VOLUME 45 NUMBER 1 WWW.USSESSEXCV9.ORG APRIL 2014 1963 USS ESSEX CVS-9 VISIT TO N.Y.C NOTES FROM THE EDITOR Vol. 45 APRIL 2014 No.1 Chairman Robert C. Zeller, Jr. We have designed the Buccaneer to provide you with as Vice Chairman Gordon Kreiner much information, news, humor and coming events as Secretary H. Bruce Sims possible. This is your newsletter so please forward us Treasurer Robert D. Peters feedback as to articles and material you would like to see. Chaplain Bob Nause Historian Richard M. Scales We will keep all future issues to a maximum of 24 pages, Ship’s Storekeeper Tom Ferelli and 20 pages would be ideal. This will keep our postage Buccaneer Editor Tony Medina Master at Arms Fred McCaskill expenses to a minimum. With a tighter format, while using Membership/Publicity Gerald McDonell the front and back cover to eliminate wasted space, we should have as much if not more material to present to the BOARD OF DIRECTORS reader. Class of 2014 *** CONTENTS*** Art Bergmann Chuck Fiedler Bob Dreher 1- COVER-ESSEX-FREEDOM GUARD NYC HARBOR 2- NOTES FROM THE EDITOR, CONTENTS/OFFICERS/ Class of 2015 DEAD LINES, etc. Tom Connell Euegene Schmidt Gordon Kreiner 3- CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/UPDATES 4- CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE Class of 2016 5 -TAPS & SICKBAY Berlyn Ware Richard Scales Ed Mrozinski 6 - MEMORIAL AND HONOR LIST 7 - OVERVIEW OF USS ESSEX FORMER CHAIRMEN 8 - CHANGES TO ROSTER/ FYI Joseph DuErmit William Pihl 9 - “ONE OF OUR OWN” –EUGENE SCHMIDT Robert C. Zeller Jr. Robert Walker Frank O’Connor 10- “45th USS ESSEX ASSOCIATION REUNION Norm Thompson Dan Ganet 11- 2014 BUFFALO REUNION TOURS 12- REUNION’S PLAN OF THE WEEK ADVISORY BOARD 13 - ANNUAL REUNION REGISTRATION Class of 2014 14 - LHD-2 COMMAND MASTER CHIEF Bill McCaffrey Don Fortin Bob Watson 15 - LHD-2 UPDATE THE BUCCANEER is a periodical publication published a minimum 16 - SHIP’S STORE page 1 of three times annually by the USS ESSEX CV/CVA/CVS-9/LHD-2 17- SHIP’S STORE Page2 ASSN. INC., a non-profit organization. Members are composed of those 18- USS ESSEX 2014 FINANCIAL STATEMENT who have served on the above ships at various times from 1941 to 19- RETURN TO SENDER /WELCOME ABOARD present. Offspring of those who served are also qualified for full 20- ESSEX ORGANIZATION DUES NOTICE membership. Spouses and others who are sponsored by a member may become an Associate Member but without voting privileges. NOTE: All photos, prints, articles, biographies, events, naval news, letters, humor, cartoons and all other newsworthy material should be sent to the editor as clearly and comprehensive as possible. All material forwarded for publication will be used when space and time permits. *Bob Nause–Chaplain /570-788-3157/ [email protected] 2014 DUES ARE DUE! 28 Country Club Ln., Sugarloaf, PA 18249-9733 PLEASE SEND YOUR DUES TO *Tony & Maria Medina-Editor /732-738-6807 EUGENE SCHMIDT [email protected] 1719 Sunnyview Oval HIS ADDRESS IS ON THE BACK COVER OF THIS Keasbey, NJ 08832 PUBLICATION *H. Bruce Sims-Secretary /770-707-1812/[email protected] 581 Conkle Rd. Hampton, GA 30228 BUCCANEER SUBMISSION DEADLINE *Gerald McDonell-Publicity/Membership [email protected] Last day of October for December issue. 42543 Applecreek Dr. Plymouth, MI 48170 *Robert D. Peters-Treasurer/[email protected] Last day of February for April issue. 2329 Princeton Berkley, MI 48072-3020 Last day of June for August issue. *Chuck Fiedler-LHD liaison/[email protected] 612 Fieldwood Cir. Richardson. TX75081-5608 2 From The Eyes of the Chairman Hope everyone had a happy holiday season. As for myself, I suffered a heart attack loading Santa’s sled on my front lawn. Had (4) stents and will be having another procedure on March the 12th. Our reunion plans for Buffalo are moving right along. Dan Genet, will be following –up in the Buccaneer. We are in the process of working on the 2015 reunion. Bob Zeller Chairman The Treasurer Says" What a difference one year makes. In 2012 the Association lost $1,022 -- in 2013 the Association had a gain of $2,323. That is a swing of $3,345, ($1,022 + $2,323). Most of the gain was from a very strong income from the Nashville reunion. Our cash position remains very strong -- $45,330. This is a small gain of $1,811 over 2012. In my opinion, the Essex Association is in a sound financial position. Robert D. Peters Treasurer NOW HEAR THIS! My current term after being re-elected in Nashville will expire with the 2016 reunion. Therefore, I will not seek another term as your secretary. It has been a pleasure serving you all these years but after sixteen years, I will step down and pass it on to another shipmate. This will give the association three years to find my replacement. Sincerely, H. Bruce Sims Secretary USS Essex Association 3 The Chaplains Message The Chaplains Message Faith is what helps us face each new day of adversity. We truly must be our brothers and sisters keepers. Small acts of kindness lead to large acts of kindness. Faith is the glue that keeps us together. If you do not have the vision to move forward nothing will get done. Do not be afraid to start a business, venture into another career field, or relocate to a new town to enhance your opportunities. Faith is what you must depend on to battle the next medical procedure or illness. Faith is what we need in this country to keep our military and their families out or harm’s way. Faith is what our founding fathers had when they started our country. As the seasons change, from winter to spring our country has suffered drought, fires, heavy snow, flooding and terrible violent storms. Easter will be here soon. Remember Christ died because he loved us. Have a Happy Easter and do your best to stay healthy. God bless you and our troops! Recipe for Friendship Cake 1 cup greetings ½ cup smiles 2 cups hospitality 2 large handshakes 1 cup love 1 tsp sympathy Cream greetings and smiles thoroughly. Add hospitably and handshakes. Fold in love and sympathy carefully. Bake in moderate oven. Serves a large number and never goes stale, Calories-0- Bob Nause Chaplain 4 TAPS Shipmates/ Members Departed Aboard Theodore S. Tubbs 04/15/13 unknown John Hugh McGrory 12/9/13 1943-1946 Nick P. Cottis 11/01/11 1943-1944 Barbara R. Heller 09/07/13 Wife of Rich Heller George Gay 06/26/13 1953-1955 Leroy Downs 12/17/13 1943-1945 Carl Bond 01/16/13 1950-1952 Anthony Iannazzo 10/12/13 unknown Virgil Down 12/17/13 unknown SICK BAY Carl Ward, is resting at home after 4 weeks at a Medical Center. He plans to have heart surgery early this year….let’s send prayers for a quick recovery. As updated by Eva, Judge Miller is back home and doing well, after his surgery lets pray for him to continue to do better each day. Roger Gladhill had an accident Feb.24th and had surgery on his leg and is at Presybertian Homes in Bloomington, Mn. recovering . Anyone wanting to wish him well ,the address is 9889 Penn Ave. So. Bloomington, Mn. 55431 Our Chairman Bob Zeller had a procedure in March, and is now recuperating. 5 MEMORIAL & HONOR LIST MEMORIALIZED HONORED DONOR EDWARD J. SCHNEIDER ROBY SCHNEIDER, (WIFE) CHARLES M. POTTER WARREN E. POTTER JOHNNIE MALCIK MR&MRS. BOB EMSWILER GEORGE TODORICH MARTHA TODORICH, (WIFE) OREN RALPH & 4 SONS MR & MRS BOB EMSWILER BRUCE WOOD NORM & CAROLYN THOMPSON BOB HAYES NORM & CAROLYN THOMPSON BOB FLYNN NORM & CAROLYN THOMPSON In HONOR or MEMORY of Form Name Donor In Memory of In Honor of______________________________By_____________________________ In Memory of In Honor of______________________________By______________________________ Name________________________________Street/Apt.___________________________ City__________________________________St & Zip ___________________________ Please make check payable to USS Essex Assn. and send it to treasurer Bob Peters, 2329 Princeton, Berkley MI 48072 Thank You (All donations will go into the general fund unless noted) Donation $____________ 6 Overview of the USS Essex Association by Past Chairman, William Pihl As I scan through the last Buccaneer, I have noticed with much satisfaction that we have a strong, worthwhile and healthy association. I think back to the days starting with our NYC reunion when major steps were taken to become an association, where all our former and present members could renew our allegiance and preserve “the fightenest ship in the fleet,” The USS Essex CV-9CVA,CVS. We had a rough time putting procedures in order so that an association could develop. Our first meetings were held at the reunions that followed because we had not proceeded to fully organize. We needed a secretary, treasurer, chairman and a slate of direction. Most of this was accomplished at our New Orleans reunion after the New York reunion. Because of our elected members lived so part apart, it was difficult to communicate. Therefore, we decided to have a phone conference call and it worked but, there was still room for improvement. There was a lot of paperwork to be done and a few members to do it. A fall out occurred with the person who first started the reunion in Louisville and Chicago, who saw fit not to pay our outstanding bills regarding previous reunions. As a result the order of business in New Orleans was to eliminate those invoices involving the previous board and others. So all the members present dug in their pockets and were fortunate to have the requirements to pay off the outstanding invoices.