Midrats - Fall 2020

Midrats - Fall 2020

Bits and Pieces
Bill Lack (Vice President / Midrats Editor)
 
Welcome to the 2020 Fall edition of the USS Saratoga Association’s Midrats.

The Association hopes that everyone is happy and healthy and doing as well as they possibly can be through all of this craziness.

In the immortal words of the Grateful Dead, “What a long strange trip it’s been”. We are approximately 6 months into the strangest year of my life and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to turn the page and get back to some semblance of normal.

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Midrats, Mailchimp, and Email Addresses
 
When I was asked to take over the Association’s semi-annual Midrats, I looked around for a platform that would accommodate our needs. It needed to be able to handle sending to hundreds of email addresses, it needed to be easy to use (for my limited computer skills), and it needed to be free (always important to keep costs down for the Association).
 
Mailchimp seemed to fill all of these needs, plus gave some benefits that I hadn’t counted on. It gives us good statistical feedback as to who receives and who actually opens the email. I’m a data guy, so always believe the more information we have, the better off we will be in meeting the needs of the Association’s membership.
 
But that being said, I’m still learning the idiosyncrasies of Mailchimp and have learned that it does have its peculiarities. The biggest one seems to be how it handles email bounces.
 
Now, I’m still trying to figure this out (and the free accounts at Mailchimp are not given access to any type of live support where I could ask questions), but it appears that if, for whatever reason, the email that is sent to you gives Mailchimp a “hard bounce” (usually this means a bad email address, but appears it could also just be a momentarily miscommunication between two email systems), Mailchimp basically puts you on the “naughty list” and, until the problem is straightened out, you won’t receive any email from the Association’s Mailchimp account.
 
I am trying to learn this system to see if there are ways this issue can be easily solved for users who might have a system that doesn’t communicate well with Mailchimp. Please be patient as I try to figure out how their system works and potential work arounds. (If anyone has expertise in dealing with Mailchimp, please contact me.)
 
But this leads into another point I’d like to make...
 
It has never been more important that you keep your contact info (address, phone, and email address) current with Association Secretary, Ed McCready. The importance of this cannot be overstated.
 
We hope that there’s never a reason that the Association needs to send out an emergency message or needs to get in touch with any individual member via phone or email, but, as we saw before the Charleston reunion (flash email) and during the current pandemic (cancelation of the 2020 reunion), it does periodically happen. Additionally, email is the fastest, cheapest and easiest way for us to communicate with the Association’s members.
 
The postcard which we sent out to alert our members of the cancelation of the 2020 reunion, also brought in a sizeable number of corrections and additions to the email list of active members of the Association. This mailing was not cheap, but I believe these email changes alone made the cost of the postcard mailing worthwhile.
 
So, please....be patient as I learn more about Mailchimp (and if you have questions, concerns, contact me directly) and always be sure to keep your contact information current with Ed.

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Once again, I want to ask for suggestions from our members. Please let me know how I can make Midrats more interesting and something that you look forward to reading.
 
If you would like to write something for Midrats or have any  comments, ideas, thoughts, or suggestions, please send them to me at Saratogamidrats@gmail.com.
 
Be safe and be well!
 
Bill Lack, VP, USS Saratoga Association

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2021 Reunion and Beyond
Brad Senter (President) / Bill Lack (VP / Midrats Editor)
 
Shipmates, family members & friends,
 
As most of you know, Mobile Alabama was selected for the location of the 2021 reunion. I want to announce that Association VP, Bill Lack has agreed to act as host for next year’s reunion. At Bill’s request, I will be assisting him, as it’s his first time hosting a reunion.
 
We are currently having a difficult time getting an acceptable hotel contract in Mobile. The preferred hotel doesn’t seem to want to negotiate their room rates or meal costs to a level that we feel would be acceptable to our members.
 
The liquor for the hospitality room is a totally different situation. According to state law, we will be required  to purchase the alcohol from the hotel. They are quoting it at cost plus 10%. (Based on my experience, it appears to me to really be more like cost plus 25%.) Also, the hotel refuses to buy back any un-opened bottles of alcohol which we might have left at the close of the reunion.
 
We have discussed this at length with Ray Casey (Reunion Planners) and we will continue to look for options in the Mobile area, but the Board has decided that if we’re not successful in getting an acceptable contract in Mobile, we will look to move the 2021 reunion to Pensacola.
 
We’ve always had great reunions in military towns and believe we could have more luck finding a venue for our event in Pensacola. If we’re forced to make this move, we hope that it will be acceptable with everyone.

We will keep you apprised of this on-going situation as decisions are made.
 
Additionally, at the business meeting during the 2021 reunion, we will be voting on the locations for the next TWO reunions (2022 & 2023).  The board encourages members to come to the meeting with ideas for host cities for those two years. Members who nominate cities for future reunions should be prepared to act as hosts for those reunions.
 
After 2021, we will return to the policy of picking reunion sites that are two years in the future (i.e. at the 2022 reunion, we’ll be voting on 2024).
 
ELECTION INFORMATION/REMINDER: Due to the cancelation of the 2020 reunion, the next election of Association officers will be held at the business meeting of the 2022 reunion (location TBD).

If you have questions or are interested in becoming involved with the governing board of this great organization, please contact any of the current officers. The list of current officer's names/email addresses can be found on the Association website.
 
LATE BREAKING NEWS FLASH: We have made some progress in finding a hotel in Mobile, so negotiations are looking much more positive. More information as we conclude the negotiations, but right now, I think it’s pretty certain that we will be going to Mobile.

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Scholarship Committee
Stephen Katz (Chair – Scholarship Committee)
 
On behalf of your Scholarship Committee, I am very excited to announce this year’s Scholarship Award recipients.
 
This year, due to the pandemic, we extended the application time frame to expire on July 31, in an effort to accommodate any student who may have experienced delays in obtaining their high school transcript or other required application data.
 
We received 8 very qualified applications this year and the committee is proud to announce the names of the following four(4) applicants who will each be awarded a $2,000.00 check for an Academic scholarship.
 
Name                                                   College                                                                       
 
Stephen Kuyon                                   Colorado School of Mines
Noah Bryant                                        University of Alabama
Brian Brezosky                                   Oswego State University of New York
Ryan Gluchowski                                Rowan University
 
All eight applications exhibited impressive accomplishments, and were competitive, as well as highly regarded.
 
All eight applicants will receive a letter advising them of their application status.
 
I’d like to close this article with a quote from that letter:
 
“Whatever roads you choose to take in life, please never lose sight of your memories of the USS Saratoga and of your Grandfather, for each of these are true life legacies, which need to be cherished forever”
 
Your committee is very proud of the many, many hours we devote to the Scholarship program. We are all honored to be a part of this great Association and look forward to the future with a great deal of optimism.
 
We thank each and every person who has donated to the Scholarship program over the years and want you to know that every dollar you donate is used strictly to fund the scholarships.
 
Should you choose to donate to the  program, please make your check payable to:
 
USS Saratoga Reunion Association Inc., Scholarship fund.
 
Please send your check to:
Mr. Ed McCready
USS Saratoga Association
447 Land ‘Or Drive
Ruther Glen, Va. 22546

(Note: If you are paying your Association dues at the same time as you're making your donation, please send the two payments in two checks, as it makes it much easier on our treasurer.)
 
The committee would like to acknowledge and thank Secretary Ed McCready for his countless hours of help and advice in the entire award process.
 
Remember, our Children are our future.
 
Thank you Shipmates, take care and stay safe out there.
 
For the committee:
Steven Medina  (representing the CV3)
Johnny Bolton   (representing the CV60)
Frank Salinas    (representing the CV60)
Bill Lack            (representing the CV60)
 
Stephen Katz    (representing the CVA60)
Chairman

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Ship’s Store
Phil Rasnick (Ship’s Storekeeper)
 
Phil’s got something very exciting to announce for this edition of Midrats, see below.
 
For your everyday Saratoga Association gear needs, please go to the Association website. < http://www.uss-saratoga.com/store/>
 
Flash Item:  There are a limited number of USS Saratoga masks available via the Ship’s Store. Contact Phil for all the details.


 
USS Saratoga Classic MA-1 Flight Jacket
 
This MA-1 flight jacket comes in Sage Green with a color 10” USS Saratoga embroidered patch (patterned off the original USS Saratoga patch) on the back of the jacket, a 3 ½” US Navy/USS Saratoga patch on the left-hand chest pocket, and finally YOUR NAME (either Last Name, First Initial and Last Name or First Name and Last Name) embroidered in either silver or gold on the right-hand chest pocket. (see pictures below)

• Sizes XXS – 6XL available
• Classic MA-1 Flight Jacket With Reversible Orange Lining
• 100% Nylon Water Repellent Outer Shell
• Poly Fiberfill Adds Warmth For Cold Climates
• Zippered Utility Pocket And Pencil Pockets Helps Keep Small Gear Secure
• Two Front Slash Pockets And Two Inside Slash Pockets Offer Multiple Storage Options
• Brass Zippers And Leather Pull Tabs Give A Classic Military Look

This MA-1 Flight Jacket is a tribute to our great ship, and is a comfortable year-round jacket, it has had several modifications through the years, but the basic design remains the same. Although the United States military no longer issues the MA-1, it remains a favorite and has become fashionable worldwide. 

This jacket will normally sell for $119 on the USS Saratoga Ship’s Store website, but orders received between now and September 30 will be discounted to $99! This jacket has limited availability with only 50 to sell. 

Order yours now!

Note:  Due to the custom nature of the jacket (patches must be sewn on, names embroidered, etc.), allow 10 – 15 business days after your order is placed and payment is received for delivery.

To order call Phil Rasnick, USS Saratoga Ship’s Store. (865) 253-7324

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Message from Association Secretary
Ed McCready (Secretary)
 
2020 marks the first year since 1952 that sailors from the USS Saratoga will NOT get together to remember, reminisce and reunite. For 68 straight years, we’ve held a USS Saratoga Association reunion. Until this year. Until 2020.
 
 It was a sad decision to cancel the reunion but unfortunately it was the right decision.
 
The Executive Board had multiple conversations about what options were available and how to decide what call to make and when to make that call. As you all know, we sent out a survey via the MIDRATS platform asking for feedback from our shipmates as to which way everyone was leaning. The results were clear with the majority of respondents deciding to take the prudent action by canceling the 2020 San Diego reunion.
 
Within that survey were a series of questions concerning the Association’s plans  for 2021. Again, the majority elected to proceed with the 2021 venue that was voted on at the Charleston reunion.

So, in 2021 the tentative plan is to gather in Mobile, AL. I say tentative since, as Brad & Bill explained earlier in this edition of Midrats, we may have to “call an audible” if we can’t locate a suitable hotel.
 
It is my sincere hope EVERYONE reading this message will attend or at least seriously consider attending.
 
If you haven’t attended a reunion before, you owe it to yourself to have that experience. It’s a bucket list item that is very achievable.
 
For those who have attended, you know the feeling you get when you see old friends and shipmates again. There is energy in the air that brings back the feeling of youth that you may not have felt for years.
 
Yes, there are expenses for travel, hotel, tours, meals etc. and yes, it’s not like a “regular” vacation.

You’re right – it's better.
 
The Association’s Bylaws call for us to hold an annual reunion to perpetuate and honor the memory of 2 great American warships – that’s really the point of the Association. That’s why we all joined – to remember. If you’ve never attended a reunion you really have not experienced what you should experience at least once in your life.  

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USS Saratoga Association Veterans Health Resource
Bill Lack (VP / Midrats Editor)
 
We recently received this via email (edited):
 
My name is Carl Jewett. I am a retired Naval Officer and a VA Accredited Claims Agent specializing in asbestos related VA claims.
 
I’m writing you to ask a favor. I’ve been doing veteran outreach for several years now to get the word out to the veteran community in order to let them know that if they have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, I provide free assistance in filing for VA benefits. This outreach campaign has been very successful, and we now have hundreds of veterans related websites linking to my veteran’s page here https://www.mesotheliomaguide.com/veterans/ including a link from va.gov promoting my free veteran services.
 
That said, I get asked all the time by veterans how to find a good veteran friendly mesothelioma law firm.  So recently, I had an article written by our senior writer to cover information about legal options available to veterans that I think addresses this question.
 
That article can be viewed here: https://www.mesotheliomaguide.com/community/5-tips-choosing-best-mesothelioma-lawyer/. I think this article could really help veterans with asbestos illnesses to better understand what to look for in a law firm.
 
Very Respectfully,
 
Carl Jewett
LCDR, US Navy, Retired
VA Accredited Claims Agent
https://www.mesotheliomaguide.com/veterans/
carljewett@mesotheliomaguide.com
844-VET-MESO
844-838-6376

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A Few Minutes with new Saratoga Association Historian, Gene Cottingham
Bill Lack (VP / Midrats Editor)
 
Recently, the Board approved Gene Cottingham as our new Historian and  added him to the Association Executive Board. We welcome him to the board and appreciate his taking on the responsibilities of this position.


       (Gene Cottingham)

I spent some time recently talking with Gene. He had a long and interesting Naval career.
 
Gene’s originally from the New Orleans area and from a Navy family. His dad served for 44 years.  Gene’s Navy story starts differently than most of ours, he went in the Navy via the Sea Cadet program and actually went to boot camp in Orlando at age 16, while still in high school. From there, he went out for 2 weeks on the USS Putnam and during this time Hurricane Camille hit the US, which the Putnam was in the midst of. For those that that don’t remember, Camille, according to Wikipedia, is the second most intense tropical cyclone to ever hit the US. 
 
In 1970, Gene officially entered the Navy and was advanced to E-3 upon going on active duty.
 
During his career, he did a couple of stints on the USS Lexington, once working on the flight deck crash crew and once as a member of a VA-204 (A-7 squadron). During his career, he also was attached to FTC Norfolk where he was an instructor in flight deck firefighting and rescue.
 
He served aboard the Saratoga between 1986 and 1992, serving as a reserve crew member in V-1 as a Yellow shirt. (ABH (Aviation Boatswain’s Mate)). In his different stints on board the Saratoga, the ship was working up for deployments. His last stint ended as Saratoga headed for Desert Storm and he left the ship in Rota to come home and retire.
 
Gene’s Navy career (active and reserve) was 22 years long, he retired in July of 1992 as an ABH-1.
 
While serving in the reserves, Gene was a  full-time firefighter in Louisiana, being one of the first in his department to be certified as both a firefighter and an EMT. After his naval career, he continued as a firefighter/EMT. He was also the Safety/Health Specialist for the Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans and taught firefighting and rescue at Louisiana State University.
 
Gene discovered the Saratoga Association via the internet. He was looking to purchase a Saratoga ballcap and came across the Association Facebook page, which sent him to the Association website. I forgot to ask, but I’m assuming he got his hat.
 
He’s recently taken over his duties from long-time Historian,  KC Boles. Gene was approached about taking over the duties by Sammy King and Gene said he’d do whatever he could do to help the Association. He did mention to me that he guessed he never did learn that old adage about never volunteering for anything.
 
After retiring from the fire department, Gene and his wife, Beverly, moved to Hopkinsville, Kentucky where she has family. They’ve been married for 4 years. Gene has 2 children and 2 grandchildren and Beverly has 5 kids, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
 
We salute Gene’s willingness to get involved with the Association and his taking over the duties of Historian.

The Association would also like to thank and deeply appreciates KC Boles for his many years of service in this position.

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Convincing the Navy to commission another ship Saratoga
Bill Lack (VP / Midrats Editor)
 
The USS Saratoga Association continues its ongoing campaign to convince the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) to bring the name Saratoga back to “active duty” by commissioning a new ship Saratoga.
 
If you have not yet contacted SECNAV on behalf of this effort, we encourage you to do so.  If you have already written, we urge you to write again.
 
We have no idea what effect, if any, the multiple changes of the Secretary of the Navy will have on our efforts, so our belief is the more input they received, the better. (I solicited the advice of Captain Steve Medina on this point and he felt that it surely couldn’t hurt to make your opinion known to SECNAV more than once.)
 
We have made a letter available for download on the Association website at: http://www.uss-saratoga.com/newsaratoga/. (Once there, go to the bottom of the page and click on the “Download SECNAV Letter” link.)
 
You are free to add your address, sign this form letter and send it “as is” or to use it as a reference for writing your own letter.
 
We do encourage you to stay with the same format/template/theme, so we don’t confuse SECNAV with mixed messages about our mission, as we work together to convince him of the importance of bringing the name Saratoga back to active duty status.
 
Thanks for your help. We look forward to the day when we can announce that we’ve succeed in our mission.

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Saratoga Classic Half Marathon & Super Sara 5K
Bill Lack (VP / Midrats Editor)
 
The 2021 Saratoga Classic Half Marathon & Super Sara 5K are scheduled to be run on Sunday, January 24, 2021, beginning at 8:15 AM. The race both begins and ends on Mayport Naval Station with the starting and finish lines being  located on the Charlie Pier. For those that might be interested in running the race, registration closes on January 17, 2021.
 
As we were last year, the Saratoga Association will be one of the race’s sponsors. We are currently working on an insert for the participant’s race bag that will give information about  both the Association and also the USS Saratoga Association Scholarship Fund. We hope that sponsoring the race reinforces and enhances the memory and reputation of the Saratoga, spreads the word about the Association, and brings in some donations to the Scholarship Fund.
 
In years past, MWR Mayport (the host of the race) has asked for Association members or past crew members to volunteer on race day, to help man their tent, in which they set up a Saratoga display. Last year this area included the Saratoga stern plate, which was a very popular destination for both pre & post-race pictures.
 
If MWR reaches out to the Association again this year to ask for volunteers, we’ll post that on both the Association’s Facebook page and also send out a FLASH MESSAGE via MailChimp/Midrats.
 
We hope that as many Saratoga sailors as possible will be willing to come out and volunteer to help educate the race participants of the history of our great ship.

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If you’re looking for something to read....
Bill Lack (VP President / Midrats Editor)
 
Two Souls Indivisible by James S. Hirsch.    

This is a non-fiction account of two American pilots shot down and imprisoned by the North Vietnamese in Hanoi. One POW, Fred Cherry, a descendant of a Virginia slave, and the other, Porter Halyburton, a proud southerner, and how their Vietnamese captors put them together, believing their racial and cultural differences would drive a wedge between them, which their captors felt they could turn to their advantage. It’s a story about survival, overcoming prejudice, growth, and finally brotherhood and love.
 
White Water- Red Hot Lead: On Board US Navy Swift Boats in Vietnam by Dan Daly. 

   

Interesting look at the tour of duty of a CO of a Swift Boat, doing coastal duty in South Vietnam. Details the Swift Boat community, which still seemed in its infancy and how they worked to both support ground troops and stop the infiltration of supplies to the VC that was coming from North Vietnam by sea.

Bringing Columbia Home by Michael D. Leinbach.       

This is the amazing story of NASA’s search for the wreckage of the shuttle Columbia after she broke apart on re-entry back in February of 2003 and how the American people rallied around the effort to bring her crew home and develop answers as to what had happened. It’s a wonderful and, at times, truly moving read.

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Places of Interest – Navy Seal Museum
Bill Lack (VP / Midrats Editor)
 
On a recent trip to the east coast of south Florida, we decided to take a few hours and visit the Navy Seal Museum on North Hutchinson Island, near Ft. Pierce.
 
The Museum is chock-full of information, starting with current day Seal missions and working backward to the creation of Navy Divers/UDT during WWII. There are displays of equipment, weapons, information on Seals/Missions/history, and more.
 
We found the museum’s information very interesting, but there’s a lot to take in during one visit. We plan to return and spend more time in the WWII to Korea area, as we’d hit information overload by the time we got to that part of the museum.
 
The museum  staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The gift shop has a large choice of merchandise at very reasonable prices.
 
The normal price of admission is $15, $12 for vets and seniors. We got in for $8/per person with a Groupon coupon.
 
All in all, this museum is worth the trip. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend it.

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Chaplain’s Corner
Reverend Dr. J. Lee Martin, Ph.D. (Chaplain)

A TIME, A SEASON FOR EVERYTHING
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

 
 
            Have you ever met up with a former acquaintance you have not seen in quite a long while and both of you took some time to reminisce about the earlier days of your lives? Perhaps you spoke about particular events you experienced or the people you both had known years before. Perhaps you shared information about what had become of former friends who are no longer a part of your lives. Where do they live? What is or was their occupation? Have any passed on? Sometimes during the sharing of stories, a touch of sadness creeps in as you realize that several of the people you are speaking about and once had close relationships with are now like strangers to you. The years lengthened and the familiar diminished into unfamiliarity.
 
            The Biblical writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes (the Preacher) composed a poem about vanity and to express that there is an appropriate occasion for just about any kind of human event: times for birth; times for death; times to mourn; times to rejoice; times to embrace; times to refrain from embracing; times to plant; times to reap; times to keep; times to cast away; a time for war; a time for peace, etc. Everything has its time, it’s season.
 
            The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated this fact in His brief thirty-three years of life.  If you read the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, you will discover that many people came into His life and depending upon the relationships he formed, were of different kinds and quality. He collected twelve close friends to be His disciples. A few – Peter, James, and John – formed a particularly deep relationship with Jesus. A number of detractors also made their way into His life and formed an antagonistic relationship with Him. Particular women also were prominent in His life, including Mary His mother and Martha and Mary who were sisters of His good friend, Lazarus.
 
            We, like Jesus, may experience deep and lasting bonds with some who grace our lives. Sometimes, the companionships may take our friendships down many roads over many years and promote the building up of memories that define the enduring quality of the relationship. Sometimes, the acquaintances are brief and quickly fade from the trajectories of life and moments of time forward.
 
            Just as in the life of Jesus, our relationships vary with the seasons of life. Fortunately, He understands the highways and byways of life that we encounter. He has walked in human shoes, experienced the challenges, pain, and joys of daily life and work. He became like us.  Jesus said that following Him will not necessarily or automatically provide one with a lifetime of ease or prosperity as the world counts prosperity, but rather those who follow Him will receive inner peace that surpasses understanding and a relationship with Him that translates into eternal joy in the kingdom of heaven.
 
            While we rightfully value the good human relationships that have been forged over time in the seasons of our lives, may we not forget that there is a season yet to come that is beyond time as people reckon time. That season is eternal and known as the Day of the Lord when all relationships are brought before the One who bore the cross – Jesus -  that He would bring eternal salvation and peace to those who form a relationship with Him.
 
            In the seasons of life, we walk down many roads over time and for some we have known, their life journey has come to end. They finished traversing the final road upon which they walked. There are no more earthly roads or relationships to nurture. They are now in a state beyond time. The quality of the relationship they had formed with Jesus over time will define the quality of their eternal state.
 
            For those still living through the seasons of time and roads of life, I would encourage to reflect anew upon the relationships formed over time or are no longer and in that reflective time consider also an oft overlooked relationship: That of one’s relationship with Christ Jesus and the peace He offers to in these troubling times.
 
            Finally, some words of encouragement Jesus spoke to His troubled disciples which are also words for anyone who would form a relationship with Him:
 
            “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, I am going away, and I will come to you. If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” (John 14: 25-31, ESV).
 
            May the relationship we form with Christ Jesus be an unbreakable bond, a friendship that will endure in difficult and better times. May the Holy Spirit grant us strength and wisdom to engage the seasons of life, and with peace of mind, traverse the challenging roads that beckon us onward. In so doing, when in the seasons of time we enter the final road, we will be met at the end of that road with the face of Jesus who says, “well done, good and faithful servant”.
 
Amen.

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Contributions and Consultation
Bill Lack (VP / Midrats Editor)
 
Thanks to Gene Cottingham, Stephen Katz, Corey Lack, Linda Lack, Chaplain Dr. J. Lee Martin, Ed McCready, Captain (ret.) Steve Medina, Phil Rasnick, and Brad Senter for their suggestions, thoughts, and contributions to this edition of the USS Saratoga Association Mid-Rats.