1

THE REUNION REGISTRATION FORM IS

THE LAST TWO PAGES OF THIS

NEWSLETTER. IT WAS ALSO

ATTACHED TO THE EMAIL SENDING

THE NEWSLETTER and CAN BE

FOUND ON THE REUION WEBSITE: http://ssbn655.org/reunions/2020_Reunion11

REUNION CONTROL CENTER

2020 Stimson Reunion

October 7-11, 2020

Hotel: Holiday Inn

1717 Airport Exchange Blvd.

Erlanger, KY 41018 Shipmates,

This is a progress report on

the 2020 reunion. I think we are

on target and maybe a little

ahead of schedule of where we

would normally be. The only

difference from the last reunion is

that we are starting the registration (reunion and

hotel) a month later; this was due to the hotel

policy of not taking registrations until 11 months

before the event. A lot of you volunteered to

assist, I will ask for that help as we get closer,

especially in the area of table decorations and

possible donations for door prizes, it‘s still a little

early for that.

As always, if you have any questions or

comments please contact me either by phone or

email to discuss.

Reunion Progress Report as of 10/14/19:

1. The Hotel has been secured.

2. Buses have been reserved for:

A. Wright- Patterson AFB Tour.

B. River Cruise.

3. River Cruise has been reserved.

4. Registration Form is ready for publication on

or about November 1st, thanks to Nick.

5. Banquet speaker has been secured.

6. Color guard with bugler secured for banquet,

from my VFW.

7. Hotel will take reservations by phone or on-

line. Phone number, website and the code for

our special rate will be published both in the

registration form and on the 2020 Reunion

webpage on the 655 Website.

8. The Northern Kentucky Convention and

Visitors Bureau will be assisting us before and

VOL. 2019 #11 NOVEMBER 2019

U S S H E N R Y L . S T I M S O N A S S O C I A T I O N S S B N 6 5 5 N E W S L E T T E R

A s s o c i a t i o n O f f i c e r s & B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 2 0

PRESIDENT Tom [Marie] Krauser

VICE PRESIDENT Steve [Terry] Novic

SECRETARY Nick [Linda] Nichols

TREASURER Ken [Diane] Meigs

OUTGOING PRESIDENT Ray [Rita] Kreul

HISTORIAN / CUSTODIAN Larry [Linda] Knutson

WEBMASTER / NEWSLETTER Nick [Linda] Nichols

CHAPLAIN Jake Morris

STOREKEEPER / SHIPS STORE Jim [Suzie] Weaver

O t h e r P o s i t i o n s 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 2 0

Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2019

2

during the reunion. They will have volunteers on

site at the hotel to assist with registrations. They

will provide the name tags and lanyards at no

cost.

9. The hotel will comp us 1 room night for every

50 room nights we use. We plan on using two

room nights as an incentive for early registration

(Must be hotel and reunion to qualify for the raffle)

with a deadline of April 1. They will be raffled at

the banquet. Only those who have pre-registered

by April 1st will be entered into the raffle.

10. I've been updating our Facebook page

weekly. |

11. A trio has been secured for music at the

banquet.

//Dick Young

stimson655reunion2020@aol.com

————————————————

——————

From the Association President -

Tom Krauser, MM1(SS) B 72-74:

As Thanksgiving approaches let

us be thankful for our family, good

friends, and shipmates.

Still working on painting the house exterior one

section at a time. About 60 percent done and

trying to do it as safely as possible. Harder to find

days that are dry enough and warm enough (over

50 degrees) to actually paint. At least the parts

visible to the road are done and only the backside

left to do.

Dick Young and the reunion committee are

making great progress in setting up the 2020

reunion in Cincinnati Ohio. Look for his updates in

the newsletters.

If you have any questions or concerns for the

board, please feel free to contact us so we can

address them.

From the Association Historian/Memorabilia

Custodian - Larry Knutson, MMCS(SS) B 79-81

USSVI-Charleston Base:

If you were on the Gold Crew

during any portion Bob Weeks was

the CO you completed a check-in

card for him. The box of cards is

now held by our base secretary. If

you would like a copy of your card

sent to you please contact our

Secretary at 655webmaster@ssbn655.org.

——————————————————————

From The Editor

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Happy 244th Birthday, U.S. Navy!

Oct. 13 is the 244th birthday of the United

States Navy. As the Navy grows ever more

capable with new ships and technologies, we

continue to rely on our Sailors, working side by

side with the U.S. Marines to protect America‘s

people, partners and interests around the world.

Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer has

a birthday message to the Navy, stressing this

year‘s birthday celebration theme ―No Higher

Honor,‖ which commemorates the Battle of Leyte

Gulf, the largest sea battle in modern history.

https://youtu.be/fSja2y_HEz8

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday,

who is joined by Commandant of the Marine

Corps Gen. David H. Berger also sent a birthday

message to the fleet:

https://youtu.be/Xr2Ym-xcLUc

Transcript of their remarks:

CNO: THE NAVY‘S WATCH TO PROTECT

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS WITH HONOR,

COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT BEGAN 244

YEARS AGO. AS WE CELEBRATE ACROSS

THE FLEET, WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT

3

TO BE READY; TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO

FORGED OUR LEGACY; AND TO HONOR OUR

FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES WHO STAND

BESIDE US.

CMC: WE CELEBRATE WITH YOU AS

SAILORS AND MARINES REMAIN READY IN

EVERY FLEET AND OPERATE TOGETHER AS

AN INTEGRATED NAVAL FORCE.

CNO: WITH 290 SHIPS, ABOUT A THIRD OF

WHICH ARE UNDERWAY TODAY, YOUR NAVY

AND MARINE CORPS ARE AMERICA‘S AWAY

TEAM. WE ENABLE PROSPERITY 24/7/365 –

AT HOME AND ABROAD – BY ENSURING

PEACE, STABILITY AND SECURITY.

CMC: HAPPY 244TH BIRTHDAY NAVY.

CNO: SEE YOU IN THE FLEET, SHIPMATES.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There are several items I want to make sure you

read in the section ―Something From Our

Shipmates‖ on page 10. One is an PBS Station

interview with Chuck Hladik where his garden

shed was highlighted. The other was an interview

with Marty Sessler by the local Summerville SC

newspaper. Additionally, Donna Hastie submitted

a very full listing of available items/meals/etc.

available to Veterans on Veterans Day. It‘s at the

end of the newsletter and is several pages long.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sharing Pictures with Shipmates:

If anyone has pictures you would like to share

with your shipmates please follow the directions in

this link and I will be glad to put them in the

newsletter.

Picture Upload Instructions (to Dropbox)

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

——————————————————————

The Lean Submariner

Here‘s the latest posts on the blog. Still going

strong. The link to his blog is

https://theleansubmariner.com/

*****

USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624) ―The

world must be made safe for democracy.‖

by Mister Mac - I was assigned to the USS

Halibut (SSN 597) in late 1975. The boat had

just returned from her last mission and was

about to undergo decommissioning. My

previous assignment had been at Pearl Harbor

on the USS George Washington but I did not

want to extend to take the boat into the shipyard

at […] Read more of this post

*****

May 1960: You‘ve got Polaris, why on earth

do you need bigger carriers? by Mister Mac -

You‘ve got Polaris, why on earth do you need

bigger carriers? This was the first speech given

to the Navy League by Secretary Franke.

Franke served in the new Kennedy

administration. The source document comes

from amalgamated press releases recorded from

1959-1962. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?

id=uc1.c2968167&view=1up&seq=571

In May of 1960, the secretary was giving a

standard speech […] Read more of this post

*****

October 4, 1957 – The event that pushed

America to Polaris by Mister Mac -Rather than

being a sign of achievement, Sputnik created a

universal atmosphere of fear in the Western

nations. The fear was that if the Soviets could

launch a satellite that high into the atmosphere

and sustain an orbit, what would stop them from

launching nuclear weapons. That fear most

certainly helped to spark the drive […] Read

more of this post

*****

USS Henry L. Stimson SSBN 655 ―to keep

peace you must be strong to resist

aggression‖ by Mister Mac - In a world where

politics has become more toxic than a bucket full

of radioactive waste mixed with every known

chemical harmful to mankind, the example that

Henry L. Stimson provided is the one shining

light that still stands out like a beacon. Stimson

was a war veteran, a statesman, a leader, and a

man […] Read more of this post

*****

USS Will Rogers SSBN 659 – Protecting the

big honest majority by Mister Mac - Why name

a submarine "Will Rogers"? I have been reading

a lot of background material on Will Rogers in an

attempt to understand why his name was

included in the list of Eminent Americans (as

Admiral Rickover famously named the men from

the 41 for Freedom boats). Many of the men

4

who were chosen for […] Read more of this

post

*****

USS George C. Marshall SSBN 654 –

Patience not weakness by Mister Mac - Sixty

years ago today, America lost one of its

greatest citizens. He would not live to see the

submarine that would later bear his name. But

the work that he did for the nation ensured that

freedom and liberty for many people would be

assured. From his day as a cadet at the

Virginia […] Read more of this post

*****

USS Sam Rayburn SSBN 635 – Mr. Sam by

Mister Mac - USS Sam Rayburn SSBN 635

This is the last of the 41 for Freedom Boats

that was memorialized in Admiral Rickover‘s

book the Eminent Americans. It‘s been a

fascinating year learning more about each of

the boats but more importantly, it‘s been an

enlightening year to learn much more about

the men that the boats […] Read more of this

post

*****

The Last Navy Day – October 27, 1949 by

Mister Mac - October 27, 2019. It‘s been

seventy years since the Last Navy Day. The

Navy has continued to grow and shrink with

the whims of the politicians in Washington DC.

But the ever present dangers of the world have

never disappeared. Having a capable fleet that

can defend our nation and in many cases

freedom around […] Read more of this post

*****

——————————————————————

The following Stimson Shipmates have

departed on Eternal Patrol.

=====

STS3(SS) Glenn W. Porterfield G 70-71

Departed on Eternal Patrol August 24, 2019

(Reported by USSVI National)

RM2(SS) Robert H. Dulin G 68-70

Departed on Eternal Patrol January 8, 2019

(Reported by USSVI National)

=====

The direct link to the Association Eternal Patrol

page is: http://ssbn655.org/eternal-patrol/

eternal-patrol.html

=====

_______________________________________

WELCOME ABOARD: Found & Updated

Shipmates

(Shipmate has contacted us to be added or have

info updated on our Sailing List. Please check the

online Sailing List to for shipmates contact info.)

**********

MM2(SS) Paul Gamby B 87-88

(info added by shipmate)

Many of our shipmates are on FaceBook but are

not listed on our Sailing List. Please check the

new ‗Looking For‘ Sailing List on the website to

help locate these shipmates. When you see

shipmates on Facebook ask them if they are on

the Sailing List and please send them a personal

invite to contact 655webmaster@ssbn655.org to

be listed and become a member of the Stimson

Association.

—————————————————————

BINNACLE LIST

(if you would like to be placed on our Association

Binnacle List please send an email to

655webmaster@ssbn655.org)

====================================

William ‗Sandy‘ Hastie, CAPT B CO 80 (Oct-

Dec)

Cards to: 365 Kenmure Dr., Flat Rock NC 28731

10.24.19: Dear Friends,

This is a complicated update to write. One

thing we have learned on our journey is that there

are no black and white results. Each have a

caveat and there is always an ―however‖ after the

result. This is the story we have received these

past days and weeks. This is a brief

history: Sandy gets a Keytruda infusion every

three weeks and a PET/CT scan every three

months to determine if the Keytruda is controlling,

and in some cases eliminating, the mesothelioma

cancer. On September 1, 2019 the PET/CT scan

5

showed that the mesothelioma had returned. We

have always known there is no cure for

mesothelioma, and that it will return, but we

continue to pray for longer periods of time before

it does so. This is the second time we have

received this news, once six months after the

surgery at Duke Medical, and the second on

September 13, 2019. It is never easy to hear.

When we saw Dr. Hill (Sandy‘s local

oncologist) on September 3 he said that based on

the results of the scan, the Keytruda would be

discontinued and the only other treatment would

be to go back on the chemotherapy Sandy had

before surgery. In comparison to many others,

Sandy did OK on the chemotherapy, but was very

tired, had no energy, and had severe nausea. We

asked Dr. Hill if when Sandy was off the Keytruda

for six weeks in June, if the mesothelioma could

have grown rapidly during that time. Dr. Hill said it

was possible but he could not know for sure. We

agreed on a compromise that Sandy would get

two infusions and then have a PET/CT scan early

to determine if the cancer continued to grow or

was controlled by the Keytruda.

He was scheduled for a scan on October 13

and meet with Dr. Hill on October 15. If the

cancer was controlled he would continue to get

the infusions; if not, they would be

discontinued. On the way to the hospital we

received a call that the scanner broke and his

scan was cancelled. We had a carefully planned

week that included our appointment with Dr. Hill

and then leaving that afternoon to go to Duke

Medical to meet with his oncologist Dr. Clarke and

his team there. Thanks to great help from our

nurse navigator Cathy Jenkins, she was able to

reschedule everything for the following

week. Sandy had the scan on Oct. 20 and the

mesothelioma was still visible and had grown, but

not as significantly as it did on the Sept. 1

scan. We talked with Dr. Hill and he said after

viewing the scan he was ready to recommend

Sandy continue the Keytruda. This was

significant because in most cases when the

cancer returns, the treatment is stopped. With

this hopeful news, we drove to Duke and met with

Dr. Clarke on Wednesday. He studied the last

three scans before we met with him and after

discussion, said he was ready to make the same

recommendation. Mesothelioma is a very

aggressive cancer and it appeared that the

Keytruda was controlling the cancer to a good

extent. He also said that there was no other

viable option for treatment except going back on

chemotherapy. He said we would ―ride the

Keytruda horse‖ as long as possible and pray

there would be a break-thru treatment in the near

future.

So the ―however‖ in this case is that Sandy will

continue to get the Keytruda infusions every three

weeks; ―however‖ based on the regrowth of

cancer he will get a PET/CT scan every two

months for the foreseeable future.

We talked a lot driving home from Duke and

know we have to treat Sandy‘s cancer as a

chronic disease, similar to diabetes or heart

disease, where medication and treatment are

needed on a continual basis to ensure a good

quality of life.

We have asked ourselves how should one

respond if your whole world was turned upside

down? It‘s hard to know in advance, but this is

the second time we have heard ―the cancer has

returned‖, so we have some history in this area. If

that time ever comes in your life there are a few

anchors that can hold you in place – including

faith in our unshakable God and Jesus Christ to

intercede on your behalf; and the support of a

loving family and friends who share that faith. The

Bible tells us that the good that comes to us

through bad experiences has nothing to do with

feelings or circumstances. Instead, it‘s a question

of becoming different than we were before our

troubles began: stronger, more hopeful, more

loving, more faithful. We both strongly believe that

is the case with our almost three-year

journey. We value each day and look forward to

as many as God gives us.

We have placed our lovely mountain home on

the market and have a cottage at Deerfield

Episcopal Retirement Community near Asheville,

NC. We expect our cottage will be ready in late

December and we will move in early January

2020. As we begin the next part of our journey,

please know we appreciate your prayers and

continued support. We ask for prayers that the

6

Keytruda will continue to control Sandy‘s cancer

and he will continue to enjoy a good quality of life

at Deerfield.

Blessings, Donna and Sandy

==================

Jim Gray, MM1(SS) B 69-71

Cards to: 1 Rugby Ct., Toms River NJ 08757

No new updates

7.28.19: I met with my doctors at U of Penn. I

gave them permission to access my tissue

samples from my operation for checking my T

cells. Turns out I have a 95% chance that my T

cells will work to help attack the mesothelioma.

Will be meeting with a doctor next week to find out

further details. I am feeling encouraged about this

new information, and keeping an open mind.

3.26.19: I have been having quite the time of

things with my mesothelioma. Mar 20, 2017 with 2

weeks in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital

all cleaned out of my left lung cavity lung sacks

still intact with an air pocket in the cavity outside

of the sacks (slight problem). Went through 3

cycles of the first rounds of chemo recommended

which end on July 26, 2018. CT scan showed that

it was mostly clean with a few traces of the

mesothelioma which raised concern. So we tried

the Keytruda (Immunotherapy) for its rounds. Ct

scans showed no improvement as a result of this

treatment. Now on the Gemzar chemo which is

wreaking havoc on my body more than the

previous IV Stuff. Hopefully this will be the

combination that will do it. Keeping my positive

attitude and praying that all will be better.

Thank you all for your concerns and prayers. I am

feeling those good wishes in my dreams. Betty

and I are blessed to have so many friends in our

life. //Jim Gray & Betty Trasko

6.20.18: I am still alive. Got out of the hospital

after the operation on Apr 2 after 2 weeks being

there. Started the chemo May 23 went fine no

problems. Then got my 2nd chemo on June 13

and all hell broke loose on evening of the day

after. Thursday, Friday and Saturday side effects

and humility. Father's day was quiet since I was

relaxing and sleeping. Monday another lesson in

humility. Yesterday and today moving toward

normal.

2.5.18: I have been recently diagnosed at my

local hospital as having mesothelioma.

==================

Bob Faulkner, MT1(SS) B/G 80-86 OVHL2

Cards to: 2901 N 82st Place, Scottsdale AZ

85251

No new updates

11.7.17: Remember Bob as he continues to find

the best result to manage Parkinson's Disease

symptoms.

——————————————————————

GREAT LINKS TO SPEND TIME WITH

(all links from “The Draft” will be on the

website)

**********

655 Association Website

www.ssbn655.org

**********

Then and Now: Midway and Submarine Force

October 29, 2019 Community, History & Heritage,

Inside the Navy, Undersea

By Rear Adm. Blake Converse, Commander,

Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

―When I assumed command of the Pacific

Fleet on 31 December 1941, our submarines were

already operating against the enemy, the only

units of the fleet that could come to grips with the

Japanese for months to come. It … https://

navylive.dodlive.mil/2019/10/29/then-and-now-

midway-and-submarine-force/

——————————————————————

VETERANS AFFAIRS - RETIREE INFO

https://www.va.gov/

And FLEET RESERVE

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

7

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Proposed Changes to Eligibility Criteria for

Burial at Arlington National Cemetery

Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D.

McCarthy has recently announced proposed

changes to eligibility criteria for burial at Arlington

National Cemetery (ANC) that will include military

retirees for above-ground inurnment. The FY2019

National Defense Authorization Act directed the

Secretary of the Army to establish revised

eligibility criteria to keep the cemetery functioning

as an active burial ground "well into the future" -

defined as 150 years. The Army will now begin

the federal government's public rulemaking

process, which includes soliciting public feedback

to the proposed changes.

At the outset, the Army established critical

imperatives of sacrifice, service and impact to

guide this effort. "Arlington National Cemetery is a

national shrine for all Americans, but especially

those who have served our great nation," said

McCarthy. "We must ensure it can honor those we

have lost for many years to come."

In addition to directing ANC to preserve 1,000

gravesites for current and future Medal of Honor

recipients, the Acting Secretary proposed revised

eligibility criteria for those who honorably served

our nation, as broadly outlined below:

For below-ground interment:

Killed in Action, to include repatriated remains

of service members;

Recipients of the Silver Star and above who

also served in combat;

Recipients of the Purple Heart;

Combat-related service deaths while

conducting uniquely military activities;

Former Prisoners of War;

Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United

States; and Veterans with combat service who

also served out of uniform as a government

official and made significant contributions to the

nation's security at the highest levels of public

service.

For above-ground inurnment:

World War II-era veterans, to include legislated

active duty designees;

Retirees from the armed forces who are

eligible to receive retired pay but are not

otherwise eligible for interment;

Veterans who have served a minimum of two

years on active duty and who have served in

combat; and Veterans without combat service

who also served out of uniform as a government

official and made significant contributions to the

nation's security at the highest levels of public

service.

Eventual implementation of revised eligibility at

ANC will not affect scheduled services.

Additionally, the proposed revisions at ANC will

not affect veterans' burial benefits or veteran

eligibility at the Department of Veterans Affairs

national cemeteries and state veterans'

cemeteries.

The next step to implement the proposed rule

is notice and public comment rulemaking in

accordance with the Administrative Procedures

Act. The ANC expects the clearance process to

take a minimum of nine months to make public in

the Federal Register for citizens to comment.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

COLA Increase Announced for 2020

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently

announced a 1.6 percent increase in the Cost of

Living Adjustment (COLA) for the calendar year

2020. This directly affects military and federal

civilian retirees, survivor benefit annuitants,

disabled veterans and Social Security recipients.

The new COLA rate is effective Dec. 1, 2019 and

the adjustment will appear in the Dec. 30, 2019

payment.

By law, COLA is based on the Consumer Price

Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers

(CPI-W). It is a broad measure of consumer prices

that is generated by the BLS from the third quarter

of the previous year to the third quarter of the

current year. The CPI measures price changes for

food, housing, clothing, transportation, energy,

medical care, recreation and education. Since

2008, the annual COLA has been above two

percent only once and has been zero three times.

COLAs have been averaging 1.4 percent over the

last decade. Last year's COLA (2.8 percent) was

the first big increase since 2012, when it was 3.6

percent. In 2018 the COLA increase was two

percent and in 2017 it was 0.3 percent.

8

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Scheduled Pharmacy Increases Begin

January 1, 2020

Delayed TRICARE pharmacy increases

opposed by the FRA and mandated by Congress

as part of the FY2018 National Defense

Authorization Act (NDAA) will begin Jan. 1, 2020.

On that date, a 90-day supply of generic drugs

received through the program's Express Scripts

mail-order pharmacy will increase from $7 to $10.

Co-pays on brand-name drugs received through

the mail will go from $24 to $29. The price for non-

formulary drugs rises from $53 to $60.

Generic drug prescriptions filled at retail

pharmacies will see the cost rise from $11 to $13

for a 30-day supply, while the same supply of

brand-name medications will increase from $28 to

$33. Non-formulary drugs - those not on

TRICARE's list of fully covered medications - will

go up from $53 to $60. Prescriptions filled on

base will continue to be free.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Veterans can now enroll in VA‘s Million

Veteran Program online

More than 775,000 Veteran partners have already

joined MVP, a national, voluntary, research

initiative that helps VA study how genes affect the

health of Veterans. Learn More

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Free Steam games for Veterans and their

families

Operation Supply Drop‘s Games to Grunts

program supports community engagement to

Veterans, military, and their families through video

games. Most of the games offered are on Steam,

such as TEKKEN 7, Cooking Simulator, and

Vietnam 65′, but other platforms are also

available, like XBOX Game Passes. Discuss: Do

video games give you stress relief?

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

VFW & VA Facebook Live: Delivering care to

rural Veterans

Join VA‘s Office of Connected Care and VFW on

Friday, Oct. 11, at 12 p.m. ET for a Facebook Live

event: Delivering Care to Rural Veterans When

and Where It’s Needed. Learn More

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Do You Know the MISSION Act?

The MISSION Act of 2018 strengthens and

enhances VA‘s ability to deliver the best care and

services to you at VA sites and in the community.

It helps VA deliver trusted, easy-to-access, high-

quality care at VA facilities, virtually through

telehealth, and in your community. That means

you get the care and services you need, where

and when you need them. Learn more.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Six Ways Yoga Can Help You

Yoga helps improve flexibility, strength, and

balance. Yoga was developed thousands of years

ago in India as a system of well-being, including

physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.

Discover how you can start practicing yoga with

help from VA. Learn more.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Avoid the Pain of Shingles

Did you know that anyone who has recovered

from chickenpox can develop shingles? Shingles

is a painful infection that should be treated

immediately. Quick treatment with an antiviral

drug decreases the severity and length of time of

acute pain. Learn more

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Am I on Too Many Medications?

If you‘re one of the millions of Veterans with

multiple conditions, you may be taking more

medications than needed. Taking too many

prescription medications can be risky. Team up

with your health care provider and find out what

medications you need. Learn more.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It's Time: Roll Up Your Sleeve

This is it: the first of many reminders about your

annual flu shot. Flu season usually starts in

October and peaks between December and

February. The vaccine takes some time to kick in,

which is why it always feels like everyone starts

talking about flu shots as soon as summer ends.

Learn more.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Fall into Healthy Eating Habits

Between Halloween's candy jar and upcoming

holiday dinners, it's easy to gain weight. Adopting

healthy eating habits this fall can reduce your risk

of gaining weight and increase your energy to go

trick-or-treating. Learn more.

9

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

PTSD: Help is at Your Fingertips

When you need more support managing PTSD,

help from your smartphone can make all the

difference. PTSD Coach, a mobile app for your

iPhone, can show you relaxation and anger

management skills all from the palm of your hand.

Learn more.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Amtrak offers Veteran, military member

discounts

Veterans can enjoy a 10% savings on rail fares

across the entire Amtrak network. Enjoy onboard

amenities such as a Café Car, WiFi, power outlets

and spacious seating for a comfortable ride on

your next trip.

To take advantage of this offer, select ―Military

Veteran‖ as your traveler type on the booking

widget online. The 10% discount will automatically

apply to fares when qualifying travel is selected.

LEARN MORE

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

‗Where to start?‘ – The VA Welcome Kit

Veterans, their families, caregivers, and

survivors often ask, ―Where do I start?‖

Whether you or your loved one just got out or

you hung up the uniform years ago, the VA

Welcome Kit can guide you to the benefits and

services you've earned. VIDEO START HERE

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Smoke Free Resources

Overwhelming evidence shows smoking and

exposure to second-hand smoke create significant

medical risks.

As of October 1, 2019, all VA campuses are

smoke free.

Veterans who want to quit smoking

have resources available through VA, including

SmokefreeVET, a text messaging program that

provides 24/7 support to help Veterans quit

tobacco for good. QUIT SMOKING

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Veteran portraits by former President

available on mobile app

Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief‘s

Tribute to America‘s Warriors, painted by another

Veteran, President George W. Bush are on

display at the Kennedy Center through Nov. 15,

2019.

The collection highlights 98 post-9/11 Veterans

painted by the former president, himself an Air

Force Veteran.

There's also a free mobile app to view the art

work. LEARN MORE

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

House Passes Veterans Bills

The House recently passed several FRA-

supported bills to help homeless veterans with

children find transitional housing, help veterans

with disabilities access important information from

the VA's website, help preserve the legacies of

those interred in veterans' cemeteries, allow

veterans to use specialty adaptive housing grants

six times, and create a pilot program through

FY2020 to give female veterans more information

about VA care available to them. The bills are:

The Homeless Veterans Families Act (H.R.95).

The VA Website Accessibility Act (H.R.1199).

Permitting the Department of Veterans Affairs

to establish a grant program to conduct

cemetery research and produce educational

materials for the Veterans Legacy Program

(H.R.2385).

The Ryan Rules Specialty Housing

Improvement Act (H.R.3504).

The HEALTH for Women Veterans Act

(H.R.2942).

These proposals will be sent to the Senate for

further consideration.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Disabled Veterans with VA Home Loans will

get Refunds

As a follow-up to the Aug. 23, 2019 NewsBytes

story, the Department of Veterans affairs (VA) has

refunded more than $400 million in VA home loan

funding fees to tens of thousands of veterans who

were improperly accessed extra costs when

applying for VA home loans.

Auditors found it "troubling" that senior

Veterans Benefits Administration officials were

aware in October of 2014, that thousands of

exempt veterans were owed refunds, but didn't

take adequate action to issue refunds. The

auditors estimated nearly 73,000 exempt veterans

were incorrectly charged an estimated $286

10

million in funding fees for their VA home loans

from 2012 through 2017. During that period, the

VA issued approximately $97 million in refunds to

19,700 of the veterans-leaving an estimated

53,200 who may be eligible for refunds. Based on

a sample of 200 home loans made from 2012 to

2017, auditors found overcharges that averaged

$4,483.

VA officials said they consider their review of

the issue now complete, but veterans who believe

they may be entitled to a refund for mistaken fees

can contact the department's regional loan center

office at 877-827-3702 or visit the VA's

website for more information.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The VA is Approving More Appeals

The Board of Veterans Appeals is adjudicating

more disability claims appeals. The Board

processed 11 percent more claims (more than

95,000) and held 38 percent more hearings in

FY2019 when compared to FY2018. The

improvement at the BVA is due to more staff and

to a new appeals structure that was mandated by

Congress and supported by the FRA. The

Veterans Appeals Improvement and

Modernization Act (H.R.2288-Public Law 115-55)

sponsored by Reps. Mike Bost (Ill.) was enacted

into law on August 23, 2017. The law created

three "lanes" for veterans' appeals including: The

Local Higher Level Review Lane where an

adjudicator reviews the same evidence

considered by the original claims processor; The

New Evidence Lane where the veteran may

submit new evidence for review and have a

hearing and, The Board Lane where jurisdiction

for the appeal would transfer immediately to the

Board of Veterans' Appeals. The Act would allow

some veterans, who were already going through

the appeals process, to opt into the new system.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

APPROVED VETERANS AND CAREGIVERS

TO ACCESS BASE FACILITIES, SHOPS

Story Number: NNS191030-01

By Coleen R. San Nicolas-Perez, Commander,

Navy Installations Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy installations are

ready to support authorized veterans and their

caregivers who will soon be able to enjoy certain

Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR)

programs and shop at base commissaries and

exchanges.

Effective Jan. 1 2020, veterans awarded the

Purple Heart or Medal of Honor, who are former

prisoners of war, or have service-connected

disability along with their caregivers will be

permitted to use the commissary, military

exchange and many MWR facilities per the 2019

National Defense Authorization Act.

―We are excited and looking forward to serving

this new patron group at our MWR facilities

throughout the shore enterprise,‖ said James

Baker, director of Commander, Navy Installations

Command (CNIC) fleet readiness division, which

oversees all MWR programs at Navy bases.

Qualifying veterans and caregivers will have

access to MWR golf courses, bowling alleys,

movie theaters, food and beverage facilities,

campgrounds, lodging facilities, marinas,

recreational cottages and cabins as well as tickets

and travel offices. Access to auto skills and

outdoor recreation facilities as well as special

events will be at the discretion of the installation

commanding officers based on capacity.

The patronage expansion does not include

access to fitness centers, swimming pools,

libraries, Single Sailor Programs, and Child and

Youth Programs (Child Development Centers,

School Age Care, Youth Programs and Child

Development Homes).

―To our veterans and their families, welcome

back,‖ Baker said. ―Our MWR teams are

committed to offering you a great experience with

every visit.‖

Navy installations are also ready to assist

qualifying veterans and caregivers with obtaining

base access.

―As we continue to focus on our number one

priority of ensuring the safety of our people and

the security of our installations, we are dedicated

to providing top-notch customer service to our

veterans as they come into the Visitors Control

Centers (VCC) to process their base access,‖ said

William Holdren, deputy director for CNIC‘s force

protection program.

Patrons are advised of the following:

- Veterans in possession of a Veterans Health

11

Identification Card (VHIC) by the U.S. Department

of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be required to enroll

their VHIC in the Defense Biometric Identification

System (DBIDS) at their local VCC for installation

access.

- Veterans who are not eligible for a VHIC will

require a letter issued from the VA indicating

eligibility for access to DoD installations. Those

with a letter from the VA must enroll their Real ID

driver‘s license in DBIDS.

- Caregivers can present their letter of eligibility

from the VA at their local VCC and enroll their

Real ID driver‘s license in DBIDS for installation

access.

- A DBIDS credential will be issued in cases

when a Real ID compliant driver‘s license is not

available.

For more information about obtaining a VHIC or

a letter from Veterans Affairs, visit your local VA

medical facility or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387),

Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.,

Eastern Standard Time.

To learn more about base access

requirements, contact or visit the nearest Navy

Visitors Control Center.

——————————————————————

SOMETHING FROM OUR SHIPMATES:

SEA STORIES, COMMENTS, JOKES, ETC.

=====

Submitted by George Birmingham, ET1(SS), Gold

69-74

November to feature rare astronomical event

that won't occur again until 2032

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and

staff writer

Grab your telescopes and get some solar filters

ready. A rare transit of Mercury across the sun will

occur on Nov. 11. This rare astronomical event

won't happen again until 2032, so don't miss out!

One of the most highly anticipated astronomical

events of the year is less than a month away, and

if you want to see it with your own eyes, you will

need to start preparing for it now.

A rare astronomical alignment known as a

Mercury Transit will occur on Monday, Nov. 11,

and will be visible across almost all of North

America, South America, Europe, Africa and

western Asia from 7:35 a.m. EST to 1:04 p.m.

EST.

Read the rest of the article with video HERE

=====

Submitted by Chuck Hladik,

TM2(SS) G 67-70, Assoc. Life

Member, USSVI USS Oklahoma

City Base, Holland Club

Our local PBS station has a

TV show called Oklahoma

Gardening and they came to

photograph my garden shed.

https://youtu.be/yf_Qa-dIdqA

=====

This is an article written in our local Summerville

newspaper about one of our own, Marty Sessler

MTC(SS) B 72-75, Assoc Life Member, USSVI

Charleston Base and Holland Club:

U.S. Submarine Force veteran recalls life at

800 feet below

By Joy Bonala,

jbonala@berkeleyind.com

Oct 24, 2019

As a young submariner,

Martin Sessler didn‘t feel

much as the watercraft

slipped below the surface of

the sea to descend

hundreds of feet into

darkness.

To demonstrate the

impact of depth, Sessler sometimes ran a string

from one side of the inner compartment to the

other and pulled it tight prior to submersion. As

the submarine sunk into an abyss, the string

would begin to sag until finally it hung loosely

because water pressure had caused the hull to

compress.

As a missile technician in the U.S. Navy,

Sessler served aboard two World War II

submarines before he was assigned to nuclear

power missile carriers. He devoted 22 years of his

life to active duty in the Navy and to this day he is

still in awe of the technology that equips Navy

boats; their mechanics and intricacies.

―If I was starting all over, I‘d do it again,‖

Sessler said.

Like many in his generation, Sessler was just a

teenager when he joined the U.S. military in 1963.

12

Barely out of high school, Sessler enlisted in the

U.S. Navy and was almost immediately assigned

to serve on board World War II submarines; the

USS Grenadier then the USS Atule.

The Grenadier was a Tench-class diesel-

electric submarine that had a surface speed of 18

knots and a test depth of 400 feet. It was roughly

the length of two football fields and carried a crew

of about 70 enlisted men but what struck Sessler

the most was the vessels cramped interior.

―It was so small,‖ Sessler said. ―You could

only seat so many men at the dining area at one

time; you had to eat in shifts.‖

Typically SSBN submariners patrol in a 90-day

cycle but when Sessler was aboard the USS

Atule, he went on a unique six-month-long cruise

around South America. The crew traveled through

the Panama Canal and down the Pacific Ocean

side of South America, around the tip, and back

up the eastern side. He crossed the equator twice

and stopped at numerous ports- an eye opening

experience for a young man from a rural area in

Ohio.

At one point crew members were traveling up a

river in Colombia when they were warned not to

go topside because the water was too dangerous.

Sessler said some men ignored the warnings and

headed to the ship‘s bridge to look out at the

piranhas feeding nearby.

This being his first cruise, Sessler went

through several initiations, which often included

embarrassing, rowdy behavior, but still Sessler

looks back on the memories with fondness.

The first time a submariner crossed the

equator, he was named a ―shellback,‖ when

someone went under an icecap, he became a

―bluenose.‖ Every milestone came with its own

form of ceremonial initiation.

―Some of the old initiations have gone by the

wayside- there‘s no harassment now- but I

remember every one of them,‖ Sessler said.

However, those carefree moments were few

and far between because when he wasn‘t on

watch, Sessler was studying about submarine

boats so that he could become qualified. He had

to study at least four hours a day every day for

months before he was ready to get his dolphins.

―It‘s an exhaustive procedure to learn every

valve, every system on the submarine,‖ Sessler

said. ―(It‘s necessary) so that no matter where you

are at- if something happens, you‘re able to take

some corrective action.‖

His time aboard the USS Atule reminded him

of all the brave soldiers who fought from similar

submarines during World War II.

―The World War II men were the heroes of the

submarine force,‖ Sessler said. ―They did

courageous things. They had all of these

calamities that they lived through but they never

told anybody about it; they were very quiet.‖

The United States lost 52 submarines during

World War II. More than 3,500 soldiers died when

their boats went down.

Sessler is a longtime member of the United

States Submarine Veterans, Inc. Charleston

Base; the group meets once a month. During

every meeting, members toll the bell for all of the

World War II boats lost during that month.

After his time on the Atule, Sessler went on to

missile carriers including the Sam Rayburn (SSBN

635), USS Henry L. Stimson (SSBN-655), and

later he served aboard the USS Canopus (AS-34).

Sessler traveled to Scotland, Spain, and

throughout the United States. In total, he made 14

patrols on two nuclear-powered, ballistic missile-

carrying submarines (SSBNs).

While he appreciated his work, the frequent

travel made life difficult for his wife and two

children. He and his high school sweetheart,

Sharon, were married one year after he joined the

U.S. Navy. It seemed like every time he was sent

on patrol, some small disaster would take place

that Sharon was left to deal with on her own.

―Everything happened when I was on patrol,‖

Sessler said.

On one patrol, a tornado went through the

Sessler‘s neighborhood, it didn‘t damage their

home but it did destroy many nearby homes,

including the home of a friend of Sesslers‘ who

happened to be on the boat.

―He got word that a tornado went through the

subdivision and tore his house up so I assume the

worst of course,‖ Sessler said.

At that time, the only way submariners

received news from family members was through

a familygram; a 15-word message sent only six

13

times during a patrol. When Sessler received his

own familygram, he was relieved to learn that his

family was safe and their home was not damaged.

―The families don‘t get enough credit; we‘re

the ones who are gone- we get all the credit and

the awards and everything- but we couldn‘t do it

without the families,‖ Sessler said.

It was because of his family that Sessler

decided to retire from the navy after 22 years of

service. He was stationed in Charleston and his

family loved living in Summerville so instead of

transferring again, he chose to stay put and retire

in the late 1980s. His daughter now works as a

registered nurse at the Ralph H. Johnson VA

Medical Center in Charleston and his son served

in the U.S. Air Force.

The Submariner‘s slogan, ‗Pride Runs Deep,‘

truly resonates with Sessler who holds his former

submariner‘s in the highest regard. After he

retired, he joined the local submariner veteran

group; United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.

Charleston Base. Sessler and fellow veterans visit

children who are hospitalized and undergoing

treatment for cancer and the group has a

scholarship program for dependents of

submariners. Participating in the USSVICB allows

Sessler to give back to the community and enjoy

fellowship with fellow submariners.

―I so appreciate my fellow submariners,‖

Sessler said. ―They were just a super bunch of

guys that I worked with, you couldn't ask for

anything better.‖

https://www.journalscene.com/news/u-s-

submarine-force-veteran-recalls-life-at-

feetbelow/

article_649af85e-f5af-11e9-b64a-

a7df57ce1b36.html

——————————————————————

The Computer Corner

By: George Birmingham,

ET1(SS), Gold 69-74

Privacy – Make use of the Privacy Tools and

Settings on all your devices

One important aspect of our digital lifestyle is

protecting our privacy as we interact with the

many digital resources in the world around us. I

touched on this in earlier columns on e-mail

privacy and Exif data in our pictures. The creators

of our digital devices and software, like the

Windows 10 PC and the Microsoft Surface

Tablets, have made certain assumptions about

how applications that run on these devices should

have access to the data we have stored on them.

In some cases the assumptions are permissible,

but in some cases the line between personal

privacy and the device manufacturer‘s

assumptions is very hazy and our best interests

are not always their top priority. The Windows 10

software provides a way for us, as users, to

decide what can be accessed and by what

applications. However, we have to be sure the

settings match our own preferences. This

month‘s column will share with you information on

how to do that so you can decide what‘s in your

best interests and supports your digital lifestyle.

As an example, most, if not all, newer laptops

have a camera available in their hardware

configuration. It is there to support applications

like Skype, which allow us to make calls to family

and friends over the Internet. But not every

application on the laptop needs to have access to

the camera. And what if an application has

access, but also has a vulnerability that allows

hackers to view your camera too. Well, that‘s not

a pleasant thought. Other features like the

microphone and device location services do not

need to be accessible to every application either

for most users.

Here are some articles to help you decide what

you want to permit while protecting your privacy

when using your Windows 10 device:

This article is from 2015, but makes some

good points:

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-

10-violates-your-privacy-by-default-heres-how-

you-can-protect-yourself/

Other interesting articles:

https://www.computerworld.com/

article/3025709/how-to-protect-your-privacy-in-

windows-10.html

14

https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/

blog/2018/12/how-to-disable-tracking-features-

in-windows-10/

https://www.pcworld.com/article/2971725/how-

to-reclaim-your-privacy-in-windows-10-piece-

by-piece.html

And earlier I mentioned that your laptops have

microphones, to support things like Skype calls.

Well, that same microphone can be used by

Cortana to listen to what‘s being said around your

laptop. So here are a couple of articles to

suggest that changing your security setting in

Windows 10 to limit what has access to the

microphone might be a good idea. There are

many others you can find with Google.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-manage

-microphone-settings-windows-10

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/stop-

cortana-windows-10-anniversary

And finally, a privacy issue that applies to all of

our digital devices and probably the emerging IoT

(Internet of Things) enabled devices too. Recently

you may have seen news stories about

contractors screening recorded voice content from

Apple‘s Siri and Microsoft Cortana.

Here is Microsoft‘s position on what they do

with voice content gathered by Cortana:

https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-confirms-your-

cortana-and-skype-recordings-ar-1837292598

And from Apple, we have the following:

Apple said it is suspending a worldwide

program allowing outside contractors to listen to

Siri recordings of private conversations by users

of Apple phones, watches and home speakers.

Later in the article it clarifies by saying it is

―temporarily‖ halting the program…

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-

suspends-siri-program-letting-contractors-

listen-to-conversation-recordings/

And finally, to round out the spectrum of those

devices we can talk to and that listen to us and

record what we say, we should not leave out

Amazon‘s Alexa:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/

tjmccue/2019/04/19/alexa-is-listening-all-the-

time-heres-how-to-stop-it/#2cb53b4d5e2d

If you have these devices, be sure to read and

understand the privacy statements that come with

them. And look at the User‘s Guide to make sure

you can disable unwanted features that don‘t

agree with your privacy needs.

What I fear the most is that the next generation

of these devices will adopt our colorful Navy

language because of what we have not blocked

from their ears! I think you all know what I

mean…

Privacy in our digital world has to be managed

to make sure our devices are aligned to what we

are willing to share. Hopefully I have provided you

with enough information to decide how to make

your device look out for you.

As always, shipmates, comments and

suggestions for future topics are welcomed. I am

in need of topics for future articles, so please send

your ideas along to me. Contact me at

subvet_ssbns@bellsouth.net.

And if you have a difficult computer or network

problem you need help with, contact me. I‘m

always glad to help out if I can.

//George

===========

Computer Corner Part 2

During our journey in the Computer Corner

column, the topic of e-mail phishing has been

noted a couple of times. While I think by now

everyone understands the risks of opening e-

mails from unknown senders, or ones from an

array of government organizations with the power

to make your life miserable, by clicking on the

links inside. However, every now and then it's

informative to look a little deeper at the anatomy

of such an attack and the players involved.

Yesterday the article in the link below arrived

on one of my news readers and it caught my

attention. It puts a face on the players of this

game, and how international it has become. It will

also make me look more closely at my Amazon

orders in the future as I learned from this excerpt

from the article:

15

"Ms. Cismaru also left behind a glaring

clue. She was using a fraudulent business

account on Amazon??to sell items she

didn???t own.??When she was alerted to an

order, she purchased??the product from a

legitimate seller using a stolen credit card. The

item was then shipped to the buyer."

I hope you enjoy reading this article as much

as I did. This can happen to any presidential

inauguration or other high profile event. Watch out

for those phishing e-mails...!

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-hapless-

shake-down-crew-that-hacked-trumps-

inauguration-11572014333

===========

Computer Corner Part 3

Equifax used 'admin' as username and

password for sensitive data: lawsuit

This reminds me of that scene in the movie

Spaceballs ( a funny movie, IMHO), where they

get the combination of the atmosphere shield

around Planet Druidia from King Roland (played

by Dick Van Patten):

Dark Helmet (played by Rick Moranis): So

the combination is 1-2-3-4-5? That's the

stupidest combination I've ever heard in my

life! That's the kinda thing an idiot would

have on his luggage!

[Cut to President Skroob (played by Mel

Brooks) walking in]

Skroob: What's the combination?

Colonel Sandurz (played by George

Wyner): 1-2-3-4-5.

Skroob: 1-2-3-4-5? That's amazing! I've

got the same combination on my luggage!

[Colonel Sandurz and Dark Helmet give

each other a look] Prepare Spaceball I for

immediate departure!

Colonel Sandurz: Yes, sir.

Skroob: And change the combination on

my luggage!

This is pretty unbelievable... Equifax used

"admin" and "admin" to login to a system

containing sensitive information... Wow!

A good thing, I guess, that they didn't use

"12345" ... Too funny !

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/equifax-

password-username-admin-lawsuit-

201118316.html?soc_src=social-

sh&soc_trk=ma

——————————————————————

Computer Corner Part 4

I haven't seen this kind of e-mail yet, but I

figure it's coming. And since I do Amazon Smile to

support the USSVI as my charity, it may only be a

matter of time. I always recommend going directly

to the site using their regular URL to verify and

never use the link provided in any e-mail.

New Amazon phishing scam stealing credit

card data

October 8, 2019 Category: Cyber Criminal

A new Amazon phishing scam email is

circulating, that tricks users into handing over their

personal as well as financial information including

credit card information to online crooks.

https://nationalcybersecurity.com/cyberfraud-

cybercriminals-new-amazon-phishing-scam-

stealing-credit-card-data/

——————————————————————

16

Editor: Do you remember when Stimson originally

worked out of Group Two in New London? Like so

many of you, I checked aboard in the offcrew

office at the Group….early 1970…. seems like it

was just yesterday.

Submarine Group Two Reborn as Response to

‗Great Power Competition‘

(SEAPOWER MAGAZINE 02 OCT 19)

NORFOLK, Va. — Taking another step in

response to the re-emergence of the ‗great power

competition,‘ the U.S. Navy re-established

Commander, Submarine Group (SUBGRU) Two

in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sept. 30 following its hiatus

since August 2014, U.S. Submarine Forces public

affairs said in a release.

The move follows the re-establishment of

commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, in 2018 and is aimed

at enhancing the Navy‘s capacity to command

and control its undersea warfare forces

seamlessly across all of the Atlantic area, from the

U.S. eastern seaboard to the Barents Sea and

even into the southern Atlantic.

―The security environment continues to grow

more challenging and complex — particularly in

the North Atlantic,‖ said Vice Adm. Charles

Richard, commander of Submarine Forces.

―To maintain America‘s undersea superiority,

we must increase naval power and our readiness

for high-end blue water warfare. How we‘re

organized to command that employment will be a

driving factor in our success — that‘s why we‘re re

-establishing Sub Group Two today.‖

SUBGRU 2 is commanded by Rear Adm.

James Waters, who also assumed duties as

commander, Task Force 84. CTF 84 is the theater

anti-submarine warfare commander for U.S. Fleet

Forces Command.

―Our motto, ‗Praeparavit Regnatura,‘ means

ready to dominate. We will prepare forces to

control the undersea domain through rigorous

competitive training and a thorough understanding

of our adversaries and the environment where we

both operate,‖ Waters said. ―Further, we will

innovate and advance the art of theater anti-

submarine warfare through complex fleet

exercises and war games.‖

Additionally, the command can operate as an

embedded CTF within C2F when it is activated as

a Maritime Command Element and to serve as the

TASW commander for commander, U.S. 4th

Fleet, as assigned. SUBGRU 2 will have more

administrative control responsibilities delegated

from Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic.

―As you carry out your day-to-day duties, you

must understand that winning decisively in a

potential ‗Fourth Battle of the Atlantic‘ should be

your guiding vision,‖ said Adm. Christopher

Grady, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces

Command. ―The best way to prevent a fight is to

be prepared to win decisively should anyone

choose to threaten us. We believe in power for

peace.‖

https://seapowermagazine.org/submarine-

group-two-reborn-as-response-to-great-power-

competition/

——————————————————————

Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet embarked cruise

missile submarine in Mediterranean

Not attributed, Defence Blog, October 20

Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander,

U.S. 6th Fleet, embarked Ohio-class cruise

missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728)

during routine operations in the Mediterranean,

Oct. 15-16, 2019, according to a Navy news

release.

Franchetti‘s visit to the submarine reinforced

the value of submarines and their crews in today‘s

unique operating environment.

―In this era of great power competition,

Florida‘s stealth, strike, and special forces

capabilities put points on the board against our

competitors every day,‖ Franchetti told the crew.

―It‘s you, the crew of ‗Fighting Florida‘ that makes

it all happen, right here at the tip of the spear.‖

While aboard, Franchetti held all-hands calls,

met with the Chief‘s Mess, and Wardroom,

observed operations, and recorded a ―spirit spot‖

for the upcoming 2019 Army-Navy football game.

―This was my first time underway on a

submarine. Seeing the operational environment,

and the professionalism, proficiency, and

readiness of the crew first-hand gave me an

invaluable perspective of all that goes into

successful mission accomplishment, each and

every day,‖ said Franchetti following the visit.

―Florida is a critical asset to our 6th Fleet team.

17

Her presence provides power projection capability

and inherent flexibility to simultaneously support

four combatant commanders.‖

Florida, a 560-foot submarine displacing

18,750 tons of water, recently completed a

maintenance availability and is conducting

maritime security operations in the Mediterranean

Sea.

Ohio-class guided-missile submarines provide

the Navy with unprecedented strike and special

operation mission capabilities from a stealthy,

clandestine platform. Armed with guided missiles

and equipped with superior communications

capabilities, SSGNs are capable of directly

supporting Combatant Commander‘s strike and

Special Operation Forces requirements.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy,

conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval

operations, often in concert with allied and

interagency partners, in order to advance U.S.

national interests and security and stability in

Europe and Africa.

——————————————————————

Submarine Forces Boss Tapped to Lead

STRATCOM

Rachel S. Cohen, USNI Air Force Magazine,

October 21

Vice Adm. Chas Richard, the Navy‘s

commander of submarine forces, is next in line to

lead US Strategic Command after previously

serving as its No. 2 uniformed official.

The White House nominated Richard on Oct.

15 to succeed Air Force Gen. John Hyten, the

incoming vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of

Staff. The Senate Armed Services Committee will

vet Richard at an Oct. 24 hearing. He is also up

for a promotion to admiral.

Richard also serves as head of Submarine

Force Atlantic and Allied Submarine Command.

―As a former deputy commander of

STRATCOM, Admiral Richard understands the

responsibilities of the command and its mission

well,‖ Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) said Oct. 17.

―With threats from Russia and China continuing to

grow, nuclear deterrence is becoming more

important than ever and STRATCOM requires

experienced and capable leadership.‖

Fischer chairs SASC‘s strategic forces

subcommittee and is the senior senator from

Nebraska, where STRATCOM is headquartered

at Offutt AFB outside Omaha.

If confirmed, Richard will play a key role in

overhauling the Pentagon‘s nuclear weapons and

related aircraft in the coming decades, shifting

responsibility for

space assets from STRATCOM to the new US

Space Command, updating nuclear command-

and-control systems for the 21st century, and

more

——————————————————————

Memories as deep as the Submarine Escape

Trainer

Alexander L. Gago, Naval Submarine Learning

Center Public Affairs, October 17

GROTON, Conn. - Standing alone at the bottom

of the 37-foot-deep, Pressurized Submarine

Escape Trainer (PSET) tank, a Navy instructor

patiently waits for his mother to start her ascent to

the top.

For Navy Diver 3rd Class Philip Rogers, an

instructor at Naval Submarine School

(SUBSCOL), the thought of possibly training any

member of his own family, yet alone his mother

never crossed his mind. However, that is what

occurred at the bottom of the PSET tank, Aug. 28.

Past submariners who have trained on the high

-risk PSET have memories of it being one of the

defining moments in their submarine careers. The

same holds true for Chief Yeoman Christina Wetz,

a Navy recruiter from San Antonio, Texas, who

graduated Yeoman ―C‖ School, Aug. 5, 2019 and

is a converted Navy career counselor recruiter

who volunteered for the Enlisted Women in

Submarines program. Women like Wetz, both

officers and enlisted, are contributing to growing

and diversifying the Submarine Force.

―I spoke with my son about obtaining a new

rating, and he recommended that I look at

becoming a yeoman and serve with the

Submarine Force, so I decided it was time to

retrain for a new adventure,‖ said Wetz, who

served for nine years as a Navy recruiter. Her first

Navy rating was as a religious program specialist

from 2007 to 2009 and she served as a personnel

18

specialist from 2010 to 2019 at Navy Recruiting

District Seattle.

His mother‘s service is part of what inspired

Rogers to join the Navy.

―My true motivation for joining the Navy was to

receive my Navy warfare pin before my mom,‖

said Rogers, who is in his first tour at SUBSCOL.

―My son pinned my Navy anchors in 2012 and

was raised watching (the true-story inspired film)

Men of Honor, which I feel created a mix of

inspiration for him to join the Navy,‖ said Wetz.

Wetz has certainly been given fond memories

to cherish as her son provided the hands-on

training to reaffirm the basic concept of

completing the PSET during her time as a student

at Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS). The

seven-week course teaches the basic theory of

construction and operation of submarines,

including ships systems, organization and

damage control. The operationally focused PSET

training is one part of the course and introduces

basic diving physiology.

―My son and I have always been close. It was

amazing to see my son in a work environment and

see how professional he and his team were. It

takes a certain level of trust to shoot a 37-feet

deep tank up to the top of the PSET,‖ said Wetz.

―I felt like the memory I took at the deep part of

the PSET tank was that as a mother, you raise

your kid to trust you and now I felt I had to put my

life in my son‘s hands and trust him to keep me

safe.‖

For Rogers, he realized he had to treat his

mom like every other student.

―I had to set aside our relationship and

approach her with fresh wide eyes,‖ he said. ―And

when it came down to it, she was like every other

Sailor. She had the same questions and the same

concerns, and she looked the same.‖

Wetz was wearing a submarine escape

immersion equipment suit as she stepped into the

escape trunk located at the deep part of the PSET

tank to practice hands-on emergency procedures

for a safe and orderly escape from a disabled

submarine beneath the ocean waves.

——————————————————————

New Details On The Tragedy Of The Russian

Spy Submarine Losharik

H I Sutton Contributor

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors

are their own.

The full scope may never be publicly known of

the July 1 fire aboard a deep-diving submarine in

the Arctic in which 14 Russian submariners lost

their lives. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov

described the submarine‘s mission as a "state

secret." However, based on analysis of open

sources, I can reveal details of the submarine‘s

movements before and after the event.

Cutaway illustration of AS-12 Losharik showing the 7 orb-

like internal hulls. The Russian government has not

released any photos of this secretive submarine. H I Sutton

(Author) The submarine is called Losharik, named after

a Russian cartoon horse which is made of a

series of balls. More on that later. In official

sources she is known by her hull number, AS-12.

She is operated by the euphemistically named

Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, better

known as GUGI. And she operates from Olenya

Guba which is GUGI's secret base in the Arctic –

the same base as the Russian Navy's beluga

whales, one of which turned up in Norway in April.

Her mission is protected by state secrecy and,

frankly, obscurity. When I wrote analysis before

the accident I was one of very few public sources.

In layman's terms she is a spy submarine.

Her work probably involves the seabed

communications cables and sonar networks which

litter the world's oceans.

It should be mentioned that Losharik is

transported to her missions attached to the

underside of a much larger mother submarine.

Her all-officer crew are elite submariners known

as Hydronauts.

For this fateful mission the mother submarine,

BS-64, first called at Severomorsk. I can now say

that she arrived on June 24. I believe that

19

Losharik was already under her. They were

accompanied by an Oscar-II Class cruise missile

submarine. That is possibly a coincidence, but it

could also be for protection during some phases

of the mission. Also in attendance was the giant

Typhoon Class submarine Dmitriy Donskoy, which

was later reported to have been involved in anti-

submarine exercises around this time. It is unclear

whether there is a connection between the

presence of all three submarines. For BS-64 the

stop-off in Severomorsk may have been to load

torpedoes. They left around midday on June 25,

five days before the fateful accident.

On the afternoon of July 1 a fire broke out in

the battery compartment of Losharik. The

submarine is constructed from seven spherical

titanium hulls strung together, except for the

uninhabited rear two which contain the nuclear

reactor and machinery. The orb-like hulls,

although not visible from the outside thanks to a

streamlined outer hull, are where the submarine‘s

nickname comes from.

The accident occurred very close to the

Russian coast, reportedly as Losharik was

docking with the BS-64. The fire was in the battery

compartment; even nuclear submarines have

batteries as a backup. Some of the crew,

including the captain, reportedly stayed in the

affected compartment to ensure the safety of the

others. These are the men who perished.

This wasn't Losharik's first underwater

accident. In 2012 she damaged her manipulator

arms while on a mission under the Ice Cap. That

time it was not fatal.

Losharik was able to dock with the BS-64,

which raced back to Severomorsk to unload the

injured submariners. By midnight a local news

outlet, SeverLife.ru, broke the story. They

reported that between 10 and 14 people died and

that about 5 injured. Two of them were in

intensive care. The story was later removed.

A camouflaged shelter was placed over a

hatch on BS-64‘s back. Onlookers may have been

unaware that the injured submarine was out of

sight, attached to the bottom of the visible host

submarine. While the story was still making

headlines around the globe, on July 4 BS-64

discretely slipped back to Olenya Guba. There

special attention continued, with the camouflaged

tent used again.

Losharik will likely be returned to service. In

the meantime BS-64 has been exercising with a

smaller battery powered submersible attached to

her back, possibly as a surrogate. The ‗state

secret‘ missions will go on.

—————————————————————–

Submitted by a Charleston Base SUBVET.

Editor: While some of this article is political in

nature I find there is enough truth in the rest of the

article for it to be printed.

Seniors could rule the world....if they had the

energy.

The typical U.S. household headed by a

person age 65 or older has a net worth 47 times

greater than a household headed by someone

under 35, according to an analysis of census

data.

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old

fogies, geezers, and in some cases dinosaurs.

Some of us are "Baby Boomers" getting ready to

retire; others have been retired for some time. We

walk a little slower these days and our eyes and

hearing are not what they once were. We worked

hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and

have grown old together.

In school we studied English, history, math,

and science, which enabled us to lead America

into the technological age. Most of us remember

what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand

experience. We remember the days of telephone

party-lines, 25 cent gasoline, and milk and ice

being delivered to our homes.

We are probably considered old fashioned and

outdated by many. But there are a few things you

need to remember before completely writing us

off. We won World War II, fought in Korea and

Viet Nam. We can quote The Pledge of

Allegiance, and know where to place our hand

while doing so. We wore the uniform of our

country with pride, and lost many friends on the

battlefield. We didn't fight for the Socialist States

of America; we fought for the "Land of the Free

and the Home of the Brave." We wore different

uniforms but carried the same flag.

We know the words to the ―Star Spangled

20

Banner,‖ ―America,‖ and ―America the Beautiful‖

by heart, and you may even see some tears

running down our cheeks as we sing. We have

lived what many of you should have read in

history books and we feel no obligation to

apologize to anyone for America.

Yes, we are old and slow these days but rest

assured, we have at least one good fight left in us.

We have loved this country, fought for it, and died

for it, and now we are going to save it. It is our

country and nobody is going to take it away from

us. We took oaths to defend America against all

enemies, foreign and domestic, and that is an

oath we plan to keep. There are those who want

to destroy this land we love but, like our founders,

there is no way we are going to remain silent.

It was mostly the young people of this nation

who elected Obama and the Democratic

Congress. You fell for the "Hope and Change"

which in reality was nothing but "Hype and Lies‖

from your college professors. You youngsters

need to taste socialism and see evil face to face

to understand you don't like it after all. You make

a lot of noise, most are all too interested in their

careers or "Climbing the Social Ladder" to be

involved in such mundane things as patriotism

and voting. Many of those who fell for the "Great

Lie" in 2008 are now having buyer's remorse. With

all the education we gave you, you didn't have

sense enough to see through the lies and instead

drank the 'Kool-Aid.'

Well, don't worry youngsters, the Grey-Haired

Brigade is here, and in 2016 we took back our

nation. We may drive a little slower than you

would like, but we get where we're going, and in

2020 we're *driving to *the polls again by the

millions.

So the next time you have the chance to say

the Pledge of Allegiance, stand up, put your hand

over your heart, honor your country, and thank

God for the old geezers of the "Gray-Haired

Brigade."

*In** God we **STILL* *trust!*

—————————————————————–

NOT ALZHEIMER'S? (NOT A JOKE)

In the following analysis, the French Professor

Bruno Dubois, Director of the Institute of Memory

and Alzheimer's Disease (IMMA) at La -

Salpêtrière - Paris Hospitals / addresses the

subject in a rather reassuring way:

"For some time now, I have been stuck and I

do not know what we were I talking about ...

Before, I was afraid it was the beginning of

Alzheimer's ... but today, after reading this article,

I am reassured, it‘s nothing.

"If anyone is aware of his memory problems,

he does not have Alzheimer's."

1. I forget the names of families.

2. I do not remember where I put some things.

It often happens in people 60 years and older

that they complain that they lack memory. "The

information is always in the brain, it is the

"processor" that is lacking. "

This is "Anosognosia" or temporary

forgetfulness. Half of people 60 and older have

some symptoms that are due to age rather than

disease. The most common cases are:

- forgetting the name of a person,

- going to a room in the house and not

remembering why we were going there,

- a blank memory for a movie title or actor, an

actress,

- a waste of time searching where we left our

glasses or keys

After 60 years most people have such a

difficulty, which indicates that it is not a disease

but rather a characteristic due to the passage of

years.

Many people are concerned about these

oversights hence the importance of the following

statement: "Those who are conscious of being

forgetful have no serious problem of memory.

Those who suffer from a memory illness or

Alzheimer‘s are not aware of what is happening."

Professor Bruno Dubois, Director of IMMA,

reassures the majority of people concerned about

their oversights: "The more we complain about

memory loss, the less likely we are to suffer from

memory sickness.

Now for a little neurological test. Only use your

eyes! Do not use a pointer or finger.

21

1- Find the C in the table below!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

2- If you have already found the C,

Then find the 6 in the table below.

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999

6999999999999999999999999999999999999999

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999

3- Now find the N in the table below.

Attention, it's a little more difficult!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMNMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

If you pass these three tests without problem:

- You can cancel your annual visit to the

neurologist.

- Your brain is in perfect shape!

- You are far from having any relationship with

Alzheimer's.

Share this with your over-60 friends, it can

reassure them.

—————————————————————–

Submitted by Donna Hastie, wife of Sandy Hastie,

CAPT B CO 80 (1 patrol-Oct-Dec)

Veterans Day Discounts 2019, Free Meals,

Resources Exclusive to Veterans

Posted in #VetResources by VAntage Point

Veterans Day 2019 is on Monday, Nov. 11th,

2019. This Veterans Day discounts list will

continue to be updated as we learn of more

nationally available Veterans Day discounts,

meals, or other ways businesses and

organizations want to give back to Veterans.

These Veterans Day discounts, free meals and

other programs are being shared so that

Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors

are aware of all resources available to them.

Veterans Day discounts and meals at

restaurants

Hometown Buffet – November 11, 2019

Active duty, reserve, or retired military personnel

in uniform or with a valid ID receive 15% discount

on Military Mondays (Every Monday including

Memorial Day) at Hometown Buffet. Be sure to

ask your server for more details. Visit the BJs

Wholesale website for details. http://

www.hometownbuffet.com/military/

Old Country Buffett – November 11, 2019

Active duty, reserve, or retired military personnel

in uniform or with a valid ID receive 15% discount

on Military Mondays (Every Monday including

Memorial Day) with up to four members of the

family at Old Country Buffett. Be sure to ask your

server for more details. Visit the BJs Wholesale

website for details. http://

www.oldcountrybuffet.com/military-2/

Applebee‘s – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active-duty military receive a free

meal from a limited menu at participating

Applebee‘s on November 11. Dine-in only. Visit

the Applebee‘s website for details.

Chili‘s Grill & Bar – November 11, 2019

All Veterans and active duty military personnel

can get a free meal on Veteran‘s Day Monday,

November 11, 2019, at all participating Chili‘s Grill

and Bar restaurants. Please call ahead to your

local Chili‘s restaurant if you have any questions

about your Veteran‘s Day meals. Visit the Chili‘s

website for details. https://www.chilis.com/

22

restaurant-events/veterans-day

Baker‘s Square – November 11, 2019

All Veterans and active duty service members

receive a free meal on Veteran‘s Day (November

11, 2019) from Baker‘s Square. Visit the Baker‘s

Square website for details.

54th Street Grill and Bar – November 11,

2019

Veterans + Active Duty military personnel who

dine inside a 54th Street Grill and Bar receive a

free entrée up to $12 on Veteran‘s Day (11-11-

2019). Visit the 54th Street Grill and Bar website

for details.

Golden Corral – November 11, 2019

Military Veterans, retirees, and active duty

members are being offered a free sit-in ―thank

you‖ dinner on Monday, November 11, 2019, from

5pm -9pm. For more details visit the Golden

Corral website. https://www.goldencorral.com/

military-appreciation/

Red Robin – November 11, 2019

Veteran‘s and Active Duty Military are being

offered a free dine-in Red‘s Tavern Double Burger

and Bottomless Steak Fries on Veteran‘s Day,

11/11/2019. Visit the Red Robin website for

details.

Mission BBQ – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty members will receive a

free sandwich and slice of cake (while supplies

lasts) at Mission BBQ on Veteran‘s Day,

11/11/2019. Visit the Mission BBQ website for

details.

O‘Charley‘s Restaurant – November 11,

2019

Veterans of the armed forces and/or officers still

serving, you can enjoy a free meal at O‘Charley‘s

this Veterans Day, with several fan favorites from

the restaurant‘s menu to choose from. Visit the

O‘Charley‘s website for details.

Grub Burger – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active military members can get a

free meal at a Grub Burger Bar location on

Saturday, November 11, for Veterans Day. Visit

the Grub Burger website for details.

IHOP – November 11, 2019

All Active duty and Retired Veterans in

observance of Veteran‘s Day, November 11, are

invited to come in to IHOP and enjoy a ―free‖

breakfast. Visit the IHOP website for details.

https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/ihop-military-

discount/

Lucille‘s BBQ – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty military will enjoy a

complimentary dessert with proof of service on

November 11. Visit the Lucille‘s BBQ website for

details. https://www.lucillesbbq.com/promos/

military-family-month

Fogo De Chao – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty personnel receive

discounts on November 11, which includes 50%

towards their meal at Fogo De Chao, in addition

up to three of their guests enjoy 10% off. Visit the

Fogo-De-Chao website for details.

Texas Road House – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active military receive a free lunch

on November 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all

Texas Roadhouse locations. Visit the Texas Road

House website for details.

TGI Fridays – November 11, 2019

Military guests with a valid military ID will be

treated to a free lunch menu item up to $12 on

November 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These

guests also will receive a $5 coupon for their next

meal at Fridays. Call your local TGI Fridays for

details.

Subway – November 11, 2019

Military Veterans with a valid ID are being offered

a free six-inch sub on November 11 at

select locations. Call or visit your nearest location

for details.

Outback – November 11, 2019

Veterans with a military ID can get a free Bloomin‘

Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on November

11, and 20 percent off their check Nov. 12 to Dec.

31. Call or visit your nearest location for details.

BJs Restaurant Brewhouse – November 11,

2019

Military and Veteran‘s with a valid ID are being

offered a free entree up to $14.95 and a free Dr.

Pepper beverage on November 11. Call your local

BJs Restaurant Brewhouse for details. https://

www.bjsrestaurants.com/VeteransDay

Bandanas BBQ Restaurant – November 11,

2019

Veterans and active duty military are being offered

a free meal on November 11. Call or visit your

23

nearest location for details.

Manhattan Bagel Company – November 11,

2019

All active, former and retired military personnel

with valid identification are invited to enjoy a free

bagel and cream cheese at Manhattan Bagel

Company‘s participating locations on Veterans

Day November 11. No additional purchase is

required. Call or visit your nearest location for

details.

Houlihan‘s – November 11, 2019:

All military members – both active-duty and

Veterans – will receive a free and complimentary

meal on Veterans Day. Guests must come with

proof of duty by an I.D., photo in uniform, earning

receipt or any other form of proof. Call or visit your

nearest location for details.

Bombshells Restaurant & Bar – November

11, 2019

Veteran‘s families and active service members

receive free meals at Bombshells Restaurant &

Bar on November 11 from 11 AM – 2

AM. Please call ahead to your local Bombshell‘s

restaurant if you have any questions about your

Veteran‘s Day meals.

California Pizza Kitchen– November 11,

2019

Veterans and active U.S. military members with

proof of service have an invitation to enjoy a

complimentary meal from CPK‘s Veterans Day

menu at all participating California Pizza Kitchen

locations nationwide. Please call ahead to your

local California Pizza Kitchen if you have any

questions about your Veteran‘s Day meal.

The Chop House – November 11, 2019

Veterans receive a 50% discount with a valid

military ID on November 11. This does not apply

to alcoholic beverages. Please call ahead to your

local Chop House if you have any questions about

your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Cici‘s Pizza – November 11, 2019

All active duty or retired military with a valid

military ID are being offered a free pizza buffet

on November 11. Please call ahead to your local

Cicis Pizza if you have any questions about your

Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Connors Steak & Seafood – November 11,

2019

Veterans with a valid military ID receive a 50%

discount on November 11. This offer does not

apply to alcoholic beverages. Please call ahead to

your local Connors Steak & Seafood if you have

any questions about your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Cotton Patch Cafe – November 11, 2019

All Veterans and active military members are

being offered a free Chicken Fried Steak or

Chicken Fried Chicken with a drink on November

11. Please call ahead to your local Cotton patch

café if you have any questions about your

Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Famous Dave‘s – November 11, 2019

Military personnel and Veterans are being offered

a free meal on November 11th at participating

locations only. Proof of military service is required.

Please call ahead to your local Famous Dave‘s if

you have any questions about your Veteran‘s Day

Discount.

Farmer Boys – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty military with valid proof

of service get a free cheese cheeseburger on

November 11. Please call ahead to your local

Farmer Boys if you have any questions about your

Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – November 11,

2019

Veterans and active duty military with valid proof

of service get a free lunch or dinner entree on

November 11. Please call ahead to your

local Firebirds Wood Fired Grill if you have any

questions about your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Fired Pie – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty military with valid proof

of service or are in uniform on receive a free

entree November 11 for Veterans Day. Please call

ahead to your local Fired pie if you have any

questions about your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Joe‘s Crab Shack – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty military with valid ID will

enjoy 20 percent off on November 11. Please call

ahead to your local Joe‘s Crab Shack if you have

any questions about your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Little Caesars Pizza – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty military with valid ID

will receive a free $5 hot-n-ready lunch

combo.On November 11, from 11am to 2pm.

Please call ahead to your local Little Caesars

24

Pizza if you have any questions about your

Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Logan‘s Roadhouse – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty military with valid proof

of service will receive a free American Roadhouse

Meal on Veterans Day. Please call ahead to your

local Logan‘s Roadhouse if you have any

questions about your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Luna Grill – November 11, 2019

Veterans, military service men and women with

valid proof of service will receive their choice of a

complimentary meal when they purchase a meal

from November 9-11. Please call ahead to your

local Luna Grill if you have any questions about

your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Menchie‘s – November 11, 2019

Veterans, military service men and women with

valid proof of service will receive a free frozen

yogurt on November 11 Please call ahead to your

local Menchie‘s if you have any questions about

your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – November 11,

2019

Retired and active duty military with valid proof of

service will receive a free froyo at participating

locations on November 11. Please call ahead to

your local Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt if you have

any questions about your Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Veterans Day discounts at grocery stores

BJs Wholesale – November 11, 2019

Active duty military personnel and Veterans

receive discounts on November 11, 2019, at BJs

wholesale, which include 30% off standard

membership fees. Additional incentives like extra

money off coupons are occasionally offered for

new members. Visit the BJs Wholesale website

for details.

Publix – November 11, 2019

Veterans, active military, and their families receive

10% off purchases on November 11, 2019.

Exceptions apply. Must show Veteran or military

ID, discharge documents, or driver‘s license with

Veteran designation. https://ww4.publix.com/

pages/veterans-day-discount

Hy-Vee – November 11, 2019

Veterans and active duty military with valid

ID receive a free breakfast buffet during regular

breakfast hours from 6am to 11 am on

November 11. Please call ahead to your local Hy-

Vee if you have any questions about your

Veteran‘s Day Discount.

Veterans Day discounts for haircuts

Great Clips – November 11, 2019

Veterans and current military members can visit a

U.S. Great Clips salon on November 11 to receive

either a free haircut that day or the free haircut

card to use at a later date. Visit the Great Clips

website for details. Visit the Great Clips website

for details.

Sport Clips – November 11, 2019

Some locations will be offering free haircuts on

November 11. Visit the Sports Clips website for

details.

SmartStyle Hair Salons – November 11,

2019

Current or former military members, and veterans

are being offered a 10% discount off any services

and professional products on November 11.

Please show proof of service to receive this

special discount at participating salons. Walk-ins

welcome. No double discounts. Discount may

vary per location. Visit the SmartStyle website for

details.

Veterans Day health

American Family Care – November 11, 2019

Veterans are being offered free flu shots on

Veterans Day, Monday, November 11. Veterans

interested in obtaining a free flu shot are

encouraged to visit AFCUrgentCare.com to find

the nearest American Family Care. Visit the

American Family Care website for details.

(Reminder, Veterans receiving health care at VA

are eligible for Free flu shots at your local

Walgreens)

True Rest Float Spa – November 11, 2019

Free True Rest Float Spa 60-minute float session

for active duty military and Veterans.Visit the True

Rest website for details.

Veterans Day discounts in retail

The Home Depot – November 11, 2019

Veterans are being offered a 10% military

discount on in-store purchases on select items. All

25

veterans are eligible for this discount during the

Veterans Day weekend. Visit the Home Depot

website for details.

Walgreens – November 8-11, 2019

20% off for military, Veterans and their families.

Walgreens also provides free flu shots for VA-

enrolled Veterans. Visit the Walgreens website for

details.

Rack Room Shoes – November 11, 2019

United States Military and families with a valid ID

receive 10% off your entire purchase on

November 11. In store only. Visit the Rack Room

website for details. https://

www.rackroomshoes.com/military-discount

Dollar General – November 11, 2019

Veterans and families receive an 11 % discount

on qualifying items in store and online. See

website for details.

Rack Room Shoes – November 11, 2019

United States Military and families with a valid ID

receive 10% off your entire purchase on

November 11. In store only. Visit the Rack Room

website for details. https://

www.rackroomshoes.com/military-discount

Living Spaces – November 4-24, 2019

For every purchase of a select Revive product,

Living Spaces will donate a mattress to a Veteran.

Qualifying Revive products range from select

mattresses to adjustable bases. Learn

more: https://www.livingspaces.com/event/buy-

one-give-one/veterans

Veterans Day Discounts on travel

La Quinta – November 11, 2019

Veterans and their families who book and stay at

La Quinta hotels in the U.S. and Canada can take

advantage of the 15% off military discount in light

of Veterans Day on November 11. Visit the La

Quinta website to book.

Legoland – November 11, 2019

Each U.S. service member on Monday, November

11, can receive a free American flag wristband

and flyer (describing the discounts and events of

the day) at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort ticket

window. A wristband entitles the wearer to the

special discounts on November 11 only. Visit

the LEGOLAND Florida Resort website for details.

Harley Davidson Museum – November 11,

2019

All active military, Veterans and their families can

gain free Museum entry into the Davidson

Museum with valid Military or Veterans ID for 1

additional adult and up to 4 children 18 years old

or younger On November 9-11. Visit the Harley-

Davidson Museum website for details.

National Parks – November 11, 2019

Over 100 national parks will waive admission fees

on November 11, 2019, in honor of Veterans Day.

Contact your local park for information.(Disabled

Veterans eligible for free National Park Service

Lifetime Access Pass)

—————————————————————–

When you get old you read stuff like this to keep

yourself entertained.

26

The following pictures of the Burial of CDR Bill Ratliff, Gold Crew XO, 68-70 were

provided by Trudee Ratliff. Bill was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

This picture of the Ratliff family was submitted by Trudee Ratliff.

27

Print a copy, complete and mail with your check to the address below:

Event Registration 655 Reunion #11 7 – 11 October 2020

Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport

1717 Airport Exchange Blvd.

Erlanger, KY 41018

888.294.5067

www.holidayinn.com/cvg-airport Call the hotel number above or reserve on their website.

Reserve Group Rates using either:

Henry L. Stimson 655 Reunion OR Block Code R65

Hotel Reservation Deadline SEPT 16, 2020

Hotel Reservation is the responsibility of the individual.

Reunion Registration Deadline SEPT 16, 2020

http://ssbn655.org/reunions/2020_Reunion11

Please complete (print legibly), print the form and return along with a check payable to: Henry L. Stimson Reunion Mail to: Dick Young, 7209 Austin Woods Ln., Cincinnati OH 45247 Email: stimson655reunion2020@aol.com

Shipmate Name: _________________________________________ Guest Name: _________________________

Relationship: ___ Spouse ___ Significant Other ___ Family ___ Friend

Street Address: _________________________ City: ________________________ State: ______ Zip: __________

Phone: Home: _______________________ Cell: _______________________ Work: ________________________

E-mail: Home: ___________________________________ Work: ______________________________________

Number who will be attending this event in your group: _________

# Patrols on STIMSON: __________ Total # Patrols on all boats: __________

Dates Onboard Rate Crew Dates Onboard Rate Crew

_______________ __________ __________ _______________ __________ __________

Special Needs: _________________________________________________________________________________

(Event attendance will be through advance payment only.)

I am registering for the following per person (Association Member and all guests):

Event package: $80.00 Number: __________ = __________

OR

Registration Fee: (required) $45.00 Number: __________ = __________

Saturday Banquet: $35.00 Number: __________ = __________

Total Enclosed _____________

Two are two scheduled events. Please indicate your interest. Include fees with your check for the reunion.

1. Thursday: Wright Patterson AFB Museum Tour in Dayton OH. This is a 70 mile trip (just over an hour) and we will go by coach bus/s. Cost for the tour/transportation is $30.00 per person.

I/we will attend the WPAFB Museum Tour. $30.00 ea. Number: ___ = _________

(Include the fee in your check for registration.)

2. Friday: Ohio River Cruise and Meal. The cruise departure is less than a 30 minutes from the hotel and we

will go by coach bus/s. Cost for the Cruise/Meal and transportation is $75.00 per person. I/we will attend the Ohio River Cruise and Meal. $75.00 ea. Number: ___ = _________

(Include the fee in your check for registration.)

The Association has established a refund policy for reunion registrations and it is located within our Bylaws in Article V.g. You can view this policy at: http://ssbn655.org/association/bylaws/1610%20655BylawRev.pdf or on the back of this form.

REUNION USE ONLY

Check # _____________

Date Rcvd ___________

Registration # ________

Hotel Resv: __________

Print a copy, complete and mail with your check to the address below:

g. Cancellation of reunion registration and the refund of monies paid will be based on the timing of the cancellation. Registration cancelled prior to the reunion registration cutoff date will result in refund of monies paid minus the registration/office fee. For cancellation after the registration cutoff date, there will be no refund of monies paid.

Cincinnati is located in Southwest Ohio and just across the Ohio River is Northern Kentucky where the reunion will be held. It‘s only 10 miles from Indiana. There are 3 Interstates that lead to Cincinnati: I-74, I-75 and I-71. We are located a day‘s drive (8-10 hours) from most of the East Coast. There will be plenty of free parking at the hotel for cars and RV's.

If you are flying there are 7 major airlines that service Cincinnati (CVG) and several are discount

airlines. They include Air Canada, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest and United. A free

shuttle service from the airport (1.5 miles) is provided by the hotel.

Along with the planned activities here are a few activities that you can do on your own if you arrive early or stay late or don’t plan on going to the Wright Patterson AFB Museum on Thursday. The baseball season will be over but the Reds have one of the best Museums in the Professional Baseball and it‘s located next to the Great American Ball Park. The Museum is free to veterans.

https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame Our Zoo and Botanical Gardens are second to none with a White Tiger display and Baby Fiona, a hippo raised from birth at the zoo.

http://cincinnatizoo.org/ Tthe Creation Museum is about 7 miles from the hotel. It‘s a state of the art Adventure through biblical history with stunning exhibits, botanical gardens, planetarium, zoo, zip lining …and dinosaurs. In the Bible??? For real??? You gotta see it to believe it.

https://creationmuseum.org/

The Ark Encounter is 20 miles south and has a real wooden Ark based on the size described in the bible; it is huge.

https://arkencounter.com/

Kentucky Horse Park is about 45 miles away near Lexington Kentucky.

https://kyhorsepark.com/ The Cincinnati Museum Center is near the downtown area and housed in the old Art-Deco Union Terminal Train Station. It has a natural history museum and the Cincinnati History Museum. You can also tour the old railroad control station housed on the top floor. It also features an IMAX theater.

https://www.cincymuseum.org/

The Hofbrauhaus in Newport, KY features the best German food outside of Munich. https://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/

You may want to check out the restaurant on the top of the Radisson Hotel located in Covington, Ky

(5 miles from the hotel) on the Ohio River. It sits on the 18th floor of the hotel and revolves once

every 45 minutes, giving a great view of the downtown area, and the food is delicious. https://www.restaurantcovingtonky.com/