CV / CVA / CVS-14 CG-47 JULY 2012 The USS TICONDEROGA Veterans’ Association NEWS VOL. 39 NO 3 EVERYONE ENJOYED ST LOUIS! THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE IT P O S S I B L E! Officers 2009-2010 Directors (continued) Committees President: Director Newsletter Editor: George Passantino Charles E. Hill Edgar S. Trotter, Jr. 2676 E 117th Way 22 W. Hancock St. 1150 Baywood Ave. Denver, CO 80233-1406 Lansdale, PA 19446-3812 Camarillo, CA 93010-3005 (720) 929-1844 (215) 855-5299 (805) 484-2930 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Director Chaplain: Executive Vice President: Ronald W. Lee P. P. Rev. Andrew Jenson John F. Deasy 8920 Dawes Point Dr. 7 Tomahawk Dr. 560 Maple Ave. Mobile, AL 36695-9336 Marlton, NJ 08053-2126 Doylestown, PA 18901-4451 (251) 633-5969 (856) 424-4408 (215) 348-9981 [email protected] [email protected] Public Relations Chairman [email protected] Director Jerry H. Cole John Lunsford P.P. 17840 Oakwood Ave. First Vice President: 2504 McNutt Lansing, IL 60438-1934 Lloyd Frank Bakersfield, CA 93306-4469 (708) 474-9331 2129 Bliss Comer St (661) 872-8850 [email protected] Henderson, NV 89044-0174 [email protected] (702) 361-6660 Historian [email protected] Director Charles F. Large [email protected] Alfred F. McDonnell P.P. 31 Lowe Ave. 1749 9th Ave Stoughton, MA 02072-1944 Second Vice President: San Francisco, CA 94122 (781) 344-3461 John B. Dupont 415-661-6753 [email protected] 4590 Linwood Circle [email protected] Deep Haven, MN 55331-9297 Memorials Chairman (952) 474-4731 Director: Richard A. Johnson [email protected] Joseph McDonnell P. P. 3 Lakeview Ave. [email protected] 4141 Inola Trl. Ne Boonton, NJ 07005-1024 Roswell, GA 30075-1658 (973) 335-1925 Secretary: (770) 335-1715 © [email protected] Dennis SaBell [email protected]. 3930 Quay St Membership Chairman: Wheatridge, CO 80033 Director: Clifford Strumello Jr. (303) 422-8690 Parker W. Patterson P. P. 15 Cemetery Rd. [email protected] 4 Terrace Hill Road Seymour, CT 06483·2017 Pine Grove, PA 17963-9399 (203) 888-4907 Treasurer: (570) 345-3344 [email protected] John Williams Sr. [email protected] P. O. Box 15325 Director: Philadelphia, PA 19111-0325 John Rochford P.P. Budget Chairman (215) 742-6433 1926 East Bancroft John Williams Sr. [email protected] Camarillo, CA 93010-4510 519 Van Kirk St. [email protected] (805) 484-1368 Philadelphia, PA 19120-1215 (215) 742-6433 Directors Director: [email protected] Director * * Doc Simon P.P. [email protected] Arthur Avery 803 Hartford Ave. 1694 Fillner Ave. White River Jct, VT 05001-8052 Liaison USS HORNET CVS-12 North Tonawanda, NY 14120-3016 (802) 295-2851 Richard Radigonda (716) 669-2678 [email protected] 357 Jade Circle [email protected] Vallejo CA. 94590 Director: (707) 563-5556 Director Edgar S. Trotter, Jr. [email protected] / [email protected] Jerry H. Cole P.P. 1150 Baywood Ave. 17840 Oakwood Ave. Camarillo, CA 93010-3005 Future Sites Chairman Lansing, IL 60438-1934 (805) 484-2930 Karen Lee (708) 474-9331 [email protected] 8920 Dawes Point Dr. K OUT OUR WEBSITE AT: WWW.BIGT.NET AT: WEBSITE OUR K OUT [email protected] Mobile, AL 36695-9336 Director: (251) 633-5969 Director Calvin S. Turner P. P. [email protected] Victor Godfrey 130 Silver Leaf Dr. 138 Briarwood Dr. Fayetteville, GA 30214-1055 WebMaster: Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087-4018 (770) 461-4106 Gordon S. Humphrey, Jr. 609-294-0955 [email protected] 15030-223 Dr. SE [email protected] Monroe, WA 98272-9089 (425) 785-8094 CHEC [email protected] PAGE 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE SHIPMATES AND FRIENDS, It was an honor to have served aboard the USS Ticonderoga CVA-14 along with so many fine and dedicated people. It is now an honor for me to serve as the Ticonderoga Veterans Association President for the coming year. I am extremely proud to be a part of this great association and share so much with our members. We just completed our 41st annual reunion in St. Louis and all that had attended had a fantastic time. The Spirit of St. Louis was alive and well! I want to personally thank Calvin and Julia Turner for setting up and handling the event. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and planning to have such a successful reunion. Bob and Karen Sexton also deserve many thanks for arranging and managing the hospitality room. Great Job !! As the gavel was passed from last years President, Calvin Turner, to me, I reflect on the hard work and dedication that our past presidents have provided. This brings back to me a quote that Albert Einstein (a pretty smart guy) once said. “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, it is the only means”. I have known the last 12 past association presidents and all have set a tremendous example for me to follow. Our veterans association is so blessed to have had these individuals as our presidents. At our St. Louis reunion we had a group of veterans from V-3 division that shared with the association numerous slides and pictures that were taken during several Westpac Cruises during the 1960’s. It took me back over 40 years to places and events back into memory lane. This is what reunions are all about. Reconnecting and sharing. We will set up an area for slides and pictures to be shown at all future reunions. You are all encouraged to bring pictures, discs, and slides for all to see. Also on display, we will have 15 different cruise books from the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s. I encourage all members to consider attending the upcoming reunions in Colorado Springs (2013) and Charleston, SC (2014). Don’t let these opportunities pass you by. In conclusion, our World War II veterans attending these reunions, makes my heart proud. I realize that all of our veteran’s service is important and is deserving of the highest possible gratitude by our nation. I can’t say enough about the sacrifice that our veterans have made over the years, with many months of deployment, financial hardships, and family separation. Even still, the World War II veterans hold a special place in my heart. I know that this high regard is shared by so many others of our association veterans. Seeing our World War II veterans at the reunions, some in uniform, is very special. I’m actually teared up in writing about it. At the recent St. Louis reunion, Sara Moses, a Jewish Holocaust survivor from the Nazi death camps at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, was our keynote speaker at the banquet. She expressed that Allied soldiers and sailors from World War II saved her life and her people. Sara said several times, “you are my hero’s”. Mine too !! I’m looking forward to serving the association, and meeting many of you at the upcoming reunions. God Bless you all. George Passantino PAGE 3 THUMBS UP FOR ST LOUIS! PAGE 4 PAGE 5 USS TICONDEROGA VETERANS” ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2012 Meeting was called to order by Calvin Turner and led in prayer by Rev. Andrew Jensen followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. An introduction by each person in attendance was given to the assembly. The 2011 Washington DC reunion recap was given by Ed Trotter. The four exceptional speakers were acknowledged and the Memorial Day timing was successful. The 2013 Colorado Springs reunion preview report was given by George Passantino. The probable start date will be around May 23. George has been actively working with Armed Forces Reunions, researching independently, and will be consulting with Karen Lee. More details to come. Last year’s vote for having the 2013 reunion in Colorado Springs was reaffirmed by unanimous vote. The 2014 reunion discussion was opened by Ed Trotter. It was proposed that 2014 be an East Coast location (Charleston SC, Jacksonville FL, Savannah GA, etc.). Ed suggested that a local coordinator from the association be recruited. Karen Lee may also be willing to coordinate. No motions or votes. General discussion was opened concerning whether the association was getting good value from Armed Forces Reunions and whether it should look more to using internal resources like Karen Lee and member volunteers to coordinate. No motions or votes. Fort Ticonderoga Museum – General discussion that the display is still well maintained and worth the trip. No motions or votes. Hornet Museum ‐ Ed Trotter reported that we have the largest display room (by about 10‐times) and that we need to purchase some metal for screen frames so a planned interactive projection display can be finished. Labor will be provided if the association provides the metal for the frames. Ed also reported that we are still trying to acquire memorabilia from internet sites like eBay but have run out of donated money for that purpose. It was suggested that as new business the membership should vote on taking money from the Miscellaneous fund to be repaid by future donations if something important becomes available. CG47 Museum – Ed Trotter reported that the Mississippi Maritime Warship Association, has submitted a plan for approval to move the CG‐47 to Pascagula as a museum. One issue is the need for a stage 5 pier. Currently an abandoned HS building is available and is planned to be used as a temporary museum to store and possibly display CG‐47 artifacts and memorabilia until the ship is available. The Newsletter report was given by Ed Trotter.