The Washoe Wanderer
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Dennis A. Steenbergen, Editor June 1, 200
That is a question people always ask when they are concidering weather to attend their ship’s reunion or not.
I have to start by asking three questions. What is a ship reunion? Why have a ship’s reunion? Why are ship’s reunions important?.
A ship’s reunion is much more than just seeing old shipmates and friends. It is a gathering of brothers in arms. People that worked together, played together and enjoyed the good times and suffered through the bad times. We gather in one place at a particular time. Anyway you look at it …a ship’s reunion is a great way to relive the days of your youth. Ship’s reunions are a fun way to get reaquainted with long lost shipmates, friends or senior members of the crew. Our ship’s reunions provide a forum for former shipmates and old friends to rekindle the spirit that made them friends and shipmates in the first place. It gives them the opportunity to meet each other at a place for the very first time since serving together on one of the U S Navy’s finist ships.
A ship’s reunion is also a great time to sit down, relax and have a drink or two or six. Shipmates can share stories while eating a fine meal together or just having plain simple fun. Often the idea of a ship’s reunion is to provide each individual shipmate some time to get to know each other a little better.
A ship’s reunion is also a time to conduct the business of the USS Washoe County LST 1165 Association. Election of new officers. Deciding where the next reunion will be held and tieing up any unfinished administrative business that needs to be handled outside the expertise of the elected officers.
The importance of a ship reunion can never be overstressed. There is no better way to renew old friendships and establish new ones with people with whom you have a common bond. It is also a golden opportunity to introduce younger generations of sailors to older generations…who have a proud legacy to share. Ship’s reunions can also provide for newer versions of our ship’s history. We can create our own unique ship’s history at each and every reunion by learning new stories of the ship and her crew from other shipmate’s experiences and knowledge.
Sharing, the warmth and affection that you experience during a ship’s reunion is priceless. The memories of your ship’s reunion will linger long in your mind and you’ll wonder why you never thought of attending a reunion earlier. You owe it to your USS Washoe County LST 1165 Association, your shipmates and yourself…so register and attend the USS Washoe County LST 1165 Association reunion in
The reunion dates are September 10th through September 14th at the Radisson Market Square Hotel,
Make reservations early. Deadline for making hotel reservations is August 1st. When calling the reservations office, you must identify yourself (very important) as being with USS Washoe County LST 1165 Association and request the group rate for your affiliation. This will insure you are charged properly, and our guest room’s block is credited. Individuals wishing to stay on the specific dates may call the Central Reservations systems
The reunion committee is also offering two tours in the San Antonio Area. We incourage you to come along and have fun and learn the history of the
More reunion information can be viewed at our web site. http://lst1165.com
Elections of Association Officers:
Per the Association’s by-laws, Article IV; Sec. B: “The officers shall be elected at every other business meeting by the members present and voting.” An election for the positions of President, Vice President, and Secretery/Treasurer (Historian) will be held at our next business meeting which will take place on
Golfers, bring your
clubs to the reunion.
Navy Tradition
Your voice in the Navy…from Military.com:
Hello shipmates…We all went to Boot Camp but why call it Boot Camp? This is said to have come from the days just after the Civil War. At the time, experienced or “true” sailors did much of their work barefooted…especially when scrubbing the decks. New recruits from the
MMCM (SS) Greg Peterman USN (Ret)
Boot Daze
Agent Orange Lawsuits Update 12:
On 8
Most likely VA will now move quickly to resolve (decide) claims that have been placed on hold awaiting this decision. These claims will almost certainly be denied unless they can show that their ship operated within the inland waterways of
The Haas decision does not apply if a claimant has alleged exposure to herbicides on a direct basis, such as loading drums of defoliant on board helicopters or decontaminating aircraft or helicopters. The VA must discuss such allegations and resolve them. Claimants who are denied have several legal moves available to them. They can ask the Court of Appeals to review the case using all the judges on the Court. While the Court may decide to conduct an en banc review it doe not have to. Failing that, they could appeal to the Supreme Court. During any given year the Supreme Court takes up only about 1 in 20 cases to decide. Success at the Supreme Court is a long shot. [Source: TREA
Navy Humor
A Sea Story
Pope John Paul dies of old age and finds himself at the gates of Heaven at 0300. He knocks on the gate and a very sleepy-eyed watchman opens the gate and asks, "Wadda ya want?"
"I'm the recently deceased pope and I have done 73 years of godly works and thought I should check in here."
The watchman checks his clipboard and says, "I ain't got no orders for you here. Just bring your stuff and we'll sort this out in the morning."
They go to an old WW II barracks, 3rd floor, open bay. All the bottom racks are taken and all empty lockers have no doors. The pope stows his gear under a rack and climbs into the upper bunk.
The next morning he awakens to the sound of cheering and clapping. He goes to the window and sees a flashy Jaguar convertible parading down the clouds from the golden headquarters building. The cloud walks are lined with saints and angels cheering and tossing confetti. In the back seat sits a Navy chief, his Surface Warfare pin glistening on his chest, a cigar in his mouth, a can of San Miguel in one hand, and his other arm around a voluptuous blond angel with a magnificent halo.
This disturbs the pope and he runs downstairs to the master-at-arms shack and says, "Hey, what gives? You put me, the pope, with 73 years of godly deeds in an open bay barracks, while this chief, who must've committed every sin known and unknown to man, is staying in a mansion on the hill and getting a hero's welcome. How can this be?"
The master-at-arms calmly looks up and says, "We get a pope up here every 20 or 30 years, but we've NEVER had a Navy chief before!"
Submitted by: Joe Gamboa
Old Photos
It’s good to be the skipper! Commander John D. Gandy on the bridge with LTJG Jesse M. Newcomb (Circ. 1967)
Capt. Gandy & Gene Vise.
Thanks to Jerry Choate for the above photos!
It’s good to be the skipper!
Send all submissions to:
USS Washoe
C/O Dennis A. Steenbergen
7345
Contact me for
See you in
September 10,-
Click here to download printable registration form
In Remembrance
Kenneth E. Andis
Luther F. Broadway
Linwood Cecil
Roy Howell
Malcolm L. Morris
Kenneth A. Trask
Sailor Died Today
He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Sailor died today.
He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'tho a Sailor died today.
When politicians leave this earth,
their bodies lie in state,
while thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories
from the time that they were young,
but the passing of a Sailor
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk that breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man.
Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country
And offers up his life?
The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.
While the ordinary Sailor
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.
It's so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times
that our Bobs and Jims and Johnny’s,
Went to battle, but we still pine.
It was not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand.
Or would you want a Sailor
His Home, His Country, His Kin,
Just a common Sailor
Who would fight until the end.
He was just a common Sailor,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Sailor’s part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline
in the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A Sailor DIED TODAY."
Author Unknown
In the words of Ernie Pyle; “…all we can do is pause and say thanks.”
(LST 1165) Association
September 10-
NAME_________________________________________________________________
(As you would like it to appear on your name tag)
ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________
PHONE_________________________ E-
SPOUSE/GUEST NAME_______________________________________________
(As you would like it to appear on your name tag)
WEDNESDAY, September 10–
(1) Member price per Person __________ x $20.00=_______
(2) Non member price per Person ______-x $30.00=_______
FRIDAY, September 12– Sight seeing tour (
(3) Number ___x $35.00 = _______
SATURDAY, September 13 –Historic San Antonio City Tour (All day tour)
$33.00 per person. Includes
(4) Number ____x $33 =________________
Banquet at hotel - $26.50 per person (5) Number ____x $26.50 =________________
(Select one per person) Please specify- London Broil________ Chicken Wellington________
Sunday, September 14 – Get away buffet breakfast & Memorial $13.00 per person
(6) Number ________x $13.00=__________
ASSOCIATION DUES FOR 2008 (If not already paid for 2008) (7) $20_____________
TOTAL (1-7) ____________________
SEND THIS
USS WASHOE
C/o Joe Harvill
Hotel and Registration Deadline is
Plan of the Day
USS
1200-
1600- Reunion Planners Committee meeting.
1700- Dinner on your own.
2200- Hospitality Room closes.
1000- Hospitality Room opens and continued reunion registration.
1500- Continue hotel check-in.
1800- Dinner on your own.
2200- Hospitality Room closes.
0815- Meet in hotel lobby for
1630- Tour returns to the hotel.
1645- Hospitality Room opens.
1800- Dinner on your own.
2200- Hospitality Room closes.
0830- Business meeting.
1030- Board bus for the
(Lunch on your own.)
1600- Bus returns to the hotel.
1800- Cocktails at the cash bar prior to the banquet.
1900- USS Washoe
(Chicken or beef preference card). (Dress casual.)
0800- Get Away Breakfast and Memorial Service.
(Blue Ticket)
1000-
(Note: POD subject to change)
The Washoe Wanderer
Editor: Dennis A. Steenbergen Date 02/19/08
2008
The
We have returned from the
Nineteen hotels responded with offers. The nightly rate ranged from $185.00 to $85.00. We were able to narrow the offers down to five hotels that met our reunion and price requirements prior to our
The five hotels in the
The La Quinta and Hawthorn Suites were ruled out because they were not full service hotels. No restaurant, bar or kitchen facilities.
The Doubletree hospitality room was not up to our needs. They were also approximately 15 miles from the downtown area. Transportation to and from downtown would have been difficult.
The Holiday Inn and Radisson hotels offered about the same amenities. However the room price was $109.00 per night for the Holiday Inn and the Radisson was $85.00.
With all above things considered, your committee unanimously voted for the
So, with that being said…the reunion dates are September 10th through September 14th at the Radisson Market Square Hotel,
Make reservations early. Deadline for making reservations is August 1st. When calling the reservations office, individuals must identify themselves as being with USS Washoe County LST 1165 Association and request the group rate for their affiliation. This will insure they are charged properly, and our guest room blocked credited. Individuals wishing to stay on the specific dates may call the Central Reservations systems 800.333.3333. Individuals that wish to arrive prior or stay after the specified dates should call the hotel direct 210.224.7155 and ask for the reservations department. A promotional code has been established for anyone wishing to go on line and book directly with the hotel. You will be prompted once in the reservations field, there will be a box that will ask for a promotional code (WASHOE) once entered this will automatically provide you with your special group rate.
The reunion committee is proud to announce that we will be offering two tours in the San Antonio Area.
The first tour will be to the town of
Our second tour will be The
No tour of
More reunion information can be viewed at our web site. http://lst1165.com
See you in
Golfers, bring your clubs.
Victory For "Blue Water Navy" In Agent Orange Exposure
CASE -- U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims says VA's current
"boots on the ground" definition of "service in the Republic of Vietnam" is "plainly erroneous...and unreasonable, and must be SET ASIDE." This is incredibly good news for the "Blue Water Navy" of the
Be sure to pass this along to any Vietnam-era Navy veteran.
CONCLUSION
After consideration of the appellant's and the Secretary's briefs, oral
argument as presented on January 10, 2006, and a review of the record on appeal, the Court finds that VA's regulation defining "service in the
Republic of Vietnam," 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(a)(6)(iii), is permissible
pursuant to Chevron; however, the regulation is ambiguous.
VA's argued interpretation of the regulatory term "service in the
Republic of Vietnam," affording the application of the presumption of
exposure to herbicides only to Vietnam-era veterans who set foot on land and not to the appellant, is inconsistent with longstanding agency views, plainly erroneous in light of legislative and regulatory history, and unreasonable, and must be SET ASIDE. In this case, the M21-1 provision allowing for the application of the presumption of exposure to herbicides based on the receipt of the VSM controls.
The February 2004 Board decision, therefore, is REVERSED to the extent that the Board denied the appellant the presumption of exposure to herbicides and the matter is REMANDED with instructions to apply the presumption in a manner consistent with the interpretation set forth in this opinion.
If service connection for diabetes mellitus is awarded upon remand, VA should ensure appropriate processing of the appellant's claims for secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy, claimed as residuals of diabetes mellitus.
Furthermore, M21-1, part III, paragraph 4.24(e), change 88 (
2002
Navy Humor
Real chiefs think Ensigns should be seen and not heard and never ever be allowed to read books on leadership.
Real chiefs don’t own civilian clothes.
Real Chiefs don’t remember life before they were a Chief.
Real Chiefs can find their way to the CPO Club while blindfolded on fifteen different Navy bases.
Real Chiefs have a permanent curl in their forefinger.
Boot Daze
Association Dues
This is just a reminder that our association dues are due annually. They are due on January 1 of each year. So if you join the Association… say,
Make checks payable to:
USS Washoe
Send payment to:
Joe Harvill
Corrections and Apologizes from the editor
As some of you have noted, I made several critical spelling errors in the last issue of the Washoe Wanderer newsletter. In my defense… I have never clamed to be a literary genius or even have a little working knowledge of Microsoft Word spell check. My writing experience comes from thirty two years of police report writing. With that being said… I do appreciate a little criticism from time to time. Thanks for giving me a reality check.
An official apology goes out to Robert F. Maskell. In the last newsletter we identified him as a retired Master Chief Petty Officer. Let the record reflect that he retired as a Chief Petty Officer (E-7). Sorry Chief!
Old Photos
Roger Volz circ. 1967
Operation Jackstay
Editor: For those of you that were assigned to the ship in March of 1966, you might be interested in the below report that I came across. Reprinted from: www.history.navy.mil/docs/vietnam/high66-3.html
Operation JACKSTAY
A major amphibious operation was launched on 26 March in the Rung Sat Special Zone by the Seventh Fleet’s Special Landing Force, and other American and South Vietnamese units.
The Rung Sat Special Zone is