ASSOCIATION NEWS. PROVIDENCE REUNION August 22 26, 201. USS Benjamin Stoddert & USS Jupiter

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1 USS Benjamin Stoddert & USS Jupiter WINTER/SPRING EDITION Vol 14, No. 2 ASSOCIATION NEWS HAPPY NEW YEAR!! PROVIDENCE REUNION August 22 26, 201 Registration Cutoff Date will be July 30, Get your reservations in early or you won t be able to get our discounted rate. Please note that you must be a member, the spouse or descendant of a member, or the guest of a member to attend our reunion. Please remember that you are responsible for all reservations which include hotel and transportation. For Reservations and Upgrades call Refer to the USS Benjamin Stoddert. Cost for a room is $139/night. This price is good from Sunday, 19 August until Tuesday, 28 August. Wi-Fi and parking are free. Any questions about your stay, please call Ron Zorn at or Mike Rigdon at

2 Clem Clemons 9/6/1921 to 10/25/2017 Clem was born in Silver Point, Tennessee. He was raised with 8 siblings. He enlisted in The Navy in 1942, serving on 4 ships in WW II, and 3 ships during a recall to Korea. He was a Radioman 1 st Class. He taught Mathematics in South Carolina, Virginia, and San Diego, CA where he retired in He has been an avid traveler all his life. He also volunteered as a Curator aboard the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum in San Diego. Clem has been a member of the TVSD (Tierrasanta Village of San Diego) for 9 years. His passion in retirement was attending many former ship reunions across the country. Clem was truly one of the Greatest Generation. Clem's event will be on March 3 on the Midway Carrier Museum before the tourists arrive on a Saturday morning. We will have almost a 100 people who plan to attend the short program in the ship's theater, then see the15-minute film (with holograms of pilots) called Voices of Midway, about the battle in He will be interred at Miramar Veterans Cemetery the following Monday, March 5 with military honors. USS Midway CV 41 Her final tour of duty in San Diego Bay on June 2004 Navy Pier promises to become a busy place for people of all walks of life in the heart of downtown San Diego's waterfront when the Midway begins her final tour of duty. With new parking secured on the pier itself, visitors will be able to step from their car onto one of the true icons of the US Navy of the latter half of the 20th century! Be in the heart of the action, whether it was operations in a time of conflict or when the Midway was on one of her many humanitarian missions. The Combat Information Center was the nerve center of Midway Magic, and you ll experience it, firsthand. Meeting planners, business organization, school teachers and youth group leaders are all looking forward to the day when they will be able to hold activities aboard the Midway, some of them in the same quarters as those inhabited by Flag Officers during the Midway's stellar 47-year history. The Aircraft Carrier Memorial Obelisk and bronze statues on Harbor Drive.

3 Don Adams, Executive Officer on the USS Jupiter in 1950 An Article written by Mike Rigdon Don Adams of Coronado, CA, former Executive Officer of the Jupiter in late He caught her at Naval Station San Diego, rusted from 2 years of neglect. He was assigned to prepare her for conversion to Aviation Supply, AVS-8. Quite a job for a pilot to take over that type of ship. The department heads and mostly reserve crewmen performed well and melded into a great crew. By early 1951, Commander McKibbin and Lt. Commander Adams took her to sea with fingers crossed. During the crossing to Japan, one sailor from the Engine room, saying it was too hot down there, ran topside and jumped overboard. He was recovered, much colder! During the Korean War the Jupiter supplied most of the carriers of the 7th Fleet, including the USS Midway, pictured on the Masthead of this Newsletter. Don has many fond memories of Jupiter duty, including beach parties, softball games, and hunting duck & pheasant, while ashore of course! Don retired a Commander in 1961, just as I (Mike Rigdon) entered the Navy, with no clue I would join his old ship for her last 2 years in commission. It was a shame that most of the crews following WW II and Korea never knew a thing about Jupiter s illustrious past. (To read more from this article contact Mike Rigdon at mikerigdon2000@yahoo.com. John V. Gulla - Benjamin Stoddert Remembers We found the middle picture in the USS Benjamin Stoddert DDG22 WestPac Yearbook. John passed away on Saturday, January 20, John was a resident of Ohio at the time of passing. John proudly served 20 years in the US Navy, before becoming an Electrician. The family will receive friends Monday, February 5, 2018 from 1:00-4:00 at the Chardon VFW Post #6519, 752 Water Street, Chardon, Ohio

4 2018 USS Benjamin Stoddert USS Jupiter Reunion August 22-26, 2018 Providence, Rhode Island Marriott Downtown Hotel Reservations: Room Rates Single $139 Double $139 As of 10/23/17, there were 5 additional rooms available for booking from August 19th to the 29th. Anyone having trouble booking your reservation, please contact Ron Zorn at Newport: Rhode Island s Spectacular City by the Sea August 23, Time Frame: 7 hours Cost: $50 Come away with us to one of America s most special places! On this tour your outstanding host will take you on a journey through quaint New England towns early American history, magnificent natural scenery, and stunning wealth unlike anything you ve ever seen. You will travel along breathtaking Ocean Drive, see and hear the stories behind the marvelous summer homes of the Eisenhower s, Kennedy s, Vanderbilt s, and others, explore the cobblestone streets of colonial America, dip your toes in the sand of a beautiful beach, visit Rhode Island s most famous lighthouse, and more! Willed with interesting stories, fantastic sights, and free time to explore on your own, there is no better way to experience Rhode Island s spectacular city by the sea! Battleship Cove + USS Constitution Cruise August 24, 9:00 am 5:00 pm Cost: $90 Tour of Battleship Cove + Lunch + USS Constitution Cruise with Boston Harbor Cruise Pickup and Return to the Providence Marriott Downtown Hotel Thursday, 23 August Social Hour - 7 pm. till Closing

5 Members Name: Registration Form Providence, RI Reunion August 22 to August 26, 2018 Registration Cutoff Date July 30, 2018 Date & Activities Membership Dues: $20 x ( ) (2019) Day 1 WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22 Registration Fee: $25 x( ) Hospitality Room Open x 2300 Beer & Snacks included Officers Meeting 1730 x 1830 Day 2 THURSDAY, Aug. 23 TOUR 7 Hours Newport: City by the Sea 0830 x 1530 $50 x( ) Business Meeting 1730 x 1830 Social Hour 1830 till Closing $20 x( ) (Food) Day 3 FRIDAY, Aug. 24 TOUR + (Cruise) 8 Hours w/lunch Battleship Cove + USS Constitution 0900x1700 $90 X( ) Day 4 SATURDAY, Aug. 25 Free Day (Tours available) Banquet Dinner (Pics 1730 Hrs) 1800 x 2300 $60.00 X( ) Day 5 - SUNDAY, Aug. 26 Hospitality Room Open 9 AM to noon on Departure Day Coffee & Buns Provided TOTAL $ Please make check payable to: USS Benjamin Stoddert DDG-22 Mail Check and Form to: Mike Rigdon, Corte Playa Las Brisas, San Diego, CA

6 This Ain t No S t!!! The funny side of the Navy!

7 Government Issued Veteran ID Card As mandated by Congress, the VA is issuing official Veteran ID cards. This card identifies individuals as Veterans (not to be confused with eligibility for VA benefits). These cards can be used to obtain discounts offered by stores, retailers, restaurants, and other to Veterans. Moreover, AFEES opened its on-line shopping to Veterans on Octobe1, The card may be helpful to register. You may apply for your card at: For further information refer to the VFW Magazine January 2018 edition, page10, article, Veteran ID Cards Now Available written by Janie Dyhouse. Looking for Help! Can you spare a couple of hours on Registration Day at our yearly reunions? We are looking for the spouses of our sailors who would be interested in helping at the registration or store table. If you are able and willing to give of your time, please send your name to John Dishaw at jbdishaw@verizon.com or Joy Patz at DDG22.news@gmail.com. Hail & Farewell! Please welcome Mike Rigdon as your newest Newsletter Editor. Mike will begin his duties as editor beginning in August Over the past two years, Mike has worn several hats for the Association to include, Vice President and Registration. I would also like to thank Dan Hauschild for all his behind-the-scenes handling of the mailing of your newsletters both by and snail mail. I want to thank Ron Zorn, Ted Waypa, John Dishaw, Carole Bryan and Dave Saunders for their timely input of articles for the newsletter. Together we were a team making your newsletter a success. Each of these individuals keep our Association going. Without them, there would be no USS Benjamin Stoddert and USS Jupiter Association. It has been an honor for me to work behind the scenes as your newsletter editor these past two years. I know that you are in capable and professional hands with Mike. Thank you - Joy Patz

8 You can reach us at: President: Ron Treasurer: John Ship s Store: Ted taway08@gmail.com Website: Please notify me if you would prefer a hard copy or an ed version of the newsletter at: DDG22.NEWS@GMAIL.COM OR CALL USS Benjamin Stoddert & USS Jupiter Association USCSO 35 Market St. #30 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601