret.) Laurie Crabtree 2022: Reunion Cruise, Dave Wood (Port TBD) 23 November 2004 - 16 March 2007 2928 Rutherford, Urbana, IL RADM Mike Manazir, USN (Ret.) 61802 16 March 2007—August 2009 [email protected] (Term Expires 2021) Published by Captain Paul Monger, USN (Ret.) Wildcat Publications August 2009— March 2012 Chaplain & Bereavement a division of Galleon Associates RDML Jeffrey S. Ruth, USN (Ret.) Coordinator March 2012 – July 2014 Father Peter Norris, OFS RDML John C. Ring, USN St. Dunstan RC Church, July 2014—January 2017 Hersden, Canterbury, Kent, UK Captain Kevin P. Lenox, USN CT3 4HH January 2017—August 2019 [email protected] ©2020 USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Association Captain Maximillian Clark, USN August 2019-Present  - Deceased Page 6 http://www.ussnimitzassociation.org