U S S R E E V E S (DLG-24/CG-24) A SSOCIATION

Spring 2013 Volume 6, Issue 1

The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter

Membership Scorebox Reeves 19661966----19681968 Cruise With DESRON 9 Current 34 USS REEVES (DLG-24) departed supply management. Past Due 126 Long Beach, , on 26 May On 1 July 1968, REEVES departed Snail Mail Ad- 248 1966, for a two year tour with the U.S. , , for her new dresses Only Seventh Fleet. The ship, a unit of De- homeport of Long Beach, California. Email Address 473 stroyer Squadron Nine, was homeport- Leaving Japan was a sad occasion for ed in Yokosuka, Japan, and operated Total Shipmates 2,968 many, but there was a happiness in the in the as an anti-air thought of “going home.” warfare Dues Notice! The trip picket and Please be sure to check your home was search and mailing label or email nota- eventful tion. rescue and enjoya- If it doesn’t say Current unit, with ble for the above your name at the top three pa- of the label, you should re- entire crew. trols as an new your annual dues. To REEVES reach the greatest number of escort to crossed the shipmates, we will publish Aircraft the complete Association Equator, Carriers. newsletter to any valid email where King or snail mail address. Your REEVES Neptune dues payments make this spent 720 USS REEVES (DLG-24) in the Hawaiian Op Area, enroute to Long Beach on 6 August 1968. came possible. days with aboard to the Sev- Inside this issue: hold the traditional “Shellback” initia- enth Fleet, 493 of which were at sea tions. The ship then made visits at President’s Message 2 and 312 of those in the Gulf of Ton- , Australia, and Christchurch, kin. During these operations, Shipmates’ Deck Log 3 New Zealand, when the people from REEVES steamed 162,000 miles on Consider Portland 5 “down under” lavished the crew with 12,272,000 gallons of fuel taken on Financials/Objectives 6 attention and good times. through 156 underway replenishments. Mesothelioma Request 6 The ship arrived in Long Beach on REEVES achieved the reputation 12 August 1968, the end of an enjoya- A Story of Two Photos 7 of being an outstanding search and ble and rewarding tour. Agent Orange Update 9 rescue unit among both Navy and Air Remember Scooter Stores? 10 Force aviators. The ship effected the Council Appointment 10 actual rescue of seven downed airmen, REEVES was the and through professional air control flagship for De- Have You Heard? 11 and air navigation services, prevented stroyer Squadron TRICARE Pharmacy 11 the need to rescue many others. Nine (DESRON 9), Membership Application 12 In recognition of REEVES’ perfor- Captain J.M. Mason mance, the ship was awarded competi- (COMDESRON 9) tive “E”s for excellence in air control, and an embarked electronic warfare, engineering and (Continued on page 8) PageP a g e 222 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter The President’s Page Greetings to the be every bit as professional and capa- We, as veterans, should be very Reeves Associa- ble as our best memories of the concerned about the needs of our tion Family Reeves. The accounts of our sailor, troops, as we can all identify with the Spring time is up- soldiers, and airmen serving in Iraq problems associated with less- on us and we can and Afghanistan are overwhelming money, less time with family, and a hopefully put the proof that our troops remain second bare-bones budget to support long winter of ‘13 to to none. deployments. The threats and events rest. No real com- However, this generation of ser- of our cold-war era days seem to pale plaint from here, as the Mid-Atlantic vice personnel is faced with many in comparison to the threat potential celebrates its second consecutive issues that we did not have to consid- our military faces today, from both year of being completely ignored by er in our day, including more time external and internal actions. Who of winter. We’re actually good with deployed, a very un-clear threat envi- us could have predicted Al Queda, warmer than usual temps and no ronment, shifting priorities, and un- Cyber Warfare, and years of continu- snow to speak of…… It seems all the certain economic pressures. All of ing resolutions? The loss of the very nor’easter inspired weather decided which is needlessly complicated by benefits that makes all those efforts to skip past us yet again, and clobber an environment of political correct- bearable could create just the condi- the Northeast – like they needed any ness. tions for an exodus of highly trained and dedicated troops from our mili- additional attention after the devas- Our biggest concerns, as veterans tating storms of last year. tary. And right at a time when we, as of this process, should be for the a country, need them the most. Now if we could just have the manner in which the members of our same luck with avoiding all the polit- military are being treated. It is be- What to do? Look, listen, and ical drama and rhetoric that seems to coming increasing apparent that the read about what’s going on. Don’t have invaded the air waves. Like latest cuts to the defense budget will take my word for it. Make it a point many, I was hoping for some respite eliminate many of the support pro- to examine the problems facing both after all the election noise of the last grams that enable our troops, and our country and military, and form few years, but that seems to have their families, to survive living while your own opinion. Aim at a point been replaced with repeated an- serving the demands of our country. above noise level where political nouncements of financial disaster Support programs that were lacking promises are made, and actually (Fiscal Cliff, Sequestration, Tax in our day, and in many cases were watch what they do instead of just hikes, etc). I’m clearly not im- built to address the problems of our what they say. Support those people pressed with what’s going-on, but day, are being cut to satisfy budget- and organizations that support our much happier to consider all these ary needs. We’re observing the un- troops and our veterans, and stop issues from the near-retirement per- doing of many years of effort to supporting those who demonstrate spective, as opposed to our younger make the military attractive to our they do not. Our troops and veterans comrades who may have many years next generation of sailors, soldiers, clearly deserve better than they are left in the work force . and airmen. Programs designed to getting. It is up to us as Americans, not only bring young men and wom- and particularly as US Navy Veter- We, as veterans, should be par- ans, to do what we can to help our ticularly concerned for the well- en into the military, but also take good care of them while they serve. current generation of military watch- being of our active-duty brothers and standers through these tough times. sisters, who seem to again be target- De-funding and eliminating these ed by the budget axe. We should all programs breaks promises made to Please make it a point to keep be very proud of the level of dedica- those who are expected to put them- their best interests in mind, and do tion we see from our military. I selves in harms way, and leaves their what you can to support positive don’t believe we have ever had a bet- families without the support required changes for our current and next gen- ter fighting force, or one better to stay off the welfare rolls. The im- eration of veterans. It’s that im- equipped to do its job. We saw this pact can be most easily and disas- portant. in 2009, when our reunion group was trously quantified by considering that Happy Spring! Here’s wishing invited to tour the USS Preble (DDG the suicide rate of our armed forces you fair winds and following seas. has, for a second year, exceeded the -88) in . The Preble turned //tom out to be a top-notch fighting ship, battle loss numbers in an active war manned by a crew that appeared to zone. Volume 6, Issue 1 PageP a g e 333 Mail/eMail/Decklog From Our Shipmates ——— Merry Christmas to all the Thanks again. er. This was July 1967. J.L. was given sailors that was aboard the Robert A. Warner a Medical discharge by US NAVY old girl & to the people be- and returned to Ky and died March hind this site!!!!! 1977. Ed Williams (Facebook) I just joined the group and Jerry and I remained good friends thought I would say hello. I after I was discharged in 1969 until was aboard the Reeves from his untimely death in 1977. His fami- Merry Christmas to all the June 1972 and departed July ly asked me to be a Pallbearer, it was Reeves shipmates. How 1976. an honor for me to serve. many of you remember William Boggess (Facebook) what happened the last night David "Cotton" Sumner of the long cruise that started after I just joined the group and I'm recommissioning in Bath and ended David, up at our new home port of Pearl Har- anxious to get in touch with bor? All of 2nd division would know. former shipmates from 1974 - Thanks for the info, is Charlie As a hint it had something to do with 1978. I was QM under 3 Captains; Brown still alive and living in KY? testing a gray smoke grenade on the Fontaine, Dickman and Chang. This In my opinion we did have a very 01 level. Someone had the bright idea brings back a lot of memories. good crew and captains aboard the to show colored smoke from various Michael E. Fiore (Facebook) Reeves. points on the superstructure as we I only ran into two shipmates a entered Pearl Harbor. It was a late board the Reeves after I was dis- night going into early morning for Eugene (Willingham) ... charged in 1969. The first shipmate those of us in 2nd division My name is David Sumner, bet- was a quarter master. I don't remem- George McHale (Facebook) ter know as "Cotton" to my friends. I ber his name, he was on the heavy ([email protected]) served on the Reeves from 65-68, side and wore glasses. He was from worked in the #2 Engineroom for New York. That was in seventy in (Jack) Stewart MM1, who was a good North Long Beach, CA, in a super Michael, friend of Charlie Brown BT1 in #1 market. The second, John Reid, was I just this past week sent my Fireroom. a sonar tech from Virginia. He still years membership of $20.00 plus You may recall Jerry Sumner lives in CA. We stay in touch via $20.00 to help out. Am looking for- BT3 who worked in the #1 Fireroom phone. He retired from the Navy. ward to the membership as I have during this time frame. He was called I don't remember Jerry Summer wondered for years what happened to J.L. by you men in the Fireroom. J.L. from the forward Fire room. I do re- the Reeves. I have a part of a key fob and I were from the same hometown member Hags, Beckham from Minne- that says plank owner that I have on a in KY, known each other since we sota, Kelly from Alabama, Martin necklace. Am planning on the Port- were kids. We joined the Navy to- from Kentucky, and ISO from New land reunion. Not far from home. gether went through bootcamp in San York. All these guys work in the for- Keep in touch. Diego in the same company #541 and ward Fire room with Charlie Brown Dave Thompson received orders to the USS REEVES and I until January 1968. I DLG-24 in Long Beach, went to was assigned to the forward Fire WESTPAC and slept in the same room August 1966 from the deck di- Mike, compartment in "M" Div. for 17 vision. Thank you, I will certainly con- months, J.L. went home on emergen- I do remember the names John sider the reunion in my plans. Also, I cy leave to attend the funeral of his Briquelet and Gus Ellis, from the for- will be paying dues as well as making brother who was 19 years of age. Up- ward Engine room. I would have to a purchase from the store soon. It is on returning to Yokosuka, Japan J.L. see a picture of you to remember your my great honor to support the ship entered the base Hospital for a Physi- face. I remember Stewart from the that my father ultimately gave his life cal exam and test results showed he after Engine room and Doug Whit- for. I would love to meet anyone who had the same Heart problem that had ing. attends the reunion. taken his little brothers life days earli- (Continued on page 4) P a g e 4 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Email/Deck Log (continued) Its good to hear from you and for Peter D. Vuchetich you to provide me with some namesof Mike, FCC USN Ret those who served aboard the USS Reeves DLG-24 during 1965-1968. Please add this deceased shipmate to the remembrance page: Mike, A little history on me, after I was assigned to USS Towers DDG- 9 in LT(jg) Terry D. Ragan 1946-2001 I sometimes go online and search January 1968. She was homeported in I do not recall his exact dates that he for names of sailors I served with on San Diego CA. I went back to served onboard REEVES. He was part board the USS Reeves. Sorry to say, October 1968 on the USS Towers as of the crew in 1984. Terry was the but I recently came across the follow- part of the task force escorting the bat- ship’s PAO. He was also my daugh- ing obituary and would appreciate it if tle ship New Jersey. I was discharged ter’s Godfather and attended her bap- you would post it on the Reeves June 5, 1969 in Long Beach CA. tism. site. Randy was a machinist mate as- signed to the after engine room from I worked for the Texaco oil refin- Thanks, 1973 through 1974. He was a pretty ery for five years and joined the Long Eric (Wenzel) good guy and those who might not Beach Fire Department in 1974 - remember his name might remember 2004. I retired from the Fire Depart- someone who drove a gold dune buggy (Please view the Reeves website Re- ment. I was living in Cerritos CA until for a while and then drove a blue 1956 membrance Page at 2010. My wife and I came to Myrtle Chevrolet. Randy was very good Beach SC to a house warming and end http://ussreeves.net/remembrance friends with Gary Dale Ahrens from up buying a home in Myrtle Beach. for all of our known shipmates who Oregon, Patrick Freeley from Califor- Do you recall the first day on the have passed.) nia and Jim Hutchinson from Flori- line in Vietnam when we rescued our da. I already sent Jim Hutchinson the first pilot who ditched his plane after obituary and wondered, if you have being hit over land, and the plane went Michael, addresses for Gary and Patrick, wheth- down in front of the ship. He had inju- Just received the association news- er you could forward this sad piece of ries to his arm. letter. I was assigned to the USS information to them. I tried contacting Thanks again for the info, take Reeves as a FTM1 1975-1979 while Randy's family to get information care and have a happy new year and she was homeported in Pearl Harbor, about his life after Reeves, but was stay in touch. HI. I joined the ship while she was on never able to contact anyone. a westpac, meeting her in Subic Thank you. Eugene Willingham Sr. One of the Bay,PI.The ride from Clark AFB to tallest guys on the ship Olongapo City was eye opening. I Jewel Brown departed while she was in the yards at (To the association) Pearl Harbor. While I was on board, I was awarded "Yard of the Year 1976 Thanks for the info on my USS Obituary for Randy J Imes for Radford Housing Area" I will be Reeves DLG-24 shipmates. I was sad- mailing my application for member- den to learn my first class Charlie ship. I am a member of the USS KING Randy J Imes 57, of Naples died at (Smith) and second class (Joseph) Izzo Association and our reunions are held home Dec. 10, 2010. Randy was a dis- had passed away a few years ago. You annually. Our last reunion (June 2012) abled veteran, having served in the U don't put off tomorrow for what you was held in Las Vegas. Our next is in S Navy during Vietnam. he is survived can do today. Charleston, SC. Our reunion in 2011 by his loving wife, Patricia , a step-son You keep up the good work you was held in San Antonio, TX and we Michael Matz, both of Naples, a step- are doing. I am putting my member- stayed at the St. Anthony Hotel. It was son Charles "(Chuck) Matz of Sarasota, ship fee in the mail tomorrow. very nice. I can connect our reunion and a brother, Robert of . he was also preceded in death by two Have a bless evening. chairman with yours. brothers, Richard and Ronald. Eugene Willingham Sr. LPS, (Amen, shipmate, amen) Volume 6, Issue 1 PageP a g e 555 Consider the Northwest, Consider Portland In preparation for Portland as our spend time in or way to see the Columbia River. next reunion city, Lorri and I will be outside a great Portland is the home to some 30 attending a Military Reunion city, Portland’s different breweries. There are pub Planner’s Conference next July at the it. and brewery tours aplenty. Red Lion on the River Motel. And so says No itinerary would be complete Portland has been described as the Portland without considering the Portland America’s most European city. If that Travel Site. Spirit Dinner Cruise. means a great walking city with tons USS Reeves Fresh Northwest cuisine, live of public transportation, a progressive was no stranger entertainment and grand scenery are to the Rose City. She made a few all the ingredients you need for a cruises to join in the Portland Rose memorable evening. Festival. On the Portland Spirit Dinner Heeding the call of the “Women’s Auxiliary” at the 2012 reunion, Portland is a perfect base for wine and vineyard tours west of Portland. There are river tours on both the Willamette and Columbia. Some tours use a jet boat, others use a stern wheeler. atmosphere that Of course, there are day trips to celebrates the arts, a Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. culture of great food, The Heart of the Gorge Land & artisan coffee, beer Sea Excursion is a fully narrated tour and wine and covering 60 miles of the Columbia Cruise, this flagship yacht combines a neighborhoods chock River aboard a jet boat and a classic nautical experience with a fine full of shops selling sightseeing motorcoach. dining atmosphere, while the Captain handmade clothes, provides entertaining narration on the crafts and furniture, outside deck. Major sights on the then we’d have to cruise include Memorial Coliseum, agree. the Rose Garden Arena, Oregon As fantastic as Convention Center, Spaghetti Factory Portland is to spend and Willamette Park. time in, it’s one of the These are only some of the easiest cities to spend time outside. The mountains, waterfalls, wine country and other assorted outdoor goodies Oregon is so famous for are all a short drive away. One half of the trip is done by jet So whether you’re looking to boat and the other half by motorcoach. There is no guarantee which half of the tour will be conducted on the boat and which half will be on the motorcoach. That decision is made on the day of the tour. This cruise portion has the added options to be considered. Finding a excitement of taking place on a high- hotel for the reunion is the first item speed jet boat - an experience just as of business. Stay tuned for breathtaking as the scenery. Fast and developments. comfortable, the jet boat is a great P a g e 6 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Financials Mesothelioma Request Cruisebooks USS Reeves Association Dear Mr. Robertson, Shipmate Neal Cozart (1976- FY 2013 Income Statement My name is Arthur Prystowsky, 1979) made available to the Associa- Income as per our conversation on the phone, tion the 1966-1968 and 1975 cruise- Dues $440 I am writing on behalf of Steven Sim- books. These were scanned and mons BTCM who served on the USS Donations $315 placed on the website. They can be Reeves from 1970-72. Unfortunately, viewed at: Reunion $0 Mr. Simmons passed away from as- Ship’s Store $86 bestos related lung cancer. The firm, http://www.ussreeves.net/ Belluck & Fox, is representing Mr. cruisebooks.html Cost of Goods -$62 Simmons estate and trying to gather Additionally, Neal made available Total Income $839 information about Mr. Simmons’ time photographs, lighters, buckles and Expense on the USS Reeves. We are very grateful for your help in this mat- other artifacts that can be seen at: Advertising $27 ter. The list of shipmates that we http://www.ussreeves.net/ Newsletters $293 talked about over the phone and their Memorabilia.html Postage $45 email addresses will be very helpful for us. Additionally, we were won- If you have items that could be Reunions/Other $0 dering whether it would be possible to displayed on the website, contact Total Expense $535 put an advertisement in the newsletter Mike Robertson at Net Income $174 asking anyone who served with Mr. Simmons to contact our office. I want [email protected]. FY 2013 (YTD) Assets to thank you again for your time and help. Cash Assets $3,766

Liabilities $460 Sincerely, Net Equity $3,307 Arthur Prystowsky

Charitable/Educational Objectives The USS Reeves Association is an edu- Arthur G. Prystowsky cational, non-profit 501(c)(3) organiza- Law Clerk tion registered with the Internal Reve- Belluck & Fox, LLP nue Service, FEIN 86-1163983. For that purpose at the 2010 business meet- 546 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor ing, it was recommended that future New York, New York 10036 excess funds be used for donations and T-212-681-1575 scholarships as determined at business meetings starting in 2012. F-212-681-1574 http://www.belluckfox.com The 1988 This newsletter is published by: cruisebook is The USS Reeves Association Ed. Shipmates, this was a topic of dis- only available 15709 N Sycamore St cussion at the reunion in October. Mead, WA 99021 Willie Avant has been in contact with by subscription through Ances- Newsletter Editor - Mr. Pyrstowsky. This request in- Michael Robertson volves a mesothelioma claim. I know try.com by Phone: 509-315-8107 that we have other shipmates who are searching Fax: 703-740-9161 also suffering from lung cancer. I U.S. Navy Cruise Books , 1918-2009 E-mail: [email protected] would suggest that they or their fami- at the Ancestry.com site. All comments, suggestions, submissions lies also contact Mr. Prystowsky. and criticism are welcome. My email is always open... Volume 6, Issue 1 PageP a g e 777 A Story of Two Photos Two photographs of fleet assets have been circu- Without studying the photos too long, we can con- lating in the email-sphere lately. Both of which have clude that both are part of a photo sequence that were used the same photograph to support their shocking taken on 20 December by the USN as one of their conclusions. The first photograph was taken on 20 Fleet stock photos. December 2012 as an official photogragh (according The intent of the “newer” photo was to document to the image annotations—Fleet-003-US-VA-Norfolk- the effect of March 1 sequestration of funds on the Na- 20121220-N-ZN152-189.jpg ). vy. The first photograph was the documentation of so many capital ships moored in a “battle ship row” configuration since World War II. It seems that the two are related, but that’s not an issue for this newslet- ter. My only reaction was—I can’t be- lieve the parking lots around the fleet piers are cram-jam packed. I was there two years ago and there weren’t any ships...or cars...or sail- ors...or anything. It kinda reminds me of the fleet piers back in the 60’s. Fleet-003-US-VA-Norfolk-20121220-N-ZN152-189.jpg Oh, yes. One more thing. The SS used to sit way up in The second photograph was attributed to a new the right corner where the blue cranes now reign. source on February 8. And...have all those sailors been ashore since Decem- ber? Norfolk must be loving it!!! Remembrance Web Page

If you have access to the inter- net, a web page was added to the web site over a year ago. On the index column, it’s called Remem- brance . It’s purpose is to remind us of our shipmates that have passed and are no longer with us. With the update of our database from the Cruiser Sailors Associa- tion, we have been able to update the information. There are now 30 names for NORFOLK, VA. (February 8, 2013). The first time since WWII that five U.S. aircraft former shipmates. If you are able carriers were docked together. to view the page, and notice some- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), USS Enter- one is not listed, please let me prise (CVN 65), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) know. I am able to do some re- are all in port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., the world’s largest naval station. search to gather important dates. P a g e 8 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Reeves 19661966----19681968 Cruise With DESRON 9 (cont) staff of six officers and eight en- ships did. This was a fluke of the when serving as the flagship was listed. Other ships in the squadron Navy’s ship building program dur- the transfer of the squadron flag to included USS CHANDLER (DD- ing WWII. The Fletcher’s were the “small boys” accompanying a 717), USS DE HAVEN (DD-727), quickly built to meet the Japanese carrier group when REEVES was USS MANSFIELD (DD-728), threat—the first ship of the class, assigned to a SAR or PIRAZ sta- USS COLLETT (DD-730), USS USS Fletcher (DD-445) was com- tion some distance from the carrier BLUE (DD-744), USS HOLLIS- missioned on 30 June 1942, slight- group. Yes, the ship dug holes in TER (DD-788), and USS OZ- ly more than six months after the the ocean traversing a five mile BOURN (DD-846). These were . square for days on end, but the Commodore and staff were back running the screen and plane guard duties around some carrier. Secondly, when it was time to enter port, order was determined by seniority. The Commodore was usually one of the most senior non-flag officers which meant go- ing pierside a long way away from the carrier’s mooring point.) I wonder if anyone still has one of these… Surely it would have seen sold in ship’s store dur- ing the Cruise of 1966- 1968.

An undated “nest” of DESRON 9 ships moored “in the stream.” From left to right, USS MANS- FIELD (DD-728), USS COLLETT (DD-730), USS DE HAVEN (DD-727), and USS LYMAN K. SWENSON (DD-729). These are all ALLEN M. SUMNER-class ships. They are all pre- FRAM, probably after WWII. Note that this photo is embossed as DES DIV. 91. Until the mid-60’s, squadrons consisted of two divisions of four ships each. We had a lot of left over from WWII back then. How the Bos’n must have “loved” sharing his boat boom and accommodation ladder with the other ships in the nest. Remember the advantages and disadvantages of being outboard in a nest? all venerable Sumner and Gearing DESRON 9 with REEVES as class destroyers from World War the flagship is a perfect example of II, between 20 and 25 years old. the evolution of the American de- While all of the Sumner-class stroyer between 1942 and 1962. ships saw action either in the At- (The first advantage of an lantic, Pacific or both, during AAW picket ship like REEVES DESRON 9 - One of the last to be called WWII, none of the Gearing-class an Asiatic Squadron, I’m sure. Volume 6, Issue 1 PageP a g e 999 Agent Orange Update VA maintains a list of U.S. Navy and Ships or boats that were part of the WLB (Buoy Tender) Coast Guard ships associated with mil- Mobile Riverine Force, Inshore Fire WPB (Patrol Boat) itary service in Vietnam and possible Support (ISF) Division 93 or had one YFU (Harbor Utility Craft) exposure to Agent Orange based on of the following designations operated military records. This evolving list on the inland waterways of Vietnam. If your vessel is not included in helps Veterans who served aboard Veterans whose military records con- the Mobile Riverine Force, ISF Divi- ships, including "Blue Water Veter- firm they were aboard these ships sion 93 or above designations, check ans," find out if they may qualify for qualify for presumption of herbicide VA's latest Alphabetized Ship List at presumption of herbicide exposure. exposure. http://www.publichealth.va.gov/ exposures/agentorange/shiplist/ Veterans must meet VA's criteria for LCM (Landing Craft, Mecha- index.asp . VA will help determine service in Vietnam, which includes nized) aboard boats on the inland waterways qualifying service in Vietnam when LCU (Landing Craft, Utility) or brief visits ashore, to be presumed you file a claim for disability compen- to have been exposed to herbicides. LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, sation, survivors' benefits, or benefits Veterans who qualify for presumption Personnel) for children with birth defects. To con- of herbicide exposure are not required LST (Landing Ship, Tank) tact VA Call 1-800-827-1000 or 1-800 -829-4833 (TDD for hearing impaired) to show they were exposed to Agent PBR (Patrol Boat, River) Orange or other herbicides when seek- or Go to your nearest VA benefits of- PCF (Patrol Craft, Fast or Swift ing VA compensation for diseases re- fice. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update Boat) lated to Agent Orange exposure. 22 Feb 2013 ++] These can be found at http:// PG (Patrol Gunboat) Ed. Many of our shipmates recall vis- www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/ WAK (Cargo Vessel) its to Danang, Monkey Mountain and agentorange/diseases.asp . WHEC (High Endurance Cutter) other areas in the period before 1972. Check the Ship List!

Shift Colors Another Shipmate Passes To receive the Navy‘s Shift Colors Shipmate FC2(SW) Steve Keller REEVES during the period 1989-1993 newsletter via email send the follow- passed away on 28 Feb 2013. Steve had as in Fox Division as a CIWS tech. After ing information to been diagnosed with terminal brain can- the REEVES, he served on the PAUL [email protected] -- First cer. HAMILTON, also homeported in name; Last name; E-mail address; Many of you responded to an associ- Pearl. From his start on the REEVES, Title (Mr., Mrs., rank, etc.); and Mili- ation “Special Muster” email in Novem- Steve made FCC on the HAMILTON tary affiliation (retiree, surviving ber 2012 after we were contacted by Ste- and eventually joined the ranks of those spouse, veteran, other). There is no ve’s father, Tom Keller. All of your of us as retired Navy. longer any funding for hard copies to emails were received by Steve. I under- Steve and his wife, Judy, lived in be printed and mailed. To receive stand that some email conversations also Lacey, WA, where he had been pretty Shift Colors it does not matter wheth- ensued. According to Tom Keller, due to much removed from chemotheraphy and er or not you‘re retired, active duty, a your response as shipmates, Steve died a was being treated with morphine. veteran, a surviving spouse, or just much more fulfilled and loved man. There will be a memorial service someone who‘s interested in receiv- In particular, shipmate DCFA John and interment of Steve’s ashes at Ft. Lo- ing the newsletter Walls, who served onboard during the gan National Cemetery in Denver, CO, same period as Steve, must have made a on 25 Mar 2013. significant difference in what and how he You can contact Tom Keller at said what ever he said. It was poignant [email protected] for additional enough that Steve shared it with his dad. information. Steve served onboard P agea g e 10 1 0 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Remember the Scooter Store Ads on TV?

man Services Committee earlier this cases the wheelchairs were not medi- week gave its approval to Senate Bill 8 cally necessary and in 52 percent be- providing broad support for a crack- cause the medical necessity had not down on Medicaid fraud. The Scooter been documented, the report said. A Store has for years advertised its prow- later inspector general’s audit deter- ess in navigating Medicare provisions mined the Scooter Store had between on behalf of seniors to provide them 2009 and 2011 been overpaid by Med- with a motorized wheelchair at little or icare between $46.8 million and $87.7 More than 100 FBI agents and federal no out-of-pocket costs to them. million. The company negotiated with and state agency investigators de- These promises were irresisti- the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid scended on the New Braunfels, Texas, ble. In 1999 American taxpayers subsi- Services for a settlement with the gov- headquarters of the Scooter Store 20 dized $259 million for power wheel- ernment of just $19.5 million, accord- FEB. The company, which has been in chairs, according to an investigation ing to an investigative report last and out of trouble for at least the past done in 2011 by the Department of month by CBS News. In 2007, the eight years, is one of the nation’s lead- Health and Human Services’ inspector U.S. Department of Justice ordered the ing purveyors of powered wheelchairs general. By 2003, power chair subsi- Scooter Store to pay back $4 million paid for largely through Medicare. dies jumped to $1.2 billion. After a and relinquish millions of dollars in Reporters on the scene said agents in- tightening of Medicare guidelines for claims for falsely representing the terviewed Scooter Store employees eligibility by the Centers for Medicare medical necessity for the wheelchairs who work on Medicare billing. Those and Medicaid Services, taxpayer subsi- to doctors. At the time the company employees declined to discuss the dies dropped to $658 million by 2007 was getting $5,000 to $7,000 per chair questioning. The rest of the store staff but shot up the following year to $779 from Medicare, then selling them for were sent home by agents who handed million, the report said. The inspector $1,500 to $2,000 each, the Justice De- them cards soliciting their help with a general concluded that 61 percent, $95 partment said. toll-free number for the FBI. Wednes- million worth of all power wheelchair Ed. I wondered about that. If it’s too day’s raid is part of an intensifying claims reviewed in the first six months good to be true, then it’s probably not hunt for Medicare and Medicaid fraud of 2007 were faulty. In 9 percent of the true in Texas. The Senate Health and Hu- Council Appointment Mike, the REEVES Association, I will be three years, I know that I have your seeking input for issues to bring support, and I will do everything I This morning, I was officially noti- forward to the SECNAV. The can to represent the REEVES Asso- fied that I have been appointed to Council is also going to have ciation. the Secretary of the Navy’s Retiree “virtual sessions” throughout the Council. A copy of my appoint- year. If any of the membership R/YNC(AW) Eric W. WENZELc ment letter is attached. I would ap- have any burning issues that cannot preciate it very much if you would wait, please let me know and I will Ed. Eric has provided us with the send out a notification in the up- address them at one of the virtual appointment letters which will be coming REEVES newsletter to all meetings. promulgated on the website. association members. I am very honored to have been Eric can be contacted directly at: I will be heading to , nominated and selected for this DC in August to attend the Retiree prestigious position. It is a three- [email protected] Council meeting. As a member of year appointment. In the upcoming Volume 6, Issue 1 Page 1 11 1

Have You Heard?

A college professor, an avowed waiting!" Eventually, the professor came to atheist and active in the ACLU, was His count down got down to the and was noticeably shaken. He looked teaching his class. He shocked several last couple of minutes when a NAVY at the SEAL in the front row. When of his students when he flatly stated SEAL, just released from the Navy the professor regained his senses and that for once and for all he was going after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq could speak he asked: "What the heck to prove there was no God. Address- and newly registered in the class, is the matter with you? Why did you ing the ceiling he shouted: walked up to the Professor. The SEAL do that?" "GOD, if you are real, then I want you hit him full force in the face, and sent "God was really busy protecting to knock me off this platform. I'll the Professor tumbling from his lofty America's soldiers, who are protecting give you exactly 15 minutes!" platform. The Professor was out cold. your right to say stupid things and act The lecture room fell silent. You The students were stunned and like an idiot. So He sent me." could hear a pin drop. shocked. They began to babble in con- Two things Navy SEALS are al- Ten minutes went by. "I'm wait- fusion. The SEAL nonchalantly took ways taught: ing God, if you're real, knock me off his seat in the front row and sat silent. 1. Keep your priorities in order this platform!" Again after a few more The class looked at him and fell si- minutes, the professor taunted God lent ..... waiting. 2. Know when to act without hesi- saying, "Here I am, God! I'm still tation TRICARE Pharmacy Mail Order TRICARE pharmacy copay increases from a military pharmacy. Will we taining a prescribed narcotic from the prompted a number of additional ques- have to sign up for mail-order refills mail-order pharmacy. The prescription tions (below) on how mail-order refill and stop going to the base? is only for a 30 day period then re- requirements for TRICARE For Life Answer: No. You can still get refills quires a new one. How will this be beneficiaries will be implemented later through military pharmacies if you handled? this year (no earlier than summer, and choose. The restriction on maintenance Answer: Only refillable medications it could be later). medication refills for Medicare- will be affected by the mail-order/ Q. I live in Arizona, where tempera- eligibles only applies to retail pharma- military pharmacy requirement. We tures routinely are over 100 degrees. cies, not military pharmacies. understand that narcotic drugs will be Won’t drugs lose their potency if they Q. My mother is a 91-year old surviv- excluded from the requirement. Alt- ride around in a hot mail truck all day ing spouse who is a TFL beneficiary. hough some narcotics may be used for or sit on a porch or in a mailbox? She lives on her own – without a com- chronic conditions, all narcotics will be Answer: Express Scripts (whose TRI- puter. How will TRICARE and Ex- exempt. CARE distribution center is in Tempe press Scripts handle this new require- Q. How do I contact Express Scripts AZ) officials say the temperature issue ment with her? to set up a mail-order account and get is mainly a longer-term storage con- Answer: A mail-order refill account my prescriptions transferred? cern. Sitting in a delivery vehicle or can be set up pretty quickly and easily Answer: You can do that on the web mailbox at higher temperatures won’t by phone. Still, some seniors may have at http://express-scripts.com/ cause a loss of potency for most drugs. physical disabilities and cognitive im- TRICARE/ . Many prefer to do it by The ones for which that could be an pairments which may be problematic. phone at 1-877-363-1433 (for the hear- issue are mailed in special temperature We are working with DoD to help es- ing impaired, TTY 1-877-540-6261). -controlled packaging and closely tablish reasonable criteria for exemp- [Source: MOAA Leg Up 8 Feb 2013 tracked to delivery. tion from the mandatory program. ++] Q. My wife and I get our prescriptions Q. My spouse has had difficulty ob-

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