The USS Momsen DDG-92 went all out for thier commissioning cancel. Its nice. Got two(2) set back today. Picture of a DDG and with "Rise Above DDG-92 in the cancel. No killer bars! Has a single black ring with Commissioning Day inside. The PC plastered the art work with thier OSC

I think that Navy History has original records regarding ships' names that may be more authentic than DNAFS. It is a secondary source, and some of the earlier volumes were not as well prepared as the later ones. Still it is the best generally available source. Think of the confusion of ships like Barry (DDG-53???). John Lehman must have changed her name three or four times; same with City of Corpus Christi ex Corpus Christi which was the subject of a large theological debate involving SECNAV. Nixon also changed the name of EISEHNOWER to DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER -- perhaps to follow FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (ex CORAL SEA) (CVB-42) which was fully named to distinguish between the two presidents Roosevelt or perhaps KERMIT ROOSEVELT. I also like the Naval Vessel Register also available via the Naval War College libarary site. We can always read photos of fantails.

Ship disposal contracts for the last four "high-priority" ships currently available for disposal from the U.S. Government's James River Reserve fleet in Virginia were announced today at Ft. Eustis, Va, keeping a promise made earlier this year to move the ten worst ships in the aging fleet out of the river and on to qualified scrapyards to be dismantled.
The four ships included in the latest announcement are going to facilities in Brownsville, Texas. All Star Metals was awarded three contracts, valued at over $2.4 million, to dismantle Donner, Protector and General Nelson M. Walker. Marine Metals was awarded a contract valued at approximately $1.1 million to dismantle General William O. Darby.

I missed the REID postcard, and lost two GWFs from Japan. Have you seen the latest GWF on eBay, $99? Too rich for my blood.

Bruce

Thanks for the info. Is DANFS the final authority? Is there such a thing as a "final authority" for ship names? I've read that the crew of USS ARCHERFISH SS-311 changed their sub's name to ARCHER FISH by the simple method of changing stationery. Eventually the Navy Bureaus started using two words also.

Bruce

Mike, sorry about Mt. ST. Helen's. I remember nearly 25 years ago; had a shipmate from NW Washington. It was bruta. Good luck.

No use complaining -- stuck in LI in a storm and missed NJ Chapter meeting.

Thanks to you we will have some VF Commissioning Covers to either sell or hand out to those who are interested. We did manage to get a large enough number photo PCs of the VF to hand out to all attending the reunion, thanks to Earl "Bud" Boyer (USN6771) from out on the "left coast"

Due to our hosting the USS Valley Forge Reunion CV/CVA/CVS45/LPH8 & CG50, which will be starting tomorrow, we will be away from our computers till next Sunday night.

Will be trying to recruit a couple of new members for the USCS, as there are a couple of mates attending who collect Valley Forge Covers and think they may have even branched out to collecting other ships.

Will have my VF collection on display, hoping it will draw some interest in Naval Cover Collecting.

Thanks.

Bruce

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

The USS Chung-Hoon, the Navy's newest and most technologically advanced ship, came to life yesterday before a crowd of hundreds during a commissioning ceremony at Ford Island.

Upon hearing the order to bring their ship to life, crew members of the USS Chung-Hoon run to their posts aboard their newly commissioned ship. The guided-missile destroyer is named after Rear Adm. Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon, a Honolulu-born war hero.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

The ship is named after Rear Adm. Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon, a war hero born in Honolulu, and the ceremonies featured Hawaiian and Chinese traditions, including hula, chants, a lion dance and choral performances.

The highlight of the ceremony followed Navy tradition, as the crew was called aboard to bring the ship to active duty. Rear Adm. Chung-Hoon's niece, Michelle Punana Chung-Hoon, gave the order: "Sea Warriors, man our ship and bring her to life!"

The Sea Warriors obeyed.

While the band played "Anchors Aweigh," the crew ran to the bridges and boarded the ship, lining the railings as guns blasted and horns blared.

More than 150 of Chung-Hoon's family and friends attended the ceremony.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be home-ported at Pearl Harbor, where Chung-Hoon served during World War II, attached to the USS Arizona during the surprise attack by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941.

The USS Chung-Hoon was not officially on active duty until its commissioning yesterday when the crew manned the ship at Pearl Harbor, its home port. It had been christened in Pascagoula, Miss.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It is fitting that the ship that carries his name will be home-ported here in the same harbor where the Arizona memorial commemorates his fallen shipmates," said U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, the keynote speaker at the ceremony.

Inouye told guests about Chung-Hoon's accomplishments as commander of the destroyer Sigsbee.

In 1945, a kamikaze crashed into the Sigsbee, killing 23 men and nearly sinking the ship. Despite extensive damage, his ship helped destroy 20 enemy aircraft.

"Despite these harrowing circumstances, through the leadership (of then-Cmdr. Chung-Hoon), the Sigsbee continued to fight, keep its anti-aircraft guns firing on the Japanese aircraft while simultaneously directing damage control efforts to save the ship," Inouye said.

His "conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary leadership" earned Chung-Hoon a Navy Cross and Silver Star, Inouye said.

The USS Chung-Hoon joins five other destroyers stationed at Pearl Harbor and will be one of a dozen Navy surface ships stationed in Hawai'i.

The new ship has the distinction of being having the most advanced weapons technology in the world. It is capable of fighting simultaneous air, surface and subsurface battles.

Welcoming the guests, Gov. Linda Lingle noted: "The presence of the USS Chung-Hoon and the Navy's other vessels in Hawai'i help keep our state secure and prosperous. The aloha state is proud to have you here."

The Chung-Hoon, which was christened in Pascagoula, Miss., was powered up for its journey to Hawai'i, but it was not officially on active duty until the crew manned the ship.

For Fire Controlman 1st Class Rhett Morrison, the ceremony brought to an end several months of preparation. The Chung-Hoon will be his third ship, but it is the first time he has seen the process through from the start.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Morrison said: "This is an end to a beginning."

Petty Officer 2nd Class Winston Grant said he'll reserve judgment on the new ship until he has spent some time on it. "It's been a wild ride and everything's all new. We'll have to get used to it," he said.

But his initial impression was "everything is clean, you have all your knobs and screws and everything — it's really nice."

After the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the USS Chung-Hoon, and hundreds jumped at the opportunity to climb ladders and squeeze down narrow hallways to get a glimpse of the new ship.

Children flocked to the control panels, pressing buttons and flicking switches. "It has good guns on it and it's powerful," raved 8-year-old Adam Akiu.

His father, Dan Akiu, a guest of Computer Science Corp., was happy they attended the ceremony. "It was a proud moment for Hawai'i. It's a small little state and we get to do something right," he said.

Haiti is another target; the BBC news showed devestation beyond belief. It mentions a port of great familiarity to Haiti collectors and readers of the LOG.

Getting ready for our 72nd Birthday --- if only it were that easy to figure out my mother-in-law's true age. That is a momentous accomplishment for a dedicated, small group of collectors of stuff that is of little value or interest to many dealers and other collectors. The Chapter system and LOG has kept us together a long time. Lot's of individuals deserve credit. I've been collecting for nearly 40 years and still feel like a new guy. Many more years of success and growth and many thanks to our leaders, past, present and future.

Will pray for all who live down there that the damage will not be too great.

Thanks for your reply and understanding about what I was referring about being a little quick on the trigger when you nailed that seller with negative feedback.

For many sellers on E-Bay its a business and some don't have time to get to their e-mails right away, or at least to reply to them with in 24 hours, think this is why E-Bay gives buyers and sellers three days to make contact.
Went to that sellers web site, see that he does have a rather large business, both with on line sales and traveling to Post Card Shows, in fact he was doing a show here on the Cape today, but didn't have time to get over to it, not really a priority with me, as I do not collect PCs.

Hope you two work things out, so you are both happy.

But again he should not have retaliated with a negative, he did get his money, should have only made a response to your feedback, which he did, so that should have been all.

BTW Selling stamps is not a business for me either, just a good way to unload sixty years worth of collecting a lot of extras.

Fact is right now I do most of my selling over on Stampoffers.Com no listing or commissioning fees for selling.

Jake -
Yes, I paid with PayPal.

Yes, that's exactly my policy as an eBay seller. Any problem, full refund. Under $10, keep the item. I'd rather have a happy customer than a few extra bucks. Of course I'm not in business to make money selling covers.

I was P.O.ed and probably didn't wait long enough. I waited 24 hours (one business day) with no reply, and then flamed his feedback.

BTW He now claims to be the victim of our dispute, in spite of making a business profit on the transaction.

After a little research I understand him much better. (If you can't say something good about a person, then say nothing at all.) I suggested we mutually remove the negative feedbacks. We'll see.

- - - -

Roger -
Good advice. I'll do that from now on. As seller, I always leave feedback when I receive payment, and as buyer when I get the item. Now I'll wait and let the seller go first. CYA.

- - - -

Dave -
Yeah, my ex-wife was like that. She couldn't understand why fixing the roof leak was UTTERLY UNIMPORTANT compared to USN covers. Grin.

- - - -

LB -
Bless the U.S. Navy for putting DANFS online! Hazegray.org has done a fine job, but their volunteer transcription has gone so slowly.

Bruce

historhttp://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/index.html

Naval Station Pascagoula, Miss. (Sept. 14, 2004) - Sailors from the Naval Station Pascagoula and the guided missile cruiser USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) maneuver heavy mooring lines as they secure the ship to the pier in preparation of potential hurricane-force winds and waves generated as Hurricane Ivan heads toward the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ticonderoga is scheduled to be decommissioned in 15 days, and was unable to sortie from Pascagoula.

Carriers:
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - Persian Gulf
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - Pacific Ocean
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Pacific Ocean
USS George Washington (CVN 73) - Atlantic Ocean
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - Indian Ocean

Command Ships
USS LaSalle (AGF 3) - Mediterranean Sea
USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) - Atlantic Ocean

Amphibious Ships:
USS Tarawa (LHA 1) - Pacific Ocean
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) - Pacific Ocean
USS Duluth (LPD 6) - Pacific Ocean
USS Ponce (LPD 15) - Atlantic Ocean
USS Germantown (LSD 42) - Pacific Ocean
USS Rushmore (LSD 47) - Pacific Ocean
USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) - Gulf of Mexico

Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) Three
[11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (SOC)]
USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) - port visit, Singapore
USS Denver (LPD 9) - port visit, Phuket, Thailand
USS Comstock (LSD 45) - port visit, Singapore
USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) - Persian Gulf
USS Hopper (DDG 70) - North Arabian Sea
USS Preble (DDG 88) - North Arabian Sea

Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG)
[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (SOC)]
USS Essex (LHD 2) - Persian Gulf
USS Juneau (LPD 10) - Persian Gulf
USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) - Persian Gulf

Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG)
Standing Force Atlantic
USS Saipan (LHA 2) - Atlantic Ocean
USS Trenton (LPD 14) - Atlantic Ocean
USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) - Atlantic Ocean

More seriously, can we improve our homepage, particularly for new and prospective members, by listing chapters, contacts and next meeting dates as a button on this site. I would be happy to coordinate the intial listing and work with Karl and the folks behind who do the actual hard work. If each chapter rep would send me details including points of contact, tel nos. and email addresses as well as general info re chapter meetings, dates and locations.

Bruce my one question to you is, how much time did you give the seller to make it right before you posted the negative feedback??

Thanks for the info.

Do you mean to suggest that Paul has something more important than this Hobby? Shame on him. Grin.

Bruce

The Naval Cover Musuem is still active. Paul might be traveling on business.

Is the Naval Cover Museum still active? Got no response from email.

Bruce

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, his score is great. Can someone tell me if John Vierra, Gray ME, is a USCS or APS member?

He hasn't responded to ANY of my emails. AFTER I left negative feedback, THEN he left a negative claiming I damaged the 90-year-old postcard by removing his scotch tape.

How do you deal with a guy who won't talk, who twists your words like a not-too-bright sea-lawyer, and who retaliates with negative feedback? Next step, eBay's dispute resolution services.

Bruce

I have a dispute on eBay with John Vierra, "popcornjohn." Can anyone give me the straight dope on this guy?

Thanks.

Bruce D. Liddell
Email BDLiddell@yahoo.com
USCS 6927

I have a dispute on eBay with John Vierra, "popcornjohn." Can anyone give me the straight dope on this guy?

Thanks.

Bruce D. Liddell
Email BDLiddell@yahoo.com
USCS 6927

Just saw on the Navy News Stand that NAS Jacksonville HONORED POW/MIA Day. Its about time!! Sure does not look like anyone else gives a Rats Butt about those folks it!! Its a SHAME!!!!

Don,
not sure who is keeping his web site up, but believe it may be Glen's daughter DeeDee, as she was the one who informed all his internet friends and VF former crewmembers of his passing, she seems to be no stranger to the internet and computer.

There are a large number of family photos up on the site now that were not there prior to April of '03 when he passed away, so ite appears it maybe a family member keeping the site open for now.

Knew him through the internet and the Valley Forge Reunion Club, as he was active in attending reunions and he was one of the first former crewmembers to visit my Valley Forge web site.

Understand from a number of former crewmembers that knew him, he was a great guy.

Chat quite often with the mate (John Thomas) who sent the VF photos to him that are up on his web site. He is also very active with the Club and had the honor of meeting him and Glen a few years back at one of our reunions.

Don if you wish you can contact me, you can do so at jake@capecodmouse.com, be sure to put Long Branch in the subject line so it does not get lost in the SPAM.

Wow! I had not loked at his web site in a few years. He and his friends have expanded it. I know many of the individuals in the pictures, but haven't spotted myself yet. It will take a while for me to go through all of them.
Thanks,
Don

Yes, I knew Glenn quite well for a number of years. I always enjoyed him and his wit and humer. Even when he knew the big "C" was getting the best of him he was very cheerful. He did a marvelous job of managing the Longbranch Marina in his last years.
Did you serve with Glenn?

Hows things going up in the Big City??

By chance did you know this old Valley Forge Sailor, Glen Miller who lived in Long Branch,WA
http://www.dockrat.org/
Even though Glen has sailed on his Last Voyage his web site is still on line.

There are some real great photos of your area, as well as a a number of people that Glen knew, maybe your in one of Glen's photos

That was disclosed a while back. A US built plane and USN eyes led to the resighting and eventual distruction of BISMARCK.

Good luck in putting your cover show together.
Know you have lots of work ahead of you and those who have offered to help.

Sounds like the Gulf Coast still is suffering badly. Sorry to see STANAVFORLANT go; it was the source of some early cover hunts in NYC for AMERICA CHapter 35 years ago.

Hey Roger ** Good luck in getting the show goin' and the info the Frank Cable

LB**
Its just plain "HOT" here in Brenham! Last two(2) days were 100 degrees and today will be the same. Next 2-3 days relief is supposed to arrive. It'll just be in the mid 90's. I'm ready for Winter, never cared much for Summer.

30 Sept 2004

Pictorial for Ticonderoga

USS Ticonderoga Farewell Station
Postmaster
169 Champlain Ave
Ticonderoga, NY
12883-9998

The best way to prove it would be to get the ship's deck log from DC -- I think the National Archives is the holder. The date should reflect where the ship was located on the day in question. Hope I've not confused you anymore. Cheers, Larry [6221] PS you must have joined in the late 1960s.

Homported in San Diego, Portsmouth completed its 21-year career with eight extended deployments and three mini-deployments in the Western Pacific theatre of operations. Even at the end, Portsmouth Sailors continued to impress others with their drive and dedication.

"I was greatly impressed by the pride and professionalism of this fine crew as the ship prepared for its final voyage," said Capt. Bruce E. Grooms, commander, Submarine Squadron 6. "They worked diligently to make sure that every detail was completed properly. They were asked to perform a battery of engineering tests prior to its deactivation, and they performed them flawlessly."

Since arriving here from San Diego last week, the crew began final preparations of deactivation for the vessel, which included equipment and supply offload, and personnel transfers.

Rear Adm. Frank M. Drennan, a former commanding officer of Portsmouth and current director, Joint Forces Headquarters Information Operations, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., was honored to be the guest speaker for the event. "The greatest feeling of all is being back on board the mighty Portsmouth one last time," he said.

He added that this event would forever be special to him. "Being a relatively new flag officer, I have not had the occasion of having honors rendered coming on board a ship," Drennan explained. "I'll always cherish the memory that my first, as a flag officer, was on a ship that I once commanded.”

Portsmouth shares it's namesake with two cities: Portsmouth, Va., and Portsmouth, N.H. For these two communities with a proud naval tradition, the loss is even deeper.

"It is always saddening when a ship that has served its country so well for so many years comes to the end of its life cycle,” said Dr. James W. Holley III, mayor of Portsmouth, Va.

“The crew, past and present, have put their sweat, hearts, and souls into maintaining the ship and completing missions,” he continued. “The City of Portsmouth will be saddened by the loss of its namesake. It is not every city that gets a naval vessel named after it."

"We're sorry to see it deactivated," said Evelyn Sirrell, mayor of Portsmouth, N.H. "We're hoping that another submarine in the future will again bear the name Portsmouth."

During her 20 years in service, Portsmouth earned six Meritious Unit Commendations, five Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) awards, a Navy Expeditionary Medal, and various awards recognizing the performance by its crew.

Portsmouth recently completed a six-month western deployment in February and traveled to the Gulf of Alaska three months ago to participate in Exercise Northern Edge.

Cmdr. Kevin Brenton, Portsmouth's last commanding officer, thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the Portsmouth, including his crew for their outstanding service up to the ship's time of deactivation.

"Our Sailors have answered every bell," he said. "I stand before you truly proud of what my crew has accomplished."

“We may be able to turn off the electricity, and even remove the heart of the reactor coil from the hull, but we can never remove Portsmouth's warrior sprit that resides in us all," Brenton said.

As plankowners, former commanding officers of the ship and its crew looked on, the inactivation order was read, the watch was secured, and the ship’s commissioning pennant was lowered, officially bringing to a close more than two decades of service.

"Portsmouth warriors past and present, I am honored and privileged to have commanded such a proud ship and crew," Brenton said. "You truly exemplify our ship's motto 'Proud to be the Best,' and I salute each and every one of you."

Thanks for the info on HELENA I. The postcard from Amoy and the Canton dateline seem to point solidly to HELENA II. The dial is a perfect impression and the KB almost unreadable, but "CH*N*" is pretty clear. The top KB text has an "S" in the middle. Wusueh maybe? Is that near Canton?

Bruce #6927.

(Despite the low number, I'm a newby. My USN cover collection has been "commissioned" and "decomissioned" as many times as a four-piper DD. Grin.)

The newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Chung-Hoon, will be
commissioned Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, during a ceremony at Ford Island, Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii at 10:30 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time.

The ship honors Navy Radm. Gordon P. Chung-Hoon, born in Honolulu, July 25, 1910.
Chung-Hoon attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in May 1934. He is a
recipient of the Navy Cross and Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and
extraordinary heroism as commanding officer for the USS Sigsbee from May 1944 to
October 1945. In the spring of 1945, the Sigsbee assisted in the destruction of 20
enemy planes while screening a carrier strike force off the Japanese island of
Kyushu.

On April 14, 1945, while on radar picket station off Okinawa, a kamikaze crashed
into the Sigsbee, reducing her starboard engine to five knots and knocking out the
ship's port engine and steering control. Despite the damage, then Cmdr. Chung-Hoon
valiantly kept his antiaircraft batteries delivering "prolonged and effective fire"
against the continuing enemy air attack while simultaneously directing the damage
control efforts that allowed his ship to make port under her own power. Chung-Hoon
retired in October 1959 and died in July 1979

Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii will deliver the ceremony's principal address.
Michelle Punana Chung-Hoon, niece of the ship's namesake, will serve as ship’s
sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition of commissioning U.S. Naval ships, she
will give the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”.

Chung-Hoon is the 43rd ship of 62 Arleigh Burke class destroyers currently
authorized by Congress. This highly capable multi-mission ship can conduct a
variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control
and power projection, in support of the National Military Strategy. Chung-Hoon
will be capable of fighting air, surface, and subsurface battles simultaneously.
The ship contains myriad offensive and defensive weapons designed to support
maritime defense needs well into the 21st century.

Cmdr. Kenneth L. Williams, a native of Darmstadt, Ind., is the ship’s first
commanding officer of Chung-Hoon. With a crew of approximately 330officers, chiefs
and enlisted personnel, the ship will be homeported in Pearl Harbor, as a member of
the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The 20th Aegis destroyer built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula,
Miss., Chung-Hoon is 509.5 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, an
overall beam of 66.5 feet, and a navigational draft of 31.9 feet. Four gas turbine
engines will power the 9,300-ton ship to speeds of more than 30 knots.

The following ships have been preserved as museums, in reverse chronological order of their donation:

Hull# Ship Name Class Donated Status
DD 886 ORLECK DD 710 8/11/2000 Loaned to Turkey, 1 Oct 1982; renamed YUCETEPE. Stricken from USN, 6 Aug 1987 and sold to Turkey. Dedicated as museum at Orange TX 11 Aug 2000.
BB 62 NEW JERSEY BB 61 7/20/2000 Stricken 4 Jan 1999. Donated as museum at Camden NJ on 20 July 2000.
CV 12 HORNET CV 9 5/26/1998 Preserved by the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation as a museum at the former NAS Alameda 26 May 1998.
BB 63 MISSOURI BB 61 5/4/1998 Museum at Pearl Harbor, HI, donated 4 May 1998.
SS 483 SEA LEOPARD SS 417 1/1/1998 Sold to Brazil, 27 Mar 1973; renamed S. BAHIA. Last known reports are she is out of commission, tied to a pier and operated as a museum.
DD 581 CHARRETTE DD 445 1/1/1998 Transferred to Greece, 16 June 1959; renamed VELOS. Stricken from USN 1 Sep 1975 and sold. Served Greek Navy until stricken in 1991. Being preserved as a museum at Poros Island near Athens, Jan 1998.
CA 139 SALEM CA 134 10/13/1994 Stricken 12 July 1991. Preserved as a museum in Quincy, MA, donated 13 Oct 1994.
SS 581 BLUEBACK SS 580 5/14/1994 Serving as Memorial Boat, OMSI, Portland, OR since 14 May 1994.
DE 1029 HARTLEY DE 1006 1/1/1994 Sold to Columbia, 8 July 1972; renamed BOYACA (DE-16). Stricken in 1994 for use as a museum ship at Guatape, Columbia.
CV 16 LEXINGTON CV 9 11/30/1991 Redesignated AVT-16, 1 July 1978. Served as training carrier at Pensacola, FL until stricken for disposal 30 Nov 1991. Museum at Corpus Christi, TX.
DD 951 TURNER JOY DD 931 4/10/1991 Involved in Gulf of Tonkin incident which provoked the Vietnam War. Stricken 13 Feb 1990. Preserved as a memorial at Bremerton WA donated 10 Apr 1991.
DE 766 SLATER DE 99 1/1/1991 Sold to Greece, 1 Mar 1951; renamed AETOS (D-01). Stricken and returned in 1991. Preserved as memorial at USS Intrepid Museum, New York City NY. Moved in 1997 to Albany NY waterfront.
DD 946 EDSON DD 931 6/30/1989 Stricken 31 Jan 1989. Preserved as memorial berthed at New York City, donated 30 June 1989.
SSG 577 GROWLER SSG 577 8/8/1988 Decommissioned after only six years of service in 1964. Moored at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton WA in reserve until 1988. Donated to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, New York City, NY in 1988.
SSN 571 NAUTILUS SSN 571 7/6/1985 Dedicated as museum at Groton CT, arriving 6 July 1985.
AGSS 569 ALBACORE AGSS 569 4/1/1984 Placed in reserve at Philadelphia, Sep 1972. Towed to Portsmouth NH in 1984 for use as a museum. Opened to the public in 1985.
DE 177 REYBOLD DE 99 1/1/1984 Loaned to Brazil, 15 Aug 1944; renamed BAURU (D-18). Sold permanently, 30 June 1953. Converted to support vessel (U-28). Scrapped
DD 933 BARRY DD 931 1/31/1983 Stricken 31 Jan 1983; preserved as memorial berthed at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington DC
CV 11 INTREPID CV 9 3/23/1982 Transferred to custody to museum and stricken 23 Mar 1982. Preserved at Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City.
DE 228 RUCHAMKIN DE 224 1/1/1980 Loaned to Columbia, 24 Nov 1969; renamed CORDOBA. Sold outright, 31 Oct 1977. Preserved as museum in 1980.
CL 92 LITTLE ROCK CL 55 6/30/1979 Converted to guided missile cruiser (CLG-4), May 1957 - May 1960. Unknown decommissioning date. Stricken 22 Nov 1976. Opened to the public as a memorial in Buffalo NY on 30 June 1979.
DD 537 THE SULLIVANS DD 445 6/21/1977 Preserved as memorial, 21 June 1977. Berthed at Buffalo NY.
SS 319 BECUNA SS 285 6/21/1976 Museum boat at Philadelphia PA, 21 June 1976.
SS 224 COD SS 212 5/1/1976 Dedicated as museum in Cleveland OH May 1976
SS 246 CROAKER SS 212 1/1/1976 Museum at Groton CT in 1976. Museum at Buffalo NY since 1988.
SS 383 PAMPANITO SS 285 11/21/1975 Placed in reserve at Mare Island 15 Dec 1945. Served as naval reserve training boat April 1960 - Dec 1971. Turned into a memorial at San Francisco on 21 November 1975.
CV 10 YORKTOWN CV 9 10/13/1975 Memorial at Patriot's Point, SC dedicated Oct 1975
SS 343 CLAMAGORE SS 285 6/27/1975 Converted to Guppy-III spec, 1962-63. Stricken 27 June 1975. Serving as Museum Ship at Patriot's Point, Charleston, South Carolina.
DD 724 LAFFEY DD 692 3/1/1975 Heavily damaged off Okinawa, 15 Apr 1945, taking four bomb and five Kamikaze hits. (32 killed). Preserved as memorial, berthed at Charleston SC.
DD 661 KIDD DD 445 12/1/1974 Preserved as a memorial. Berthed in Baton Rouge Louisiana, after stricken 1 Dec 1974.
DD 793 CASSIN YOUNG DD 445 12/1/1974 Preserved as memorial, berthed at Boston Navy Yard, Boston MA.
DE 238 STEWART DE 129 6/25/1974 Preserved as a museum at Galveston TX, 25 June 1974.
DD 850 JOSEPH P KENNEDY JR DD 710 7/1/1973 Stricken 1 July 1973. Preserved as a memorial berthed at "Battleship Cove" in Fall River MA next to MASSACHUSETTS (BB-59).
SS 236 SILVERSIDES SS 212 5/24/1973 Museum at Muskegon MI since 24 May 1973.
SS 390 PLAICE SS 285 4/1/1973 Sold to the Brazilian Navy in 1963 for training in submarine warfare; renamed BAHIA (S-12) and retired from active service in the Brazilian Navy in 1973 at which time she became a museum ship in Santos, Brazil.
SS 423 TORSK SS 417 9/26/1972 Museum boat at Baltimore MD since 26 Sep 1972
SS 298 LIONFISH SS 285 8/30/1972 Assigned as NRF training boat in Providence RI after the Korean War. Memorial Ship at Fall River, MA since 30 August 1972.
SS 297 LING SS 285 6/18/1972 Stricken 15 Dec 1971. Memorial ship at Hackensack NJ since 13 Jan 1973.
SS 310 BATFISH SS 285 2/28/1972 Serving as Museum Boat in Muskogee, OK since Feb 1972.
SS 481 REQUIN SS 417 12/20/1971 Museum ship at Tampa FL, Dec 1971 - 1987. Towed up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers arriving in Pittsburgh on September 4, 1990 where she was dedicated as a Memorial and has been opened for tours since 20 October 1990.
SS 287 BOWFIN SS 285 12/1/1971 Museum Boat at Pearl Harbor, HI
SS 244 CAVALLA SS 212 1/21/1971 Preserved as memorial at Galveston, TX since 21 Jan 1971.
SS 245 COBIA SS 212 8/1/1970 Dedicated to Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Aug 1970.
SS 228 DRUM SS 212 4/16/1969 Served as naval reserve training submarine at Washington DC, Mar 1948 - June 1968. Transferred to USS Alabama Commission to be used as a memorial in Mobile AL 16 Apr 1969.
BB 59 MASSACHUSETTS BB 57 6/8/1965 transferred to the Massachusetts Memorial Committee 8 June 1965, museum at Fall River, MA since 14 Aug 1965
BB 60 ALABAMA BB 57 6/16/1964 Museum at Mobile, AL since 14 September 1964
BB 39 ARIZONA BB 38 5/30/1962 Sunk at Pearl Harbor Dec 1941. Declared National Shrine by JFK May 1962.
BB 55 NORTH CAROLINA BB 55 9/6/1961 Museum at Wilmington, NC since 6 Sep 1961. Received 12 battle stars for action during World War Two.
CL 15 OLYMPIA CL 15 9/11/1957 Preserved as a museum at Philadelphia PA, transferred 11 Sep 1957. She is the US Navy's oldest steel ship afloat.
BB 35 TEXAS BB 34 4/21/1948 Museum at San Jacinto State Park in Texas 1948 and turned over to the state of Texas to serve as a permanent memorial. Earned five battle stars during World War Two.
IX 21 CONSTITUTION IX 21 5/7/1934 Laid up in Boston Harbor as a museum since 7

Helena remained in the Far East for the rest of her naval service, engaged in protecting American lives and interests. She served in Chinese waters from October 1900 until December 1902, then returned to the-Philippines until March 1903 when she sailed back to the China coast. In December 1904, she moored once more at Cavite in the Philippines, where she was placed out of commission 19 April 1905.

Helena recommissioned 16 July 1906, and cruised on the Asiatic Station until June 1907. From that time on, with intervals for overhaul, Helena served both with the South China patrol and Yangtze River Patrol. She was placed in reduced commission 29 June 1929, but continued to serve on the South China Patrol until 27 May 1932 when she was decommissioned and struck from the Navy list. She was sold 7 July 1934.

Did you know that there was another Helena at the same time as the FG9? Here's the story of the SP-24 Helena 1.

From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

Helena I

(SP - 24: dp. 9; l. 43'; b. 10'; dr. 3'; s. 10 k.; a. 1 mg.)

Helena I, a wooden motor yacht, was built in 1906 by Van Sant Brothers, of Port Republic, N.J., and acquired by the Navy from Dr. W. G. Hall, Trenton, N.J., in May 1917. Assigned to the 7th Naval District, she was taken to Key West, Fla., and commissioned there 7 September 1917, Otis Curry, QM 2/c in command.

Helena I operated as a harbor and coastal patrol boat in the vicinity of Key West until being decommissioned and sold 27 August 1919. Before she could be delivered to her new owner, however, the boat was wrecked 11 September 1919 in a hurricane, and was stricken from the Navy List 4 October 1919.

Nixon was right about Rather and CBS but the folks behind Swiftboat Veterans for Truth have no better track records.

Can someone lend me advice and assistance? I recently purchased a postcard on eBay. The postmark is from USS HELENA PG-9, 05-Mar-1917 in red ink, type T-3(AC) kb "[unreadable] / CHINA" not listed in the USCS catalog. (I'm using the Fifth Edition, 1997.)

The card is a photo "Birds-eye view of Amoy [China]" by Ying Fong, addressed to Plainview TX, forwarded to Angola IN. Plainview TX 09-Apr-1917 machine flag postmark (type T-8) on top of HELENA postmark.

The message reads "U.S.S. Helena, Canton [China] / 3-5-17 / Dear Dick: / You no can write? / We are again south. / Will write you a letter / soon. Am closing mail / today. / Yours, / J. B. McCarty."

According to the catalog, HELENA was out of commission on this date. This does not seem significant, since I've been told that catalog dates for older ships at distant stations are not complete.

I would appreciate any information on this postmark. Is it a new variety, or have I misidentified it? I will be happy to email high-resolution scanned images.

Bruce.
Email BDLiddell@yahoo.com

Hey SteveS--
I hear what your saying! The A-4,A-7,F-4 and F-14 have all gone by the wayside. I dont know what the situation is for the A-6, up or down, but it is the work horse of the flattops. When I was a youngin on the Saratoga I could'nt believe those things could carry the amount of ordinance they did and get off the flight deck while we were in "The Nam"

I was thinking of something a bit different. Lincoln and Porter or maybe a shot of the man who helped liberate New Orleans, General Ben Butler.

Richard D. Jones. That's a long way in 35 years from the recommendation to court martial Captain Bucher -- a sad ending to a tragic story that few remember except for the rock and roll near hit of "Ride Captain, Ride on your Mystery ship" but even naval folks my age don't remember the song is about the capture of Pueblo. Read Admiral Gallery's book and a Matter of Accountability.

Bucher, commander of the USS Pueblo when it was captured near North Korea in January 1968, died last January at age 76.

On 17 September 2004, the founding of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1854 by Commander David Farragut as first Commandant will be commemorated with a souvenir cover and cancel available to collectors enclosing $2.50 plus a #10 self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Command Farragut who became Admiral Farragut will be remembered as the hero of Mobile Bay during the civil war. Mare Island was the country’s first naval base on the West Coast.
Cover requests may be sent to the Navy Yard Association, P.O. Box 2034, Mare Island Station, Vallejo, CA 94592. Collectors providing their own covers for the souvenir cancel may address requests to Postmaster, 485 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA 94590; a return envelope is suggested.

Just saw on the Navy Newstand that the Enterprise is tied up to a "First" double decker pier. Something new everyday! Have a good one

Larry Brennan: Sounds like a great cover! Any
ship's markings! Probably a straight-line cachet
with a not to modern IBM typewriter would do well!

Just got a November 7, 1862 New Orleans cover -- after liberation by Admiral Farragut. it is is day that Lincoln ordered that USArmy iron clads on the Mississippi River should operate under USN command and control. Perhaps that would be good for an add on cachet -- just 141 year old cover. How about a sketch of Lincoln and Porter or Farragut.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend

September LOG arrived a few days ago here in Sacramento, must be drawn in by the hot weather. As Richard reported we had an excellent recruiting effort at the APS show in Sacramento and the Convention in Indianapolis. At APS we were seeked out by folks who wanted to join. At the Convention it was some of that plus some who just stopped by and asked what we did. We were helped in Indianapolis by being right next to a major dealer, Fairwinds, who obviously attracted the Naval Cover crowd. There is a lesson there. The Convention was a great time, put Portland on your calendars now.

Going to the USS SACRAMENTO Decom on Oct 1. Hope to see Tom Armstrong and others there. This will be a first for me.

Jake, not sure if any individuals will have ships named in their honor. I worked for Admiral Budd Flagg who was Commander, Reserve Readiness Command Region Two and a USNA classmate of my good friend. I think he was the senior military officer killed that day, with his wife, as passengers in the a/c that struck the Pentagon -- he was an American pilot and possibly retired by that time. Sad story but lots of heroes and valor. We still can figure out how to give medals and ribbons for those who served -- honoring dead heroes may be beyond the ability of some. Keep them in mind and prayer.

Nice to see Forrestal and Saratoga when I walk out the door of the Newport Navy Lodge -- looks like an ex Seawitch class crane ship also tied uup.

We recruited 15 NEW members and had 6 Reinstated

Best gain in years!

No Log here on the Cape yet either, late this month compared to the last few months?

Do you think there is any chance they will name any ship after the active & retired Navy officers killed on 9/11 at the Pentagon?
One who comes to mind is the XO & later skipper of my old squadron VR24, Jack Punches Capt. USN Ret. who worked at the Pentagon for the Navy.

Did you serve on the Bremerton-based USS Sacramento, which is to be decommissioned after 40 years of service Oct. 1?

If you did, and you have a good sea story or memory of the Sacramento, please contact military affairs reporter Chris Barron at (360) 792-9228 or at cbarron@thesunlink.com.

No mail for 3 normal mail days. What was that? " ... through wind and rain, and ....

High-speed DSL is running at half speed and keeps dumping me if I pause too long.

My Community College is going to have a Fresh Start Semester starting Monday ...or maybee next Monday..depends on IVAN. I have met my class 3 nights out of 7 so far.

Here is perhaps more detail than anyone would want about the three ships named in memory of the events of 9/11:

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2004 -- Out of a tragedy comes remembrance in the form of
new military might.

Nearly three years after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, two Navy warships were
named in a Sept. 9 ceremony at the Pentagon. The USS Arlington and the USS
Somerset honor the heroes and victims of the Pentagon attack and the flight
downed in Pennsylvania.

"The naming of the USS Arlington also honors the sacrifice of those who
provided the critical assistance both during and after the attack of 9/11,"
said Virginia Rep. James P. Moran Jr. "The strength demonstrated by the
military and civilian employees of the Department of Defense, the emergency,
fire and rescue personnel of Arlington County, and all the surrounding
jurisdictions throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington community and, of
course, the spirit of the people of Arlington will now forever be remembered in
a very appropriate way."

The Arlington and Somerset are the latest additions to the San Antonio Class of
amphibious transport dock ships, the first to be designed from the keel up.
This class is set to replace 27 amphibious ships from the three classes of
amphibious ships now in service. An earlier ship of the same class was named
for the World Trade Center victims in New York.

With an overall length of 684 feet, the San Antonio Class ships are designed to
accommodate 1,200 sailors and Marines and their equipment. They also employ
some of the latest technology by way of the Advanced Enclosed Mast/Sensor
System. The AEM/S structure is detachable to allow for upgrades of combat
sensors and command, control and communications systems, according to the
Navy's San Antonio Class Web site.

Unlike traditional masts, this new system supports and protects radar and
communication equipment from the elements, according to the Navy's Web site. A
special coating on the mast, called a "composite hybrid frequency selective
surface," blocks electronic noise and allows a ship's radar and communication
signals to pass through the protective outer structure while filtering other
noise. The new design has dramatically changed the ship's topside appearance,
according to the Web site.

Quality-of-life issues also have been addressed with this new class of
amphibious ship. Crew berthing will be roomier and include more storage space,
officials said.

Also, the ships will be outfitted with a "Shipboard Wide Area Network." Among
other, more practical uses, the network will provide extensive access to e-mail
and the Internet throughout the ship, according to the Web site.

The USS New York, the USS Arlington and USS Somerset will serve as shining
reminders of America's resilience after the attacks of Sept. 11, Moran said.

Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England recognized the victims' families and
the first responders in the audience, acknowledging the sacrifices made. He
also echoed Moran's sentiment.

"USS Arlington and USS Somerset will join USS New York as living tributes to
every hero who died here in the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77, …
and the brave and heroic passengers and crew of United Flight 93, which crashed
in Pennsylvania," England said.

With the naming of the USS Arlington and USS Somerset, the Navy continues its
proud tradition of naming ships after great national or military leaders,
heroes who sacrificed in the defense of freedom or battles fought to secure our
liberties, England said.

"Ships' names are very important," England said. "They are a legacy for the
sailors and the Marines who sail in them. It's a source of strength and of
inspiration."

England recalled President Bush's remarks after the 2001 attacks: "We will not
waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail."

"USS New York, USS Arlington and USS Somerset and the sailors and Marines who
serve America in them will never forget and will never fail," England said.

The ceremony concluded with Mary Jo Myers, wife of Joint Chiefs Chairman Air
Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, and victims' family members unveiling a model of a
San Antonio Class ship.

On a final, sober thought, think where you were when you first became aware of the terrorist attacks. I was walking to the office across Lexington Avenue when I heard the twin engines of the first a/c being maneuvered by the hijacker as he lined up to strike the north tower.

More Changes*********

The Carrier Groups(CCG) and Cruiser Destroyer Groups have been re-named to Cmdr,Carrier Strike Groups. Navy Newstand has the details and group numbers.

Have a Good Day and Weekend!

Larry B: Quiet is good!! Especailly since the USCS BOD decided that add on cahets were not a big deal.

Richard Jones:
Another great LOG. Was glad to see the Subron listing.

Secretary of the Navy Gordon England will attend the keel-laying of USS New York (LPD 21) at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in New Orleans, La., on Friday, Sept. 10, 2004.
The ship was named in honor of those killed in the attack on the World Trade Center.

The future USS Arlington and USS Somerset will join USS New York as living tributes to those who suffered in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and to the nation.

Arlington was chosen to honor the city and county in northern Virginia, and especially, the 184 victims, aboard American Airlines Flight 77, and on the ground, who died during the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon.

Somerset honors the county in Pennsylvania where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after courageous passengers stormed the cockpit in an attempt to regain control from the terrorists onboard. Their actions prevented the airplane from reaching its destination and inflicting further casualties and damage, and the
heroic sacrifice of these 40 passengers and crew rallied and inspired the nation.

In naming these ships, England noted the impact these vessels will have on the terrorist infrastructure that led to their naming. "USS Arlington and USS Somerset will help America project power to the far reaches of the earth and will support the cause of freedom as we engage in the current war on terrorism," England said. "The courage and heroism of the people aboard those flights, and in the Pentagon, will never be forgotten by the American people, and as these ships engage in combating terrorism, they will leave a legacy that will never be forgotten by
those wishing to do harm to this country.

Two previous vessels have been named Arlington. The first was a steel-hulled C1B type cargo ship operating during World War II. The second USS
Arlington was a 14,500-ton major communications relay ship, originally commissioned in July 1946, which saw heavy use during the Vietnam War, including helping with communications during a June 1969 conference between U.S. President Nixon and Republic of Vietnam President Thieu.

Two previous Navy ships have carried the Somerset name as well. The first Somerset, a wooden-hulled, side-wheel ferryboat, performed blockade duty and made reconnaissance expeditions for the Union, until she was sold at public auction
on July 12, 1865.
The Navy acquired the second Somerset, a wooden motorboat built in 1917, on April 10, 1918, under free lease from the Conservation Commission of
Maryland. Designated Id. No. 2162, Somerset served on section patrol duty in the Chesapeake Bay area during World War I. After the armistice was signed, she was returned to her owner on Nov. 26, 1918.

The 684-foot-long amphibious transport dock ships will be built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in New Orleans and will each carry a Navy crew of 363
and 699 Marines. The ships will be used to transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked air cushions or conventional landing craft or amphibious vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical take off and landing
aircraft in amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions_._

The ships will also incorporate the latest quality of life standards for the embarked sailors and Marines, including the sit-up berth, ship services mall, a fitness center and learning resource center and electronic classroom with
the flexibility to accommodate mixed gender sailors and Marines as part of the crew
and embarked troops. The design team also incorporated hundreds of suggestions and
recommendations from more than 1,000 sailors and Marines in the design for ownership process to ensure that these ships will meet their needs throughout the first half of the 21st century.
For more information on San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock
ships, visit http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ship-lpd.html.

Navy Newstand is reporting that ComCruDesGru 8 assumed command of the Enterprise CSG as of 01 Sept. ComCruDesGru 12 was previously in command. Enterprise will be the yards for approximately 3 months at Newport News. ComCruDesGru 8 is made up of DesGru 2 and USS Anzio along with USS Cape St George

JW, many thanks for the great covers ... you stay on top of the present and future events.

John, happy Coast Guard morning.

How young can you be to join the USCS?

Stew:
Glad to help! Think I will send R. Jones a list of all the navy base and the usual pictorial cancel addresses and see if he will put them in the LOG once a year. After all, they never change, and the USCS FNGs might will certainly need them. I did an article which had all these addresses two years ago in the LOG.

This is the current address
CO, PCU JAMES E. WILLIAMS
PO BOX 7003
PASCAGOULA, MS.
39568

FPO addresses are not usually operational until commissioning. The ship can be reached at this address until Sail-Away from the yard.

Learned to rough it again. Pop tarts on the barbeque grill went over big with my daughter.

Coffee and toast and saugage were easy. Weight Watchers frozen chicken dinner with mashed potatoes were okay down in foil. Enough of the roughing it, tho'

No leaks, just lots of small branches and tree trash. Getting ready for IVAN next.

Postmaster
Naval Base Post Office
1530 Gilbert St.
Building N26
Norfolk, VA. 23511-9998
Sorry Stew, but I don't have the address for the submarine itself.
Hope this helps you out.

Till this reunion is over, hve no free time for trip or much of anything else.
The oldest boy and I are still planning to come up to the USS SALEM, hopefully this fall before he takes of for hunting up in Maine. Plans for this spring got set aside due to his extra work hours at the Academy.

Already sent an e-mail to them, found their e-mail addy at the National site

Have scanned some of the Mann covers in my collection.

As noted by I believe by Herb R., most all are addressed to Carl Mann, but there are a few that are addressed to Gary Mann at 142 So.Taylor, others I have addressed to Gary are at the address as Carl's in Montebello,Calif.
http://www.capecodmouse.com/temp/sneeky/CMANNCOVERS1.jpg

http://www.capecodmouse.com/temp/sneeky/CMANNCOVERS2.jpg

The old Cape & Vineyard Electric Co. has changed names a number of times since you were here.
When I came back to the Cape in '81 it was ComElectric Co., now goes by the name NStar.

We survived the first storms of the season with no power outages, but we got are share of rain, in fact the road about four blocks from our hose was so badly flood the town had to bring in two big pump trucks to pump the storm drains to get some of the flooding off the roadway.

No! didn't get an invite from the Navy League for any Cruises, did get my Sept. copy of Seapower in today.

Welcome aboard the USCS Chat Room!!

Looks as if my fellow USCS members have done a good job at posting links to the active USS VALLEY FORGE web sites, which included two that are hosted by capecodmouse.com, which i'm happy to say is my wife's domain.

Quick note here, the Official Navy USS VALLEY FORGE CG50 web site is no longer active. It seems from what i could find out on the web, the decommissioning in San Deigo went off on August 30th as planned.

Always nice to see a former shipmate posting on one of the chat boards, or Navy web sites.

Not sure if you are aware of the up coming VALLEY FORGE reunion we are hosting here on the Cape at the end of Sept., but if you go to Happy Valley Reunion Club web site, or to Jake's Canteen message board you will find the info for it.

Its not to late to make reservations for it, if you contact me ASAP.

JFYI; I served in V6 Div. from '56 to '57, so looks as if we may have crossed wakes some time in '57.

My duty station was in the Air Dept's. Aviation Metalshop, located portside aft on the hanger deck, also was my berthing quarters. Understand at a later time the bunks were removed from the shop?
Was real nice quarters when we were on the Caribbean Cruises, but a little on the "Frosty Side" when we went to north Atlantic.

Drop me an e-mail when you have time at jake-hvrc04@capecodmouse.com
Would be great to chat with you.

Guess October Log will be finished early if power stays on. I have first 20 pages done.

You Coasties don't forget about the EAGLE being in New London.

Richard Jones:
When was the USS TEXAS Christened? Do you have a zip code for her?

Mike

Fred Karcher was not the most famous fraud from Millis MA -- there are photos of 4 year old John F. Kerry when he resided there in the 1940s, wonder if he had a rubber stamp homemade cancels and postmark collection. Small world must be in the water -- even before floride.

Good luck to our members in FL and the SE -- seems like another Catagory five hurricane is on its way. Stay safe protect yourselves and your covers.

Stewart, hi. Hope to learn about Winfrog at SUNY maritime tomorrow if I can make it to NYC.

School system closed down today through Tuesday. Another 5-day weekend! Tuesday, schools will be trying their third start this year.

Time to back up my October Log files on CDs --just in case we have some problems

Has anybody received the Christening overs from PCU TEXAS?

http://capecodmouse.com/jacobs/dan/valleyforge.html

As you can see, USCS members are ready to help. Just ask, somebody will get the answers.

http://happyvalleyreunionclub.org/

http://capecodmouse.com/jacobs/dan/valleyforge.html

http://www.capecodmouse.com/cgi-shl/pboard/canteen.pl

Good Luck!

-USN-

August 06, 2004

Keep the e-mails to me to a minimum, since the box will fill up and runneth over.

Jake, You're right about the prior relief of the CO of JFK -- not sure if it was a pure R&M $ problem. The CO was relieved for cause by ADM Nathman, now VCNO, who is a nuclear trained aviator and former NIMITZ CO. Suffice it to say JFK is an older, steam ship that requires lots of special care and $ and has survived in large measure because the senior senator from MA has an understandable softspot for his brother's ship. Navy also has an interest in a steam CV on the East Coast for Fleet Weeks and the like but that is an expensive means of getting public support. The CVNs just don't get sent to port calls in mamor population centers. It's tough being a CV CO or any CO these days -- lot's of reliefs for cause.

Hervey Trimyer at Norfolk tells me he has a pictorial for the USS THORN dated August 25th, and USS CHARLOTTE anniversary cancel dated 9/16 and that later in the year(Oct. 23rd) he will have a USS VIRGINIA Commissioning pictorial.

Walt Greenman at Groton tells me that he will have USS PENNSYLVANIA 15th anniv. pictorial dated Sept 9th and USS NAUTILUS 50th anniv. pictorial dated Sept 30th.

There is also a pictorial for the Battle of Peleliu anniv. on Sept 15th. Send to Postmaster USPS PO Box 9998 S. Boston, VA 24592-9998.

Another pictorial(Cadet Cruise) for USCGC Eagle/posrt visit at New London, CT. on Aug. 31st. Send to Postmaster USPS, New London, CT 06320-9998 (atten: Julia Tunucci).