uss nimitz (cvn-68) association ... · diego, the schedule may change to allow interaction with the...
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Volume 20, Issue No. 2, Spring 2016
USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) ASSOCIATION http://www.ussnimitzassociation.org
The Five Star News
Nimitz Association set to hold
Reunion 2016 in San Diego
The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Association will hold its 19th Annual Reunion in San Diego, California during 24-28 August 2016 at the Crowne Plaza
Hotel - Mission Valley
HOTEL FEATURES:
Polynesian atmosphere.
The Islands Restaurant: 0600 - 2100, menu available online.
Islands Sushi & PuPu Bar: 1700 - 2330, menu online.
Bar-lounge area: near restaurant.
Convenience shop: snacks, souvenirs, sundries, drinks.
Business Center: open 24 hours; may be charged for printing.
Swimming & whirlpool: outdoors, heated, 0900 - 2200
Fitness Center: open 24 hours but may be closed for
short periods for cleaning.
WiFi in public areas & guest rooms.
Coffee in-room: Free
If you arrive earlier than check-in time, the hotel will complimentary store your luggage, and call you if room is available sooner.
Reservations via Booking Website the hotel set up for the Association ...
https: // resweb.passkey.com
lgolbb90592f
NOTE: Do not go through the hotel regular website for reservation .
If you phone in a reservation, call 888-233-9527 AND ask for the 'USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Association Reunion 2016' rate which is $110.00 +tax; total $124.29). Rate will be available until 3 August 2016. Call-in reservation hours are from 0700 - 2300 EST.
Extra benefit: Reunion room rates include days before and after reunion dates so you can come early or stay extra days and extend reunion to vacation time.
AMENITY NOTE:
If you need a refrigerator in room, ask for it when making reservations (currently all rooms do not have one.) Guests needing a refrigerator for medical purposes get priority.
TRANSPORTATION:
Parking: $3 per day, special reunion price.
Rent-a-Car: You can rent a car at hotel (Hertz). They give a discount.
Get to hotel via shuttle @ $12 one way; or @ $25 for the van that can take 4 passengers who can split cost.
(continued on page 4)
Greetings shipmates,
I hope this finds you all doing well and surviving the winter. It has been a rather mild winter in Chicago, but none the less it has been winter and I am looking forward to Spring. Punxsutawney Phil decided that there would be 6 more weeks of winter so now everything is looking up....except maybe the stock market.
Captain Ring, current skipper of the Nimitz, made a presentation last month at the Bremerton Naval League Luncheon at sub base in Bangor, WA. Shipmate Bruce Maas was in attendance and said that the presentation was very well received. We continue to attempt to coincide our annual reunion with the movements of the ship, but it has become increasingly difficult to do. However, we will continue to try and coordinate our annual reunion with the ship.
A special THANKS goes out to Joe and Bea Brunner for all of the work that has gone into securing us a hotel and all that goes along with a hosting a reunion. The reunion dates are August 24-28 and will be held at the Crowne Plaza Mission Valley (San Diego, CA). It's never too early to make your reservations. More reunion details and a registration form will be included in the next newsletter and posted on our website.
Speaking of the website, our efforts to update and upgrade our site are progressing well, albeit slower than we had hoped. We are currently planning for a go-live date near the end of March, pending final review by those members who volunteered to serve on the website redesign committee. I want to also thank those members who are working with Fred Cooper, the developer, to implement the new site. Those members are Ed Deats, John Wilder, Joe Murphy, Ray Bigelow, Rich Galecki and Fr Peter.
I am already getting excited about the San Diego reunion and cannot wait to see where I graduated boot camp & Hospital Corps School. I remember Camp Nimitz, Preble Field and of course Balboa Park. I believe most if not all are gone now, I still cannot wait to go back to this great city. I hope to see you all there! Until then, Fair Winds and Following Seas.
Presidential Address… By Dave Wood, Association President The Old Town Trolley
Hop around San Diego at your leisure and pleasure for a day on this open air sightseeing trolley (green and orange). You will be picked up at the hotel and taken to where you purchase a ticket and away you go. At their website, link below, you will see where they go so you can pre-plan where you want to visit. You ride all day and get off and on at any attraction you want to visit.
http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/
Spanish Village Art Center Phone 619 233 9050; Hours 1100-1600 http://spanishvillageart.com/studios/
The Presidio / Presidio Park
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.7595365,-117.1941156,283m/data=!3m1!1e3
http://www.san-diego-travels.com/presidio-park.html
Junípero Serra Mission /
Museum, on Presidio Hill-Park
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/serra_museum.html
Phone: (619) 232-6203
Mission Basilica San Diego de
Alcalá
http://www.missionsandiego.com
http://missiontour.org/wp/sandiego/mission-san-diego-de-alcala.html
(continued on page 4) Dave WoodDave Wood
Some Things to See
while in San Diego
Organization and Website News By Ed Deats, Secretary/Treasurer
Shipmates: Great news in that the new website is up and run-ning! We still have a few minor tweaks to the site (Ship’s Store, PayPal and Roster) and I will be getting the software and training to take care of those issues. I have sent out an email to all active members with their username and password to access the site. If you have not already done so, please log on and review your data under the Roster. Let me know if I had any data entry issues and I will correct them soonest!
For those members who do not have a membership card, let me know and I now have the ability to create one for you. I’ll send it to you as I received 10 names to do a card sheet.
I would also appreciate feedback on the site both good and bad! Hope to see a bunch of New faces (and Old) at our reunion in San Diego, California August 24th – 28th, come early and have fun!!
In the hotel, near the restaurant and waterfall, is a small snack shack (Kona Café & Market) that has drinks, snacks, sundries, and souvenirs. Check it out when you first arrive.
Restaurants...
Anthony’s Fish Grotto - $$
…http://www.gofishanthonys.com
Bali Hai Restaurant - $
…http://www.balihairestaurant.com/
Benihana - $$
…http://www.benihana.com/locations/sandiego-ca-sd
Brigantine Seafood - $$
…http://www.brigantine.com/
Broken Yolk Café - Mission Valley - $$
…http://thebrokenyolkcafe.com/
Corvette Diner (former Chief’s Club, NTC) - $$
…https://www.cohnrestaurants.com/corvettediner
Hunter Steakhouse - $$
…http://www.huntersteakhouse.com
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks - $$$
…http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com…619-645-6545
Olive Garden - $$
…http://www.olivegarden.com…619-226-2124
Red Lobster - $$
…https://www.redlobster.com…619-226-1057
Ruby’s Diner - $$
http://www.rubys.com/locations/sandiego/index.html
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse - $$
…http://www.tomhamslighthouse.com/
Top of the Market Restaurant (Fish) - $$$
…https://www.thefishmarket.com/topofthemarket.aspx
The Old Spaghetti Factory - $$
…http://www.osf.com/location/san-diego-ca
94th Aero Squadron Restaurant - $$
…http://www.94thsandiego.com
Steak Houses – (San Diego)...
Bertrand at Mister A’s
…http://www.bertrandatmisteras.com
Donovan’s Steak & Chop House
…http://www.donovanssteakhouse.com/
Flemings Prime Steakhouse
…http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com
Morton’s Steakhouse
…http://www.mortons.com/sandiego/
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
…http://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/san-diego
Other Restaurant places near our hotel...
…https://www.zomato.com/san-diego/restaurants/near/
crowne-plaza-hotel-san-diego-mission-valley
Other Eating Places…
‘Diners, Drive-ins, Dives’ – TV show; San Diego places.
...http://www.dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com/california-locations.html
Plenty to Eat in San Diego and the Surrounding Area
Cabrillo National Monument & Lighthouse
Phone: (619) 557-5450
Hours: 0900-1700
https://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm
Visitor Center… https://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/visitorcenter.htm
Heritage Park, Old Town
858-565-3600
http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/parks/heritage.html
Villa Montezuma – (Not open for visit)
619-239-2211
http://villamontezuma.org/Welcome.html
http://villamontezumamuseum.org/Villa_Site/Welcome-Home_Pg.html
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
619-338-9888
http://www.sdchm.org/
Special Note: During the reunion and annual business
meetings of the association, if the USS NIMITZ is in port San
Diego, the schedule may change to allow interaction with the
ship. There will be a group sign up bulletin board so please
check it when you arrive. We have Thursday and Friday
Afternoons and all day Saturday until the banquet to do some
sightseeing.
Crowne Plaza Mission Valley
San Diego, CA
2270 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA 92108
Front Desk:
1-619-297-1101
Check-In 1600
Check-Out Noon
www.crowneplaza.com/sandiego
REUNION HQ
(continued from page 2)
Things to See
Here’s another reminder to all our members who will have
an eligible family member attending college in an upcoming
semester. We are scheduled to select our 2016 Scholar-
ship Award winner during our upcoming reunion in San Die-
go, CA. The scholarship award amount is set to be
$3,000! Most of the details for our scholarship program
can be found on our new and improved website at:
http://www.ussnimitzassociation.org
The new webpage should make applying for the associa-
tion scholarship a snap. Any association member in “good
standing” can nominate an applicant whether or not that
applicant is a dependent child or grandchild. In “good
standing” infers “dues paying members”. All Scholarship
applications to be considered will need to be received no
later than July 18, 2016. Please send the applications
and supporting material to:
Tim Gildea Chairman, Scholarship Committee USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Association 6510 Matthias St Philadelphia, PA 19128 [email protected]
There is still Time to apply for the FADM Nimitz Scholarship
USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Association
Reunion 2016 – 19th
Annual – San Diego, California -- 24-28 August 2016
Tentative Schedule of Events
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Arrivals Check in at the Hotel. Refreshments in the “Bud Scott Hospitality Room”.
NOTE: If you are arriving at the hotel on the 24th, you cannot check in until 1600.
2030-2100 Association Officers’ Meeting – PRES, VP, SECY/TREAS, At-Large O’s & Spouse Adv. (loc. TBD).
2300 Hospitality Room closes for the night.
Thursday, 25 August 2016
0600-0845 Continental Breakfast ???
0900-0930 All Hands Meeting for introductions; pass along information. Silent auction begins.
0930-1100 Members-only Annual Business Meeting to discuss issues.
0930-1100 Spouses Meeting with Spouse Advocate (location TBD)
1130-1300 Lunch on your own
1300-2300 Activities/Tours: No organized tours are scheduled as of this issue, however, there are many activities
and places to visit in San Diego. Meals are on your own. Hospitality Room is open.
Friday, 26 August 2016
0900-1000 Members-only Business Meeting -vote on items brought forth and election of officers
1000-1100 Scholarship Committee Meeting
1000-2300 Activities/Tours: No organized tours are scheduled as of this issue. Meals are on your own. Hospitality
Room is open.
Saturday, 27 August 2016
Free Day! Sleep in and later enjoy San Diego!
1730 Formal Photos (if available or if desired)
1830-2930 Reunion Banquet at hotel. Dress: Business Casual (Nimitz Association Shirts OK).
2100 Silent Auction closes.
2300 Hospitality Room closes.
Sunday 28 August 2016
Departures
Matt Smaron was a Senior this past year at St.
Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Matt had a very decent GPA (3.879) when
applying for last year’s scholarship. He made
the Dean’s list every semester while in college.
He qualified for the National Forensics League
and is a member of the National Political
Science Honor Society. He did volunteer work
for Habitat for Humanity and as a tour guide for
the Western Hennepin Pioneer Association. He
worked as a New student orientation leader and
admission tour guide. Matt attended the Nimitz
Association reunion in Pensacola.
Shipmate Joe Murphy was Matt’s sponsor. He
was in the NIMITZ Air Department from 1974 to
1977. Joe attended many reunions and served
as the Vice President of the association from
2010 to 2014. Joe was active in executing the
Chicago reunion in 2014.
This year Matt was awarded a BA in Marketing and Political Science. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.88 GPA.
He’s been accepted at 3 separate Law Schools with a full scholarship at each of the three.
Nimitz Scholarships are awarded each year in a competition judge by members of the Association. Any association member in “good standing” can nominate an applicant whether or not that applicant is a dependent child or grandchild. Active Duty personnel associated with the USS NIMITZ are eligible.
Chaplain & Bereavement Coordinator
Father Peter Norris, OFS
St. Dunstan RC Church, Hersden Canterbury, Kent, UK CT3 4HH [email protected]
Matt Smaron and parents, Julie and Frank Smaron
2015 Fleet Admiral Nimitz Scholarship Recipient Graduates
with High Honors and Several Paths to a Law Degree
Board of Directors & Special Assistants
President: Dave Wood 1304 E Harrison Ave. Wheaton, IL 60187; (630) 575-7572 [email protected] (Term Expires 2016) Vice President/PAO Rich Galecki 6495 Lancaster Dr., Warrenton, VA 20187, (540) 454-8636 [email protected] (Term Expires 2016) Secretary/Treasurer (1st IPP) Ed Deats 8324 Triad Circle, Sacramento, CA 95828, (916) 509-2646 [email protected] (Term Expires 2016) Officer-at-Large Ray Bigelow (414) 325-7444 [email protected] Officer-at-Large John Wilder (781) 859-5034 [email protected] 2nd Immediate Past President Ray Bigelow 5021 South 25
th Street,
Milwaukee, WI 53221-3449 (414) 325-7444 [email protected] 3rd Immediate Past President Joe Brunner 2745 Mercury Dr., Lemon Grove CA 91945-2100 (619) 466-2132; [email protected] Veterans’ Service Officer Jim Disney 839 Test Rd., Richmond, IN 47374; (765) 277-3931 [email protected] Spouse Advocate Dottie Wilder (781) 859-5034 [email protected] (Term Expires 2017)
By-Laws Committee Chairman Rich Galecki, [email protected] Membership Committee Chairman TBD Nominating Committee Chairman Ed Deats [email protected] Scholarship Committee Chairman Tim Gildea 6510 Matthias St Philadelphia, PA 19128
Newsletter Editor-in-Chief Rich Galecki [email protected] Memorabilia & Association Storekeeper Leo Mrozek, [email protected] Historian Jeff Crabtree 2928 Rutherford, Urbana, IL 61802 Reunion Committee Chairman Ray Bigelow, [email protected] 2016: San Diego, CA; J. Brunner 2017: Norfolk, VA; Rob Jamison 2018: Philadelphia, PA; Tim
Gildea
(Past NIMITZ Commanding Officers with
dates of command. All former NIMITZ
skippers are Association members.)
RADM Bryan W. Compton, USN (Ret.)
12 July 1972 - 21 August 1976
RADM Richard T. Gaskill, USN (Ret.)
21 August 1976 - 12 February 1979
RADM John R. Batzler, USN (Ret.)
12 February 1979 - 26 February 1982
CAPT Matt Yelland, USN (Honorary)
(Kirk Douglas) 1980
VADM Raymond P. llg, USN (Ret.)
26 February 1982 - 26 September 1984
RADM Eugene D. Conner, USN (Ret.)
26 September 1984 - 28 August 1987
VADM Brent M. Bennitt, USN (Ret.)
28 August 1987-16 September 1989
RADM Robert Williamson, USN (Ret.)
16 September 1989 - 16 April 1992
ADM John B. Nathman, USN (Ret.)
16 April 1992 – 26 August 1994
VADM Alfred G. Harms, Jr., USN (Ret.)
26 August 1994 - 8 November 1996
RADM Isaac Richardson, III, USN (Ret.)
8 November 1996 - 8 June 1999
Captain Steven F. Firks, USN (Ret.)
8 June 1999 – 17 May 2002
Captain Robert J. Gilman, USN (Ret.)
17 May 2002 - 23 November 2004
VADM Ted N. Branch, USN
23 November 2004 - 16 March 2007
RADM Mike Manazir, USN
16 March 2007—August 2009
Captain Paul Monger, USN (Ret.)
August 2009— March 2012
RDML Jeffrey S. Ruth, USN
March 2012 – July 2014
Captain John C. Ring, USN
July 2014—Present
©2016 USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Association
THE FIVE STAR NEWS
USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Association
6495 Lancaster Drive
Warrenton, Virginia 20187
© 2016 USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Association
Your NIMITZ Reunion Checklist:
Make your hotel reservation
Book your flight or make other
travel arrangements
Send the Registration Form to our
treasurer along with a check for
the event fee
Pack your bags
Arrive in Sunny San Diego!