USS Reeves (DLG-24/CG-24) Association

Spring 2017 Volume 10, Issue 1

The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter

Membership Scorebox Join us in Providence Rhode Island for the 2018 Reunion

Current 44 It is my pleasure to announce that we have hotel, in , in the very height of confirmed our reservations for the 2018 USS the annual leaf watching migration. Who Lifetime 14 Reeves Association Reunion. The 2018 reun- knew? We apparently managed to get our bid Past Due 150 ion is to be held in Warwick (just outside of in ahead of that crowd, and had no trouble Providence) Rhode Island on the fourth securing our normal reunion dates. The loca- Snail Mail Ad- through the eighth of October, 2018. tion near the Providence Airport solves a lot 174 of transportation problems for getting our We started looking into the Providence area folks to and from the hotel. As we were re- Email Address 516 because of all the great naval history associat- minded in Austin, free hotel parking is a big Total Shipmates 4,159 ed with the state of Rhode Island, its proximi- deal. The Crowne Plaza has plenty of compli- ty to many great attractions, and the fact that mentary parking available. They are even October in New England is just a spectacular able to accommodate RVs for parking only. Dues Notice! place to view all the Autumn leaf colors. The There are no hook-ups available, but they Navy has been a major factor on that coast have plenty of room for large rigs in a well Please be sure to check your line for a few hundred years now, so there are secured area. That’s a bonus for anyone who mailing label or email nota- plenty of places that would interest us. would consider the reunion as an RV touring tion. stop on their way to check out the leaves. If it doesn’t say Current or We’ve signed a contract with the Crowne Pla- Life above your name at the za Hotel Providence – Warwick, which is a The Providence location also places us in top of the label, you should renew your annual dues. To beautiful property near the Providence Air- close proximity to a wide variety of places to reach the greatest number of port. The selection of the Crowne Plaza was see, and plenty of things to do. Especially shipmates, we will publish the really quite simple. For starters, they are a Navy and nautical things. I’ve included some complete Association news- very nice hotel…. and were on our short list of the attractions that are available, but this is letter to any valid email or based on information we had learned through just a tentative listing of what we would like snail mail address. Your dues other reunion groups. Those groups praised to consider. As time gets closer we will work payments make this possible. the hotel for their accommodations, absolutely with the local tourist council and get a much loved their service, and praised the Providence better idea of what tours are recommended. area for all the great things there are to do. So Once we get a better list of options, we can Inside this issue: we distributed our Request for Proposals start working on setting up tours and bus trips (RFP) in the area to see what deals could be to the attractions we like. There will be a lot President’s Message 2 had. The Crowne Plaza Hotel responded very more of that information headed your way. Letters & Email 3 quickly with a proposal that met every one of You can also go on-line to check-out the hotel our requirements. That alone is a first for us. at www.crownehotelwarwick.com/ Mothballed Fleet 3 Their response eliminated any of the argu- ments or negotiations we have had to settle in In the meantime, we’ve accomplished what Providence RI Reunion 4 the past, by nailing down everything we told we set out to do, and that was to nail down a Exchange Online Shopping 6 them we wanted. The normal sticking points; date in the upper right hand side of our coun- like free breakfast, full hospitality room ac- try to hold the next “best Reeves Reunion” FY 2017 Financials 6 cess, free airport transportation, free parking, you ever been to. We scored even better by Ships Store 7 and banquet, were all resolved up-front by finding a really nice hotel in the process. We their agreement to our RFP. We got every- all know that San Antonio will be a tough act Admiral Centers 8 thing we wanted……. to follow, but we have the crowd to do exactly Agent Orange Project 9 that. So for now, please pencil the 4-8 Octo- The room price was reasonable based on the ber 2108 dates onto your calendar, and start VA End of Life Care 10 location and time of the year. Turns out it can thinking about joining us in Providence. Commissary Click2Go 11 be quite expensive to book rooms in a nice

Page 2 The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter The President’s Page Greetings to the ly got off the ground. There were a few cess that we, as an organization, selected Reeves Association miscues at the start, and one of the promi- … was not used. I don’t think it’s fair to Family nent leaders of the committee found that blame anyone for the loss of our plan. It they were not able to support the time was an un-tried concept that didn’t get off Here we are at the required to move the committee along. the ground, and we should let it go at start of Summer ’17, Mike Robertson, our former Reunion that. There’s simply no value in placing and it seems like Planner (who by the way is trying to get blame or making excuses. forever ago since we out of the reunion planning process for were all wandering What I would like to celebrate is the fact health concerns) ended up with the reun- around the River- that the miscue did not slow down the ion planning process back in his lap. walk in San Antonio. I have some very objective of securing a great hotel in the fond memories of our last reunion, and Mike, realizing that we had missed the ideal location for our next reunion. I cel- they are the only thing that help kick-start first few critical months of the planning ebrate the fact that Mike Robertson took the new year. Particularly when the new process, made the initial steps to steer the control the second he realized that we year has really nothing going on that cel- reunion to a location he knew was proba- were wandering away from the timing ebrates us as the USS Reeves Associa- bly one of the best choices in New Eng- needed to make reservations for New tion. land. Before Mike could get the RFPs England in prime tourist season. We owe out, however, he had additional health Mike quite a bit for all the reunions he While it’s still a bit far away to envision concerns. After speaking with Mike has single-handedly planned in the past. packing for the next reunion, the next about the timing of our efforts, and the We also owe him a debt of gratitude for reunion is exactly what we’ve been work- timing required to secure an October saving us “one more time” after we told ing on since our last newsletter. The 2018 reservation in New England, we him we would take over the reunion plan- work on that process is completed, and elected to move forward with distributing ning process. we’re officially on for the next big our existing Request for Proposal (RFP) “Reeves” thing. There’s plenty written Unfortunately, Mike is still having health to the hotels in the Providence RI area. about the reunion plans throughout the issues, so I have relieved him of the any The RFPs are a written tool that explains newsletter, so I won’t bore you with it future responsibilities as our reunion to a hotel exactly what we want, when we here. planner. I have assumed control of the want it, and what we want to pay for it. reunion process, and can only hope to be What I did want to talk about was the Our RFP is a living document that is as effective as Mike has been in our past. decision process to get us to Providence. tuned-up again every time we learn some- Even with Mike as my mentor, I’m sure I While in San Antonio, we actually estab- thing else about reunions. It’s Mike’s will need support from my shipmates to lished a committee to explore our next baby, and he’s done a great job of docu- keeps things moving in the right direc- reunion location in the Northeast. There menting all the things we have learned tion. So please don’t be surprised if you was a lot of talk about New England and over the last ten years. It’s so good that get a call asking for support to help us New York, and other upper east coast all you have to do is change the location amateurs replace a true professional in locations. We were all definitely headed and dates to get exactly what we want the reunion planning business. We’re the back east to blend in with our west, mid- from the next group of hotels that want Reeves, we can make this work! dle, east reunion rotation pattern, but we our business. weren’t sure quite where we wanted to Here’s wishing you Fair Winds and Fol- The RFPs sent north and east were met land. We drafted a committee to steer the lowing Seas with quick success, and we were able to selection process, as there were plenty of select a winner pretty easily. But that’s //tom variables to consider. not what I’m concerned with here. My Tom Bailey BT2 (SW) 84-87 Unfortunately, that committee never real- concern is that the reunion location pro-

This newsletter is published by: Life Memberships The USS Reeves Association 15709 N Sycamore St, Mead, WA 99021 At the 2014 reunion in Portland, ship- The schedule is simple: mates voted for a Life Membership. Age Amount After researching various Associations, Under 50 $500 Newsletter Editor - it was decided that the US Navy Cruiser Under 60 $400 Robert Van Der Kamp Phone: 609-668-3557 Sailor Association’s plan was best for Under 70 $300 E-mail: [email protected] the USS Reeves Association. Monies Under 80 $200 All comments, suggestions, submissions and for life membership are placed in an 80 or older $100 criticism are welcome. My email is always interest-bearing account and not mixed We already have 14 life members. open.. with operating funds. Volume 10, Issue 1 Page 3 Emails, Etc. To I called the other day. This num- From the Treasurer [email protected] ber: 855-948-2311, is a number Mar 16 at 11:00 AM for VETS if they have complaints Regarding the use of credit cards, Hi Shipmate I cancelled our service since it is or other problems. When called a costing us a fortune that no one is I served on the Reeves 70-72, in person will answer. You might using. We need to publish this in fact made Chief onboard, so al- need to hold for a short time. I the newsletter. ways a happy memory of my time called on Blue Water Navy disa- onboard (just sent in my dues for bility. I was told that someone will Michael Robertson the Reeves association). notify me by e-mail or phone call. Treasurer I thought of you, maybe some- USS Reeves Association The reason I am writing is in re- thing to put in our News Letter. sponse to the Presidents Page, ac- tually a request for information. I Thank you for your time. am a member of the Navy Postal Tony Borba, 70-71, USS REEVES. Clerk Association, and they are planning a reunion next May in San Antonio, and I was wondering if you could provide with the Les- sons Learned from your San Anto- nio Reunion, might help us avoid a pitfall or two.

Thank You

Mike Bertalan PCCM, USN Ret

Mothballed Fleet ► Not A taining the Navy's fleet told Defense & and fast-wearing cruiser force. But Factor in Fleet Buildup Aerospace Report that the mothballed Moore said the cruisers are not easy to fleet at the Naval Ship- bring back and have been picked over It was a compelling image in 1982: yard was probably not going to be a in recent years. "Most of those ships, The president of the vital factor in getting the Navy to its from a combat systems perspective, standing in the shadow of the battle- new fleet goal of 355 ships — up from are pretty obsolete," Moore said. "We ship New Jersey's enormous 16-inch its current 275. probably wouldn’t bring them back guns, recommissioning the World War and they’ve kind of been spare-parts II behemoth for a final run in the fleet Vice Adm. Thomas Moore, head of lockers the last couple of years." — the centerpiece of Ronald Reagan's Naval Sea Systems Command, told famed goal of a 600-ship Navy. Navy Defense & Aerospace Report's Vago Moore said the frigates, which had leaders say there probably won't be a Muradian that most of the ships in the largely been used for low-end counter- similar ceremony for President Trump inactive fleet are too far gone to make drug and partner-support missions, on the decks of the now-mothballed a major revival worth it. Some analysts might be OK to bring back. The carrier cruisers and sitting on the have floated the idea of revitalizing the Kitty Hawk remains a possibility as banks of the Delaware River in Phila- CG-47-class cruisers Ticonderoga, well. "We’ll go look at the FFGs, see delphia. In a recent interview, the ad- Yorktown and Thomas S. Gates, eas- (Continued on page 5) miral in charge of building and main- ing the burden on the Navy's strained Page 4 The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter Providence RI Reunion Ideas

Battleship Cove – Located on scenic housing a collection of 84,000 objects lege since 1884, the history of naval Mt. Hope Bay, Battleship Cove har- of international significance and the activities in the Narragansett Bay area bors the largest collection of pre- Governor Stephen Hopkins House a since the colonial period and the his- served US Navy ships in the world. modest colonial house dating back to tory of the art and science of naval The fleet includes five National His- the 1700’s and original home to warfare since ancient times. toric Landmarks: Battleship USS Mas- Rhode Island’s nine time Governor sachusetts, USS Joseph P. Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Decla- Rhode Island State House – De- Kennedy, Jr., USS Lion- ration of Independence and the first signed by architectural firm Mc Kim, fish, and PT Boats 617 and 796. Bat- Chancellor of Brown University. Mead and White the State House is tleship Cove is also home to numer- sculpted from white Georgia marble ous exhibits including the National PT Culinary Art Museum – The Culi- and sits ever present atop Smith Hill Boat Museum, the National Destroy- nary Arts Museum is an educational in downtown Providence. This nar- ermen's Museum, and exhibitions to resource for Johnson & Wales Univer- rated free tour will find you engaged those who served on the USS SAINT sity, the community at-large, food in the grand crowning glory of Rhode PAUL and on Radar Picket Ships. The scholars, and the food service indus- Island. Where you will explore all “Women Protecting US” exhibit, lo- try. The Culinary Arts Museum seeks three floors of this magnificent build- cated on board the battleship, is a trib- to both preserve and interpret the ing only to find the famous Gilbert ute to the service of women in war- broad culinary and hospitality heritage Stuart painting of George Washington time highlighting their contributions addressed by the university. It is a completed in 1802. (Gilbert Stuart in science, math, medicine, engineer- showcase for the work of students, was considered the leading portrait ing, and technology during WWII. faculty, alumni, and distinguished vis- artist in America during the Revolu- iting chefs. Through exhibitions and tionary period.) The state house is Benefit Street – Home to the oldest special events, the museum strives to also home of the 4th largest self- concentration of colonial homes in interpret the evolution of food prepa- supporting dome in the world. (The America, featuring a grand mix of ration and presentation, the develop- largest being the dome of St. Peter’s Federal style and colonial homes from ment of culinary equipment and tech- Basilica in Vatican City, followed by the late 1700’s situated in a more ur- nology, the diverse menus offered, the dome of the Minnesota State Capi- banize setting, adorned by world fa- and the places where people partake tol in St. Paul, and the Taj Mahal in mous architects. Some must- see at- of food. India.) tractions on Benefit Street include; the First Baptist Church of America Naval War College Museum – Lo- Seabee Museum and Memorial established by Roger Williams and the cated in Newport, Rhode Island, The Park – The Seabee Museum and Me- first meeting house in New England to Naval War College Museum is one of morial Park is committed to keeping have a steeple, the Providence Athe- fifteen official museums operated by the proud history of the US Navy Sea- naeum Library where Edgar Allen the U.S. Navy, under the direction of bee's accomplishments alive at their Poe first met Sarah Whitman, the the Naval History & Heritage Com- original home. Davisville, Rhode Is- John Brown House considered to be mand and in co-operation with land is the original home of the US one of America’s grandest mansions the Naval War College. Today, the Navy Seabees, it was here that these when completed in 1788, the RISD Naval War College Museum dis- “Fighting Builders” were first trained Museum of Art, Rhode Island’s lead- plays exhibits on three themes: the and formed. The Seabees are the ing museum of fine decorative art, history of the Naval War Col- (Continued on page 5) Volume 10, Issue 1 Page 5

(Continued from page 4) than 33,000 artifacts, 20,000 signifi- and prototype aircraft dating from cant documents and 30,000 photo- 1944 to 1983. Construction Forces of the US Navy. graphs. With so many holdings, the The famous Quonset Huts used all displays change frequently and a re- USS Constitution The oldest commis- over the world were designed, tested turn visit will be a new experience. sioned warship afloat in the world, and built here. The Seabees history at The 6,000 volume reference and re- and the USS Constitution Museum. Davisville began during WWII and search library is a world-renowned USS Cassin Young, refitted and mod- continued up to Operation Desert collection relative to the history of ernized in the yard's drydock, repre- Storm. Seabees served in every thea- U.S. and is open to any- sents the type of ship built in the yard ter of operation from WWII up to and one looking for information on sub- during World War II. The US Navy including Afghanistan, Operation Ira- marines or submarine history. offers free tours aboard USS Constitu- qi Freedom and where ever else they tion on a first-come, first-serve basis may be called upon to serve. Come Quonset Air Museum – The mission during their operating hours. Please be and visit this important historical site of the Rhode Island Quonset Air Mu- aware that visitors must pass through located on a 5 acre naturally wooded seum is to preserve, interpret and pre- a security inspection and show federal site which including walking trails, sent Rhode Island's aviation history or state photo identification, such as a picnic tables, free parking and a through collections, research, educa- driver's license or passport, before peaceful location. tion and exhibits. Founded in 1992, embarking on USS Constitution. Visi- the air museum educates the public in tors under the age of 18 do not require Submarine Force Museum, Home the state's rich aviation legacy and a photo identification card. USS Con- to the Historic Ship Nautilus – The displays collections that document the stitution Museum - USS Constitution Submarine Force Museum, located on contributions of Rhode Island to the Museum serves as the memory and the Thames River in Groton, Connect- growth and development of aviation educational voice of USS Constitution icut, maintains the world's finest col- and space exploration. Housed on 3 The USS Constitution Museum is lo- lection of submarine artifacts. It is the acres in an original Naval Air Station cated in the Charlestown Navy Yard, only submarine museum operated by Quonset Point hangar built in 1945, across the pier from USS Constitution the , and as such is the museum has a large and valuable the nation’s Ship of State. We are the primary repository for artifacts, collection of aircraft, aircraft parts, open daily (closed Thanksgiving, documents and photographs relating and other historical artifacts. The 28 Christmas, and New Year’s Day). to U.S. Submarine Force history. The aircrafts currently on display or under museum's collections include more restoration include civilian, military

(Continued from page 3) Mothballed Fleet if there is utility there," Moore said. "We’ll look at the combat logistics force, see if there’s utility there. Of the carriers that are in inactive force, probably Kitty Hawk is the one that you could think about. But we studied that when we de- commissioned Enterprise, and the carriers are pretty old. So, there is limited opportunity in the inactive fleet but we’ll look at it ship-by-ship." Bringing back inactive ships is an incredibly expensive process and wouldn't give the Navy a lot of utility in return, said Bryan Clark, a retired Navy officer and analyst with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. "You could do that but what you'd get is essentially a frigate, capable of low-end missions. What you're not getting is a lot of capability — it's not going to be a ballistic missile defense shooter on patrol in the eastern Mediter- ranean."

The Navy announced in December that it had raised its ship-count goal from 308 to 355, five more than President Trump targeted while on the campaign trail. It's unclear, however, how the Navy plans to get there, with a number of programs like the littoral combat ship and DDG-2000 being truncated over the past decade. The Navy is looking to tran- sition from the littoral combat ship to a more heavily armed frigate, but it has not announced what such a ship would look like or how soon it could get to the fleet. [Source: NavyTimes | David B. Larter | June 6, 2017 ++] Page 6 The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter

FY 2017 Financials Exchange Online Shopping Update 10 ► Verification Site FY 2017 Operating P&L To Date Not A Scam Income Dues $220 Exchange officials have verified  Nearly 14,000 applicants either 18,011 honorably discharged veterans weren't veterans or already were Lifetime $200 for online shopping privileges, includ- eligible to shop at exchanges. Donations $80 ing nearly 15,000 in the first four days Ship’s Store $46 of the new verification process, offi- All 3,200 veterans who were verified cials said 9 JUN. And no, the site that prior to Monday's launch received ear- Misc $40 handles the verification, ly access to the online exchanges, part Cost of Goods -$24 www.VetVerify.org, isn't a scam. A of a beta testing program that will give Total Income $562 number of veterans have contacted some veterans the chance to shop prior Military Times and exchange officials to 11 NOV. Officials will add more Expense with identity theft concerns, but "there beta shoppers as they continue to veri- Advertising $56 is no need to worry about the security fy veterans for shopping privileges, Newsletters $-13 or authenticity of the site,” said Chris Ward said. “We are allowing them to Ward, spokesman for the Army and shop and provide us feedback on their Total Expense $43 Air Force Exchange Service, which online experience,” Ward said. “Beta Net Income $519 administers the verification process. testing is critical to verify that the en- "VetVerify.org is a shared service for tire process from verification, to the all the four military exchanges with ability to set up a profile, to the shop- Total Assets $10,017 the sole purpose of supporting the ping experience, is a great one.” newly approved veterans online shop- Along with evaluating the technical ping benefit." support end of the veterans benefit, exchange officials will monitor shop- Charitable/Educational Objectives The verification process began 5 JUN ping patterns so they'll stock the right The USS Reeves Association is an educa- allowing honorably discharged veter- mix of items on their online sites. At ans to get their credentials in order this point, among the veterans who tional, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization before the online exchanges open to have been shopping, officials have not registered with the Internal Revenue Ser- veteran shoppers 11 NOV. The new seen any major differences in online vice, FEIN 86-1163983. For that purpose benefit is for online shopping only, shopping patterns compared with cur- at the 2010 business meeting, it was rec- and doesn't extend to exchange stores rent shoppers, Ward said. ommended that future excess funds be on installations. The exchange provid- used for donations and scholarships as ed a breakdown of the verification Actual online pricing can be seen only determined at business meetings starting process as of noon 9 JUN: by those who are authorized to shop at in 2012.  Of the 38,622 applications, the exchange websites: 18,011 have been approved. Of www.shopmyexchange.com; Shift Colors those approvals, 3,200 came as www.shopcgx.com; part of a soft launch of the pro- www.mymcx.com; To receive the Navy‘s Shift Colors news- cess, prior to Monday's announce- and www.mynavyexchange.com. letter via email send the following infor- ment. mation to [email protected] --  Of the applicants who likely are Veterans who have problems with the First name; Last name; E-mail address; honorably discharged veterans, verification process can contact the Title (Mr., Mrs., rank, etc.); and Military about 73 percent have completed VetVerify.org customer call center, affiliation (retiree, surviving spouse, vet- the process successfully. The site toll-free, at 844-868-8672. [Source: eran, other). There is no longer any fund- relies on veteran records that exist Breaking Defense | Sandra Erwin | ing for hard copies to be printed and in the Defense Manpower Data May 17, 2017 ++] mailed. To receive Shift Colors it does Center database; if a veteran's rec- not matter whether or not you‘re retired, ords are not there or aren't com- active duty, a veteran, a surviving spouse, plete, the veteran will receive in- structions on how to upload the or just someone who‘s interested in re- information. ceiving the newsletter. Volume 10, Issue 1 Page 7 Ship’s Store

Ships Photos ($10) + s/h Challenge Coins ($14) + s/h

1968— Entering Sydney Harbor 1985—Yokosuka from Australia Ball caps ($12 each) + s/h

2009—San Diego 2010—Chicago 2012—Charleston 2016—San Antonio

1975—Departing Pearl Harbor 1992—Seattle Sea Fair Festival Golf Shirts—all sizes T-Shirts –allsizes Ship—DLG 24 Ship—CG 24 ($20) + s/h (2XL/3XL- ($15) + s/h Mousepads ($10) + s/h add $2) XL/3XL-add $2)

USS Reeves Association – Ship’s Store Order Form Price S/H Total Description

Total Shipping and handling: Shipping Label Shipping is via USPS Priority or To: Fedex. Please add the following for each item to cover the Association’s Address: packaging and postage costs: City, State, ZIP: Photos: $2 per photo Phone: Ball caps: $4 each Email: Mousepads: $3 each Challenge Coins: $2 for 1, $.50 for Send order to: USS Reeves Association each additional coin c/o Michael Robertson Shirts: $5 per shirt 15709 N Sycamore St Mead, WA 99021 Page 8 The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter

Photo and Comments from Admiral Centers Facebook page

This Memorial Day our community of Edmonds, WA will dedicate the Veterans Memorial Plaza - a park- like area across the street from our city hall. To fund the project, the committee sold pavers on which donors could honor vets. I bought this one to honor REEVES and all who sailed in her. — in Edmonds, Washing- ton. Volume 10, Issue 1 Page 9 Agent Orange Project Update

We know it’s been awhile since we’ve had been used to spray the herbicide. One last thing: We’ve heard from a updated you on our Agent Orange pro- “One scientist from Harvard or some- number of you asking about the VA’s ject, but we’ve been busy behind the where said that dried, solidified review of last year’s Institute of Medi- scenes. ProPublica has two lawsuits TCDD dioxin never stops emanating cine report and whether the VA will ongoing against the VA, seeking doc- molecules into the air,” Sampsel said. add new diseases to its presumptive uments under the Freedom of Infor- “Hardly anybody bought that at the list. We’re wondering too. Here’s mation Act. Moreover, we’ve been time, but the IOM went with it.” He what a VA spokesman told us last reporting additional stories. Today, we added a bit later: “I don’t think the week: The Agent Orange Task Force wanted to alert you to a few things a science supports it. Most scientists met the week of June 5 “to consider lead analyst within the Department of don’t think the science supports it, but the recommendations of the work Veterans Affairs’ compensation ser- the law is what it is.” The Institute of group. If the Task Force agrees with vice recently said. Medicine, now called the National the recommendations, a meeting will Academy of Medicine, found that the then be scheduled to brief the Secre- dioxin present on the aircraft could tary. If they do not agree or have other Jim Sampsel, a key federal official at have exposed reservists who flew the concerns, the draft report will be re- the VA who helps adjudicate claims planes years later. In its report, it said turned to the work group for further by veterans who say they were ex- one contention of the VA and its ex- review.” Recommendations have not posed to Agent Orange downplayed pert, Alvin Young, was “inaccurate,” gone to the secretary for his considera- the risks of the herbicide and ques- another “appears to be conjecture and tion. So it looks like this process is tioned the findings of scientists, jour- not evidence-based” and a third was going to take more time. nalists and even a federal administra- based on a study funded by Dow tive tribunal that conflict with his Chemical Co., one of the herbicide’s views. makers. In its statement, the VA said We’ll keep sending updates as we the Institute of Medicine “provides a write them. In the meantime, please He told a VA advisory committee in valuable service to VA.” stay in touch with us (you can reply March that he believes much of the directly to this message) and alert us renewed attention to Agent Orange is to any important news or information the result of media “hype” and He said he believes Agent Orange you may have surrounding your situa- “hysteria,” according to a transcript of contained “very, very small amounts” tion or this issue. the meeting released to ProPublica. of dioxin, which was quickly de- Read our story. stroyed by sunlight and the open air. “That’s not commonly acknowledged Thank you again for contributing. by advocates,” he said. Moreover, “When it comes to Agent Orange, the Sampsel said, U.S. planes did not Best, facts don’t always matter,” said spray it when American troops were in Terry Parris Jr. Sampsel, himself a Vietnam veteran the area. In fact, a report by the Aspen Charlie Ornstein who also handles Gulf War-related Institute notes that on leaf and soil ProPublica illness questions. “So we have to deal surfaces, dioxin will last one to three with the law as written.” years and that dioxin under the surface could have a half-life of more than Some other things he said: 100 years. Moreover, scientists have said that there are numerous ways in Sampsel criticized the prestigious In- which American troops may have stitute of Medicine, a congressionally been exposed to the herbicide and chartered research organization hired some disagree that few troops were by the VA, which in 2015 determined exposed. that the evidence suggested that a group of Air Force reservists could Read more of his statements about have been exposed to Agent Orange Agent Orange here: http:// years after the Vietnam War when propub.li/2slXD0Y they flew aboard the C-123 planes that Page 10 The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter

VA End of Life Care Update 04 ► No Vet Dies Alone Program A VA-wide team of hospice and palli- the private sector, but we have a pas- Federal agency that provides sub- ative care employees has developed sionate commitment that no Veterans stantial hands-on assistance direct- new resources, including a compre- will take their last breath without ly to homeless persons. Although hensive tool kit, orientation guide, and someone with them at that moment. limited to veterans and their de- other educational materials, for hos- We have volunteers in their 20s, and in pendents, VA's major homeless- pice volunteers who contribute their their 70s and 80s. Their hearts are in specific programs constitute the time to the “No Veteran Dies Alone” this work.” Over 140,000 volunteers largest integrated network of program. These resources are designed gave more than 11 million hours in homeless treatment and assistance to train and support volunteers who service to America's Veterans. It is services in the country. provide presence, companionship and impossible to calculate the amount of reassurance at the bedside when fami- caring and sharing that these VAVS  VA National Cemetery Admin- ly and friends are unable to be with a volunteers provide to Veteran patients. istration -- The National Ceme- Veteran at end of life. In addition, this VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) volun- tery Administration honors veter- provides a set of national standards for teers are a priceless asset to the Na- ans with final resting places in volunteers to continuously raise our tion's Veterans and to the Department national shrines and with lasting level of practice across the country. of Veterans Affairs. tributes that commemorate their service to our nation. “In our focus group with volunteers, Following are four volunteer opportu- we heard the passion and presence and nities that are available at varying VA  VA Volunteer Transportation willingness of people from Minneap- facilities throughout the nation. If one Network -- VTN was established olis to California, from New York to or more of the opportunities peaks to provide needed transportation Martinsburg West Virginia,” says your interest, go to the Veterans Ad- for veterans seeking services from Sheryl Terkildsen, RN, MSN, VA Lo- ministration Volunteer or Donate page a VA facility and/or authorized ma Linda Healthcare System, who led at https://www.volunteer.va.gov/apps/ facility. VTN guidelines permit the initiative. “We want to support VolunteerNow to complete an intro- volunteer participation in provid- these volunteers who provide comfort ductory application and specify in the ing transportation to veterans us- to the Veterans and their families.” comments field your preference. When ing a volunteer's privately-owned Terkildsen headed a task force of VA you click SUBMIT an email will be conveyance or a government- employees who defined and developed generated to the VA Voluntary Service owned vehicle, including donated the toolkit and educational program. Program Manager in your area. Once vehicles, county vehicles, DAV Working together via conference calls the email is received, someone from Department (State) or Chapter and email since December 2010, the your local VA will contact you, either (local) vehicles, public transporta- group began by collecting information by phone or email (your choice) to tion and contracted transportation. for the toolkit and purchasing the Na- provide you with further information tional Hospice and Palliative Care Or- and to possibly set up an appointment  VA Welcome Home Celebra- ganization (NHPCO) Hospice Volun- for an interview. If you prefer to vol- tions -- VA sponsors Welcome teer Program Resource Manual as a unteer in person contact your local VA Home events around the country framework to adapt for the VA health Medical Center's Voluntary Service for returning military service care environment. The manual ad- Office (click here for VA directory). members and their families. The dresses key issues including volunteer Tell them of your interest in volunteer- events provide important infor- recruitment and retention, training and ing. An appointment will be scheduled mation and guidance on accessing evaluation, and program development. for you to come in to tour the facility health care and other benefits and learn more about the many ways through the Department of Veter- Terkildsen, a fourth generation Veter- to serve America 's heroes. ans Affairs. Use the schedule be- an whose husband is a hospice volun- low or contact your local VA Vol- teer, credits the leadership of Dr. Scott  VA Homeless Veterans Program untary Service office for more in- Shreve and the enthusiasm, expertise -- VA offers a wide array of spe- formation. and work of the members of the task cial programs and initiatives spe- force. “We have been supported by cifically designed to help home- [Source: leadership at the medical centers and less veterans live as self- https://www.volunteer.va.gov/faqs.asp in voluntary services departments. We sufficiently and independently as | June 7, 2017} may not have the same resources as possible. In fact, VA is the only Volume 10, Issue 1 Page 11

Commissary Click2Go Program ► Online Shopping Locations

More commissary shoppers soon fiscal 2017 National Defense Au- comes from curbside service, ac- will be able to order their groceries thorization Act gave commissary cording to DeCA’s Kelly — a fig- online and pick them up curbside officials that authority. Fees for ure he said is in line with civilian thanks to an expansion of the such services offered by private- grocery retailers. Click2Go cus- Click2Go program, officials said, sector stores generally are low tomers have an average basket of though new locations for the ser- (less than $3 in the case of one items worth about $105, which is vice haven't been revealed. Com- Washington, D.C.-area chain) or more than 60 percent higher than missary officials expect to an- nonexistent: According to the the average shopping basket of nounce a timeline for the expan- Walmart Grocery website, that re- customers who shop inside the sion shortly, according to Ronald tailer doesn’t charge a fee for the stores, Kelly said. The service is Kelly, a spokesman for the De- curbside pickup, or add any mostly used for “pantry loading” fense Commissary Agency. markups on items. orders, with a wide spectrum of Click2Go was launched as a pilot items that include perishable items, program at three commissaries in The “click and collect” concept is Kelly stated. Other statistics of the the last half of 2013 — Fort Lee, “rapidly moving from the experi- curbside customers using the Virginia; Offutt Air Force Base, mental stage in the U.S. to an inte- Click2Go pilot programs: Nebraska; and Travis Air Force gral aspect” of many traditional  65 percent have two to four Base, California. Under the brick-and-mortar retailers, accord- family members. Click2Go program, customers of ing to a March report by the Gro-  60 percent are active-duty mili- those commissaries choose their cery Manufacturers Association tary, 29 percent are retirees and items online, choose a the time and the Consulting Group. 9 percent are National Guards- they want to pick up their items, They noted that Walmart, Target, men or reservists. then go to a designated curbside Kroger and Whole Foods are  53 percent are between E-4 and location to pay for and pick up the quickly building out these services. E-9. grocery order. The curbside pickup is available at  68 percent are between the ag- more than 400 Walmart stores in es of 25 to 44 Along with expansion plans, com- 60 markets, the report stated. missary officials are considering a [Source: MiitaryTimes | Karen fee for the curbside pickup service In the three commissaries that have Jowers | June 13, 2017 ++] that would be in line with civilian been testing the Click2Go, an aver- grocery retailers, Kelly said; the age of 2 percent of overall sales

Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Reeves_(DLG-24) First Class Postage

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED USS Reeves Association 15709 N Sycamore St Mead, WA 99021 http://www.ussreeves.net

Please check your mailing label. If it doesn’t say Current or Life, please renew your Association dues to help us continue this newsletter.