Silicon Valley Chapter Military Ofcers Association of America
Volume XVI Issue 10The
German U-Boat 30 The chapter’s October speaker will be Thomas C. Sanger, a San Diego-based author who has written for a variety of Tom Sanger publications and audiences during a thirty- year career in journalism and public relations. He will provide an illustrated Social Hour: 11:00 AM presentation about the sinking of the Luncheon: 11:45 AM passenger liner Athenia, a gripping tale based on his book Without Warning. The Luncheon is $30.00 story will focus on the perspective of eight See Back Page for Reservations people: six passengers, Athenia’s chief Form and Directions officer, and the commander of the German U-boat. Based on accounts written by CALENDAR OF EVENTS passengers, personal interviews with 3 Oct Board Meeting 10:30 AM survivors and descendants of survivors, 17 Oct Luncheon 11:00 AM books, newspaper stories, and original 7 Nov Board Meeting 10:30 AM documents, the book honors the memory of 21 Nov Luncheon 11:00 AM cont'd pg 3 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE I turn 79 in September. Every birthday I call my older brother in Georgia and ask him, “What are you doing, you old coot?” So, this past Wednesday, I called him again, and reality hit me like a bucket of cold water thrown in my face. There was no one on the other end to answer. George died two years ago. I saw The Green Berets on television the other night. I was in the 1st Special Forces Group on Okinawa when it came out in 1968. The entire group marched down to the theatre and watched it. It was a pretty OFFICERS, BOARD, AND CHAIRS PRESIDENT:Cpt Charles McDougald USA good movie. But Hollywood ruined the ending which showed a beautiful 415-722-1009 1st VP: Cpt Charles McDougald Interim USA sunset on the beach at Nah Trang as John Wayne consoled a Vietnamese 415-722-1009 2nd VP:CAPT John Hassenplug, USN 650-224-7638 kid. Secretary: COL Warren Enos Interim AUS 408-245-2217 It was patriotic and very moving until, from the rear of the Treasurer: CAPT Keith Ott Interim USN 530-219-2404 Past President: CAPT Gil Borgardt USN theatre, Lt. Col. Larry Trapp, B company commander, yelled out, “The 650-342-1270 sun sets in the west, you idiot.” The entire theatre cheered. Larry never DIRECTORS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS CALMOAA CAPT Gil Borgardt USN 650-342-1270 did suffer fools gladly. I reached for my phone to call him. About mid- Chaplain Col Don Bradley USAF 650-592-0915 dial I remembered I spoke at his memorial service in 2008. Chapter Outreach CWO5 Robert Landgraf USMC 408-323-8838 Commissary/Exchange Advisory How often does that happen to you? The accumulation of good vacant Friends-in-Need (FIN) Program friends over a lifetime is the best part about growing up and, ultimately, CDR Al Mouns USN 408-257-5629 Navy League Liaison LCDR Tom Winant USN 650-678-7120 growing old. I have a few on speed-dial, including George, that will Membership/Recruitment CAPT John Hassenplug, USN 650-224-7638 never answer me. But they’re still my friends and they live on in the Personal Affairs CAPT Robert French USN 650-549-8896 Programs recesses of my mind reserved exclusively for “favorites.” This is Cpt Charles McDougald USA 415-722-1009 ROTC especially true for my friends that didn’t come home from Vietnam. CWO4 Patrick Clark USA 831-402-8548 Surviving Spouse Liason vacant There are stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, Scholarship Capt Gio Picazo USAF 669-258-5057 and acceptance. We’ve all been down that road, learning to live with the CAPT Paul Barrish USN 408-356-7531 Travel (Space-A Advisory) vacant ones we lost. Veteran Affairs LtCol Neil Miles USAF 408-929-1142 But just remember – the best way you can honor your departed Web Master LtCol Mike Sampognaro USAF 408-779-7389 Sergeant at Arms friends is by keeping their memory alive. vacant Strategic Planning Capt David Down ARNG 408-202-9360 Legislation LtCol Neil Miles USAF 408-929-1142 NEVER STOP SERVING The Chapter Board meets at the Moffett Field CHUCK Museum, Moffett Federal Airfield, the first Thursday of the month at 10:30am. DIRECTORS EMERITUS CAPT Lloyd McBeth USN 408-241-3514 RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE (RAO) Travis 707-424-3904 www.travisaf.mil tab Programs tab RAO Bulletin Editor LtCol. Mike Sampognaro, USAF [email protected] 408-779-7389 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS We all need to be recruiting In Memorium COL William Van der Molen, USA – Ret March 04, 1938 – September 20, 2019 See Page 17
- 2 - OCTOBER LUNCHEON cont'd projecting upwards from the sea. The U-30, a Type VIIA U-boat was one of the first fourteen U-boats to leave Germany in mid-August when the Polish crisis seemed likely to lead to war with the Western Powers. Only a few hours earlier, at 1256 hours Berlin time, that likelihood had become a reality. An urgent encoded message was broadcast: “Hostilities with England effective immediately”. The Athenia was the first UK ship to be sunk by Germay during World War II, and the incident accounted for the Donaldson Line's greatest single SS Athenia sinks by the stern loss of life at sea. 117 civilian passengers and crew Athenia’s passengers, both living and dead. were killed with the sinking condemned as a war The SS Athenia was a steam turbine crime. The dead included 28 US citizens, leading transatlantic passenger liner built in Glasgow in 1923 Germany to fear that the US might react by joining for the Anchor-Donaldson Line, which later became the war on the side of the UK and France. Wartime the Donaldson Atlantic Line. She worked between German authorities denied that one of their vessels the United Kingdom and the east coast of Canada had sunk the ship, and a German admission of until September 1939, when a torpedo from a responsibility did not come until 1946. German submarine sank her in the Western Approach. On September 1, 1939, the passenger liner Athenia set sail from Glasgow for Montreal by way of Belfast and Liverpool. She carried 1,100 passengers, nearly three quarters of whom were women and children. Tom Sanger brings this tragedy to life and makes it personal. His pre- sentation will make it possible to share the fear and the anxiety with the survivors One reviewer wrote, “My long-time friend and author Tom Sanger has provided a small literary coup and meaningful historic service by bringing to life a little-recognized footnote of the beginning of Britain’s entrance into WWII. With superb literary and research skills, Sanger has brought to life the sinking of the passenger ship Athenia by a German U-boat within a day of Germany invading Poland and Great Britain declaring war on Hitler. His remembrance as historical fiction, Without Warning, enlightened by his maternal grandmother, who was an Athenia Oberleutnant Lemp passenger, is riviting, real and an uplifting tale of Late in the afternoon on September 3rd 1939, courage and grit by ordinary people swept into an Oberleutnant Lemp in a U-30 was on patrol about extraordinary event. History buffs and historians 250 miles northwest of Ireland, about 60 miles south alike are in Sanger’s debt. He tells it brilliantly. of Rockall banks - a barren sixty-three foot rock cont'd pg 4 - 3 - SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON REPORT he U.S. 1st Infantry Division, nicknamed T“The Big Red One,” is a combined arms division, and is the oldest continuously serving in the Regular Army. During the period June 1968 through June 1969 the division participated in the largest operation of the Vietnam War, Operation Toan Thang (Certain Victory). In September 1968 the division commander, MG Ware, was killed in action Tom Sanger worked as a reporter for the when his command helicopter was shot down by Associated Press and KABC radio in Los Angeles, enemy anti-aircraft fire. In the first half of 1969, the researched and wrote television documentary Big Red One conducted reconnaissance-in-force and scripts, and directed corporate communications for ambush operations, including a multi-division a major Southern California energy company. operation, Atlas Wedge. The division operated in III Sanger is the author of numerous articles and Corps northeast of Saigon with the mission to keep nonfiction books. Without Warning is his first Highway 13 open and to protect and defend Saigon. novel. ______SOURCE: Tom Sanger
Co D, 2/18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division The chapter’s September luncheon speaker was author-photographer Steven Burchik now of San Ramon, whose book, Compass and a Camera: A Year in Vietnam, was highly acclaimed. “I was not a combat photographer,” he explained. “My duty was as a sergeant in the role of a forward observer. Sometimes I brought a personal camera along on patrols in the rice paddies and jungles and recorded images of ordinary soldiers, villagers, and children living their daily lives amid an extraordinary conflict.” His illustrated presentation included some of the very best of his 4,000 photographs. “My MOS, military occupational specialty, was 11B40 which is infantry,” he said. “Photography was strictly a hobby, a way to connect with my creative side and find a retreat from the daily swings between fear and monotony.” He explained that most soldiers will acknowledge that actual combat is
cont'd pg 5 - 4 - September Meeting Report cont/d soldiers relaxing in the base camp or preparing for incredibly stimulating with the combination of terror the next patrol, adults and children from the and adrenalin, but the vast majority of the hours villages visited, and a variety of weapons and aircraft. “I was able to capture the amazing beauty of rivers, rice paddies, sunrises, sunsets and aerial shots of verdant fields and jungles, even more poignant given our mission in Vietnam.
View from a UH-1 Huey The first photo he displayed was of Armed to the teeth boarding an aircraft bound for Vietnam following before and after combat are spent in boring and often refueling in Hawaii, landing at airfields with mind-numbing activities such as marching on names like Bien Hoa, Tan Son Nhut, or Da Nang. endless patrols, cleaning weapons, and filling He remembers the oppressive heat, humidity, and sandbags. unfamiliar smells as he stepped off the plane. And right there was a large sign, “2nd Brigade Replacement Training School.” The dozens of photos he shared were in the careful order In the Air; Home Sweet Hootch; Through the Rivers; Tracks and Wheels; Weapons; Villagers; Children; Pacification; the Rice Harvest; Medevac; Portraits; Saigon; and finally, Stand – Down.
Jungle clearing medevac Steve told us prior to his visit and presentation that “you won’t see photos of actual combat situations; if we were in combat I was using my compass, map, and rifle.” The camera was reserved for those moments while in transit via helicopters or trucks, on a five minute break during patrols, or in base camps between missions. He showed images of Haircut anyone cont'd pg 6 - 5 - September Meeting Report cont'd WALKING BEHIND YOU Steven said that he was assigned to the D esley Stahl did a story on gender roles in Company mortar platoon with the mission to LKabul, Afghanistan, several years before our support the other three infantry platoons. But they involvement in the Afghan conflict. She noted that spent half their time going out on patrols and women customarily walked five paces behind their functioning as an infantry unit due to a shortage of husbands. She recently returned to Kabul and men in the other platoons. During the second half observed that women still walk behind their of his tour he spent as much as 80% of his time on husbands. infantry patrols and night ambushes, leaving a skeleton crew to man the mortars. In 2016 Steve published his latest book, Focus on Vietnam, mostly a photo book, which received the Amazon-coveted 5 star or highest rating. One reviewer wrote, “www.stevenburchik. com or email [email protected].
Behind their husbands Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to, and are happy to, maintain the old customs. Ms. Stahl approached one of the Afghani women and asked, “Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?” The woman looked Ms. Stahl straight in the eyes, and without hesitation said, “Land mines.” No matter what language you speak or where you go, the moral of the story is: Behind every man there is a really smart woman! ______SOURCE: Stories from Afghanistan
______SOURCE: Luncheon Speaker Steven Burchik
- 6 - China's massive military buildup SVC CHAPTER’S NOVEMBER ELECTION The legendary former Navy SEAL Adm. MTRAK train #5 The California Zephyr William McRaven said at an event on Wednesday A departs daily from Emeryville to Chicago (Sept 18) that China's technical and defense via Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha, and capabilities were quickly approaching — and other mid-western cities. It’s a beautiful trip sometimes surpassing — those of the US, through the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains representing what he called a "holy s---" moment offering so much pleasure. Silicon Valley for the US. Chapter’s future is wide open and with so much China's technological strategy and opportunity for profit and fun. But will the innovation are serious threats to US national chapter’s station and onboard crews show up for security — now, according to retired Adm. duty? William McRaven, the US has reached a 'holy s---" moment and needs to invest more significantly in technology research and development to keep its edge. McRaven said that "as we talk about the rise of China, the gap" between American and Chinese innovation "is narrowing." In some cases — like with 5G commercialization — China is already beating the US, and its intellectual-property theft of US technology only compounds the rapid pace at The Zephyr eastbound along the Truckee River which it's developing new technologies, a report by the Council on Foreign Relations released Corporate/Station Roles Wednesday said. --Human Resources/Succession Planning (The Visit Business Insider's homepage for chapter’s 1st VP/Future President Development) more stories. Amtrak states that an active pursuit of succession planning ensures that employees are constantly developed to fill each needed role in the company. As the organization expands, loses key employees, provides promotional job opportunities and increases sales, succession planning guarantees that there will be employees on hand ready and waiting to fill the new roles. The chapter wants to provide an opportunity for an interested member to prepare in advance to assume the role of president in 2021 and perhaps beyond by working over a year with the current president. No candidates. --Marketing /Sales/Customer Service (The chapter’s 2nd VP Membership) Amtrak sells tickets on line, at its stations, and onboard the trains; customer service is considered a very important function. The chapter’s membership committee has been involved with marketing, sales (dues policies/collection), and
- 7 - cont'd pg 8 member service. The committee should, if a provide additional services to passengers with member has EXCEL skills, maintain the disabilities. The chapter has a very special group, membership roster. The chapter’s future namely Surviving Spouses, widows and widowers depends on the committee member’s capability of any deceased individuals who would, if living, to encourage retention and attract new, younger be eligible for regular membership may choose to generation members. No candidates. associate with SVC as a Surviving Spouse. --The Locomotive Engineer (The chapter’s Surviving Spouses are honored individuals and are Secretary) encouraged to participate in all committees and Locomotive engineers are responsible for functions of SVC MOAA. An interested member is driving passenger trains between stations. They needed to establish contact with the plus or minus may drive diesel-electric engines as well as 35 Surviving Spouses, provide information, assist those powered by electricity and battery. with concerns and needs, encourage the spouses to Typical duties may include monitoring participate actively with the chapter, and in general instruments (such as air pressure and battery make this special group feel very welcome. No use), operating the train using a variety of candidates. controls and communicating with dispatchers ______about schedule changes or delays. Working SOURCE: Amtrak/Chapter Bylaws & Board under the direction of the chapter president and Minutes (Warren Enos author) board members, the chapter’s secretary makes announcements of management meetings /events, creates agendas, brief summaries /records of board actions, and generally helps move the chapter forward. No candidates. --Passenger Service Supervisor (The chapter’s Chair, Friends-in-need) An Amtrak lead service attendant (LSA) is primarily responsible for creating a welcoming atmosphere of hospitality for passengers that result in exceeding customer expectations, functioning independently while simultaneously supporting the service staff. The attendant utilizes superior interpersonal skills to communicate clearly and effectively with passengers and crew to insure employee and customer satisfaction in both ideal and off schedule conditions. The chapter’s Chair, Friends-in-Need, monitors member status (obituaries), identifies member problems and concerns, and coordinates chapter assets (i.e. Personal Affairs) to meet member needs. No candidates. --Representative, Railroad Special Services (The chapter’s Surviving Spouse Liaison) Amtrak states that its goal is to provide safe, efficient and comfortable service to all of its passengers. And the railroad is pleased to - 8 - MAJOR RENOVATION TO San Francisco Fleet Week and THE BILTMORE IN 2020 Air Show will be here soon. t will be business as usual for January Again this year, the Moffett Field I and February 2020. Historical Society and Museum has the pleasure On March 2nd, the renovation will start of hosting a P-3 Orion and a P-8 Poseidon from with the Hops Bar & Grill and Napa Valley VP-30 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. After their th Room space. This space will be converted to staff performance on Saturday, October 12 , there offices, storage, and our new fitness center. will be a static display, followed by a Happy On May 11th they will start the lobby and Hour and BBQ dinner. Atrium. There will be a major renovation with I know many of you attended last year lots of demolition, as they are increasing the but this year will have a few added attractions. ceiling height in the front desk area by The U.S. Air Force is sending a C-17 to the Air demolishing the second floor. When it is done, Show and it will operate out of Moffett Field. the Atrium area will be our restaurant for The crew has been invited to the Happy Hour bar/dinner. We can still host your luncheons and BBQ dinner. Unsure at this time whether during this time, but you would be in the meeting they will/can do a static display. In addition, the th space at the back of the hotel, and you would CANG 129 Rescue Squadron will display their need to access it through the back of the hotel HH-60 helicopter’s fire-fighting ability. Their since the lobby would be torn up. This should be aircrew will be invited. With all these aviators completed by October 20th. in attendance, it will make for a great gathering. On September 22nd 2020, they will start I will ask just $20 per head for the event. on the meeting space, and won’t be done until Please let me know if you will attend, are thinking about attending, or you have laundry to December 2nd. So we would not be able to do. Basically, RSVP for those who are socially accommodate your October or November challenged. mailto: [email protected] luncheon. 650 964 4024 While all of this is going on they will be ! renovating our guest rooms in shifts. So, when it is all said and done, we will be reopening as the Delta Hotel by Marriott. It is ! going to be a messy, painful year, but when it is all said and done it will be worth it. It should be beautiful.
!
Kohl's offers active military, veterans, retirees and their Everyimmediate week,family members Kohl's a 15% has discount its on Military purchases made on Mondays, IN STORE ONLY. In order to receive Mondaysthe military discount, discount eligible customers — a 15must percentpresent proper identification along with any tender type. Proper offidentification discount includes: for military active identification and former card; a state- issued identification indicating veteran status; or Form DD military214. FOR MILITARY personnel, DISCOUNT, veterans, please bring and familiesidentification toevery verify your Monday military status all for year this offer.! long. The discount is valid in-store when customers show a valid military ID, military dependent ID, or veteran ID
- 9 - Military Book Grab: October 19 and 26 KOREA REBORN n 2013 the book Korea Reborn: A Grateful INation Honors War Veterans For More Than 60 Years of Growth was published in cooperation with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for the Commemoration of the Korean War 60 Year Anniversary. It was distributed free to U.S. Veterans of the Korean War and their families. It is a retrospective look at the Korean War and the years of prosperity that followed. The chapter was able to obtain almost enough free copies for members who wanted one.
Just last year in 2018 a new and updated edition was published and produced with cooperation from the Republic of Korea, Kia Motors of America, and the United States of America. The intent is still the same, to honor and remember all those who bravely served during the Korean War. The photos and text tell the story from the perspective of both U.S. Veterans who served in the conflict, and the Koreans who prospered from the freedom left in their wake.
Horror in the early 1950s cont'd pg 11 - 10 - Beginning with the events that led up to the STRATTON’S war, through the ensuing battlefields across the ASIA-PACIFIC DEPLOYMENT Korean Peninsula, and ultimately the iana Tyler announced during a Navy transformation from a war-torn country into a DLeague September 12th meeting that the vibrant, prosperous nation, the book encapsulates U. S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter why freedom is worth fighting for. To this day the USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752) was currently people of the Republic of Korea honor those brave operating in support of the U.S. Indo-Pacific veterans who served and sacrificed on their behalf. Command and has arrived in the vicinity of A re-born Korea is one that has risen from the Surabaya, Indonesia. Operating under the tactical rubble of war to be an economic world leader and control of U.S. 7th Fleet, Stratton’s mission is to a prized example of how freedom works. It is a engage in professional exchanges and capacity- story of a war remembered. building exercises with partner nations and to Seung Kyu (Sean) Yoon, President and patrol and operate as directed. We’re familiar CEO, Kia Motors America wrote, “Kia Motors with this Alameda Coast Guard Island-based America is proud to be a part of this magnificent vessel in part because of its many Eastern Pacific volume that details the rich and complex history of deployments on anti-drug law enforcement the Korean Peninsula and honors the veterans that operations. made the ultimate sacrifice to secure South Korea’s freedom. In the U.S. Kia’s rise is one of the automotive industry’s greatest success stories.”
Stratton underway to Pearl Harbor The first destination for this 5-month long deployment was Pearl Harbor in order to take on fuel and supplies for the long voyage to the Modern South Korea Western Pacific. Coast Guard Island in Alameda is the homeport to four Coast Guard legend class The book is available for purchase from national security cutters. NSCs are 418-feet long, Amazon for $3.15 and third party sellers new and 54-feet wide, and have a 4,600 long-ton used beginning at $1.10, plus in both cases about displacement. They have a top speed in excess of $4 shipping. The new edition has a cover price of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, $49.95. One reviewer wrote, “Good information on endurance of up to 90 days and can hold a crew one of our partner nations who my father helped to of up to 170. These multi-mission cutters and stay free!” crew are capable of operating from the Bering ______Sea to the Eastern Pacific Ocean to the South SOURCE: Korea Reborn, 2018 Edition China Sea. Lautoka, Fiji, marked the cutter’s first international port call of their Western Pacific patrol. While underway, Stratton’s crew exercised the recently signed Fiji-U.S. bilateral cont'd pg 12
- 11 - shiprider agreement, which allows enforcement an amphibious readiness group that conducted a authorities from the two nations to jointly combined exercise to move Marines and associated counter illicit activity at sea. Together, equipment ashore in a simulated hostile Stratton’s crew and an embarked Fijian environment.” One primary role was to serve as a fisheries officer, Josaia Maiwai, patrolled the forward screening vessel. As the force moved north, United States and Fijian Exclusive Economic Stratton was sent as an advanced unit to help Zones. While in port, the crew had identify possible landing areas for amphibious opportunities to explore Fiji and interact with operations and to ensure that the water north of the local citizens through cultural and professional force was clear of threats before the force moved in exchanges, community relations projects and behind Stratton. The crew used air and surface island tours. assets to conduct searches as part of the forward screen.
Approaching Lautoka, Fiji The Stratton’s crew moored July 5th in Australia’s Sydney Harbor, kicking off the ship’s second international port call. The crew spent time preparing for Talisman Sabre, a U. Improved capabilities allowed the Coast S. Indo-Pacific Command sponsored exercise Guard to provide real-time surveillance to battle that trains U.S. and Australian forces across staff and exercise planners, and it allowed them to high-end, mid-intensity warfighting scenarios explore the skills and expertise the Coast Guard can involving a Combined Task Force. It was an bring to both exercises and real-world scenarios. opportunity to conduct operations in a “Talisman Sabre was key to the U.S. and to the combined, joint and interagency environment Coast Guard because we were able to exercise that will increase both countries’ ability to plan relationships with our international partners, to and execute contingency responses, from conduct training necessary and to help maintain combat missions to humanitarian assistance regional security, peace and stability,” Dunlevy said. efforts. “This marks a significant milestone in The U.S. Coast Guard is mulling its future in our deployment as we will be fully integrated the Asia-Pacific region as the National Security into the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet operations,” Cutter USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752) will be said CAPT Bob Little, Stratton’s commanding completing its current deployment near the end of officer. “It will be an outstanding opportunity November, explained region commander VADM to hone our skills for interoperability and Linda Fagan, USCG, in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia. demonstrate a collective commitment to a free ______and open Indo-Pacific region.” SOURCE: Santa Clara County Council U.S. Navy Talisman Sabre 2019 took place in July. League. “We supported 7th Fleet amphibious operations,” said LCDR Andrew Dunlevy, the Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word ? Stratton’s operations officer. “We were part of
- 12 - CHANGE OF COMMAND stern launching system requires just a single n July 11th, United States Coast Guard crewmember to remain on deck to launch or OCutter (USCGC) PIKE WPB 87365 had a retrieve the boarding party Change of Command when LT Victoria Gurtler was relieved as Commanding Officer by LTJG Alexander LaBelle. The beautiful ceremony was commensurate of a tremendous cutter and stellar crew. Based at Yerba Buena Island, San Francisco, the Pike is well-known to many Bay Area residents with missions, experiences, and achievements noted over the years
Pike is an 87 foot Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat (WPB) with each boat named after a marine predator. It has two diesel engines which make possible a speed of 25 knots; a range of 900 nautical miles; endurance of three days; and the ship is armed with two M-2 .50 caliber Browning machine guns. The change of command ceremony marks Like all new Coast Guard vessels, the a transfer of total responsibility and authority Marine Protector Class are designed to from one individual to another. It is a time- accommodate crews of mixed gender with five honored tradition, conducted before the separate small berthing spaces for standard crews assembled crew, as well as honored guests and of ten with maximum berthing for twelve. dignitaries to formally demonstrate the continuity A native of Wisconsin, LT Gurtler of the authority within a command. graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in May LT Gurtler has served as the Pike’s 2015 where she received her commission and a BS Commanding Officer since July 2017. Pike’s degree in Government. Her first line assignment crew has been responsible for conducting search was aboard USCGC Tahoma stationed at and rescue, counter drug, living marine resources, Portsmouth, NH as a deck watch officer. recreational boat and safety, and ports, Following her tour aboard USCGC Pike she will waterways, and coastal security operations be reporting to Washington D.C. for special throughout the San Francisco Bay and 2,500 assignment to the Commandant’s staff as Admiral nautical miles of California coastline. Schultz’s International Travel Coordinator (USCG Boarding parties can be launched while D-11 Public Affairs). the vessel is underway, through the cutter’s stern Fair winds and following seas, LT Gurtler, launching ramp. The attached rigid hull inflatable and welcome aboard LTJG LaBelle! boat (RHIB) has been upgraded since the initial ______conception of this class of cutter in an effort to SOURCE: USCG Public Affairs increase speed and sea sustainability for boarding Why is it that Doctors call what they do parties and rescue and assistance teams. The 'practice' ?
- 13 - THE JAPANESE AMERICANS CAPT Paul Barrish, USN (RET), a long- avid Mas Masumoto works a family time chapter leader and a past president, at the Dfarm, growing peaches, nectarines, and September board meeting called attention to the grapes, an occupation which requires not only soul Japanese American Museum of San Jose noting, but intimate knowledge of place, a deep grasp of “This local museum is a good place to know subjects ranging from plant physiology to tractor about. This museum is suggested as an repair, how to make things grow and how to know educational resource for middle school students; I when to let nature take over, and unrelenting have two grandchildren in/near that age and plan physical labor. His story is about the proud to take them there.” Japanese legacy of community life in the Santa The museum, located at 535 N. Fifth Clara Valley and specifically the sweet taste of Street in San Jose, right in the heart of farming, family, loyalty, and dignity. Japantown, has a mission to collect, preserve, and share Japanese American art, history, and culture with an emphasis on the Greater San Jose Bay Area. Established in November 1987, it grew out of a 1984-86 research project on Japanese American farmers in the Santa Clara Valley. The farming project collected family histories, historical photographs, private memoirs and other unpublished documents and led to the development of a curriculum package on Santa Clara Valley early 1900s Japanese American history which was adopted San Jose’s Japantown originally was for use by the San Jose Unified and East Side formed as a site for boarding houses for Japanese Union High School Districts. The museum men and was located just west of the 1887 started in the historic Issei Memorial Building, Heinlenville Chinatown settlement, which was the formerly the Kuwabara Hospital, with the help block bounded by Sixth, Seventh, Taylor, and and support of the Japanese American Citizens Jackson Streets. Initially the residents were mostly League, San Jose Chapter. male and were attracted by farming or general labor jobs. In the early 20th century more women began to arrive as picture brides, and as families began local businesses were started to serve everyday needs for food and clothing. The local Japantown Asahi baseball club improbably defeated the visiting Tokyo Giants in 1935.
Japanese American Museum One museum visitor wrote, “This is a smaller understated museum that details all the history of Japanese Americans in San Jose and beyond, but mostly San Jose. This is an elegant building architecturally speaking. There is enough varied content to be of interest to just about anyone. The early immigration period and Japantown 2019 world war two are very well covered. There is cont'd pg 15 - 14 - also an excellent agricultural history section rife LEADERSHIP/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES with trucks and tractors of the 1920's to 1940's. A here are at least two organizations currently small but thorough art section is included. While Thaving trouble recruiting personnel, the the history of the interment period is exhaustively United States Army and Silicon Valley Chapter. The covered this is more than just a museum about the Army finds that more than 70% of young people in camps. Docents are on hand at all times and can the age range 18-26 are not physically, mentally, give tours of the whole thing or just the parts you emotionally, or morally qualified plus it’s difficult to have time for/are interested in.” compete for qualified candidates when economic May we always strive to learn from our times are good; Silicon Valley Chapter is dealing history, build upon and amplify the good, and with cultural changes, finding that few members can strive not to repeat our mistakes. This museum is a and will step up to leadership roles and help manage precious reminder of human achievements and the chapter’s business. errors. Highly recommended! ______SOURCE: Wikipedia
Chapter leaders are looking forward with some concern to the bylaws-mandated annual business meeting and election which takes place at the November luncheon; there are a number of key leadership roles with no qualified candidates identified to date. These are leadership opportunities to serve the chapter and its members, find meaning in an important assignment, and experience personal satisfaction. Howard Husock, a vice president at the Manhattan Institute, in his recent article, Who Killed Civil Society, writes about the erosion of habits and values which enable people to succeed in life, that lay the foundation for upward social mobility and life as a contributor to one’s community. His focus was on civil society, the charities and voluntary associations—from Kiwanis clubs to Boy Scout troops, from community food banks to the PTA— that were once a distinctive feature of American life. Before the New Deal, he contends, such groups not only allowed Americans to join one another in a range of service opportunities but taught them how to become good citizens and good people in the cont'd pg 16 - 15 - individualistic culture of the United States USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS where the older ties of religion, nationality and he United States Navy on September 3rd social class were less binding. Tdeployed the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Silicon Valley Chapter offers USS Giffords to the Indo-Pacific region, specifically opportunities for camaraderie; helping to the South China Sea, in order to reinforce operational support the efforts of national MOAA capabilities in that part of the world. This action is particularly by promoting the legislative likely to alleviate any concerns about the Navy’s agenda; offering a wide range of useful services resources availability to protect itself and the to the membership; and, stimulating love for country. America. Sometimes there’s a lot of work involved, heavy lifting, but when all roles are filled by interested and passionate people the job is very easy. The core values of the military are still the same, but the American culture is changing.
USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. The ship is named after former United States Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was Many long-serving chapter officers and shot along with eighteen other people during a 2011 directors have gone well past bylaws-mandated shooting in Tucson, Arizona. In 2002, the U.S. Navy term limits; it’s time for the younger generation initiated a program to develop the first of a fleet of to assume chapter leadership. Consider these littoral combat ships. The Navy initially ordered two opportunities and express your interest in trimaran hulled ships from General Dynamics, which service without delay—Vice President, became known as the Independence-class littoral Membership; Secretary; Assistant Treasurer; combat ships after the first ship of the class, USS Friends in Need Coordinator; Surviving Spouse Independence. During summer 2019 the ship was Liaison. The election will be in November equipped with MQ-8C Fire Scout drones and Naval followed by the installation of officers at the Strike Missiles and from September deployed in an December luncheon, with service to begin offensive role in the seas off China. January 1, 2020. Contact CPT Chuck The MQ-8C Fire Scout is an unmanned McDougald, USA (RET). Chair, Nominations helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use Committee, telephone (415) 722-1009, by the United States Navy. The MQ-8C also has ______autonomous take-off and landing capability. It is SOURCE: Board of Directors designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. The MQ-8C airframe is based on the Bell 407, while the avionics and other systems are developed from those used on the MQ-8B Fire Scout. The Fire Scout will give Littoral Combat Ships a 58 nautical mile-radius intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and
- 16 - cont'd pg 17 reconnaissance capability. Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), freeing up destroyers When equipped with the Raytheon- and cruisers for missions involving their advanced Kongsberg-made Naval Strike Missile (NSM) sensors and weaponry. and the Fire Scout for surveillance over the horizon, an LCS positioned off the coast of Virginia Beach could destroy a ship sitting off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. That’s more than 30 miles further than the published range of the current anti-ship missile, the Harpoon, which is in excess of 67 miles.
Navy Strike Missile
______SOURCE: ROA Naval Service Briefing
Col. Klaas (Bill) Willem van der Molen
MQ 8-C Fire Scout The Navy Strike Missile is a sea- skimming cruise missile that is tough to spot on radar, new technology that could outmaneuver enemy defenses as it is guided by theMQ8-C Fire Scout drone. It can travel more than 100 nautical miles, passively detect an enemy through imaging stored in its computer brain and can kill a target so precisely that an operator can tell it to Mar. 4, 1938 - Sep. 20, 2019 aim for a specific point on a ship, the engine San Jose, California room or bridge for example. The missile will Bill passed away peacefully on Sep. 20, 2019. He was transform the Littoral Combat Ship from an born in the Netherlands. He graduated with a Master's under-gunned concept ship gone awry to a degree from USF. Bill enjoyed his dual career with legitimate threat to Chinese warships at the US Army Reserves and IBM, where he was a significant ranges. Safety Engineer. He also worked at Applied Under the Trump administration, the Materials. Bill was CEO of Trials Pub in San Jose, a Navy has stepped up its freedom-of-navigation family owned business. He is survived by his wife patrols of Chinese claims in the South China Sea, Debbie; children Janine, Robert (Kristen), Bradley a type of patrol where U.S ships sail within 12 (Holly), Tonya (Nicholas); grandchildren Jocelyn, nautical miles of Chinese-claimed features to Lucas, Ian, Kendall, Desirae, Grayson; and brother, demonstrate that the U.S. has the right to pass Willem (Carry). Services will be held on Sunday, peacefully and freely without any preconditions Oct. 13, 2019 at Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose in waters China claims as its territory. Some (Chapel of the Oaks). Viewing at 11:00am, Services have argued that using Japan-based cruisers and at 12:00pm, and Burial at 1:30pm. A reception will destroyers for such missions is a waste of high- follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in end assets and could instead be accomplished Bill's memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for more cheaply and just as effectively with a Parkinson's Research
- 17 - Co-Sponsors Needed shipping them back to CONUS. GRASSROOTS LEGISLATION Fighter Pilots -- who continued flying By Capt Jerry E. Kromrey, USAFR-Ret (service before self) after suffering neck and back Co-sponsors are needed for ROA- injuries from dynamic flight maneuvering -- instead initiated legislation to study VA disability and of seeing a flight surgeon who would have grounded pension benefits provided or denied to guard and them. reserve members. Absent military service medical records Please ask your Congressional and/or line of duty documentation, the VA denied Representative to co-sponsor Rep. Ro Khanna's their claims. Congressional Research Service (CRS) bill, "Identifying Barriers and Best Practices reports provided to Captain Kromrey confirmed the Study Act," that kickstarts two ROA VA was / is following federal law. Resolutions. The Bill Number is H.R. 4183 Accordingly, the ROA's Department of the (116th Congress). The bill was introduced in the Golden West (DOGW) initiated the following two U.S. House of Representatives on 13 August resolutions which are current ROA mandates: 2019. 18-07 -- In-Theater Destruction of Medical Records 17-02 -- In-Flight Injuries to Pilots and Flight Crew Members These resolutions urge Congress to direct the presumption of service-connected disability thus authorizing the VA to approve the Gulf War Veterans and Pilots disability claims even though substantiating service-generated medical records do not exist. Susan Lukas -- from ROA's National Legislative Office said, "These are good resolutions, but there is no data whatsoever to back them up." . . . [Yes -- a group of fighter pilots has produced a study that has yet to be officially recognized by any cognizant government authority] . . . Therefore, Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) -- at the request of ROA's Santa Clara County Unified Chapter GW/063 -- and in coordination with both ROA's Legislative Office -- and the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Capt Kromrey (left) Rep Khanna Memorial Affairs -- under the House Veterans Background: Veterans, including Re- Affairs Committee (HVAC) has introduced the servists and Guardsmen, claiming service- following bill to gather the data: connected disability compensation from the H.R. 4183 (introduced 13 August 2019) -- To Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) need direct the Comptroller General of the United States military / naval service medical records to to conduct a study on disability and pension benefits validate their claims. Two groups don't have provided to members of the National Guard and military service medical records: members of reserve components of the Armed Gulf War Veterans -- because the Army Forces by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and either destroyed or mismanaged their in-theater- for other purposes. generated medical records overseas instead of cont'd pg 19 - 18 - The Comptroller General of the United MOFFETT FIELD WILD TURKEYS States heads the Government Accountability recent approach to the main gate at Office (GAO) – formerly known as the General AMoffett Field was held up about 50 feet Accounting Office – the investigative arm of before the security guard check point, the car Congress. coming to a dead stop, while several wild turkeys In order to kickstart the bill through the casually walked across the road. House of Representatives . . . [(1) Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (2) House Veterans Affairs Committee (3) the Full House of Representatives] . . . the bill must be "Loaded" with House of Representatives Co- Sponsors. That's where you come in. Please contact your representative and ask him / her to co-sponsor Rep. Khanna’s Bill H.R. 4183, 116th Congress, “Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act.” Your representative should register as a co-sponsor by contacting Rep. Ro Khanna's National Security Advisor: There have been reports for months that Mr. Geo Saba wild turkeys are making their presence known in National Security Advisor Bay Area suburbs. They love the open space, Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) Tilden Park, the vast wilderness of the Santa Cruz 221 Cannon House Office Building Mountains, and all the other open-space preserves Washington, DC 20015 nestled between populous towns, all of which Office: (202)-225-2631 make good living for the birds. And now it’s a [email protected] common sight to see them at Moffett Field feeding If you do not have internet access, you can on the lawns, with small flocks out on the parade find your Congressional Representative by calling field, along the fences, between the buildings, and the House of Representatives Switchboard – (202) of course holding up traffic as they stroll across 224-3121 – and providing your zip code. If your the asphalt. zip code overlaps multiple Congressional districts, you may need to provide your complete address. The Switchboard Operator will connect you with your representative’s D.C. office where you can place your co-sponsorship request. Be sure to follow-up as necessary to confirm your requested co-sponsorship action is taken. If you have internet access, you can find your Congressional Representative via the link below. After entering your zip code, you will be steered to your representative’s web site. If your The turkeys, initially introduced to the Bay zip code overlaps multiple Congressional districts, Area in the 1980s for hunting, are reportedly you will be prompted to enter your complete destroying parts of the Bay Area by defecating address. You will then be steered to your everywhere, pecking away at homes and their representative’s web site: https://www.house. roofs, and tearing up lawns. Recently a flock of gov/representatives/find-your-representative. about a dozen birds, all juveniles, were casually ______SOURCE: By Captain Jerry E. Kromrey, USAF cont'd pg 20 Reserve (Ret.) - 19 - feeding on the lawns to the west of the CALMOAA ANNUAL MEETING headquarters building. For those familiar with he MOAA California Council of Chapters Moffett Field it seems clear the birds are T(CALMOAA) will conduct its 2019 annual reproducing at an extraordinary rate. meeting Friday, October 18th through Sunday The wild creatures are fast and can October 20th, the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in the weigh up to 20 pounds. Pruneyard, Campbell in order for the presidents to Some preservationists worry about the get acquainted, share best practices, examine effects the turkeys have on native plants and California legislative and other issues, and have a animals. One professional noted, “They move social time connecting with old and new friends. across the landscape, often 20 or 30 of them, elbow to elbow, scratching every inch of land. They eat every creepie crawlie thing, every salamander, every lizard, every snake, every nut, every acorn, every wild flower seed, and every quail egg.” “Turkeys are really cool,” he said. “They’re incredible birds. And we love to see turkeys, but there are just too many.” Probably the best time to view the turkeys at Moffett Field would be the morning hours Pruneyard Doubletree by Hilton sometime after the commuters have arrived and The chapter’s immediate past president and are at work. CALMOAA Area 2 Vice President for San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas, CAPT Gil Borgardt, USN (RET) and the chapter’s 2nd vice president and likely 2020 chapter president, CAPT John Hassenplug, USN (RET) will attend and represent the interests of Silicon Valley Chapter and its members. This is the first time in a number of years CALMOAA has chosen a Northern California and specifically a South Bay Area site for the conference. The California Council of Chapters California Fish and Wildlife doesn’t track (CALMOAA) has as its membership the more than the population, but biologists believe the number forty (40) chapters located throughout the state, a of birds is increasing, and residents can’t agree total of more than 40,000 MOAA chapter members. whether they are a nuisance or a charming The organization exists to provide advice, counsel, addition to the landscape. plus direct and general support, and specifically to ______coordinate the interests, needs, and activities of the SOURCE: Moffett Field observations… chapters as they work to protect earned benefits and influence national defense policy. The overall purposes of the Campbell meeting is to report on the Council’s and chapter’s activities such as “Storming Sacramento,” a legislative advocacy effort; list Council 2019 achievements; measure chapter health by means of membership cont'd pg 21 - 20 - recruiting and retention success; and create strategic Surviving Spouse Corner and operational plans for the upcoming 2020-21 REACTING TO STRESS year. tress happens to all of us; no one can escape The conference features a business meeting Sit. It’s how we handle the stressful situation at which time leaders will manage the Council’s —the fight-or-flight response—that’s important. business; there will be a number of presentations which will provide an update on interests and concerns as well as announce new issues of importance and for discussion; an information/exhibit room will be available which primarily will highlight veterans support programs perhaps including the VA Million Veteran Program, local assistance programs such as housing, arts for veterans, fishing programs, and the like; certain joint activities, such as an early evening social time co- sponsored by CALMOAA and the Association of There are many resources and United States Army. recommendations to manage stress. It’s not a one- Featured speakers include COL Terri Coles, size-fits-all list; what works for one person might USA (RET), MOAA Director of Council and not work for you so consider the following Chapter Affairs; National MOAA Congressional suggestions: Representative Mark DeSaulnier; Mr. Tony --Determine where the stress is coming from and Fitzgerald, Director of the Palo Alto VA Medical change what you can; Center who oversees the VA medical facilities at --Have a toolbox of techniques, such as deep Martinez, Livermore, San Jose, and Monterey; and breathing exercises, yoga, or stretching exercises, to Seth Reeb, CA State Assembly member and use when you find yourself starting to feel anxious. CALMOAA representative to the State Legislature. Remove yourself, if possible, from the stressful Silicon Valley Chapter, like the other situation; MOAA chapters in California, helps support the work of CALMOAA by paying an annual membership fee of $2 per active chapter member. Questions about the annual meeting process and content should be directed to COL Patricia Wernet, USA (RET), VP CALMOAA Chapter Affairs and Event Coordinator, telephone in Contra Costa County (925) 200-3797 and email --Manage your time well and spend your spare [email protected]. minutes doing something that brings you joy; ______--Preserve your boundaries, especially in the area of SOURCE: California Council of Chapters your sleep routine. Strive to obtain a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night; EVER WONDER ...... --Practice saying “no” and to delegate as necessary; Why the sun lightens our hair, but --Schedule quiet time to relax during your day. It darkens our skin ? might include moments of reading, praying or meditation; Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery' ? cont'd pg 22 - 21 - --Pick up a pen and a journal and write down your SVC WEBSITES emotions; Our Chapter website is www.siliconvalleymoaa. --If the stress becomes overwhelming reach out to a medical professional or a chaplain for assistance. org, a shorter link is www.svcmoaa.org. You can ______also get to it from the national MOAA site: Put SOURCE: MOAA Surviving Spouse Advisory the cursor over Chapters and select Chapter Committee Locator, CA, then Silicon Valley Chapter. From there you may link over to our primary website above. Our home page has links for The Bulletin and ID CARD RENEWAL eBulletin. B If you need to renew you Military ID there is a new TRICARE FOR LIFE SERVICE Office located across the For assistance, contact the street from the Navy Lodge. Wisconsin Physicians Service 685 Vernon Ave www.tricare4u.com Mountain View, CA 94043 866-773-0404 Commercial: (650) 526-9891
Members can report the death of a retiree through the Retire Activity Office (RAO). The phone number is at Travis 707-424-3904 You can also notify a MOAA member’s death to: MOAA, Attn: MSC, 201 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314-2539. Or: Call 1-800-234-6622 Or: E-mail: [email protected]. Notify SVC- MOAA by phoning the Membership Chair– see listing on page 2 of The Bulletin. You can make an appointment Online with the RAPIDS Appointment Scheduler FREE Membership https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd. While members 90 years of age and older mil/appointment/building.aspx? are not required to pay annual dues, BuildingId=408&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 donations to one of the chapter funds (Scholarship, SVC, USO, PAWS, Blue The host, of a talk show, asked an elderly Star Moms, KnowAVet ) are always man what kept his marriage alive for 60 years. needed and much appreciated The elderly man replied, "We go out to eat dinner The FBI's website to report a and to see a movie." Cyber Incident may be helpful to "You've done this every week for all those years?" some. The elderly man replied, "Yes, I go https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx Monday and Wednesday, my wife- Tuesday and Thursday!" Why can you never trust a math teacher holding graphing 'Here's my strategy on paper? the Cold War: They must be plotting We win, they lose.' something. - Ronald Reagan - 22 - Membership Application and Renewal Form ( Revised 4/19 ) Please complete form fully Silicon Valley Chapter Military Officers Association of America Mail to: SVC-MOAA P.O. Box 2 Moffett Federal Airfield, CA 94035 Date______Annual Dues: $30.00 (Surviving Spouse - New member - Those over 90 - Dues are not charged, donations gratefully accepted) Enroll Me As: New Member____Renewing Member____Emeritus( over 90yrs)__Surv Spouse___ Donation to SVC Fund $______Donation to Scholarship Fund $______Donation to PAWS $______Donation to USO $______Donation to KnowAVet $____ Donation to South Bay Blue Star Moms $______(All Donations are Tax Deductible) Total: $______Make checks payable to SVC-MOAA and mail to above address. Status: Active___Reserve____ Guard___Retired____Former Officer___ If you are a new chapter member, please advise us how you learned about this chapter. ______Name:______/______/___/______/______Last First MI Rank Service Your Date of Birth______Spouse’s Name______Address:______/______Number Street (P.O. Box, etc.) Apt/Suite City______State______Zip______/______5 Digit 4 Digit Phone(____)______E-mail______SVC Dues are due 1 January and are separate from National MOAA Dues. SVC Dues support the Bulletin and Administrative functions. Luncheons are self-supporting.
- 23 - y
w n Missin o h t u o S g n i o G Deadline to reach SVC no later than 11later Oct. reach than to SVCno Deadline y please call Keith Ott 530-219-2404 Ott pleaseKeith call w If you have If notsentin your reservation bythe form SVCMOAA H Times: Social Hour 11:00 AM, Luncheon 11:45 11:00AMHour Luncheon Times:Social AM, n o h t r o N g n i o G SVC MOAA, PO Box 2 Moffett Federal Airfield, CA 94035-0002 FederalAirfield, Box2Moffett PO SVCMOAA, Buffet - Two - entrees hot with vegetables. andBuffet breads Tea. and Desserts. Wine, Coffee rolls. Assorted Exit at Montague/San Tomas, then Montague, then Right on Laurelwood. on Right Tomas, Montague, at Montague/San then then Exit : 1 0 h"ps://svcmoaa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click? u=c111849dd297394b823e7d5a7&id=cf725efdde&e=00a2ff47d1 NAMES OF PERSONS WHO ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR PAYMENT: YOUR IN INCLUDED ARE WHO OF PERSONS NAMES RSVPonline: Or MENU: RESERVE IN THE NAMERESERVETHE OF: IN Telephone: ______ Mail to: to: Mail Makechecks payableto: USO, BlueKnowAVet Moms, USO, Star orSVCFund A TOTAL of $______of TOTAL A including adonation $______of (circlefor one) Scholarship, PAWS, Pleasereserve ______places thefor 1 ------CutHere------Cut Here------DIRECTIONS: LOCATION – BILTMORE HOTEL -- 2151-- RD,SANTA CLARA, CALAURELWOOD HOTEL –BILTMORE LOCATION Moffett Field,CA94035 Moffett P.O. Box2 P.O. Military Officers AssociationMilitary Officers America of SiliconValley Chapter the of