Roster for the September Public AffairsReunion Swells; Still Room at the Inn But, Discounted Rates Expire Soon

United States Navy Public Affairs Alumni Association

Volume 14 Issue 2 August 2008

PresidentBrent Baker

Vice PresidentsSteve Clawson

Jim Noone

SecretaryGeorge Kolbenschlag

TreasurerJeff Zakem

ChaplainChris Baumann

Board Members

Kenneth BraithwaiteJoe Ciokon

Donald DvornikJim FinkelsteinJack GarrowBrian Gray

Larry HamiltonMary HansonBrayton HarrisNathan Jones

George KolbenschlagBobby LincolnPeter LitrentaJim McCain

Steve PietropaoliTom Plantenburg

Jill Votaw

WebmasterAlan Goldstein

Membership ChairTom Coldwell

Sightings EditorBill Gengler

We are still almost two monthsaway from the USNPAAAReunion XII in Alexandria,

Virginia, and nearly 90 of our publicaffairs shipmates, spouses and guestshave registered for the big event. And,more than 100 have signed up for Sundaynight’s dinner saluting RADM Bill andDorothy Thompson at the U.S. NavyMemorial.

Of course, there is still time to registerand secure lodging for the September 27-29 event. But, you are stronglyencouraged to make your reservations atthe Alexandria Old Town Hilton beforediscounted room rates expire on August28. The special rate of $159 per night isavailable for Saturday and Sunday bycalling the hotel directly at (703) 837-0440 and asking for the Navy PublicAffairs Reunion discount. If you act fast,and call the hotel, you also can get thespecial room rate for Friday and Mondaynights for an extended stay in Old Town.After August 28, our reunion discountexpires and the cost per night at theHilton will increase to $206 or higher,depending on the availability of rooms.

Registration for the reunion itself isonly $199 per person for all events. Thisincludes drinks, snacks and socializing inthe private USNPAAA hospitality suite atthe Hilton, the “Welcome Aboard”reception on Saturday evening, and theSunday evening reception and dinner atthe Navy Memorial in Washington.

Registration also includes Monday’s

breakfast, business meeting, a mid-morning coffee and snack break, guestspeakers and panel sessions, and theluncheon concluding the reunion.

If you or your guest only wish toattend certain events, we’ve made thatpossible. Saturday’s “Welcome Aboard”reception is $49 per person; Sunday’sdinner salute to the Thompsons is $100 perperson, and Monday’s breakfast, programand lunch are $75 per person. We willoffer a discounted price for active duty,reserve and civilian public affairsspecialists to participate in the professionalprogram and lunch Monday.

Registration for all or selected reunionevents must include the member’s nameand guest names. Checks should be madeout to USNPAAA and be mailed toUSNPAAA, 6119 Larstan Drive,Alexandria, VA. 22312. If members haveany special needs, please let us know atregistration.

September is a great time of year to bein the Washington area, as temperaturesand tourist counts moderate from summerlevels. There is much to see and do in OldTown, with free trolley service betweenthe Hilton and the waterfront from 10 a.m.to 10 p.m. to access some of the bestboutiques, galleries, antique stores andrestaurants in the D.C. area. The May 2008Sightings highlighted some of the greatentertainment and dining options – such asdinner at Gadsby’s Tavern, where GeorgeWashington and Thomas Jefferson hungout with seafaring captains... Page 2

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from the Port of Alexandria.Accessing Arlington and downtown Washington

from the Hilton is equally easy using the King StreetMetro stop directly across the street from the hotel.Reagan-National Airport, the Pentagon, ArlingtonCemetery and the Washington Mall are only a fewstops from Alexandria. Metro offers special rates onvisitor passes.

This is definitely a reunion not to miss. TheWashington-area hospitality committee is makingsure that there are plenty of activities to please everyinterest and taste – during reunion events and freetime. If you haven’t done so already, make plans nowto join your former shipmates and colleagues in OldTown by registering for the reunion and reservingyour hotel room today.

View from the Bridge

We are excitedabout the finalstages of planningfor the upcomingReunion XII at theHilton Old TownA l e x a n d r i a ,September 27 –29, 2008. We havemore than 100people registered,and I know thatthere are more ofyou out there, whowant to come, butjust haven't gotaround to registering. Now is the time! Honor the Thompsons

The highlight of this Reunion XII is the Sundayevening, September 28, “Salute to Rear Adm. Bill andDorothy Thompson,” at the U.S. Navy Memorial. Billis our first 1650 CHINFO and our “Godfather.” Heset the course for the great Navy Public Affairs Teamof today.

Dorothy was our first public affairs community“First Lady.” She did so much to make new PAarrivals and their families feel welcome andcomfortable. Dorothy, like all Navy wives, (excuseme the correct term now is Navy spouse) kept theirPAOs on a proper reality track.

A wonderful example of the “reality check” wason the first day that Bill Thompson was going to thePentagon as an Admiral. As he was leaving theirhouse after breakfast, Dorothy said to Bill, “OhAdmiral, on your way please take out the trash!” Billwill be 86 years young this September, when wehonor this wonderful couple.

Jim Finkelstein, his son John, Dick Busby, Tom

Coldwell, Larry Hamilton, Brayton Harris have beenbusy making sure that Sunday’s salute to theThompsons will be a very special and possiblyhumorous evening for all of us.Association Business

A new slate of USNPAAA officers has beennominated for 2009. President, Jim Noone; VicePresident, Steve Clawson; Vice President JimMcCain; Secretary, George Kolbenschlag; Treasurer,Jeff Zakem, and Chaplain, Chris Baumann. Thesenew officers will be officially voted on by themembership at the reunion business meeting to take

Bill and Dorothy Thompson at Florida reunion

August 2008 Page 3

office on January 1, 2009. We are looking for a Washington area resident

member, who can work with Jeff Zakem as his“understudy” with the idea that the member will thentake over as Treasurer at a future point, as mutuallyagreed on. Please consider this “call to service” andany member can nominate a potential Treasurer toJeff or me. THIS IS IMPORTANT.

At our July board meeting, we recommendedseven new board members, including: Bruce Cole,Chuck Connor, Mike Doubleday, Sheila Graham, BillGengler, Evelyn Moy, and Kevin Wensing. If they allaccept the nominations, members will vote on thesenew board nominations at the Reunion XII businessmeeting on Monday morning. Also, at the businessmeeting, members will vote on the amendments to theUSNPAA Bylaws, as published on page 9 of the Mayissue of Sightings.

Some Closing ThoughtsGeorge Gillett is fighting leukemia and is

undergoing chemo. He reports he is unable to come tothe Reunion, but sends his best wishes to all. BobJones is doing well after an operation for an ulcer.Bob says he is slowly regaining his strength andwants to thank all who sent him cards. He and Ellenwill be thinking about the Reunion and especiallyabout the Sunday evening salute to Bill and Dorothy.

Finally, we will all miss our two long time publicaffairs colleagues, CDR Frank Maher who died onJune 8 and Journalist Master Chief Leo Loftus, whodied April 4. They both were devoted to the Navy andtheir country.

That’s all for now. Malinda and I are off to China.See you at the Reunion in Old Town Alexandria.

All the best, Brent Baker

Mustering on Station—Thus FarHere are the USNPAAA members and guests signed up for Reunion XII.

Brent & Malinda BakerCharlie & Grace BattagliaKen BeachlerDick & Joan BennettRuss Bufkins & Joan IngoldsbyDeborah BurnetteJoseph Callo & Sally McElwreathSteve ClawsonJerome ClevelandTom & Mary Ann ColdwellChuck ConnorJohn & Sandy DeweyDonald & Susan DvornikJim & Kay FinkelsteinJack GarrowBill & Anne GenglerJohn GeorgJoe GradisherSheila Graham & Steve EpsteinBill GravesBrian & Nancy GrayLarry & Barbara HamiltonPaul & Priscilla HanleyMary HansonBill & Rene HarlowBrayton Harris & Kathleen KelleyJohn & Ann HoshkoKaren Jeffries

Nancy JenkinsTom & Sally JurkowskyDenny KlauerGeorge & Vonnie KolbenschlagFred & Nancy LeederBobby & Carolyn LincolnHoward & Elisabeth LovingJim & Lucretia McCainJim & Sharon MitchellJim & Marcia NemerBruce & Theresa NewellJim & Alice NooneTom & Liz OxendineLinda PadgettJerry & Carolyn PapeKendell & Karon PeaseGordon & Diana PetersonSteve and Dawn PietropaoliCraig QuigleyBob & Micki RavitzRay and Barbara RobinsonDonna-Grace SchwenterEdward & Rhonda ShackelfordMichael & Kathy ShermanTim & Penny SiggiaRalph & Golden SlawsonBill & Dorothy ThompsonJeff & Susan Zakem

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.A Message from RADM Thorp

Our public affairs community has wished “fairwinds and following seas” to two officers whohave meant a great deal to our community

during their Navy careers. They are RADM NathanJones and CAPT Tom Van Leunen.

Following RADM Smith’s unexpecteddeployment to the Iraq Multi-National Force, RADMJones was the steady hand on the tiller, providinggreat leadership to our community and wise counselto the Secretary and the CNO. He also providedcounsel to three Chiefs of Information on Reservematters, and helped his units achieve unprecedentedActive-Reserve integration, thus providingexceptional support to active units around the world.

As Deputy CHINFO for the past two years, CAPTVan Leunen led our efforts to increase our resources

and grow the community.His leadership and direct involvement in our

landmark Flag Pole study resulted in changes that willmake the Navy Public Affairs Community bigger andbetter. We’ve also benefited enormously from hisexpertise in all facets of the acquisition andshipbuilding world. His insights and wisdom havebeen central to our communication efforts on all ofthe key issues the Navy has faced over the last fiveyears.

On behalf of the entire Public Affairs Community,I thank these two exceptional Naval Officers for theirlasting contribution to the Navy and our country. Weare grateful for their service, the service of theirfamilies, and extend our most sincere wishes for “fairwinds and following seas!”

VR – Frank Thorp

RADM Frank Thorp (left), RADM Nathan Jones, CAPT Tom Van Leunen at ceremonies held for Jones and Van Luenen

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RecentlySighted

Cragin Chairs Vets CommitteeUSNPAAA member, retired CAPT Charles L.

Cragin, of Raymond, Maine, has been appointed bythe Department of Veterans Affairs to chair theAdvisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans.

“It is a great honor to join this distinguished groupof Americans in evaluating how America hasresponded, and how it should respond in the future, tothe unique issues presented by the dedicated men andwomen who went in harms way during the Gulf Warof 1990-1991,” said Cragin.

He will serve on this committee with 13 otherdistinguished members from throughout the UnitedStates. He is a former senior U.S. Department ofDefense official, Chairman of the Board of Veterans’Appeals of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,and the 1982 Republican nominee for governor ofMaine. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1998 at therank of Captain following more than 36 years ofservice in both the enlisted and officer ranks.

The committee will examine the health care andbenefits needs of those who served in the SouthwestAsia theater of operations during the 1990 - 1991period of the Gulf War and to advise the Secretary onthe issues that are unique to these veterans and howthese issues can best be addressed by the Departmentof Veterans Affairs. The Committee will submit areport to the Secretary not later than 18 months afterthe date of its first meeting.

“I am so pleased that such a fine public servantfrom Maine has been selected by the Veterans AffairsSecretary to chair this important AdvisoryCommittee,” said Congressman Mike Michaud,Chairman of the House Veterans’ AffairsSubcommittee on Health.

Ahoy, `Net SurfersFor those of you who spend too much time on the

Internet and don’t want to stop USNPAAA memberMervin Block has a very interesting Communicationwebsite. It contains a television newswritingworkshop among other interesting material. Nocommitment, just enter www.mervinblock.com andgo from there.

Front Line News ChallengeCDR William Tucker, USNR (Ret.), remembers his

Desert Storm recall and the challenges he faced to getthe front line news to the public.

Well, as every PAO knows, we usually don’t havemuch front line experience to share with our youngones. But, Hey! All of us in uniform contribute to theoverall effort in our own special way.

I was recalled to active duty as Deputy Director ofNAVINFO Midwest during Operation Desert Stormin 1991. My job was to get news stories from the frontlines disseminated to the media throughout our 10Midwest States as soon as possible.

We could only provide news stories to thosemedia who asked for them. The problem was, theydidn't know to ask. So, first we had to call the mediaand inform them that we had a such-and-such story.The second challenge was, of course, to get the newsfrom the front in a timely manner. Releases comingfrom the front to our Chicago office were delayed byan average of three days. Meanwhile, all the majornews services had reporters on scene. By the time wegot the information the local newspaper’s responsewas, “That’s yesterday’s fish wrap!”

I needed to correct the problem of getting timelynews releases from Riyadh. So, I called my Reservecounterpart at the Pentagon and suggested that he seeto it that I got the releases the instant he did, and Iwould hold them until they were chopped, and then hewould phone me with the release authorization. Thatcut the timeline down by 2 days, and we were back inbusiness. NOW, the media sat up when we called, aswe had the information first.

But, we weren't getting a lot of press. After someresearch, I determined that 85% of all Americansdon’t read the Chicago Tribune, the Detroit Free Pressor the Milwaukee Journal. They read their littlehometown weekly newspaper. However, it turned outthat they were not interested in “war news” unless thestory carried the name of one of their local townsfolk.Working backward through my Pentagon Reservist,we got the word back to the front line ships that everystory they sent us carry as many names and hometowns of Sailors or Marines that they could logicallyfit in the article.

Soon, our small office was releasing 900 articlesa month, and they were all making ink. The smalltown newspapers would give our “war stories” front-page coverage just so long as a local guy or gal’sname appeared in the story! Mission accomplished.

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The Bosun and the Bootby CAPT Mike Sherman

Seeing the article in Sightings regarding thepassing of Admiral Moorer awhile back stirred awonderful story from my Seventh Fleet flagship days.As a young Ensign onboard the flagship USSPROVIDENCE (Prov-Maru to all of us based inYokosuka) we were excited to hear that the CNO(Admiral Thomas Moorer) would be visiting us onYankee Station! Preparations were underway as the ship wastitivated to ensure it looked it’s best, even after manylong days on the gunline. Our ship’s bosun, “BosunCraft”, possibly the most senior warrant in the Navy,and certainly a character not to be reckoned with byany Ensign, was in charge of ensuring the ship was

spotless. Bosun Craft had already been certified by ourskipper as more senior than any ENS or LTJG.“Don’t any of you ‘boots’ ever think you outrankBosun Craft,” he once admonished us. And, we neverdid…the Bosun ran the ship and we were there merelyto watch and learn. The day finally came whenAdmiral Moorer’s helo set down on PROVIDENCE. Bongs blasted, pennants fluttered, and the Admiralwas piped on board. After the appropriate salutes,Admiral Moorer looked about, stared directly atBosun Craft and with a resounding yell, called out“Boats!” To which Bosun Craft, to our amazementand the shock of our skipper, yelled back, “Tommy!”And then they hugged. I’ll never forget the stunnedsilence – even the helo was quiet. What we found out

Ensign Sue Istak is surrounded by men most of the time. At the moment it’s Lt. William Gengler (seated), Lt.Commander Dick Busby, Lt. Dave Cullen (in uniform) and Ltjg G. E. Somers (seated at right) and Lcdr. ClarkGammell (background) in the Navy Information Office in the Pentagon. Note: All PIO’s were married, but stillwere able to surround Ens. Istak. Photo and Caption - Cosmopolitan Magazine, July 1966.

August 2008 Page 7

later was that Bosun Craft and “Tommy” had been“boots” together on their first ship and had never lostsight of each other’s careers. The two, as the storyunfolded, communicated continuously throughout theyears and Bosun Craft became the eyes and ears ofthe fleet for “Tommy.” It was a marvelous sight and

a story that circulated throughout the TG for days. That reunion may have been one reason, just oneof many, that I love the Navy and stayed in long afterI lost the name “boot”…although I suspect to BosunCraft, I never lost that label.

Farewells...CDR Frank Maher

CDR Frank Maher, longtime USNPAAAmember and World War II veteran, died June 8 in hishometown of Scranton, PA, at age 92. He was one ofUSNPAAA’s oldest members.

He served aboard the USS Anzio (CVE 13) in thePacific Theater, and then remained in the NavalReserve following the war. CDRF Maher served invarious billets in Northeastern Pennsylvania,including those of Group Commander at the NavalReserve Training Centers at Dunmore and Avoca.

A graduate of the University of Scranton, he wasgeneral manager of the Diocesan Guild Studios onScranton for 50 years. He was prominent in civic andsocial organizations in Scranton over the years.

CDR Maher is survived by a son, two daughters,and four grandchildren. Two brothers who were flagofficers, RADM James Maher and VADM ArthurMaher, preceded him in death. Memorialcontributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Center,2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18510.

Master Chief Journalist Leo LoftusA native of Boston, JOCM Leo Loftus was born

on November 22, 1923, he was called to active dutyin the Naval Reserve in 1942. He participated in fournaval battles in the Solomon Islands including thebattle for Guadalcanal and the invasion ofBougainville. Following the war, Loftus enrolled atIndiana University where he graduated with a degreein journalism in 1951.

Chief Loftus left Indiana for another tour of activeduty in the naval reserve in 1954 and was assigned tothe Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training. Duringthistour he transferred to the regular Navy as a ChiefJournalist, and was assigned to the staff of the

old Military Transport Service. As a member of theMATS information team he played a prominent rolein the media planning of Operation BIG SLAM—thelargest airlift exercise ever conducted by the UnitedStates up to that time.

In July 1960, he was ordered to the staff ofCommander, USN Support Force, Antarctica. Duringthree deployments to the ice, he was responsible forthe direct supervision and implementation of theextensive media representative program.

In 1966, Loftus Glacier, located in the Taylor DryValley section of the McMurdo Sound area, wasnamed in his honor. He was included on a list of 25scientists and Navy men who had geological featuresnamed in their honor “for making a significantcontribution to the exploration of Antarctica”.

Chief Loftus' last tour of active duty was atChinfo, as Assistant for Field Services with the NavyDept. Speech Bureau. He retired from active militaryservice as a Master Chief Journalist in August 1969.Loftus was named Director of Media Relations at theNaval Academy in 1970. He served as the Academyspokesman for almost five years.

In 1975, he returned to Washington, D.C. asChief, Media Relations branch at Headquarters, U.S.Coast Guard. During six years with the Coast Guardhe was prominently involved in such major projectsas oil pollution clean up and the opening of theAlaskan pipeline in Prince William Sound. He retiredfrom the Civil Service in August 1981.

Antarctica was his favorite duty station, accordingto his wife of 59 years, Mary Louise Buswell Loftus.And, a fact that gave him great pride was that he wasthe Navy’s first Master Chief Journalist. Anothergreat source of pride were his four children and fourgrandchildren.

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Sticking It To MacKercher

Occasionally, PAOs arecalled upon to demonstratetheir versatility. Manymoons ago, Captain JackMacKercher, then alieutenant, got such a call ata dinner hosted by theRepublic of China’s Ministerof National Defense - thesenior son of Chiang KaiShek. His memories (or lackof) follow:

T h e f o o d w a soutstanding and much of thee n t e r t a i n m e n t w a scharacteristically Chinesewith a notable exception. Itwas a demonstration of ChiGung. Many of you areaware of Kung Fu and/or TaiChi, both of which derivef r o m C h i G u n g .Concentration and willpower enable a CG master toexert paranormal, even someclaim supernatural powers.Our entertainer was THE Chi Gung master of ‘free’China. He went through a routine that was incredibleuntil compared to what he did next.

He asked for a volunteer from the guests. Heselected a young army officer who rose and walkedtoward the master who stopped him several feet away.The Chi Gunger went through his protocol ofconcentration, pronounced breathing and whatever.Then he raised his arm. The officer spun around andcrashed to the floor. He was totally unconscious. Toprove this, the master inserted several extra longneedles into various portions of the officer’s body.There wasn’t so much as a quiver. The master broughthim back with a command and the young chapseemed totally unaware of what had happened.

Next the master came to my table, nodded to meand put up two fingers. It was the peace sign. Hewanted ME and someone else. I looked over atAndrew Headland, a friend as well as news rep forPacific Stars and Stripes and nodded. Andy noddedback. We approached the master and he made us stopwhere we were. He sat us down with our legs crossed,

and approached us with a menacing bamboo stick. He seemed to be studying our heads by tapping

them with his bamboo stick. Next, he placed a pieceof bamboo about the length of his on our heads. Hedisappeared from our sight for at least a minute. Wenever saw what happened next nor did either of usfeel anything.

Our hosts were very appreciative that we MeiGuos had played their game. So much so that yearslater when Ching Quo came to D. C., I was invited tothe Chinese Embassy to a dinner for him. Would I doit again? Well, perhaps, but not with the same master.He's much too old for that kind of showboating.

(Editor’s note: Don’t try this at home, this doesn’twork well unless you’re flat headed.)

A young Jack MacKercher (left) and his friend Andrew Headland, sit on the floor waiting for ablow from the Chi Gung master. The lack of expression on their faces as the master swings downat the stick resting on their heads says something. The inserted picture of MacKercher, Headlandand the Chi Gung master, says even more. It was taken moments after they took the major hit thathe describes. The broken stick lies on the floor. No pain, no change of expression. Wow! (PhotosJack MacKercher)

August 2008 Page 9

So, What’s Your Story? Here’s the Editor’s

CAPT Bill Gengler reports two items from his pastservice. First, I recall the “oh no!” when I was alieutenant, and the PIO at the 6th Naval District inCharleston. I was holding a press conference for anadmiral and a senator. The conference had gone onfor quite awhile when the District Commandant gaveme the sign to cut off the conference. I got up and toldthe reporters “thanks for coming, the conference isover.” “Wait a minute, Lt. Gengler,” said AdmiralHyman Rickover, “Senator Strom Thurman isn'tfinished yet.” Nothing more to say on this subject.

However, I remember when I was an Ensign andnewly assigned to VR-6 at McGuire Air Force Base.On my first day I drove over to the commissary,parked my car and went in to buy some food. When Icame out, a senior Air Force officer asked why I wasparked where I was. I said, sir, it says general officerparking and I am an officer. Nothing more to say onthis subject either. I need stories and photographs tokeep you informed and entertained. Please email themto me at mctravel@mindspring.com or mail to 15023Rio Circle, Rancho Murieta, CA, 95683.