Dues: What they Do and Don’t DoA shipmate I served with dropped me an e-mail recently inquiring about the Association dues. Perhaps other shipmates have similar questions. Therefore, I will attempt to address these questions.

Through the end of May Bob Carl, Secretary, reported that 151 shipmates paid dues for 2008 for a current total of $3,775.00. Several have paid for a prior year and a couple paid for future years. (Bob asked me to include a note saying please check your records as he does receive duplicate payments. He applies those payments to future years.)

As mentioned in prior newsletters dues support the printing and mailing costs associated with the newsletter. Dues also cover the cost of locating shipmates, which is primarily phone expense.

Quoted cost for printing of a newsletter in the new format is $330.23 for four pages and $658.54 for eight pages. The bulk rate postage, based on 1090 shipmates and friends, is estimated at $275.00 bringing the total to $933.54 for the eight-page newsletter.

When articles in the newsletter are about reunions and ship’s store items the costs are allocated to each of those budgets, not paid with dues.

The Association is doing what it can to continue to mail to all shipmates whether dues paying or not. We realize that many are living on a tight fixed income budget and can’t afford the dues. We know of cases of shipmates in nursing homes who have family members bring their copy by and read it to them. We have heard how much it means to them when their issue arrives.

If you have questions regarding costs incurred contact Roger Brotherton, Treasurer. Roger prepares a formal Treasurer’s Report for the business meeting at each reunion.

Help keep the cost of newsletters down by notifying Jim Durough if you have an address change. That small step saves the cost of returned newsletters, phone calls and re-mails.

Your dues do not support reunion activities; these activities are self-sustaining. All board members and friends of the board volunteer; no one receives compensation in the Association.

If you are able and have not paid dues for this year, please consider doing so. Complete the dues form and mail to Bob Carl, Secretary.

Reunion Dates are November 2nd thru the 5th 2008 Make Your Reservations and Join UsThis is the first All Eras Reunion Association located in the eastern part of the U.S. The location is beautiful and the planned activities are sure to be a hit with attendees. Here is a map of where we will be staying:

Sign up forms were included in our last mail out. If you need copies, they are available at www.dd596.com or contact Ed Velasquez, listed on the Board Member Contact Info. We look forward to seeing you there.

This Newsletter Issue is Dedicated to the Wives, Family and Friends Who Help Our AssociationThe Association receives much support and help from the wives and family of Board members and Friends of the Board. This thank you goes out to all of you who help to make our association so successful.

Much of what you do is behind the scenes and all we see are the results. We appreciate all your great efforts and without them, we would not have the organization we all enjoy so much. Bravo Zulu – Well Done by all!

Editor’s Notes

We will publish the next issue of the newsletter around the end of November, after the reunion.

Thank you to those who have submitted articles and sea stories. Our space limitations limit how much we can publish. Please know we are considering them for future issues.

USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion AssociationNewsletter July 2008

Jene Cain, Editor – Jim Durough, Assistant Editor

This Newsletter Sent to 1085 Former Crew Members, Families & GuestsUSS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association, Copyright © 2002

www.dd596.com

USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter July 2008 Page 2

Board Members Contact Info. Jack Blann, President 2925 Harrison Drive Chino Valley, AZ 86323 Ph: 928-636-2087 E-mail: jblann7@msn.com Ed Velasquez, V. P., & Reunion Coordinator 6648 South Ammons Court Littleton, CO 80123 Ph: 303-979-4114 E-mail: etvela5@aol.com Bob Carl, Secretary 6987 Lazy Sunset Court Las Vegas, NV 89156 Ph: 702-438-9826 E-mail: bobcarl@cox.net Roger Brotherton, Treasurer 7750 W. 4th Street #105 Reno NV 89523 Ph: 775-336-7896 E-mail: rbroth41@aol.com Harvey Fine, Dir., Bartender, Historian & Memorabilia Keeper 121 Parkview Circle Mountain Home, AR 72653 Phone: 870-425-8618 E-mail: hm1fine@yahoo.com Jim Kennington, Director, Reunion Tours 1915 Price Road Indian Trail, NC 28079 Phone: 704-882-4636 E-mail: bkennington1@carolina.rr.com Friends to the Board Contact Info. Jene Cain, Newsletter Editor 13171 Galleria Pl Apple Valley, MN 55124 Phone: 952-432-8746 E-mail: jenecain@pclink.com Jim Durough, Asst. Newsletter Editor, Shields Locator & Contact List Keeper 5470 South Shades Crest Road Bessemer, AL 35022 Ph 205-425-9197 E-mail: jimandevelyn@aol.com Bill Ragan, Ship’s Store 1642 Rambling Road Simi Valley, CA 93065 Phone: 805-527-2196 E-mail: raganje@aol.com

Eldest Living Shipmates

Below is a list prepared by Jim Durough of the 10 eldest living officers and enlisted shipmates. If Jim missed you, please contact him with your birth date. (Newest in boldface type)

Officers

Weidman, John H., LTJG, 45, 3-15-1915 Schweizer, Jack R., CDR, 49-50, 8-27-1915 McDaniel, George T., LCDR, 45, 5-21-1916 Hoblitzell, Paul C., LTJG, 44-45, 11-24-1916 Jepsen, Edward P., LT, 50, 3-17-1917 Teeters, David R., LT, 49-50, 4-11-1918 Metze, George M., LCDR, 52-54, 9-15-1918 Robinson, Jack W., LTJG, 51-52, 10-28-1918 Goodell, Trenor F., ENS, 44-45, 12-29-1918 Fredell, Erling W., LT, 49, 12-1918

Enlisted

Gold, Sol W., SN, 44-45, 10-2-1910 Sulmonetti, Henry, S1, 45, 7-27-15 Hafner, Ben L., SC3, 44-45, 1-1917 Sabasta, Tony, MM2, 45, 3-20-1917 Trusty, Clinton N., SK1, 57-58, 1-1918 Dabney, Richard E., STM1, 45-46, 8-18-1918 Criscione, Henry, S2, 45, 8-21-1919 Komoroski, Clement J., S1, 45, 10-2-1919 Cromer, Harold E., WT1, 44-45, 2-15-1920 Reifsnyder, Robert A., FC3, 44-45, 5-21-1920

Recently Passed Shipmates

Berg, Peter H., RD2, 56-58 Clour, Ezra C., LT, 60 Cropp, Harvey L., FC2, 51-52 Dudash, Jimmie J., BTC, 72 Gardner, Don W., LTJG, 44-45 (Our eldest officer has passed) Kohlenberger, Donald L., MM2, 56-58 Mills, Spurgeon E., GM1, 62 Montoya, Adolfo, GM2, 59-62

Note: Capt. Sperandio, 60-61, advised us that Mary Ann his wife of 60 years suddenly passed away in April. We send our condolences on his loss.

New Found Shipmates

Hoffman, Michael C., SA, 65 Roberts, Kenneth W., CSSN, 63-64 Wepplo, John H., QM3, 70-72

USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter July 2008 Page 3

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the USS SHIELDS All Eras Reunion Association will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 9:00 am

At the Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach, Alabama

(Room to be announced)

Agenda items include: Election of the Board of Directors

Location of 2009 Reunion Convention Reports from Officers of the Corporation

Any other matters that may be brought before the membership

Please note that you do not have to be a convention attendee to participate in the meeting and that any current dues paying member is eligible to vote.

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USS SHIELDS DD-596 REUNION ASSOCIATION 2008 Membership Application and Renewal Form

Name:____________________________________________________ Wife’s first name:________________ Mailing Address:___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Telephone:____________________ E-mail:_____________________ Years served aboard SHIELDS:_____ Rank/rate on SHIELDS:____ Please mail this form with a check in the amount of $ 25.00 to cover your dues for the calendar year of 2008. Mail to:

USS SHIELDS DD-596 REUNION ASSOCIATION c/o Robert Carl 6987 Lazy Sunset Court Las Vegas, NV 89156

USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter July 2008 Page 4

Presidents Column: Fellow Shipmates: You will notice that this newsletter is coming to you in a little different format. We are changing it to cut down costs and to be able to take advantage of bulk mailing rates while still having the option of either a 4, 6 or 8 page mailing. Printing, folding and stuffing nearly 1100 mailings in envelopes is a time consuming task and did not seem cost effective. As we near our reunion gathering at the Perdido Beach Resort I hope that as many shipmates as possible will find the means to join us for good times and for our celebration of service aboard SHIELDS. We have an exciting schedule of events while still leaving enough time for socializing and serious story telling. Besides the tours to the USS Alabama and Pensacola there are many amenities available at the resort as well as fishing boat charters and casino experiences. You can find reservation forms and sign up sheets at our website DD596.com or by contacting Ed Velasquez. While on the subject of reunion gatherings we would like some input from our shipmates on where they might like to hold future conventions. The board has attempted to move from coast to coast to enable those with travel restrictions to join us whenever possible while still considering hotel costs and accessibility of transportation. If you have a preference or a suggestion I would appreciate it if you would e-mail (or snail mail) me at jblann7@msn.com. During our annual meeting this year we will be electing our board members and we are looking for any shipmate who may be willing to step up and serve. You don’t necessarily have to be at the meeting to be elected but you need to notify us of your willingness to serve. We won’t burden you with lots of work but we will rely on your advice and counsel to run our organization. As you are now probably aware, Jim Durough who has served this board with distinction and dedication has stepped aside but continues to maintain the association contact list and search for shipmates and remains a tremendous asset to our association. We will never be able to replace Jim but we do have a board vacancy to fill. (Jim and wife, Evelyn, spend untold hours stuffing, sealing and mailing the newsletter to save the organization countless funds.) Our website continues its development. We have added a Ship’s Store link which will allow you to order those special items unique to SHIELDS. Judy and Bill Ragan have graciously stepped forward to handle this for us and they are looking for suggestions for items that may be added to our inventory. The website also offers some interesting photos of past reunion gatherings, past newsletters and pictures of shipboard life. If you have photos to share please forward them to me so we can add them to our collection. Logon to DD596.com. Hope to see you all in November! Wishing you calm winds and a following sea, JACK BLANN

USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter July 2008 Page 5

USS SHIELDS DD 596 REUNION ASSOCIATION SHIP’S STORE ORDER FORM

Please print Name________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________ Phone:________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________ Email:_________________ Item# Description Price per each________ 2527 Chambray, long sleeve, embroidered w/ship logo & name __________Light blue, sizes LG, XLG, & XX large $30.00 ($37 XXLG)___ 1036 Baseball hat w/ship logo & name $15.00______________ 2000 Nylon windbreaker embroidered w/ship logo & name Navy blue, sizes LG & XLG $30.00 Special order XXLG $37.00 _____ ____ 0705 Brass, 60 year Commemorative Commissioning Gold Medallion w/case $15.00______________ CLEARANCE ITEMS 0350 Coffee mugs w/Phoenix logo (one side) and ship logo & name (one side) __________$ 8.00 2350 Polo shirt embroidered with ship logo $25.00 White, sizes XLG (5 only) 2502 Style 502 Cotton long sleeved shirt $10.00 Tan/beige, sizes SM (2 only) 2001 Mount Soledad DVD $ 5.00 0901 DVD Still pictures of USS Shields $ 6.00 2060 Patch – 60 year Sea Duty of USS Shield DVD $ 5.00 0250 Patch – Phoenix USS Shields logo $ 5.00 Item # Size Qty Price each Total Sub-total Shipping & Handling Order Total (**Shipping & Handling is $4.00 per item or $12.00 maximum……)

USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter July 2008 Page 6

USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter July 2008 Page 7

Mary Soo and Her Side Cleaners

Submitted by Bob MacNeil, YN2 52-55

Back during the days of the Korean War the SHIELDS always made a stop or two, during each WESTPAC cruise, in Hong Kong. It was always one of the highlights of our tour in that part of the world. We’d usually spend several days there so all the crew could get over on the beach, or to Kowloon, at least a couple times. There was lots of great shopping there.

However, one of the more outstanding highlights of the stop-over was primarily enjoyed by our First and Second Division Shipmates. That was because we always brought Mary Soo and her Side Cleaners aboard to repaint the entire outside of the hull above the water line. I don’t think that task ever was completed in as short a time as Mary Soo and her girls could do it. They really turned to and made quick work of it. The First and Second Division deck hands got to be straw bosses and see that the job was done right, and to keep the paint and brushes coming when needed.

I don’t really know if this was also done later in the SHIELDS WESTPAC career, but we had Mary Soo do it on several occasions…….and the labor cost was about as reasonable as you could ever expect. Those gals did all this painting just for the opportunity to stand at the end of our chow line down in the mess deck and salvage the chow that we shipmates were throwing in the garbage can after we had eaten what

we wanted. A couple of Mary Soo’s gals would stand there and take your chow tray from you, and with a spoon scrape off the left over peas or corn or potatoes or meat or whatever into separate buckets which they salvaged and took ashore with them at the end of the day………..and that’s all they wanted. However, I recall that our Chief Commissaryman, or maybe it was the Chief Boatswains Mate, would always provide them with a bit of a bonus……..a 100 lb (?) sack of rice………WOW, your should have seen their eyes and smiles light up when the Chief presented that little bonus to them.

Yes, Hong Kong was quite a port to visit. There was so much to see and the Rickshaw rides were the best………no motors, just leg power provided by the Rickshaw boy. The clothing tailors in Hong Kong were the greatest, and I still have my tailor mades which were made there; done beautifully in gabardine with bell bottoms and all, and dragons on the rolled back cuffs and behind the 13 button fly.

I believe I was in Hong Kong the last time in 1954, and it only seems like yesterday, but as I sit here and think about it…….that was almost 54 years ago, and I know it isn’t the same place today; but I have to wonder if Mary Soo and her Side Cleaner gals are still keeping a shine on Uncle Sam’s Tin Cans……I doubt it. Editors Note: Thanks to Bob for a great story. We welcome your stories please e-mail them to me and include your permission to edit and publish. Photo by editor.

USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter July 2008 Page 8

Copy From National Archives Press Release:

Naval Armed Guard Crewmen Load their gear on a Third Naval District Truck, en route to duty with the armed guard pool, March 1942. Note method of tying hammock with seabag.

Thanks to Ed Velasquez for submitting this photo and copy from his collection

Daylight Savings Time Changes On the Day of Arrival at the Reunion

Daylight savings time ends on November 2, 2008. Most shipmates will arrive at the reunion site this day. Pensacola, FL and Mobile, AL for arriving flights and Orange Beach, AL for the reunion are in the Central time zone. In 2008, daylight time ends on Sunday November 2. Clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, which becomes 1:00 a.m. local standard time.

2008 Elections — Vote Absentee

The reunion will be occurring at the time of the national election. Therefore, those attending the reunion will need to vote absentee. Contact your local election officials for more information. There will be a large screen TV in the hospitality suite on which to watch the returns.

Navy Terms: Rear Admiral The title of Rear Admiral was first given to divisional commanders of reserve fleets. Hence the inference of being in Reserve, or “In the Rear.”

USS Shields DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association C/O Robert N. Carl (Secretary) 6987 Lazy Sunset Court Las Vegas, NV 89156 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED