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

Spring 2014 Volume 7, Issue 1

The Ironman—A Double Ender’s Newsletter

Membership Scorebox Sailors Leaving Navy Over Stress On Social Issues Current 38 By Rowan Scarborough but got only 36 percent. Past Due 134 A Navy F-18 fighter pilot and for- "Unfortunately," Cmdr. Snodgrass Snail Mail Ad- mer Top Gun instructor is publicly warn- says in his 24-page study, "the fact that a dresses Only 268 ing admirals that retention is beginning growing number of quality officers have to suffer from the military's relentless already left the service or are planning to Email Address 463 social conditioning programs. head for the doors seems to be going un- Total Shipmates 3,223 Cmdr. Guy Snodgrass, until recently detected by senior leadership." a Pentagon speech writer for the chief of He lists long wartime deployments Dues Notice! naval operations, Adm. Jonathan Green- as a leading retention negative. Please be sure to check your ert, said sailors are becoming fed-up with He also tackles a touchier issue, what mailing label or email nota- the constant emphasis on social issues — some sailors have referred to as "political tion. an apparent reference to gays in the mili- correctness," such as the banning of uni- If it doesn’t say Current tary, women in combat and ending sexu- form patches that might offend someone. above your name at the top al harassment. of the label, you should re- Cmdr. Snodgrass writes of "a recent new your annual dues. To "Sailors continue to cite the over- shift within the Navy to eradicate behav- reach the greatest number of focus on social issues by senior leader- ior that is, by its every nature, ineradica- shipmates, we will publish ship, above and beyond discussions on ble." the complete Association newsletter to any valid email war fighting — a fact that demoralizes "Put simply, there is no dollar or snail mail address. Your junior and mid-grade officers alike," amount that can be spent, or amount of dues payments make this Cmdr. Snodgrass wrote this month on training that can be conducted, that will possible. the U.S. Naval Institute website, an inde- completely eradicate complex issues pendent forum for active and retired sail- such as suicide, sexual assault, or com- Inside this issue: ors and Marines. manding officer reliefs for cause — yet It is a remarkably frank assessment President’s Message 2 we continue to expend immense re- from an upwardly mobile fighter pilot sources in this pursuit," he says. "Sailors Shipmates’ Deck Log 3 who is due to become the executive of- are bombarded with annual online train- Tricare Emergency Care 3 ficer of a F-18 unit in . ing, general military training, and safety He says one troubling sign already stand-downs — all in an effort to combat Restore AO Exposure Pre- 4 has emerged: a drop in applications to problems that will never be defeated." sumption the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis Some of the pressure comes from Our Next Reunion: Portland 5 last year. Congress. Financials 6 "The U.S. Navy has a looming of- "The perception is that these efforts ficer retention problem," Cmdr. Snod- are not undertaken because they are in- Website Changes 6 grass writes, adding there is an "erosion credibly effective, but rather because of Passing 6 of trust in senior leadership."' significant political and public over- He says retention racked up its sight," the commander says. Ship Store Order Form 7 "worst year in history" for the special warfare community, including Navy Shipmate Passes 7 http://www.washingtontimes.com/ SEALs, with a record number of lieuten- news/2014/mar/25/sailors-leaving-navy- ants declining to stay. Commissary Changes 8 over-stress-on-social-issues-/ The aviation side had a goal of 45 Reunion Registration Form 9 percent "take rate" on retention bonuses, New VA Link 11 PageP a g e 222 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter The President’s PagePage————HappyHappy Springtime Happy Spring- making forward looking decisions This time we’re still very west, time to the for vacation time and travel ar- but much further north to the up- Reeves Associa- rangements. Now is a good time per left corner of the country. This tion Family. to get deals on tickets. Mary and I puts us in convenient striking dis- What a long cold already have ours! We also re- tance for shipmates in Oregon, winter we are quested that you consider contact- Washington, Idaho, Montana, Ne- happy to have ing old shipmates to see if there vada, and northern California. The behind us. Nice may be any interest in meeting rest of us will be flying in, but concept, but Southern Colorado is you, and the rest of us, in Portland. we’re good with that. once again proving that all bets are So talk to your significant others So far Mike reports plenty of off for springtime. I’m doing and get them thinking towards Oc- interest for Portland. He’s been in some start-up work in Pueblo tober and Portland, and call an old contact with more than a few ship- (again), and this past week had friend and see if they may be inter- mates who say they’re going to be excellent weather - with temps ested. These simple steps are what there with us. We’ve seen a lim- hovering around the 80 0 mark yes- it takes to make our next reunion a ited number of reservations being terday. Today, however, is a dif- success. made to date, but we’re not too ferent story. As I write, it’s snow- You may all recall that our re- disheartened by low numbers at ing like mad and they’re calling unions are set-up in an east/west/ this point. got off to a for 4 to 6 inches by morning. The middle rotation to accomplish two slow start. The trend that year foothills just west of Pueblo and goals; first to make sure we move started slow, and really ramped up the Springs are looking at 12 to our show closer to shipmates that as it got very close to the reunion. 18” overnight. Enough already! reside in different parts of the We actually ended up with a pretty I’m hoping that your spring weath- country, and also to make sure we decent crowd. Now that certainly er is not out to prove anything, and have differing venues for our ship- doesn’t predict a sell-out, but you you get to enjoy some respite from mates who wouldn’t think of miss- may consider your travel decisions a tough winter. ing a Reeves reunion. Turns out sooner rather than later. The good news is that it brings you gotta have a good venue to get So that’s it for my weather rant us a bit closer to summer, and then ‘em away from Connecticut or and reunion sales pitch for this on to Portland. Surprisingly Wisconsin in the Fall. This is the edition. I sure hope you get some enough, this edition of the news- second time we’ve made our west nice weather to enjoy, and are able letter places us about six months coast swing. The first westerly to enjoy some time outside. out from our next reunion. It was- run to San Diego was a smashing success. The southern CA crowd Here’s wishing you Fair Winds n’t all that long ago I was happy to and Following Seas write we were inside the one year was happy to join in the festivities, mark, and now we’re in the and the rest of us were happy to stretch. My last article spoke of once again visit our friends, and TomTomTom old haunts, in the SD area. Volume 7, Issue 1 PageP a g e 333 Mail/eMail/Decklog/Facebook From Our Shipmates ——— Regarding getting the 1966 deck it, and more description about the Mike Ketelaar @Gary - Well, we did logs... West Pac we went on. Thank you. get bombed with a 500lb training Mike, Email: round that put a 10 foot diameter hole [email protected] above the Bos'n Locker. All antennas I am forwarding the correspond- forward and the 5 ton anchor were all ence I had with the archives people. Cell # 858-357-1014 gone. Shrapnel punctured forward My first contact I just asked a ques- radar directors and wave guide. Punc- tion and I heard nothing. Later I in- tured Starboard CIWS and even formed them that I had heard noth- Michael , It's me again. I have some more artifacts for your archives. If through some armor plated missile ing. Another month went by and I house doors. Broke several bridge received the log in the mail. If you you are still interested. I have some photos, patches, a few postal covers, wing windows. Diego Garcia welded email them and ask I think they will some steel plates and back to Japan tell you how to get your information. another Far East Tour 66-68 cruise- book signed by DC1 Freeman Haun, we went. I imagine that justified the John Pounder (1965-1968) some magazine articles, and...I finally overhaul since they weren't ready to We now have the deck logs for 3-8 found a Westpac 77 cruisebook. decom Reeves quite yet. Captain McKinley's first underway after he July 1966. A copy can be found in Neal Cozart (1976-1979) the Archives on the web site. took the helm from Admiral Center in Of course, I asked Neal to send me Diego Garcia.

the package. You will see it on the Mike Ketelaar (1987-1993) to Gary Michael, site in a couple of months, after a lot Beckwith (1984-1988) of photography and scanning. (The Can you add Mike Poreda to the mail- ing list and send him an electronic cruise books are the hardest…) copy of the latest newsletter? He From Facebook (USS Reeves CG-24) To all the USS Reeves guys serving promises to be at the reunion in Octo- regarding the forecastle bombing... during WestPac Vietnam tour the ear- ber. ly '70-72 time frame when we visited Hong Kong for a few days. I had the Thanks, opportunity yesterday to view the area from Sky100. The area has really Kurt Stuvengen (1980-1986) changed and is moving at high speed Looks like there'll be a lot of new fac- building and growing even more. I es at the October reunion... thought I would post and share what I saw. Happy New Year to all. My name is Kevin Patric Quirke. I joined in 1975 and was on the USS Gary Hinthorne (1970-1972) Reeves CG-24. I was a mess man- agement specialist and I was the — at Sky100 - Hong Kong's Observa- watch Captain. We went on a West- Posted by Joe Hauser (1987-1989) on the USS tion Deck . Pac to P.I., Australia. Can you help Reeves CG-24 facebook site. (It looks like it’s been me find the list of names with me on in Joe’s seabag for 25 years!) TRICARE Emergency Care When we’re in pain or sick, we’re anxious department as an organized, hospital-based rooms. However, beneficiaries who seek and it can be hard to think straight. We facility available 24 hours a day providing care at an urgent care facility need to ask if want relief as soon as possible. When a emergency services to patients who need it is affiliated with a hospital-based emer- child is hurt or ill, the anxiety can be even immediate medical attention. Emergency gency department. If it isn’t, the benefi- greater. In those moments, it can be hard to departments affiliated with a hospital are ciary will need to make a decision about determine if you need to go to the emer- most likely TRICARE-authorized provid- getting care elsewhere or being responsible gency room or if an urgent care center will ers. Beneficiaries and their families will for those facility charges. Beneficiaries can do. It’s important to make that distinction get the appropriate level of care and save check if a provider is TRICARE- because making the wrong choice will cost money by having urgent care needs met in authorized by calling their regional con- both time and money. The general rule of urgent care facilities. tractor. Contact information for regional thumb for TRICARE beneficiaries is that if contractors is available at www.tricare.mil/ a condition is threatening to life, limb or Over the last two decades, over 9,000 ur- callus . Learn more about emergency care eyesight, it is considered an emergency gent care centers have emerged across the under TRICARE at www.tricare.mil/ and a trip to the emergency room is war- country and this may lead to more urgent emergency ranted. TRICARE defines an emergency care facilities in an area than emergency .[Source: Tricare News 26 Feb 2014 ++] P a g e 4 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Restore AO Exposure Presumption

Nearly half of the surviving ter Navy Vietnam Veterans Asso- pathways for exposure of the 100,000 members of the United ciation, recalls black barrels, crews on the ships of the Seventh States Navy and fleet marine ser- about two - gallon size, stored on Fleet who served offshore Vi- vices who fought in Vietnam be- board. Instructions were to stay etnam; tween 1962 and 1975 could be away from the barrels. Recently, ·There is no evidence that experiencing wartime injuries she discovered it was common for Agent Orange/dioxin did not poi- from the long term effects of di- the dioxin to be transported this son the veterans in questions and oxin exposure. On Aug. 2, 2013, way. Agent Orange is a mixture there is overwhelming evidence the Blue Water Navy Vietnam of two formulas transported sepa- indicating high probability that it Veterans Association and Military rately and mixed at one location. did; Veterans Advocacy, Inc. jointly She believes that in transporting filed suit in the Dis- the formula separately the Navy ·No single group of veterans trict Court for the District of Co- would not have been required to that served anywhere in Southeast lumbia against Eric K. Shinseki in orange tag or stripe the barrels as Asia should be removed from the his capacity as Secretary of the Agent Orange. benefits for presumptive exposure Department of Veterans Affairs. to the deadly herbicides used in About twelve years ago the This lawsuit demands immediate the broader geographical area U.S. Department of Veterans Af- restoration of presumption of thought out the Vietnam War. fairs altered its internal policy and Agent Orange exposure. The law began denying benefits to the Some crew logs have been would constitute implementation Blue Water Vietnam Veterans that purged. It is up to the veteran to of The Blue Water Navy Vietnam had been receiving benefits for provide evidence and contact pos- Veterans Act of 2013 (H.R.543) the presumed conditions. These sible witnesses. To attain availa- pending before the 113th Con- service personnel are being denied ble ship logs is costly both finan- gress. The Act, was introduced to all service-connected health care cially and in time to get them. For the House floor by Rep. Chris from Veterans Affairs hospitals many their hands are tied. Their Gibson (D-NY). This legislation and disability compensation for service medals are not enough to will return the presumption of ex- the presumed conditions. It can prove they served. Their health- posure to herbicide to Navy and take 30 years for conditions to related conditions are not enough Marine veterans who served in the develop after exposure. For her evidence. offshore water of Vietnam. These husband they began seeing the conditions include, but are not For more information on the effects within 15 years of his ser- limited to, many forms of cancer, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veter- vice, subtle but progressive. The ischemic heart disease, Parkin- ans Association go to Institute of Medicine released its son's disease and diabetes II. fourth report Dec. 3, 2013 refer- http://www.bluewaternavy.org. Approximately 21 million gal- ring to its previous reports, re- Lists of vessels that have been lons of the dioxin herbicide was minding the Department of Veter- identified to date as experiencing sprayed on Vietnam. It entered the ans Affairs that there is "plausible exposure can be found at food chain and water systems. routes for exposure of Blue Water Dairy products produced in Vi- Navy personnel." It said: The in- http://www.publichealth.va.gov/ etnam serviced the offshore carri- dividuals who served off the exposures/agentorange/shiplist/ ers. The distillation process of the shores of Vietnam should not be index.asp#find carriers amplified the toxin the exempted from receipt of Veter- and crews drank and showered in. ans Affairs benefits of Agent Or- Over time crew members have ange-related disabilities as: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/ reported Agent Orange barrels exposures/agentorange/shiplist/ ·There is no medical or scien- being carried aboard. There are list.asp tific evidence to deny those veter- reports of spillage and clean up. ans the benefits that other service .Source: The Belington Herald Records for the evidence of these members from the Vietnam War | Laine Wheatley| 18 Feb 2014 occurrences are not available. receive on a regular basis; ++] Laine Wheatley said her husband, who is a member of the Blue Wa- ·There were several viable Volume 7, Issue 1 PageP a g e 555 Our Next Reunion: Portland, Oregon The venue has been selected and registration form as it is not included So much to do, so few days to do the hotel chosen. We will be meeting in the reunion registration fee. it all! and staying at the Sheraton Airport Our reunions aren’t large enough Hotel in Portland. The hotel is a short to guarantee full buses and interest in ride from the airport arrivals using a certain venues. The requests for tour hotel-provided shuttle. opportunities already exceed the days of the reunion. We are going to set up a “tours” table in the hospitality room where those with and those without transportation can band together for their mutual tour destinations. These can include easy drive day Portland has been described as trips to Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. America’s most European city. If that A trip to Mt. St. Helens could include means a great walking city with tons visits to the observation platforms at Our reunion dates are October 9- of public transportation, a progressive the Forest Learning Center and the Oct 13, 2014. (Arrival on 9 Oct, atmosphere that celebrates the arts, a Johnson Ridge Observatory. departure on 13 Oct). We have culture of great food, artisan coffee, This activity was discussed by negotiated a room rate of $99 per beer and wine and neighborhoods Tom Bailey in the last newsletter. night, including a three-day rate chock full of shops selling handmade So, if your tour destination is the extension for early arrivals and clothes, crafts and furniture, then we’d vineyards on Mt. Hood, the 30 departures. A block of rooms have have to agree. different breweries in downtown Portland, the Columbia at Astoria, or the Cheese Factories at Tillamook, there are destinations aplenty and shipmates looking for the same places. Meet and coordinate in the Hospitality Room over a cool brew, a glass of wine or a soda/pop. Pre-Reunion Cruise…. Mt. Hood east of Portland On the Willamette River... We have received information from the As fantastic as Portland is to Portland Spirit Cruise people that they are already been set aside for our group. spend time in, it’s one of the easiest planning a 2014 cruise on the Columbia Contact the Sheraton at 508-281-2500 cities to spend time outside. The River from Portland to Astoria on October for reservations. Be sure to include mountains, waterfalls, wine country 8th your group information of USS and other assorted outdoor goodies REEVES REUNION to receive the Oregon is so famous for are all a short block rate. drive away. Reunion activities organized by Heeding the call of the “Women’s the association are included in the one Auxiliary” at the 2012 reunion, -time registration fee of $110 per Portland is a perfect base for wine and person. This includes the hospitality vineyard tours west of Portland. room, beer/wine/soda/snack refreshments throughout the reunion, the Welcome Reception on Friday and This is a full day narrated cruise to the the banquet on Sunday. mouth of the Columbia, with a continental Due to tour diversity found in the breakfast, a full buffet lunch and bus Portland area, there will be a single transport back to Portland. For us, it will scheduled reunion activity – the be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the waters explored by the Lewis & Clark Portland Spirit Cruise Dinner offered Company, and the fishing grounds of on Saturday evening on the many native tribes before Capt Cook ar- Willamette and Columbia Rivers. A rived 1792. separate sign-up is required on the Multnomah Falls at the Columbia Gorge See the reunion registration form. P a g e 6 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Financials Website Changes FY 2014 Operating Working with shipmate Jon Acord gest change here is...I had to cleanup the Income (76-78), the Association website being web site after eight years of uncontrolled mirrored at the servers at JRAComput- growth. Now it’s pretty tight. Dues $580 er.com. While Jon is not providing a true We attempted to move hosting to Donations $387 mirrored site, a duplicate copy of the JRA Computer Services but the possibil- Reunions $1490 files are maintained on Jon’s server. ity of spam intrusion and file attacks are Ship’s Store $275 Jon has owned the USSReeves.com too great a risk for Jon’s business. We domain for several years. With this settled for the redirect path. Cost of Goods -$180 merge of hosting services, anyone If you wander across the Total Income $2552 searching for USSReeves.com will be USSReeves.com site, you’ll be redirected automatically redirected to Expense to the USSReeves.net. So, two sites with USSReeves.net maintained at Apollo one set of data. Advertising $27 Hosting. Jon is providing this additional You can read about Jon’s company Newsletters $628 service at no cost to the Association. When you search for USS Reeves, you at JRAComputer.com . Jon is located in Postage/Delivery $27 will still end up at ussreeves.net. The the Metro-Detroit area. Reunion Expenses $500 host will be transparent to you. The big- Total Expense $1182 Working The Numbers Net Income $1370 If you look at the score box on the 473: shipmates who have opened to lat- FY 2014 Assets front page about member numbers, you est newsletter—455. Cash Assets $5330 will see the following: Question. How do you built an or- Liabilities $0 Shipmates who have contacted us ganization when you keep starting from and joined in the last eight years—170 scratch? It’s been eight years since our Net Equity $5355 out of 4,000+ first reunion. Do we want to keep it Shipmates out of the 170 who have going? Charitable/Educational Objectives renewed for this year—35 out of 170+ I believe we do! As more ship- The USS Reeves Association is an edu- mates gradually move toward retirement cational, non-profit 501(c)(3) organiza- Shipmates who receive a hard copy tion registered with the Internal Reve- of the quarterly newsletter (for which years, reaching back to shipmates and nue Service, FEIN 86-1163983. For we don’t have an email address)—100 memories of our youth becomes more that purpose at the 2010 business meet- (12 are current) important. ing, it was recommended that future Keep the October reunion(s) in excess funds be used for donations and Shipmates who have received an scholarships as determined at business email copy of the quarterly newsletter— mind...and sign up yearly for member- meetings starting in 2012. ship. Shift Colors Camille Carunchio Passes To receive the Navy‘s Shift Colors We are saddened to announce that ship- This newsletter is published by: newsletter via email send the following mate Don Carunchio’s wife, Camille The USS Reeves Association information to passed away on March 17, 2014. Her 15709 N Sycamore St [email protected] -- First passing was not entirely unexpected as she Mead, WA 99021 name; Last name; E-mail address; Title was in rehabilitative care for Parane- (Mr., Mrs., rank, etc.); and Military oplastic syndrome. Newsletter Editor - affiliation (retiree, surviving spouse, Don and Camille were among our earliest Michael Robertson veteran, other). There is no longer any supporters in building the Association and Phone: 509-315-8107 funding for hard copies to be printed attending our reunions. E-mail: [email protected] All comments, suggestions, submissions and mailed. To receive Shift Colors it In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to does not matter whether or not you‘re and criticism are welcome. My email is St Vincent De Paul Society, 3832 N. 9th always open... retired, active duty, a veteran, a surviv- Ave., Pensacola, FL 32503 or the UWF ing spouse, or just someone who‘s in- Athletic Scholarship Fund, 11000 Univer- terested in receiving the newsletter. sity Pkwy., Bldg. 18, Main lobby, Pen- sacola, FL 32514 Volume 7, Issue 1 PageP a g e 777 1960’s ($10) + s/h Ship’s Store 1980’s ($10) + s/h 1970’s ($10) + s/h

1967— Entering Sydney Harbor 1985—Enroute Yokosuka from Australia 1990’s ($10) + s/h Reunion ball caps ($10 each) + s/h 1975—Departing Pearl Harbor 2009—San Diego Challenge Coins ($14) + s/h 2010—Chicago 2012—Charleston

1992—Seattle Sea Fair Festival

Mousepads ($10) + s/h Golf Shirts ($20) + s/h (2XL/3XL-add $2) T-Shirts ($15) + s/h (2XL/3XL-add $2)

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

Total Shipping and handling: Shipping Label Shipping is via USPS Priority. To: Please add the following for each item to cover the association’s pack- Address: aging and postage costs: City, State, ZIP: Photos: $1 per photo Phone: Ball caps: $2 Email: Mousepads: $1 Challenge Coins: $2 for 1, $.50 for Send order to: USS Reeves Association each additional coin c/o Michael Robertson 15709 N Sycamore St Shirts: $2 per shirt Mead, WA 99021 P a g e 8 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter Commissaries: From Benefit To Business Behind the plan to slash taxpayer for their existence, as opposed to the mittee that their support for compensa- support of commissaries is a concept needs of active duty members and their tion reforms didn’t extend to the deep Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his families or the welfare of the military hit on the commissary benefit. Sergeant senior advisors have embraced that community.” That statement captures Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. base grocery stores should operate as a what’s ahead for a long prized benefit if Barrett and Chief Master Sergeant of business and not a benefit. This shift is Congress adopts the plan in the budget, the Air Force James A. Cody noted that candidly revealed in budget documents said an industry official. He described young families in particular depend released 4MAR and in a legislative the plan as carelessly conceived and heavily on the shopping discounts. Bar- packet for implementing the funding devastating to the “ecology” of base rett called it “ridiculous that we're go- cuts drafted by the Defense Commis- stores, both exchanges and commissar- ing to go after something that saves sary Agency (DeCA). The documents ies. There were no signals of stiff re- some young lance corporal, an E-3, make clear that individual stateside sistance from the Senate Armed Ser- $4,500 a year.” If that E-3 has two commissaries will survive only if they vices Committee on Wednesday when kids, he added, “and every time he produce enough revenue to cover oper- Hagel and Army Gen. Martin Demp- shops it's $240, well unbeknownst to ating costs. Hagel gave a softer summa- sey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, de- him he just put $80 worth of gas into tion to the Senate Armed Services tailed the new budget with its sweeping his car.” Base exchanges could also be Committee on 5 MAR. “We are not changes impacting commissaries and at risk, say industry officials. Their shutting down any commissaries. We the Tricare program. profits already are stressed by base clo- recommend gradually phasing out some Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) sures overseas, deep force cuts, and subsidies but only for domestic com- called commissaries a “core benefit” minimum wage hikes on service con- missaries that are not in remote loca- that contributes “greatly to recruitment tracts. tions,” the defense chief said. Because and retention, even though I am one of The plan for commissaries would stateside stores “will continue to oper- those who thinks [troops] may get just deepen these challenges by reducing ate tax and rent free, they will still be as good a deal at some other retail out- shopper traffic on base and by allowing able to provide people with a very good lets around the country.” Encouraging commissaries to offer products now deal.” commissaries “to act more like a busi- sold only in exchanges. DeCA’s imple- Resale industry officials and mili- ness...makes sense. I agree with that,” menting legislation shows commissar- tary associations dispute this and pre- Chambliss said. But the senator ques- ies would operate far different than dict closure of most stateside commis- tioned whether changes to this benefit they do today. A surcharge of at least 5 saries. Only stores overseas and at 25 should be delayed until the Military percent would still be collected on remote stateside bases would be funded Compensation and Retirement Modern- goods sold. But to capture more reve- after fiscal 2017. DeCA’s annual ap- ization Commission make its report in nue, DeCA seeks authorities to run its propriation of $1.4 billion would be cut FEB2015. He and Sen. Mark Warner stores like commercial supermarkets. by then to $400 million. That’s enough (D-Va.) have introduced a bill to man- That means a broader mix of products to offer shoppers savings of 10 percent date such a delay. Hagel and his comp- including beer and wine. Restrictions off “high priced private grocery stores,” troller Robert Hale explained that some would be lifted on sale of generic or the budget documents estimate. savings savings from compensation reforms are local goods to compete with brand would be even “more modest” in com- needed now because budget cuts al- names. A legal requirement to sell parison to prices at discount grocery ready are impacting training, troop sup- goods at cost would end so prices could chains. “In the end, patron usage of the port and overall readiness. Hagel noted climb as needed and would vary from commissaries will determine the sav- that exchanges operate on the same store to store. DeCA could advertise to ings and their comprehensive ad- business model and are successfully try to keep patrons and hire private con- vantage,” explains the “overview” re- self-sustaining. So senior leaders, rely- tractors to operate specific store func- port from the Obama administration on ing on “significant analysis,” decided tions. It also wants relief from “socio- its 2015 defense budget request. Com- “we knew enough about where we economic” laws that dampen savings, missary shoppers now save an average thought we’re going to have to eventu- including a requirement to buy certain of 30 percent compared to prices for a ally go with commissaries,” Hagel said. supplies and services from nonprofit range of private sector grocery stores, employers of persons who are blind or DeCA said. The hit to those savings On 24 FEB, the day Hagel first have other significant disabilities. would be felt “worldwide,” budget doc- unveiled highlights of the budget with [Source: Stars & Stripes | Tom Philpott uments explain. its plan for commissaries, he recog- | 7 Mar 2014 ++] The draft implementing legislation nized “senior enlisted leaders in each of has a telling description of commissar- the services for [their] help and input in ies run as businesses. Criteria for open- crafting this budget.” Two days later, ing and closing stores, it says, would however, some of those enlisted leaders make cost recovery “the primary factor told a House appropriations subcom- Volume 7, Issue 1 USS REEVES (DLG/CG-24) ASSOCIATION REUNION PageP a g e 999 2014 REGISTRATION FORM October 9-13, 2014 Important! See Additional Information on Reverse! Make hotel reservations with the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel , 8235 Northeast Airport Way, Portland, Oregon 97220, (503) 281-2500. Tell them “USS Reeves Association Reunion ” to ensure proper credit to our Association and receive the group rate.

Name Phone #

Complete Address

Email address

Guest’s Full Name

Years served on board: 19 to 19 , Division: Rank/Rate onboard Wednesday, October 8 th 7:00 am – 7:00 pm Pre-Reunion Event: Astoria River Cruise (Spirit Cruises) – Availability Confirmed Thursday, October 9th 3:00 pm Hotel check-in. Friday, October 10th 6:00 – 8:00 pm Welcome Reception in Hospitality Room with open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres Saturday, October 11th 6:00 – 10:30 pm Portland Spirit Dinner Cruise Tour (optional, reservations required) Sunday, October 12th 3:00 – 4:30 pm Association meeting – Hospitality Room 5:30 – 7:00 pm Cash-bar happy hour: Group/Individual Photos 7:00 – 10:00 pm Reunion Banquet: Choice of (please indicate number of orders — vegetarian entree available upon request): #____ Prime Rib of Beef (10 oz. Choice Beef, slow roasted, served with Au Jus and horseradish sauce)

#____ Marsala Chicken (grilled boneless breast of chicken accented with rosemary, mushroom, and marsala sauce

#____ Pacific Seared Salmon (fresh salmon filet, grilled, roasted garlic tomato vinaigrette) Dinner also includes classic salad with dressings, fresh seasonal vegetables, potato or rice, rolls and butter, New York cheesecake, regular or decaf coffee, hot tea. Monday, October 13th 8:00 am -12:00 pm Hotel checkout & departure There is a single, all inclusive fee of $110 per person for the reunion that includes the Welcome Reception, beverages & snacks for the hospitality room, banquet cost, reunion ball cap and attendee materials. Tours are not included in this fee. I will attend the reunion I am bringing guest(s). TOTAL attending x $110 = $ ___ TOTAL for Dinner Cruise $ (see back) TOTAL for Shirts $ (see back) TOTAL Enclosed for Reunion $ Please complete and return no later than 8/31/2014 (sooner if at all possible!); make out check payable to: USS REEVES ASSOCIATION Mail to: Michael Robertson, Reunion Organizer 15709 N Sycamore St, Mead, WA 99021 For further information call Michael Robertson at 509-315-8107, email: [email protected] P agea g e 10 1 0 The IronmanIronman————AA Double Ender’s Newsletter USS REEVES (DLG/CG-24) ASSOCIATION REUNION 2014 REGISTRATION FORM October 9-13, 2014 Reunion, Tour Information & Reservations Reunion Shirt – This is a handsome, high quality polo shirt with the USS Reeves Association logo embroidered on the left chest. The shirt is an exclusive product of June, our Post Falls, ID, supplier who will produce any number of shirts (one to infinity) at the same reasonable price. Most reunion shirts have date and place information included in the embroidery. This shirt will appear as shown. Reunion date and place are included on the complimentary reunion ball cap. Sizes available: S, M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL. The price for shirts are $20 (add $2 for sizes XXL and XXXL). Latest date for returning registration forms and ordering shirts is 8/31/14. ____Yes, I would like shirt(s). Qty: ___S, ___M,___L,___XL,___XXL,___XXXL. (S-XL $20, 2XL-3XL $22) Astoria River Cruise – Pre-Reunion Event. Wednesday, 8 Oct 2014. This is a confirmed full day adventure that only happens once a year! Cruise on the Portland Spirit as she runs down the Willamette and Columbia Rivers from Portland to Astoria, Oregon, at the mouth of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the sights along the river with narration along the way, then hop on a luxury motor coach to return to Portland. Travel by POV (privately owned vehicle) to the Portland, Salmon Street landing. Boarding 7:30am, cruising 8am-5pm returning via motor-coach to Portland by 7:00pm. The price includes Captain's narration, continental breakfast, lunch buffet, dessert, coffee and hot tea service, gratuity and bus transportation back to Portland. $110 adults, $88 seniors (60+). A $4.00 local landing charge/taxes may apply. Please make reservations directly with Jason Deffley of the Portland Spirit at (503) 943-9116. (Note. Participating in the Astoria Cruise will require arriving in Portland on October 7 th or earlier. The Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel has offered the $99 room rate for three days in advance – from October 6 th – of the official reunion dates.) ____Yes, I/we will participate. Adults participating: _____ I/we can provide transportation for ____ in our POV. General Portland Tour Information. Other than the Dinner Cruise, reunion-organized tours will not be offered. Tour opportunities in Portland are so diverse that the organization couldn’t possibly guarantee 25 participants for any particu- lar tour and cover the cost of transportation and entry. It was suggested at a 2013 FAM conference in Portland that at- tendees get together like-minded attendees and set up one, two or three car convoys to the Oregon and Washington win- eries, Columbia gorge and falls, Mount St. Helens, downtown Portland, and the Pacific Coast areas. In this manner, all attendees should have tour opportunities. All of these destinations are not more than an hour or two from the Portland Airport. An organizing table will be set up in the Hospitality Room for this purpose. Tour recommendations, pam- phlets, maps and other planning items can be found at this site. Groups can gather and plan mutual destinations and ve- hicle arrangements. ____Yes, I/we will participate. Adults participating: _____ I/we can provide transportation for ____ in our POV. Portland Spirit Dinner Cruise & Harbor Tour Saturday Evening —. Departs hotel @ 1800 (6:00 pm) returns by 2200 (10:00 pm). Pre-arranged group transportation will depart the hotel at 1800 (6:00 pm). Board the Portland Spirit at the Salmon Street location at 1830. Bar service and seating are immediately available. The Reeves Association will attempt to group participants as a group. The Portland Spirit will depart the Salmon Street landing at 1900. Wine and appetizers are available at an extra charge. They include Shrimp Cocktail ($10) and Sautéed Mushrooms ($8). The table server will provide the available wine list. The entrée menu varies according to the time of the year. It may include Northwest Seafood Pasta, Pappardelle Pasta, Slow Roasted Pork Loin with Dijon & Pink Peppercorn Sauce, Grilled Vegetable Turnover, Applewood Smoked Beef Brisket with Blackberry Brandy Glaze, Roasted Snake River Ko- be Beef Shoulder Tender, Baked Columbia River Steelhead Fillet, or Panko Crusted Chicken Breast. Dinner entrées are served with House Salad, Fresh Baked Bread, Coffee and Hot Tea. Dessert included; upgrade to premium dessert available at additional charge. ____Yes, I/we will participate. Adults participating: _____x $80, Seniors (60+) participating: _____x $75 Amount Enclosed $ ______(please copy to front page) Please complete and return not later than 8/31/2014 or sooner. For further information call Michael Robertson at 509-315-8107, email: [email protected] Volume 7, Issue 1 Page 1 11 1

New VA Resource

Hi VA approved treatment and support resources (http:// maketheconnection.net/resources) On behalf of the U.S. Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs, thank We hope you agree that Make the Connection would you for providing resources for be a good resource for your visitors, and that you’ll Veterans on USS Reeves (DLG- add a link to http://www.ussreeves.net/links.html . 24/CG-24) Association. Thank you for your time. Visitors to your site looking for resources for Veter- ans might also be interested in Make the Connection , Anthony Caccavale a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs public aware- ness campaign designed to help Veterans overcome The link to the Make the Connection website has been and seek treatment for mental health conditions. added to the Links page accessible from the main Make the Connection provides extensive resources menu. for Veterans suffering from mental health conditions, Make the Connection provides personal video testi- including: monials and resources to help Veterans discover ways Video testimonials from Veterans (http:// to improve their lives. The site also provides informa- maketheconnection.net/stories-of-connection) from tional resources on mental health conditions such as all eras and branches PTSD and traumatic brain injury , symptoms of problems such as drug and alcohol abuse , and life ex- Information on how to recognize and seek treatment periences such as transitioning from service and deal- for mental health conditions (http:// ing with family and relationship challenges . maketheconnection.net/conditions) Valuable News Sources Train Discounts As I have said before, the semi-monthly On Amtrak, travelers 62 years of age For more information, go to http:// RAO Bulletin is an invaluable source of and over are eligible to receive a 15% seniordiscounts.com/Business/ USN/DOD news for this newsletter. I discount on the lowest available rail AMTRAK/NA/NA/Serves-most-of- strongly recommend every Veteran sub- fare on most Amtrak trains. On cross- US/NA/38801.html Mar 2014 ++] scribe to this informative and timely border services operated jointly by source: Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, a 10% Senior discount is applicable to travel- Comment: We took the Empire Builder Lt. James “EMO” Tichacek, USN (Ret) ers aged 60 and over. Discount Limi- from Spokane to Milwaukee, and back, Editor/Publisher RAO Bulletin in 2011. Being first timers, we picked tations are: RAO Baguio, PSC 517 Box RCB, FPO the Superliner Roomette for our out- AP 96517 · The senior discount is not valid on bound trip to Milwaukee. It’s really the Auto Train. suited to one person who isn’t squeam- Tel: (951) 238-1246 in U.S. or Cell: 0915 · The senior discount is not valid on ish about sharing toilet and shower -361-3503 in the . weekday Acela Express trains. facilities. On the return trip to Spo- Email: [email protected] · The senior discount does not apply kane, we booked the Superliner Bed- Web Access: to Business class, First class or sleep- room which was much more civilized. http://www.veteransresources.org , ing accommodation. These upgrades It has its own shower/toilet compart- http://frabr245.org or are permitted upon payment of the full http://vets4vets.zymichost.com/rao.html accommodation charges. ment, and a lot of privacy. · The senior discount is not valid for travel on certain Amtrak Thruway con- necting services.

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