Midrats - Fall 2022

Midrats - Fall 2022

Message #1:  Unfortunately our current ship store folks are no longer able to take care of the ship's store due to health reasons. We’re looking for a volunteer to take it over. Maintain the inventory, bring trailer and ship store items to the annual reunions, and fill orders during the year.

This is a great opportunity for someone to give back to our shipmates. If this is something you think you may want to do, contact any of the board members.

Message #2: Your association is looking for someone to file our 990s at the yearend so we can maintain our 501C3 status.

President’s Message
Brad Senter (President)

It’s been a banner year for our association; we’ve picked up many new members and some new honorary members as well. As most of you know, we’re able to take CCs on our website for dues, donations and ship store purchases. We have become big business. With 70^th annual Saratoga reunion just around the corner, you need to get your reservations in as soon as possible. At the San Antonio reunion 27 years ago is when I was elected to the position of president. During that time, I have filled other positions, such as secretary, treasurer and the chaplain. It’s been a very rewarding experience to have the opportunity to give back to our shipmates and association.

At the Executive Board meeting in Mobile last year, the board voted to try a letter driven fund raising campaign to benefit the general fund and the scholarship fund. To say the least, it was extremely successful. We received responses from about 6% of the letters sent. The average donation was over $85. Thank you to all of you that were kind enough to contribute. Your generosity will help to continue to fund scholarships, keep membership costs low and make attendance at reunions as cheap as possible. 

As most of you know, this will be my last reunion as the president of your association. It’s been a great trip. I will say there were a few bumps in the road, but were easily overcome. With the executive board and volunteers help, we have turned this into a great organization. I’m pretty sure we’re the oldest navy reunion group in the country, 70 years we’ve been around. As I look back at some of the older folks and their dedication to our association, it’s amazing. Frank & Eliza Suggs ran our ship store for 33 years, Erick  Erickson was our historian for 36 years, Tony Tonelli was secretary/treasurer for 36 years, just to name a few. It would be great if we could get CVA/CV-60 shipmates to take on these positions like the old CV-3 folks did.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in October, it’s going to be a great reunion. Reunion chairman, Mark Beecher, has done an outstanding job to make sure this reunion will be one of the best yet.

Fair winds & following seas.
Brad Senter CVA-60 1961-64                                                                                                                                          

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Bits and Pieces
Bill Lack – Vice President / Treasurer (Interim) / Midrats Editor
 
Welcome to the Fall 2022 edition of Midrats. We’re just a few short weeks away from getting together again, this time for the 70^th reunion in Washington DC. Sounds like MRP has lined us up with a great hotel deal and we’ve got a number of very interesting sounding tours available also.
 
Speaking of the reunion…if you take pictures at the reunion (or have pictures from past reunions), please consider submitting them to myself or one of the other board members and we’ll see that they get loaded onto the website to commemorate the affiliated reunion. Pictures not only bring back memories, they also might convince someone to attend a future reunion!
 
One of the most important things we’ll be doing at this year’s reunion is holding elections. We’ll be voting for a new slate of officers to run the Association.
 
I cannot stress strongly enough how important it is that our members get involved in helping run the organization. We really need people to be willing to step up and help with some of these responsibilities.
 
With no sign of the Navy creating a new Saratoga, we’re all that’s left of the legacy of this great ship and we owe it to our past members/shipmates to work together to keep the Association alive, strong and vibrant as long as is possible. To do this, we need everyone to do their part.
 
I always like to stress how important it is for the membership to keep their contact information current. Please keep your address, phone, and email address up to date. You can either email Ed or do it via the website.
 
Again, I like to stress that I do this for you, the readers. If there’s something you like or something you don’t, please let me know.
 
Hope to see you in DC in a few weeks.

 _______________________________________________

 
Secretary's message
Ed McCready – Secretary – CVA/CV60 (72-75)

Over the years I have asked for your consideration in both serving the association and attending a reunion.

We are all veterans that share a common denominator and history regardless of the era in which we served our country or our rank back in the day. Our organization’s charter is to perpetuate the memory of the Saratoga – both the CV3 and the CVA/CV60 (plus any future ships named Saratoga) - and to hold an annual reunion where we can gather to reminisce and commune with others who shared this unique history. That spirit of community and nostalgia is renewed each year. For those who have attended a reunion – you understand. For those who have remained on the periphery of the Association, the years are slipping by quickly – you owe it to yourself to see what you’ve been missing.

Additionally, once more I respectfully request you to consider what it would mean to provide your service in some capacity to the Saratoga Association.  

Our group is built on volunteer service by individuals who unselfishly give their time for the benefit of all Saratoga shipmates - some of which we may have we sailed with back in the day - but mostly men we never knew. Everyone has a life that is complicated and busy. When we take on another task such as this, it means adding more to our plate. We can all agree that’s scary, yet it's amazing how big and fulfilling that plate can be.

Our Bylaws “Standing Rules” section requires each board member to train at least 2 other individuals in the event of an emergency who might be asked to take over. That standing rule helps ensure continuity in the event an unfortunate event should occur.  It's up to us to keep the organization moving forward and viable until a new generation of Saratoga sailors can take over. By agreeing to learn the tasks of one of the positions, it does not mean you will automatically be asked to take on that job at the next election. It does mean that in the event of an emergency the Association will prevail.

In the past, we have experienced several times when an officer had to step down for various reasons. Typically, a scramble occurs, and someone unprepared is pressed into service. Most of the time, the individuals asked to serve do so in a professional manner, but we would like to be more proactive and better prepared to handle any possible vacancies in the management positions.
 If you would like to be involved in the association, we always need fresh eyes and ideas. Don't be afraid to step up and make a difference. We need you.

And for Heaven’s sake, if you haven’t yet attended a reunion, stop procrastinating – it’s later then you think.

  _______________________________________________

Washington DC Reunion Update
Mark Beecher / 2022 Reunion Host

The 70th USS Saratoga Association 2022 Reunion is a little under sixty days away.

Military Reunion Planners has helped us line up three wonderful tours to the Marine Corps Museum, the US Naval Academy, and a group of the most famous Memorials in Washington, DC. You will also have personal time before, during, and after to explore other famous, or not-so-famous, spots around DC.
 
Through the Hilton/Washington Dulles Airport, we have a great room rate of $122 per double occupancy that includes breakfast.  

There are two ways to make your reservation for this year’s reunion. You can go to our website, https://www.uss-saratoga.com/reunion or you can call Military Reunion Planners at 817-251-3551 and you want to do this as soon as possible. 

There will be a late registration fee after August 31, 2022.  Room reservations can be made by contacting the Hilton Hotel, Herndon, VA at 800-HILTONS or by telephone directly at 703-478-2900. The hotel is holding a limited number of rooms until the block is full or until September 12, whichever comes first. Full instructions for making hotel reservation by phone are available on the website.

If you have any questions about tours or room reservations, please contact Military Reunion Planners at 817-251-3551 or at RayCasey@MilitaryReunionPlanners.com. 
 
The hotel has ample parking if you plan to drive.   Dulles International Airport is not far and the airport has a shuttle that runs between 0430 and 1300 daily.  The Silver Line of the Metro Transit runs nearby and can connect with the entire DC area. 

We have the Navy Band sending five of their best brass musicians to do a Patriotic Opening and perform the National Anthem at the dinner reception. October 13th is the Navy’s birthday so we will ALL sing Happy Birthday.

The membership in attendance will select a new group of Officers at the Business meeting on Saturday morning. Over the years the Scholarship Program has granted thousands of dollars and will report on who this years’ recipients are.  A personal and dynamic Ladies Luncheon is planned for the women on Saturday.

Annual Reunions are a great time to reacquaint with other shipmates, make new relationships, and to establish new memories of our time aboard Saratoga. It will be fun to see some of our WW2 members and learn about their experiences.

This reunion will be an exciting time, in an exciting place, with exciting events, for exciting people. 

I am looking forward to seeing you.

Raffle and Silent Auction
Fran Gower 
 
Once again it’s time for the Saratoga Reunion, which also includes the Raffle & Silent Auction, which helps raise funds for the Association. 
 
For the Raffle, we usually have 3-4 very nice items. Previous items have included: a Clock, handmade afghans, a Challenge Coin holder, or a handmade blanket. Tickets are available all weekend with the drawings held during the Farewell Banquet. Tickets are 1 for $1.00 and 6 for $5.00--quite a bargain!  
 
The Silent Auction is comprised of donated items. Some examples of past items are a blanket, items for children— t-shirts or toys - Navy related are always a hit, craft items, books, jewelry, coffee mugs, Navy T-shirts, and baskets/bags of local items.  
 
We are always looking for items for the Silent Auction so if you have space in your suitcase bring an item for your home area!  Keep in mind, attendees may be flying so it should be an item that can be packed or that the winner might be able to ship from a delivery place.
 
During the course of the Reunion everyone has the opportunity to place "bids" on the silent auction items. This can create lots of excitement as unique items are "hot" and everyone is watching as shipmates try to outbid each other. The Auction will close at approx. 1pm on Saturday-once the Ladies Luncheon is over. Once we call time, the highest bid is the winner! Then it is time to gather the items for which you had the highest bid and pay for them. Cash or checks are accepted.
 
If you have any questions, email me at Ltpaddle@gmail.com See you in October!
 
Fran Gower
"Sara Kid"
My Dad, Bill Gower, served 56-58, E Division.

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USS Saratoga Scholarship Committee
Steve Katz, Scholarship Committee Chairman
 
We have recently completed our fifth year awarding Scholarships to a grand total of 19 recipients.

This year we received 10 applications which is the most we have ever received and we awarded 6 scholarships which is also the most we have ever issued.
 
Each scholarship in 2022 will be in the amount of $1,500.00 for a total amount of $9,000.00 for this year.
 
Below are the names of this year’s scholarships recipients:

Kaitlyn Brezosky
Allison Coneglio
Jacie Jacob
Zachary Katz (disclaimer, no relationship)

Kathryn Schulz
Meredith Turner

Before I continue, I must  express the committee’s deepest gratitude to each and every person who has most graciously donated to the scholarship program. The program is entirely funded by your tax deductible donations. We say thank you and want everyone to know how much we appreciate your continued support.
 
We have awarded a grand total of $27,500.00 in scholarships over the past five years and received a total of 36 applications.
 
We offer two different types of scholarships, one for a typical two or four year academic degree from an accredited college and we offer a scholarship for an accredited TRADE SCHOOL PROGRAM.
Please go to our website at www.USS-Saratoga.com and click on the Scholarship link to read the eligibility requirements.
 
Please know that one of the few requirements to apply is that the applicant’s sponsor must have served aboard the USS Saratoga and must be a member of the Association, in good standing, for at least the past 12 months. You can join the Association on the website very easily.
 
In addition to providing financial assistance to our applicants, a major goal of the program is to provide a tool to help the Association’s name to continue in perpetuity.
 
Without any known prospects at this time for a new vessel named SARATOGA, we are the generation which is responsible for the manner in which our history, our traditions, our values, and our beliefs, as well as our experiences and finally the memories of our experiences and everlasting friendships are passed on to the next generation.
 
In other words, it is part of the Saratoga legacy .
 
The committee wants to acknowledge and thank Ed McCready for his time and talents as administrator of the program.
 
On behalf of your committee:
Captain (retired) Steven Medina.    representing CV-3
Johnny Bolton                                  representing CV60
Frank Salinas                                    representing  CV60
Bill Lack                                            representing CV60           
 
Please know that our children are our future.       
Looking forward to seeing everyone in D.C.
 
Take care Shipmates, and thank you again.
 
                                   _______________________________________________

Newsletter Information
Jerry Church Newsletter Editor

Shipmates and friends:
Since taking over as editor of your Semi-Annual Newsletter I have tried to pass along all updated information sent to me from those involved in the running of the Association in a format that is pleasing to the eye as well as informational.

If you have any questions or concerns about the layout of the newsletter, please let me know.

My e-mail: churchgeraldc@bellsouth.net

Thank You.

 _______________________________________________

A Few Minutes With...... Mark Kikta
Bill Lack
 
I recently spent some time talking to Association member, Mark Kikta about his life and his long and illustrious Naval career.
 
Mark was born in Washington DC and after graduating from high school, attended Prince George’s Community College, where he said he went as he tried to figure out what he wanted to do with his life.  He said he was torn between wanting to be either a pilot or a Marine Biologist, so he applied for a Navy ROTC Scholarship. He concentrated his school search in the South, applied and was accepted to the University of South Carolina, into their ROTC program, where he majored in Biology and Chemistry.  
 
He went to flight school in Pensacola in 1974, on to Beeville Texas to finish his flight training, then was a flight instructor for about 6 months. He was selected to fly a new plane, the S-3 Viking, so he next went to San Diego to be trained on this new jet.  The S-3 was originally designated as an ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) platform, but later was re-designated as an Anti- Surface and Tanking vehicle.
 
Mark did his first qualification landing on the USS Lexington (CV-16), which was home-ported in Pensacola. During his flight career, he flew off the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the USS Kennedy (CV-67), USS America (CV-66), USS Eisenhower (CV-69), and the USS Forrestal (CV-59). He was the CO of VS-32 and then of VS-27 (S-3 Rag Squadron) at NAS Cecil Field. Mark was the second last Air Boss on the Saratoga, then became the S-3 Wing Commander at NAS Jax (S-3 community moved to NAS Jax with the closing of Cecil Field) in late ’97/early ‘98.
 
Mark had one other ship that he flew on and off of, in addition to the ones mentioned above.
 
He was the last pilot to trap on and the last pilot to be shot off the catapult off the Saratoga. The CO of the Saratoga at the time was an S-3 alumni, Captain William Kennedy, so Mark contacted him and asked about the chances of being the last shag onto and the last shot off the Saratoga.  Mark was in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico on a weapons detachment at the time. Captain Kennedy said it was a great idea as long as he could be in the right seat. So, Mark flew on, picked up Captain Kennedy, shot off, came around, and trapped back on. Capt. Kennedy got out, Mark shot off again, flew back to Puerto Rico and the Sara pulled into Jax and those were the last take offs and landings from the USS Saratoga.
 
Mark said that’s one of the biggest highlights of his Naval Career. He retired as a Captain, in August of 1999 after 26 years, with his last post being as the S-3 Wing Commander.
 
After retirement he want to work for a defense contractor selling long range optical and infrared cameras that hung under aircraft of all types, from planes to UAVs to helicopters for militaries and law enforcement applications all over the world. Mark specialized in selling to the USN and he fully retired just a few months ago.
 
He said he’s stayed very busy since retirement, just having fun.
 
Mark is a long time antique car collector. He said he’s been dragging his collection around since the late ‘70’s. He recently purchased a 1922 Buick. He also flies model airplanes, which he took up about 5 years ago, developing a different kind of flying skill.  He is currently on the board of directors for a model airplane club which has 170 members.
 
I asked him if he still flew airplanes and he said he doesn’t any longer. He told me that the Navy paid for him to get his pilot’s license while he was in ROTC at South Carolina, figuring it was cheaper for the Navy to find out that someone didn’t really want to fly or wasn’t compatible with flying early, rather than later when they were in flight school. But he said after flying jets off ships, it’s hard to get too excited about flying a Cessna 172, so he doesn’t fly any more.
 
Mark originally found the Saratoga Association by doing some on-line searching, he wanted to feel like he still belonged to the Saratoga community. The first reunion he attended was in Saratoga Springs in 2017.
 
Mark and his wife Kathy have been married for 23 years. Mark has two sons from a previous marriage, Sean and Brandon, and has a step-son, Patrick, from his marriage to Kathy.
 
I want to thank Mark for his time and look forward to seeing him and Kathy in a few weeks in DC.

  _______________________________________________

Death of the Saratoga Classic Half Marathon & Super Sara 5K
Bill Lack
 
2022 seems to be the last in the brief history of the Saratoga Half Marathon and 5K.
 
MWR Mayport announced a few months after the 2022 event that due to security constraints with getting on and off the base that this would be the final year of the races.
 
This year was my only experience with the race and we had a great time out there that very cold Mayport morning rooting on the racers at the finish line.
 
 It was good to see the Saratoga stern plate (which had been brought over from its resting place at the Chief’s club for the race) and always good to spend time with other Association members. But due to COVID concerns, etc. MWR Mayport didn’t do the Museum this year and there wasn’t a lot of Saratoga content, other than the stern plate, the name, and our Association Ship’s Store, which was set up at the finish line.
 
Alas, thanks to NS Mayport, MWR Mayport, and everyone involved for making this event happen, it’s just sad that, like the USS Saratoga, it seems to have gone away too soon for many of us.

  _______________________________________________

USS Saratoga At Iwo Jima
The article below was written by the late, Captain Irwin Patch Jr (CV-3, Association Member) and was submitted to us for publication by his wife, Jane. We thank her for this submission.

Saratoga Association Donors 

Below is a list of those that have donated to the Association or the Scholarship fund thus far in 2022.
 
We thank all of those that have donated to the Association and/or to the Scholarship fund. Donations to these funds help send a member of our Saratoga family to school, help to keep the cost of our membership down and also keep reunion costs as low as possible. But they also help us to continue to work to bring the name Saratoga back to active duty and to continue the legacy of the name USS Saratoga.

 
In addition to these names, we recently received a check from Network for Good for over $1000, which came from 15 donors that gave anonymously to the Association via Facebook.

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“Semper Fortis”  - “Always Courageous
CAPT Steve Bird, CHC, USN (Ret) - Chaplain          

Semper Fortis is the unofficial motto of the Navy meaning, “Always Courageous, Strong or Powerful.” I like “Always Courageous.”
 
“Always Courageous” is keeping in tradition with the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis – “Always Faithful” or the US Coast Guards motto Semper Pratus - “Always Ready.” Considering the Navy was founded in the 18^th Century, when sailing in (the) Navy, it required venturing out into the unknown of the vast oceans, therefore this emphasis on courage seems fitting. * Traveling by ship like those on the Mayflower and other ships traveling to the new world was hazardous and it took courage for these travelers to take the risk not knowing what awaited on their journey on the high seas.
 
Several Old Testament scriptures expresses “courage” like Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed for the Lord thy God is with you.” Joshua is sharing with the children of Israel to be “courageous” as God is with them as they prepare in going to war against their enemies.
 
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them.”
In the New Testament, I Corinthians 16:13, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be strong.” The apostle Paul uses military terms for Believers to stand strong against the “spiritual warfare” we face daily.
 
Today, Christian believers are being ridiculed for their faith in the workplace and in general overall. This type of persecution is to be expected. II Timothy 3:12 is extremely specific when he states, “All that will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution.” It is interesting when watching a TV show or see a movie, the only religious person’s name mention, in a derogatory manner, has been Jesus and Him only! I have never heard any other religious figures names mentioned when watching a TV show or movie in a derogatory manner. Listen very carefully the next time you watch a TV show or see a movie and listen to what religious figure’s name is being used!

However, putting courage in context for today, it takes courage to stand up to be strong in one’s convictions when challenged to do wrong. There are times when we need to take a stand even when it will be unpopular and may result in an unpleasant outcome. It takes courage to say no to the doctor who desires to order more tests than what is necessary. It takes courage to stand up to one’s employer who requests for an employee to do unethical practices. It takes courage to stand up to school board or government officials in general against policies which will have a detrimental impact upon school children or the citizens they are governing. It takes courage to stand up to church officials who desire to lead a congregation down a destructive path which may tarnish the church’s reputation.
 
It also takes courage in sharing our faith for those who do not know the Lord besides living out our faith.
 
“Stand fast in the faith, be strong,” and be courageous in doing what is right.
 
 
* Feb 10, 2021, Wikipedia 

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Thanks

Thanks to Mark Beecher, Steve Bird, Jerry Church, Fran Gower, Steve Katz,  Mark Kikta, Corey Lack, Linda Lack, Ed McCready, Jane Patch,  and Brad Senter for their help in writing, editing, and proofing this edition of Midrats.
 
Doing this would be impossible without the input of friends, family, and shipmates. Thanks very much.
 
See ya in DC!