Jacksonville Reunion Celebration Time!!!

A great time was had by all

who attended our banquet

in Jacksonville, FL. Clem

turned 95 and Mike turned

75! Well wishes were given

by all present at the Saturday

night banquet. Also

celebrated was a couple who made it to their 40th year

of wedded bliss. Congrats goes to Bob & Sharon

Ballou!

Presented to Commodore/CEO, Joe Snowberger

from the USS Adams Museum for display was the

Quarter-Deck Clock and the Steam Gage from the

Aft-Engine Room by Ron Zorn, Association

Chairman.

USS Benjamin Stoddert & USS Jupiter

WINTER EDITION Vol 13, No. 1

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Jacksonville Reunion (Cont’d) Celebration Time!

We were unable to tour the USS Adams DDG2, but

we were did get to board the USS Hue City CG 66

at the Naval Station Mayport.

While

touring on

our bus,

we were

treated

with a

view of

the USS

Zumwalt DDG1000, the newest destroyer in the

Navy. After our tour, we enjoyed a delicious lunch

at the Old Officers’ Club at the Naval Station. Then

it was off to the Budweiser Brewery for a cold beer.

The week ended with our sailors marching in the

Veterans Day Parade

Tucson, Arizona Reunion September 20-23, 2017

Registration Cutoff Date will be August 20, 2017.

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.

Call 1-877-622-3140 (Monday through Friday) for

reservations. Refer to the USS Benjamin Stoddert.

All upgrades must go through Jade Gonzales (1-520-

791-6151) after June 2017. For any Questions, call

Ron Zorn at 619-402-5523 or Mike Ridgon at 858-

300-6821.

President’s Corner

In 1954 I enlisted in the Navy. Over a 27-year career, I served on the Shangri-La, Jupiter, Benjamin Stoddert,

FDR, Charles Adams, Coral Sea. I worked in Civil Service at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base for 20 years.

Having attended 12 Jupiter reunions, I began attending the Stoddert reunions and was voted Chairman of the

USS Benjamin Stoddert/USS Jupiter in 2010. Jacksonville will be the 6th reunion I have been the reunion

coordinator. Ron Zorn, Chairman

Vice-President’s Corner

In 1941 I was born in Lancaster, Wisconsin. Sometime later, my family moved to Fort Worth, Texas. I

attended junior and senior high school at Laneri High. In October 1961, I enlisted in the Navy with “boot

camp” in San Diego. I then served on the USS Jupiter, AVS-8 from Oct. 1962 until decommissioning her in

June of 1964. I stood watch on the Battleship, USS Missouri while it was "mothballed" in Bremerton, WA.

My last tour of duty was with VU-3, a Utility Squadron at North Island NAS, San Diego, until July 1965. I

remained in San Diego rather than return to Texas. After finishing my BA & MA at SDSU, I taught for 30

years in San Diego high schools, as an Industrial Arts teacher. I retired in 1998 from Kearny High. After

attending the 1996 reunion of the USS Jupiter, I have been the ship’s historian and newsletter editor for 16

years. I have hosted 8 Jupiter reunions (3 in SD) across the country. Some of my fondest memories have been

meeting many true War Heroes during those ship reunions. Being an avid photographer, traveling became my

retirement specialty, attending 3-5 ship reunions all over the country, as well as overseas trips & cruises. Most

memorable was a cruise from Australia to Japan in 2006, seeing the Islands of Admiral Nimitz’s Campaign of

WW II. Last stop for that cruise was Yokosuka, Japan, where the Jupiter was stationed 14 years. I have been

a volunteer curator aboard the USS Midway CV-41 for 13 years. The Aircraft Carrier Museum is now a major

part of the San Diego waterfront, and a world famous “flat-top” destination. I also volunteer as a Board

Member and Treasurer for TVSD (Tierrasanta Village of San Diego), a Senior Citizen group of 150 who live

in Tierrasanta. Also, I am Editor and photographer for the monthly 8-page “Village Vibes” Newsletter.

Volunteering has been a huge part of my life. Mike Rigdon Co-Chairman

Treasurer’s Corner

I was born in 1943 in Upper-State New York. We moved to Bellevue, Washington, in 1956 and in 1960 my

family finally landed in Southern California where I completed high school. I attended junior college until the

call for the draft prompted me to join the Navy in 1964. My father was a WWII Navy veteran. After “A”

school in 1965 I came aboard the Benjamin Stoddert as an ET and served until my discharge in July 1968.

After my four years in the Navy I worked in the aerospace industry for a couple of years until I began my

career with the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 1970. I retired after 30 years of active service in 2000.

The Department re-hired me a few months later as a Hot Fire Training Officer, instructing new Fire recruits,

Los Angeles County sheriffs and custodial assistants, (jailers). I continued in that capacity until 2010 when I

left the Fire Service for good. In 2006 a phone call from my old boss, Master Chief Herm Chambers, brought

my attention to a Stoddert reunion in Valley Forge, PA. This was the first time I had heard of the Benjamin

Stoddert Association and was eager to attend. Since Valley Forge my wife Bernie and I have been able to

attend every reunion and have made many new friends as well as my being able to reunite with some of the

old ET gang. I presently serve as Treasurer of the Association. Thank you to all the men and women who

give their time and talents to this organization and have kept it going since 2005. Today Bernie and I are

“living the dream” in Newbury Park, California, just minutes from the Pacific Ocean. We have a combined

family of four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. We expect more to come. Life has

been good. John Dishaw, Treasurer

Secretary’s Corner

General Business Meeting Minutes Jacksonville, Florida November 9, 2016 Meeting called to order by the Association President Ron Zorn Recited Pledge of Allegiance Members of the Executive committee were introduced Joe Snowberger, CEO of the Charles F. Adams Museum welcomed us to Jacksonville. Association members introduced themselves. Old Business: 2015 minutes read and accepted New Business: Joy Patz (Newsletter Editor) asked for inputs to “our” newsletter. John wanted to make sure that Jupiter members were included in our discussions Treasurer’s report read and accepted. Included in the report was information on the association filing as a tax-free association and moving its bank account to Chase Bank. Reimbursement of Ron Zorn to cover cost overruns in Nashville. Joy Patz commented on the need for as many members as possible to stay at the reunion hotel to boost the amount of benefits the hotel will give us. Dan Hauschild: Thanked John Bassolino for his report on associate memberships. He also, discussed the revisions of the association by-laws to include USS Jupiter, insure quarterly reports to the IRS, changing titles of Chairman and Co-Chairman to President and Vice President, plans for dissolving the organization with funds and equipment go to the Charles F. Adams Museum. Ballots voting for by-law changes were sent by mail, Ballots went to people listed as having paid dues in 2015 and 2016 and 70 approved and 2 disapproved. Three places for the 2018 reunion brought to the membership by President Zorn:

Branson, MO 19 – Shows, tours, places to eat shopping, low rates, and centrally located

Virginia Beach, VA. 3 – beaches, navy ships Little Creek, Williamsburg.

USS Wisconsin Providence, RI 28 – Boston, we haven’t visited New England, USS Constitution

Secretary’s Corner (Cont’d)

Tucson trip info package handed out and discussed. September 20th. Spa experience will be highlighted in newsletter. Ted Waypa says the hotel is excellent with 5 restaurants. Tom Gryzwiyck asked about RV sites at the hotel. There are no RV sites at the hotel. Suggestion to make a note on future reunion packages if the hotel has RV sites was taken under consideration. Reserve now and upgrade rooms in June Presentation of goodies by the president Joe Patz – engineer hat John Bassolino – 2/3 engineer hat Myrtle Saunders – not arguing Dave Saunders – not arguing Joy Patz – cat t-shirt Carole Bryan – cat t-shirt Dan – a Wendy P t-shirt Paul Early – Discussion of Agent Orange and getting bill out of committee to fund care. Ron announced he’s getting a card for Herm Chambers as the founding force for the Benjamin Stoddert reunion.

David Saunders, Secretary

Ship’s Storekeeper November 29, 2016 USS Benjamin Stoddert DDG-22 Association Ron Zorn, President CAPTAIN Daniel Gillen Commanding Officer, USS Hue City (CG-66) On behalf of the USS Benjamin Stoddert Association DDG-22, I would like to express our appreciation for allowing our group to tour your ship on Thursday, Nov 10. Thank you very much for an excellent informative review of your vessel conducted under the leadership of LTJG Bloodsworth. Ron Zorn would like you to accept, as a token of our appreciation, challenge coins of our ship to you, LTJG Bloodsworth, LTJG Fletcher, and ENS Stalzer. Please convey a special thanks to them for answering all our questions and their outstanding performance of duty. Respectfully, Ted Waypa Association Storekeeper

Ship’s Store Don’t forget to visit the Ship’s Store online at www.DDG22.com. The Stoddert Challenge coins from the

Albuquerque reunion are in stock and available for immediate shipping. You can find many other items from

coffee mugs to t-shirts. For comments or questions about shopping, contact Ted Waypa at

tway08@gmail.com.

Poet's Corner

Destroyer Life

By: Berton Braley

There's a roll and a pitch, a heave and a pitch To the nautical gait they take,

For they're used to the cant of the quarter deck's slant As the white toothed combers break

On the plates that hum like a beaten drum To the thrill of the turbines might,

As the knife bow leaps through the foamy deep With the speed of a shell in flight.

Oh, their scorn is deep for the crews who keep To the battleship's steady floor

For they love the lurch of their own frail perch At thirty five knots or more.

They don't get much of the drill and such That the battleship sailors do

For they sail the seas in dungarees A grey destroyer's crew.

They need not climb at their sleeping time To a hammock that sways and bumps For they leap kerplunk into a cozy bunk

That quivers and bucks and jumps. They hear the sound of the seas that pound

On the half inch plates of steel And they close their eyes to the lullabies

Of the creaking sides and keel. They're a lusty crowd that's vastly proud

Of the slim grey craft they drive Of the roaring flues and the humming screws

Which make her a thing alive. They love the lunge of her surging plunge

And the murk of her smokescreen too. As they sail the seas in their dungarees

A grey destroyer's crew.

Letter to a Veteran

Volunteers Needed

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 out 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.

Collage of Pics from our Jacksonville Reunion

Name:_______________________________________Ship:______Years:______ Cell:_______________ Email:__________________________; Address:______________________________________________

Mail Check and Form To: Mike Rigdon, VP – 11533 Corte Playa Brisas, San Diego, CA 92124-1547

Registration Form – TUCSON, AZ - Reunion - Marriott Starr Pass

Resort – $119.00 Reg. Rm, Reservations: 877 622 3140, Upgrades

available not until June call Jade 520 791 6151 mention Code: (USS)

Wed. September 20 to Sun. September 23, 2017

Registration Cutoff Date – August 20, 2017

Date & Activities/ Membership Dues: $20 x ____ 2017___2018___

50/50 Tickets - $10 x ________

Day 1 – WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20 Registration Fee: $25 x _______

Hospitality Room Open - 1600 x 2300 Cash Bar

Day 2 – THURSDAY, Sept. 21 TOUR

SAN XAVIER DEL BAC & TUBAC - 0800 – 1500 $70 x ______

Hospitality Room Open - 1700 x 2300 Cash Bar

Business Meeting – Hospitality Rm. - 1730 x 1845

Day 3 – FRIDAY, Sept. 22

GOLF & SPA Activites - AM till ? Golf $69 X _______

Spa $100 X _______

Banquet Buffet - 1830 x 2300 $60 X ______

Day 4 – SATURDAY, Sept. 23 TOUR (TOMBSTONE)

BEST OF OLD WEST TOUR 0800 x 1600 $75 x _______

Hospitality Room Open 1700 x 2300 Cash Bar

Day 5 - SUNDAY, Sept. 24

Hospitality Room Open - 0800 to 1200 on Departure Day

Coffee & Buns Provided N/C TOTAL $ ________

Please make check payable to: USS Benjamin Stoddert/Jupiter

Joy Patz

USS Benjamin Stoddert & USS Jupiter Association 416 Holt Road Aliquippa, PA 15001

You can reach us at: President: reddyndame@yahoo.com Treasurer: jbdishaw@verizon.net Ship’s Store: taway08@gmail.com Website: www.ddg22.com

Please notify me if you

would prefer a hard copy

or an emailed version of

the newsletter at:

DDG22.NEWS@GMAIL.COM

OR CALL 724-906-3341