USS Arlington (AGMR-2) Association Home Page

Last Updated April,16 2011

Read the New Arly Times

The Arly Times

"UBI ACTIO EST"

July 2011Edition

Welcome Aboard: HN Gary Helms, SN3 Mike Mooney

TAPS: No deaths reported this period.

There are two attachments to this email. The Reunion Information and Registration Form and the list of AGMR-2's Awards and Medals. If you are unable to print these out, contact me at kcox@tampabay.rr.com and I will snail mail them to you. Thanks to Mike Ferderer for all the work he has done researching these awards for the crew. A well earned Bravo Zulu.

Note: The Arly Times is usually only sent via US Mail to "Association Members" who have no email address. Other Crew members (without email addresses) who have not joined the Association, must read the Arly Times on our website. However, because of the importance of the information in this issue, we are sending it via email and/or US Mail to everyone whose name appears on the crew members roster. Bear in mind that every issue of the Arly Times is posted on www.ussarlington.com .

So, if you received this issue by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via email. If you have a new or corrected email address, please email me back and let me know what it is so that I can adjust my email list to allow you to receive each issue of the Arly Times via email. If you still don't have an email address, and want to receive the Arly Times by US Mail, you need only join the Association The dues are only $10 per year. Contact Jerry Jorgensen.

Crewmember Requests / Submissions:

RM2 John Davis asked me to pass along his thanks to everyone in the Association that help him and his son create a collection of US license plates. They have completed their quest and now have 50 (not 57) State license plates.

The following information submitted by Jerry Jorgensen and Chuck Geiter:

Veterans who choose not to be buried in a national or state VA cemetery, but still want a government-furnished grave marker have a new option in the form of a new VA benefit. The bronze medallions-depicting a three-dimensional folded flag surrounded by laurel wreath with the word "Veteran" on top and the service branch spelled out below-are available in three diameter dimensions: five inches, three inches and 11/2 inches. VA says the different dimensions are designed to fit on various-size headstones, grave markers and columbarium or mausoleum niche covers. Veterans or family members interested in applying for the medallion can access (www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp.) Until a new form for specially for ordering is available use VA Form 40-1330. VA created medallion in accordance to Public Law 110-157, enacted on Dec. 26 2007, which directed VA to furnish upon request to signify the deceased's status as a veteran, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense.

2011 Reunion Update:

Note that the top of the previous Registration form had Norfolk, VA typed instead of Providence, RI.
Changes have been made to all future forms.

The Reunion Coordinator, Jim Arnold, is required to keep the Hotel, Tour Company and Battleship Cove apprised as to how many attendees to expect. At a certain time, he will have to provide "minimum" numbers. And he will have to pay for that number regardless of how many attend. We can pay for late arrivals who show up and want to attend, but we can't subtract from those minimum numbers. Please don't hold off. The longer people go without registering, the harder it is on Jim and he works hard enough. By the way, check the website out, Jim has updated it and added photos of the USS Arlington LPD-24 Christening Ceremony.

If you didn't receive the last Arly Times, here's a recap of the 2011 Reunion. The dates are Wed, 10/5 thru Sun 10/9. We'll be at the Crowne Plaza near the Providence Airport. We will only have one tour this reunion, a trip to Battleship Cove in Fall River, Mass. The Memorial Ceremony will be aboard the USS Massachusetts and then we'll have a sandwich buffet luncheon in the Officer's Ward Room. (Yes, Jerry, it's "all you can eat". Battleship Cove also has USS Joseph Kennedy, USS Lion Fish, as well as a Russian Corvette (Guided Missile Destroyer). Friday will be a free day for individual touring of Providence and in the evening we'll have a buffet dinner and the "Arlington Idol" Karaoke contest, Saturday will see a plated dinner with the usual DJ Dance following. We'll have a raffle and a 50/50 drawing.

We are purchasing an LPD-24 Ship's Crest Patch for each crewmember attending the reunion.

This reunion will hopefully have one or more crewmembers from the new USS Arlington attend. This is tentative, depending on the location and operational duties of the ship. It's possible that LPD-24's Commanding Officer, CDR Darren Nelson, will be able to attend. We hope to have at least one LPD-24 crewmember at each future reunion.

So you can see the possiblities this Reunion could have for you. You can witness past Naval History (at Battleship Cove) and meet the Navy's future. (Kinda mists up your eyes, doesn't it?) If you have never been to one of our reunions, you'd best be warned. They are very addicting. Once you've been to one, you won't want to miss another. It would be fantastic if some of AGMR-2's Officers would attend as well. This will be a prelude to our 2012 Reunion in the Norfolk area.

LPD-24 Update:

A meeting of the USS Arlington LPD-24 Committee was held in Arlington, VA and LTJG Bill Dickinson attended in person and, Skipper Ken Cox attended via conference call. This is the most current info (albeit "soft") at this time. Several Commissioning sites were being considered for LPD-24, until Virginia's Senators and Representatives wrote letters to SecNav requesting that, since Arlington is named after Arlington County, VA, and that Norfolk was named as the ship's Home Port, it would only be appropriate for the Commissioning Ceremony to be held in the Norfolk area. SecNav acquiesced and the ceremony will take place at a yet to be named site in the Hampton Roads area. The ceremony is expected to be held in the fall of 2012 and our annual reunion will be scheduled around this event.

At the Christening Ceremony in Pascagoula, MS last March, AGMR-2 Assn donated (through Jim Arnold) one of the small planks left from our original deck planking. CDR Nelson, the CO, will have a small piece of the planking inserted into the Plank Owner Plaques that will be given to LPD-24's Plank Owner crew. This will effectively help create a bond between our two crews since that a small piece of AMGR-2 will be with each and every LPD-24 Plank Owner. Check out their website: http://www.arlington.navy.mil

Fund Raising: The Navy pays for the Commissioning Ceremony, including a Navy Band, a Saluting Banner, a Color Guard, shuttle service between the parking areas and the commissioning event and other support items for the event. But there are other things that the Navy cannot fund. Such a post ceremony reception (possibly a pier side barbeque event), Plank Owner Plaques for each of the ship's first crewmembers, the ship's Welfare, Morale and Recreation fund, Items the CO may suggest that support the ship and possibly funding
for a spouses/family club/activities.

USS Arlington AGMR-2 Association Officers agreed that we will make a donation from our Association funds, in memory of our departed shipmates. Should you wish to make an individual donation you can do it in two ways. To donate using a credit card, go to www.pcu.arlington.com and click on the word "donations. However, if you wish to donate by check, make the check payable to: Arlington Commissioning Committee. Put a note with the check stating: In Memory of USS Arlington AGMR-2 Deceased Shipmates" and mail it to:

Commission Committee Treasurer

Stewart Reuter

3931 Morrison St. NW

Washington, DC 20015

Further developments will be reported in future Arly Times, but if there is information released that is decidedly important, an "extra" edition will be issued.

Health Issues Awards Update:

I am pleased to report that a number of our fellow Arlington Crew Members/Shipmates have received positive responses with regard to their VA claims. Please file your claim as the process begins with the filing. For more details or information, please call Mike Ferderer at 952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net.

Awards: Below is information on the Awards we / you are currently entitled to for your service aboard the USS Arlington (AGMR-2). It takes a long time to get your medals to say the least!

My story - I sent three (3) letters dating back to Dec 2009. Further, I recently kept calling the Naval Personnel Command Center at 514-538-2312 to ask where my medals were or if they every received my letter, since no one ever called me back or responded that they had received my letters. I recently and finally got through by phone to the NPC on July 5th. It is a pretty sad affair as to the response time of the NPC. I am to get my medals in August. The gentleman said that they were a little back logged. (Duh -I guess to say the least.) I will send out an update in the next "Arly Times" when I get my medals and my corrected DD215 listing the updated changes to my record - (Note: The DD215 is an updated form to the DD214 that was issued to you at the time of your speration of service).

The process starts with an individual who gets your request and then goes over your record by researching your ships and commands that you served on while on active duty. (Reserves are another group altogether). He / She then records these to a DD215 and then provides his results to another NPC Command person who gathers the medals and sends them out to the individual. The NPC person I talked with said that the research was completed in March 2011.

Depending on the ships or commands you served on - you may have been awarded more medals, as the list attached to this email is only for the USS Arlington (AGMR-2) from 1966 - 1970.

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God Bless America!

THE ARLY TIMES

"UBI ACTIO EST"

March, April 2011 Edition

Welcome Aboard:

Don Corder, CS3 68-69, Lucedale, MS

Morris T. King, SM3 66-68, Indianapolis, IN

A special Welcome Aboard to the Officers and Crew of USS Arlington LPD-24. We gratefully acknowledge your service in "carrying the torch". Thank You!

TAPS: Departed for their final duty station, now serving our Supreme Commander:

BM3 Fernando "Chico" Hernandez

RM2 Jack Vines (RMCM Retired)

Crewmember Requests / Submissions:

If you would like to comment on a past reunion, pay respect to a departed shipmate or anything in general, you are reminded that this section is for your use. If you have any requests, sea stories or general complaints (that we can ignore) Please send them to the editor (I guess that's me, Ken Cox). We reserve the right to edit any overly long items to shorten them somewhat, and will try to do so without changing the theme or meaning. In Naval Communications, we used to call it "Paraphrasing".

For RM2 John Davis. Many thanks to those of you that sent plates. John and his son need only one license plate.....WVA to complete their collection of US License plates. Therefore, anyone that has a plate from WVA, or has a junk yard dealer nearby where one could be obtained, John would appreciate it if you would send it on to him. He'll reimburse you any costs involved in sending the plate to him. His address is: John Davis, 12 East view Dr. Apt # 6, Watervliet, New York 12189. Email: jdavis2409@yahoo.com

AGMR-2, her mission and her crew. There's a saying (I don't know who to attribute it to) that an RMC at NAS Grosse Ile used to keep on the CommCen's bulletin board. This statement defines the role we all played in completing our ship's mission:

"Communications is synonymous with Command. Remove

his Communications, you remove his ability to Command."

Email Address Difficulties: When sending the Arly Times out, it is not uncommon to get 10 to 25 rejected email addresses. Reasons given are "user unknown" or "no such client" (indicating the person changed email addresses), "mailbox full" (self explanatory) or for Suspected Spam (Long emails). Another problem is the Spam fighters such as EarthLink, where I have to stop, reply to an email before the original will be accepted, when the recipient should already have my email address in their address book. I can no longer spend 2 or 3 hours on the computer, tracing down bad email addresses. The only ones that I research are paid up members of the Association. If their phone number is no good because they went from land line to cell, then I will mail them a copy. If the person does not reply with a good email address, then that's the last time I can justifiably try to contact them. So please remember, keep me informed of your email address changes and put kcox@tampabay.rr.com and rm1cox@tampabay.rr.com in your email address books which should make me an authorized sender. If you change anything and notice that you are not receiving Arly Times, contact me, this may be your problem.

Reunion Update: A complete rundown of the reunion, including the registration form, is attached to this Arly Times. But basically, the Reunion will run from October 5th thru Sunday check out on October 9th. We will be staying at the Warwick Crowne Plaza near the Providence airport. The rates are $99.00 plus 13% tax ($111.87 inclusive). In order to keep the actual cost down, we are only scheduling one tour and it includes a meal, Battleship Park in Fall River, MA. So there will be one extra day for you to wander around on your own or just sit in the hospitality room and swap sea stories that don't begin with "Once upon a Time." More like, "This ain' no...."

There is a complimentary buffet breakfast every morning, we have a comped Hospitality Room

Remember that Jim Arnold is the Reunion Planner and Host this year, and hopefully for a few in the future. I have agreed to remain on as "Co-host" to help Jim get started in this new endeavor. It is plainly indicated on the registration form that Jim will be the one to send the registration and payment.

LPD-24 Update:

Hopefully, as explained in the Christening Ceremony email sent a few days ago, pursuant to her operational schedule, our reunion may have a guest from LPD-24 to share our reunion. We will do our best to get all of our reunion attendees a souvenir of LPD-24, some little reminder of "our new Arlington". As I said in my last email, She is a beautiful ship and the Christening Ceremony was an honor to attend. Hopefully we will have a larger AGMR-2 representation at the Commissioning Ceremony.

Jim Arnold has created an area on ussarlington.com for pictures and information about LPD-24's progress. We plan to keep this feature running with news about the ship, new photos and activities. There will no doubt be dependant's cruises and Capt. Nelson and XO CDR Hershman assured me that AGMR-2 crew members would be welcome. Just think about it. A chance to go to sea again, without Cinderella liberty!

Health Issues Update:

From Mike Ferderer: The Health Team currently has lost two of its original researchers and intrical memebers of the Health Team, BM3 Fernando (Chico) Hernandez on March 8th and RMCS Jack Vines April 8th, Both members will be missed for their contributions and support. The current status is that members are still reporting Health Issues that are associated to Agent Orange. That number remains constant at 85% + of those crewmembers who are having Health issues associated to Agent Orange. We currently await status of claims filed with the VA Court of Appeals.

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To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at

952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net

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Note: Did you just get a computer and go on-line? Did you change to a new email address? If you received this by regular US Mail it is because you have never sent us an email address, or the email we had for you has rejected this issue. If you have a new or corrected email address, please email me so that I can change my records to avoid time consuming rejections. Due to time restraints, I only trace down rejected email addresses of paid up Association Members.

God bless and look after the crews of AGMR-2 and LPD-24 and

May God Bless America!

The Arly Times Aug/Sep/Oct 2010 Edition

First and foremost, our Shipmate, Rusty Roe, suffered a stroke during the reunion. He was sent to ICU in Branson, then transferred to ICU in St. John's Hospital in Springfield, MO. He has since improved to the point that he is being returned to Branson Hospital for Rehab. It is not known how long he will be there. His wife, Thelma, set up a website to read updates on his progress, as well as send him get well notices. www.caringbridges.org. You go to that website and in the space provided, type: rustyroe (no spaces). We wish him a speedy recovery. God Bless Rusty and Thelma and we hope to see them at our next reunion.

Welcome Aboard:

RMSN Ray Carlson, Charles Cordima, Charles Coursey, EM1 Harvey Davis, EM1 Joe Dubois, Allan Haakenson, Ken Johnson, Clark E. Kapron, David Krantz and Dale Stroble

TAPS:

Departed for their final duty station, now serving our Supreme Commander: No deaths reported for this time period.

Crewmember Requests / Submissions:

RM2 John Davis, needs only West Virginia for he and his son to complete their collection of a license plate from every state. So if you have an old license plate from WV laying around, John would appreciate it if you would send it on to him. He will re-imburse you the cost of packaging and postage. His address is: John Davis, 12 Eastview Dr. Apt # 6, Watervliet, New York 12189. Email: jdavis2409@yahoo.com

Reunion: The Arlington Reunion in Branson was a smashing success, filled with entertainment, good food, great hospitality room, and, of course, the camaraderie of old shipmates, 7 of whom were attending their first reunion.

The Lodge of the Ozarks was simply gorgeous, very clean and luxurious and the hotel staff was superb in making us feel welcome. Our hospitality room was very large, and well taken care of by Brandon of Housekeeping. Fresh Coffee, ice, cups, etc. every morning. Lots of tables and chairs, as well as tables for our memorabilia. We couldn't have asked for more.

On Thursday we attended the Jim Stafford show, directly across the street from the Lodge. We were given really good seating. Jim's show featured his comedy and singing, as well as piano and violin performances by his two children. Truly and entertaining family show. During the show, Jim Stafford called for the audience to honor our Reunion while we stood up. When the show was over and the audience was leaving, we were moved down to the front rows and Jim Stafford came out for a personal "meet & greet", where we were able to get up close and personal with the comedian. As a token of our appreciation for his support of our troops and veterans, we presented him with a piece of the deck planking with a brass plate reading "To Jim Stafford, Honorary Crew Member". Along with the deck planking he was given a Certificate of Authenticity and last, but certainly not least, an Arlington coffee mug. Jim was visibly moved by our gifts.

On Friday, we went to the #1 Hits of the 60's show, which featured a group of young adults, singing and dancing to the songs we grew up with in the 60's.. Humor was intertwined in the music and, once again, our Reunion was honored by the cast and audience. During the performance, when the patriotic portion of the show honoring our troops and vets, a photo slide show of Arlington and Crewmembers, flashed across the large screens. Even though these were photos that we submitted, misty eyes and lumpy throats were the norm.

Our Association Meeting on Friday evening had the guys approving our next reunion to be in Providence, RI, where we will be able to take tours to Battleship Park in Fall River, MA, or a historic tour of Boston, Ma, or the US Naval Base at Newport, RI. Particulars will be worked out. The hotel we are considering most is a Crown Plaza near the airport, that has offered us excellent rates, as well as all the amenities we look for in a hotel.

Election Results. After much discussion, we arrived at a slate of officers through volunteers. I agreed to remain as Skipper, and I'll continue to do the Arly Times, and be a Reunion Co-host. This is the new slate and their duties.

Skipper - Ken Cox (Arly Times and co-Host)

XO - Gary Brooks (To assume Skipper duties as needed)

Admin - Ben Baker (Upkeep of the roster)

Disbursing - Jerry Jorgensen (Finances and Membership cards)

Comm - Jim Arnold. (Webmaster, Ship's Store and Reunion Coordinator.)

My thanks to these shipmates for serving their shipmates and many thanks to Chuck Geiter, who served as Admin Officers for several years until he had to relinquish the office due to health reasons. Bravo Zulu, Chuck.

Our Memorial Ceremony was conducted by Jim Arnold. We had background music of Amazing Grace (bagpipes) and after the names of our departed shipmates was read, TAPS was sounded, as well as God Bless America. We held the Memorial at a Gazebo in the hotel's flower garden area. It was very beautiful and very touching.

Branson Photo was contracted with for our portraits and Memory Books. This is the same photographer that I had with the Cony in May and he is not only an excellent photographer, but keeps his promised deadline.

The Farewell Banquet on Saturday night was outstanding. A delicious Country Buffet of BBQ Beef Brisket and Fried Chicken and all the trimmings, with Apple Crisp. Plenty of extra food for seconds. (I think Jerry Jorgensen made 5 trips). Our raffle drawings of 50/50 and frames made from deck planking and also a Navy pocket watch followed the dinner. Winners were Miller, Cummings, Meyers, Lieberman, Jorgensen, Cox, Baker and Black.

A very successful Karaoke "Arlington Idol" contest was to follow the dinner and drawings, but first there was a really nice surprise. Unbeknownst to the crew, this writer met Ron Young, (an Elvis impersonator), on vacation in Branson. After an interesting conversation, he agreed to do a show for the crew after dinner. He spent 3 hours of his own time on Sat afternoon setting up the sound system to suit his show. After the 2000 Space Odyssey music, Ron stepped through the curtains in a fantastic white bejeweled jump suit (with an eagle on the back) modeled after Elvis's suit. He performed for nearly an hour and a half, and he left the audience totally enthralled with his talent and showmanship. He could have left after he changed to his street clothes, but instead he came back out and mingled with the guys and gals, until our Karaoke contest was over at 11pm. The Karaoke saw several singers this year, it seems the Karaoke contest is getting bigger and bigger. I didn't write the winners down, but I believe the $100 prize money was split between Jean Schwarzkopf and Budd Tieman. (Don't be mad at me if I got that wrong, so much was happening that it's a wonder I remembered what my wife's name is.)

LPD-24 Update: The following is a condensed version of an email that I received from the Arlington County Commissioning Ceremony chairperson:

"WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Jim Webb issued the following statement concerning the Navy's decision to homeport the future USS Arlington (LPD-24) in Norfolk, Virginia. Sen. Webb serves on the Senate Committee on Armed Services and is a former Secretay of the Navy. The Arlington, scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in December 2011, will be the eighth ship in the San Antonio class of amphibious transport dock ships."

Going strictly by guess, it looks like commissioning could possibly be in spring or early summer of 2012, unless, of course, the Navy changes it's mind. We should have some more definite information by the time of our next reunion and at that time we can decide about a time frame and location of the 2012 reunion to enable as many Arlington Shipmates as possible to attend the ceremonies, and perhaps get a tour of LPD-24. The PCO has been assigned (His photo is on ussarlington.com) and they are now beginning to assemble the crew. (All you AGMR-2 plank owners should remember the hassle that we suffered through!) We wish Good Luck to LPD-24's Pre-com detail.

Health Issues Update:

Due to time restraints since the reunion, Mike Ferderer has not been able to submit a Health Services update. Therefore, if you have questions concerning the AO status of AGMR-2, contact Mike directly.

To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at

952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net

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Note: Did you get a computer and go on-line? Did you change to a new email address? If you received this email by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via email. So if you have a new or corrected email address, please email us know so that we can update our records. Contact Ben Baker at ben940152@yahoo.com or Ken Cox at kcox@tampabay.rr.com.

God Bless America!

The Arly Times August 2008 Edition

Welcome Aboard to: RM3 Ronnie Patton 66-68, Abiquiu, NM,

Correction: In the Welcome Aboard feature of the July 2008 Arly Times, Randall "Randy" Williams was identified as "Bill" Williams. I apologize to Randy for this "Senior Moment".

TAPS:

YN3 Keith "Griff" Griffin passed away Aug 4, 2008 after battling cancer for several years. Living in Chandler, Texas, Griff was looking forward to attending our reunion in San Antonio.

Crewmember Requests / Submissions

RM2 John Davis and his son are still trying to complete their collection of License Plates. So if you have an old plate from your state laying around, John would like to have it. If you will mail it to him, he will reimburse you the cost of mailing. Contact John first to see if your state is one that he still needs. Jdavis2409@yahoo.com Send to: John Davis, 207 Vaspar Court, Waterford, NY 12188

A note from Arlington Assn XO, Jerry Jorgensen:

Most former military personal are not aware that when you apply for your Social Security benefits, if you take a copy of your DD-214, you will get more money as they gross up the earnings for the value of room & board (usually $300/qtr of service). There used to be a SSA calculator that took that into account & it was about $40 more a month!!

Reunion Update: (Monday, 10/6/08 thru Friday morning 10/10/08

Don't forget, the last day to reserve a room at the hotel for the reunion rate is September 5th. After that, rooms will be filled on an as available basis. If you have any problem registering with the room, call Tina Embry (Sales) at 210-200-9005 for assistance.

We have a very big and important change in the Reunion.

Due to the low number of Registrations so far, we had to cancel both the Spanish Missions and the San Antonio/River Walk Tours. Our prices were based on a minimum of 40 passengers, and only 23 persons have signed up for tours so far. At this rate, we would be very lucky to have 30 people sign up. Which would mean that the Association would have to pay approximately $600 to cover the unused seats. We cannot afford to lose that kind of money again. Daisy Tours of San Antonio was very agreeable to our cancellation, since October is a heay tourist month in San Antonio.

But all is not lost. Jim Arnold found a company (SA Trans http://www.sacitytours.net/) in San Antonio that runs Trolleys around the city, and they gave us an excellent deal on "2 day passes". They will pick us up at our hotel on an hourly basis (every half hour if two trolleys are required.) This is a drop off/pick up service. You can get off at any of their designated spots, (such as the Alamo or the River Walk or one of the Missions), walk around your spot, get back on the trolley when it comes through, get off at another place, etc. Two days would allow you to visit all the best spots for sightseeing and shopping. The Drivers will not be actual Tour Guides, but will narrate facts about the city as they drive along. Touring San Antonio this way is actually better than our original plans, since you can get on and off where you please. All points of interest will be visited, so you won't miss out on anything. The cost is $30 per person, (the same cost as the San Antonio Tour alone) But this is for two days, not just a 5 hour tour. (Tips for the bus drivers will be appreciated).

If you do not want to take advantage of the Trolley Tour, we will refund any money that you may have paid for Tours.

But, if you want to take advantage of the Trolley Tour, this is how we will work it:

1. If you have signed up for both tours, we would keep $30 per person from what you have already paid and will refund you $25 per person in cash (as Yogi Berra's says: "which is almost as good as money").

2. If you signed up for only the SA/River Walk tour, you would not receive a refund, since the costs is still $30 per person.

3. If you signed up for only the San Antonio Missions Tour, you would owe a balance of $5 per person since the cost for that tour was only $25.00. You can pay the extra $5 at the reunion.

4. For those who have not sent in your registrations yet, I have attached an amended Registration Form to this Arly Times.

Those that have already registered, I need you to respond to this email ASAP. Just take the time to hit "Reply" and let me know if you want to take advantage of the Trolley Tour or not. I need to know this before I go to San Antonio because I have to call SA Trans on Monday morning and let them know how many 2 day passes we need. Remember $30 per person for a 2 day pass on the Trolley.

The Reunion Memory Book will be put together and mailed out by Dunning & Co from Louisiana, the same company that did our book from the 2004 reunion in Mobile, AL. They will not be sending a photographer, but will use the photos that we take. Attendees will be encouraged to put a few of their better photos on CD and send them to a designated person. Once he receives the CD's, he will go through them and put a memory book layout together, along with a cover. He'll then send the results to Dunning, who will print the book and mail them out. If you have seen the Mobile book, you know Dunning does really good work.

We can have 10 to 15 pics per page, 12 pages and a cover. We'll decide at the Association Meeting who will put the book together and who will do the cover art.

Health Issues Update: There is no updated information this month due to the short time since the last Issue of the Arly Times.

To inquire about information concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at 952-935-8162 or e-mail him at: mpferderer@comcast.net

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Note: Did you just get a computer and go on-line? Did you change your email address?

If you received this by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via

email. So if you have a new or corrected email address, please email me know so that

I can change my records to avoid time consuming rejections.

God Bless America!

The Arly Times July 2008 Edition

Welcome Aboard to: LISN Steven Guza 1966, Hazleton, PA and BTFN Bill Williams 69-70, Ceres, CA

TAPS: We received word that RM3 Mike Bartis passed away on 7/12/98, not 2001 as we had reported.

Crewmember Requests / Submissions:

From Don Gibson: www.hg-studios.com. There are some interesting facts in the "about us" - meaning my partner and I (old Navy buddies.) On this site there is also some of our fine photography. ( All Free and " Wallpaperable") Shots from Florida to Maine, from New York State to Afghanistan ( shot by my Godson in 7th mountain division U.S. Army.). Enjoy.

From the Arlington Association Administrative Officer, Chuck Geiter: To All Shipmates:

To find the status of your military background the best way is to locate your DD-214 (Discharge Papers). The DD-214 records show just about everything concerning military service locations and earned/awarded service medals along with the military schools that were attended. Sometimes the DD-214 doesn't show the awards given by Vietnam, this was my case. I applied for an up-to-date DD-214, which I received, with the additional info as to the award medals that I was entitled to. They even sent me the actual ribbons and medals that I earned while serving in Vietnam. Excluding the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry medal, the records verify that I earned the COG but had to purchase the medal myself.

In case you can't find or lost your DD-214 discharge papers, I have attached a link for requesting a copy. Just print and fill out the form following the instructions, make sure you have it notarized. Sometimes it takes a couple of weeks to receive the papers in the mail but it's well worth the wait. NOTE: If you had a Top Secret Clearance, as I did, some info is not available, pending declassification by the DoD/government.

Here is the link:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

or you can go to:

https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.asp

All that was required was a signature to the form and to mail it to the address supplied. NO Notary signature required.

You can also use the DD-149 to have corrections made to your DD-214. This form will be made available on our website: www.ussarlington.com within the next couple of weeks.

Dues: I haven't sent out any dues reminders in the last couple of months. But we really need to bring our coffer up a little higher and it would be appreciated if you would catch your dues up or join the Association if you haven't already done so. Remember, the dues are only $10 per year. If you are behind in your dues and send in your payment, you will not need to "catch up" any payments. Your due date will begin again with the date we receive your payment. If you are not sure of your dues expiration date, check your card, the date is on the front. If you can't find your card, contact me and I will give you an expiration date via email or over the phone.

2008 San Antonio Reunion Reminder:

A reminder and recap of the upcoming 2008 Reunion in San Antonio. Registrations are starting to come in and so far we have 16 registrations, about the same clip as previous reunions. We are hoping to reach at least 35 registrations with some new attendees coming from the Southwest area.

If you are planning to attend, I once again urge you to get your registration in to me asap. We only have about 10 weeks left. Now is the time that we should be placing our orders for souvenirs and other items. Needless to say, it is extremely hard to order the proper number of souvenirs, (without going over or running short) until the number of attendees is known. Late registrations will not be refused, but do tend to make the Reunion Host's (Jim Arnold and myself) jobs a little extra harder and stressful. Don't forget to include the $25.00 per person registration fee when you submit your registrations.

As far as the hotel goes, September 6th is the last date that you can be guaranteed the Reunion Rate. After that, all rooms rented to our reunion attendees will be on an "as available" basis. You could end up paying more if you wait, but you can always cancel your reservations if you make them and then find out that you can't attend. Better to be safe than sorry. If you incur any problems when you register, call Tina Embry at 21--200-9005. That is her direct line and she will be happy to assist you.

Once again, we have scheduled an extremely interesting tour through the San Antonio Spanish Missions, as well as an exciting and fun filled tour of San Antonio with Riverboat rides on the San Antonio River Walk. At our Farewell banquet, we will again have our own music with Karaoke, and an "Arlington Idol" being chosen from among the singers. I'm sure "Ian the beer man" will be first and foremost among the participants. The Memory Book company, Dunning, was unable to contract a photographer for our reunion. However, they will be happy to professionally put a Reunion Memory Book together for us, using photos that we forward to them. The cost of this book will be $25.00, and anyone can submit photos. This will be discussed at the Reunion. Dunning is the company that did our 2004 Mobile Reunion Memory book.

So, guys, please put the reunion first and foremost in your thoughts for the next few weeks. You guys living in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Alabama and New Mexico will miss a great opportunity to attend a reunion close enough to you to drive. Due to the cost of gasoline, car pools are encouraged. Check the roster for persons living close to you. We can help you get in contact with them. You will not only have a great time but will probably make new shipmate bonds by sharing a ride.

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To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at

952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net

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Note: Did you just get a computer and go on-line? Did you change your email address?

If you received this by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via

email. So if you have a new or corrected email address, please email me know so that

I can change my records to avoid time consuming rejections.

God Bless America!

The Arly Times June 2008 Edition

Welcome Aboard to: BM3 Rich Payton, BMSN Rudy Perez and MM3 Ed Zella

New Additions to Roster on www.ussarlington.com

Payton, Richard (Rich), BM3 66-68, Fullerton, NE

Perez, Rudy A., BMSN 68-69, Sacramento, CA

Zella, Ed, MM3 68-69, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

TAPS: No reported deaths during the last two months.

Crewmember Requests / Submissions

Following email received from militaryhandbooks.com:

ARLINGTON, VA - June 16, 2008 - Military Handbooks has announced the release of its latest 2008 FREE handbooks for military personnel. The response to these handbooks has been great. These handbooks, written specifically for military service members, include a variety of information about pay, benefits, education and transitioning from the military. To receive your own copies of these handbooks, simply go to our Web site - www.militaryhandbooks.com. Don't forget to tell all of your military colleagues about these free handbooks too!

2008 Military Handbooks - Now Available:

2008 BASE INSTALLATION DIRECTORY (NEW!)
2008 U.S. MILITARY RETIRED HANDBOOK
2008 GETTING UNCLE SAM TO PAY FOR YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE
2008 BENEFITS FOR VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS HANDBOOK
2008 MILITARY CHILDREN'S SCHOLARSHIP HANDBOOK
2008 U.S. MILITARY HANDBOOK
2008 BASE INSTALLATION DIRECTORY (NEW!)

The Base Installation Directory, our newest handbook, provides contact information for every military installation in the United States. From information about military housing to the commissary to the base dental clinic, you'll find the contact numbers and addresses you need in one easy to access guide.

SAN ANTONIO REUNION UPDATE:

As of today, 18 June, we have about 3 1/2 months to go before our reunion. So far, things are normal with very slow registrations. We currently have received only 8 registrations, add to that Jim Arnold and me (co hosts) and we have a total of 10 crewmembers signed up. Each reunion has been a real hassle with the attendees preferring to wait until the last moment, no matter how often I remind them of the problems they cause me by doing so. That being said, I'd appreciate, if you are going to attend the reunion, that you get your registrations in asap. Also get your Hotel Reservations made, too. You can always cancel if you can't make it. And I can give refunds right up until the time of the reunion where I have to pay for you whether you show up or not.

The USS Cony reunion was a very successful, well enjoyed reunion. Like all reunions, there were some glitches, but all in all, Arlington crewmembers can look forward to a great time.

I have only one negative item to report, concerning the buffet breakfast. Since San Antonio was so far from my home, I had a co-host check out the Hotel for me. He gave me a glowing report about the Holiday Inn Market Square, and told me that the buffet breakfast was included in the rate. When I got to the Hotel and went in to check on how the Cony shipmates would go about getting their breakfast, I was informed that my co-host had given me erroneous information. As embarrassing as it was, I had to personally tell each crewmember, as they arrived, that there was no complimentary breakfast. I had assumed that we would be getting the buffet breakfast, too, but that is not the case. At least I am able to give you advance notice instead of having to go through the "sorry bout that" routine when Arlington crewmembers arrive. Since it was neither my fault, nor the hotel's fault, the hotel will provide us with $2.00 per person discount certificates for the Buffet Breakfast.

Hotel: The Holiday Inn Market Square ranks among the top of all the hotels that I have dealt with in both Arlington and Cony reunions. It's a really clean, well managed hotel, with good food in the restaurant. The Hospitality Room we will have is a two room suite with a wet bar. The bed has been removed from the bedroom of the suite and tables and chairs provided. We had about 80 people with the Cony reunion but there always seemed to be plenty of room. Hotel Staff kept the bar supplied with ice, napkins and just about anything we needed. We never had to ask more than once. The rooms are clean and well maintained. The food that was served at our Farewell Banquet was superb, and best of all, we were treated like Veterans.

The hotel is about 2 blocks from the Mexican Market where there is really good shopping and several great restaurants. There are also a couple of other nice restaurants (that only serve breakfast and lunch) close to the hotel. The prices are reasonable and the food is great.

The Holiday Inn is located on Durango, just east of I-10 & I-35N, Exit #155B. If you are driving in to San Antonio on I-10, stay on I-10 until it merges with I-35N. Exit #155B is a short distance from that point. Head east on Durango and the hotel is on the right, a block from the freeway. Coming from the North on 10/35, the exit is a little tricky, so be careful or you will end up back on the freeway. Durango also crosses I-37. If you are coming in on I-37, take the Durango exit and head west. I'm not sure of how far it is to the hotel from there, but you will find the hotel on the left hand side just before you reach I-10/I35N.

Tours: What can I say about the Alamo? I remember, as a kid, my brother and I going out in the country to a huge pile of rocks in the corner of a farmer's field to play Davy Crockett & Jim Bowie, or Gene Autry or Roy Rogers (we didn't have video games). The pile of rocks was under a big oak tree and served both as our Army Base when we played War and fought the Japs and Germans, and as our "Alamo" where we fought Santa Ana's army (usually altering history by winning). This historical landmark is one of the most awe inspiring sights I have ever seen. We will also see Mission San Jose and the San Fernando Cathedral, where there is a altar made of gold. We'll top Tuesday off with a stop at the Mexican Market where you can lunch on your own. The next day we're scheduled to have a tour of downtown San Antonio, stop at La Villita before going to the River walk, where we can enjoy a boat ride down the San Antonio River. Lunch is on your own at one of the many "eateries" located on the River Walk. You'll find the River Walk very beautifully landscaped with many tropical plants, outside cafe tables, stone bridges, etc.

Due to the cost of gasoline, and space limitations in our vehicles, we will not be bringing a large amount of Ship's Store items. Just a few hats and or cups, and left over souvenirs from this reunion. So bear in mind that Jim Arnold is now the Ship's Store operator and you can get what you want through the mail. All prices include postage.

Car Pooling. If the high cost of gas is a major factor on whether you will attend the reunion or not, why don't you think of car pooling? Lots of guys live in or around the same cities, or on the same route. Go to www.ussarlington.com and check the roster, scanning down through it and look for cities close to you. Contact me and I will send you the contact information for any names that you may want to contact and consider car pooling with. Jim Arnold and I are going to meet around Mobile, AL and drive together from there.

You may have noticed that this email was sent from rm1cox@tampabay.rr.com. That's the email address I have assigned to my old computer, since I now have two on line, and all of my Arlington files are on it. However, I would prefer that you use my primary email kcox@tampabay.rr.com to contact me.

Health Issues Update: The Blue Water Sailors and the Haas Case.

The Haas case was lost but it is being appealed by Haas. This decision affected all Blue Water Sailors. Some interesting events have taken place though. The most significant is that the USS Arlington was removed from the NAVY VETERANS BLUE WATER Web Site. So was the Annapolis.

We are still trying to get the Arlington's designation changed to "Brown Water". The DVA used a wide brush calling all ships Blue Water. The issue is money. So it is not over yet. The Arlington fits the criteria of ""Brown Water.

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To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at

952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Note: Did you just get a computer and go on-line? Did you change your email address? If you received this by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via email. So if you have a new or corrected email address, please email me know so that I can change my records.

God Bless America!

The Arly Times Jan/Feb/March 2008 Edition

Due to my recent open heart surgery, this edition of the Arly Times covers a four month period. I would like to thank Jerry Jorgensen and Chuck Geiter for keeping you all informed of my progress. And I would like to thank all of you, my shipmates, for your prayers, cards and kind thoughts. My recovery from my triple bypass has been smooth, trouble free and surprisingly swift.

Welcome Aboard to:

Blanton, Mack, SF3 65-67, Wilmington, NC

Bramman, Hank, RM3 67-68, Manchester, IA

Brickley, Ralph Jr., GM2 65-68, Clinton, MD

Crockett, James V. (Jim) DKSN 69-71, Bedford, TX

Horton, Freddie, CYN3 66-67, Memphis, TN

Miller, James, SM3 67-69, Coeur d'Alene, ID

Shain, James D., MM1 65-67, Louisville, KY

Tynan, Melvin W., ET1 65-67, Livingston, TX

Wilkerson, Bob, YN2 68-69, Wilmington, NC

TAPS: No reports of any Shipmate deaths during this period.

Crew's Views:

Al Perkins (alsan19420@hotmail.com) is wondering if there are any other "Hams" out there that would like to have some "QSO's". If you receive this in the regular US Mail and don't have a computer, me and I'll send your info to AL.

John Davis and his son are still trying to complete their collection of License Plates. So if you have an old plate from your state laying around, John would like to have it. If you will mail it to him, he will reimburse you the cost of mailing. Email John first to see if your state is one that he still needs. Send to: John Davis, 207 Vaspar Court, Waterford, NY 12188 Jdavis2409@yahoo.com

Crew Websites: Remember, if you have a website, either personal or business that you would like to share with your shipmates, email me with the web address and a brief description of the website and we will feature it in the Arly Times.

USS Saipan: In September, the USS Saipan crew is having a reunion at the same hotel in Charleston we stayed at for our 2003 Reunion. We gave Saipan some of the finished deck planking pieces. The Saipanorama Newsletter acknowledged our gift. I have mentioned to Doc Stine and Tom Pendergast (Saipan Assn Pres. and V.P.) that we were wondering about the possibility of a joint Saipan/Arlington reunion. I will be going up to Charleston during the Saipan reunion to meet Doc Stine and Tom Pendergast (Saipan Assn Veep) and other crewmembers in person. Hopefully I will be able to attend their Association Meeting and discuss a joint reunion with the Saipan crew.

Reunion Update:

The reunion is all set up and I'm attaching the Registration and Information form. I'd like to start receiving registrations beginning in May.

For you shipmates living in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. Here's a reunion close enough for you to drive to, and it'll be a while before we are in this area again. We are investigating the cities of Baton Rouge, LA, Springfield, IL, Pigeon Forge, TN and Las Vegas for the 2009 and 2010 reunions. Vegas has been suggested as a permanent Western states reunion and I am searching for a Hotel that will give us special rates if we give them a reunion once every 3 years. In addition, all activities are "on your own", with the exception of the Hospitality Room and our scheduled buffet dinners and Farewell Banquet, so the cost of a reunion in Vegas is minimal.

Again, for San Antonio, the dates are Mon, Oct 6th thru Fri, Oct 10th, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Downtown Market Square, 318 West Durango Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78204 The hotel's website is www.hi-downtown.com Our Reunion Rate is $109.00 per night (Plus tax) which includes a hot buffet breakfast every morning. (The free breakfast helps keep expenses down.) The hotel has free guest parking.

Our tours will include a Spanish Missions Tour ($25.00 pp) and the River Walk ($30.00 pp). Neither tour includes a meal, but the River Walk tour includes a River Walk Boat Ride. Both tours will include areas for shopping with many restaurants. There are several restaurants close to our hotel, and one of them touted to be the best Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio. We will be taken on both tours in A/C touring buses but the River Walk is only 8 blocks from the Hotel and a trolley stop is right across the street from the hotel. The Hotel does not have a complimentary Airport shuttle, but there are several reasonable shuttle services available. Info will be in the registration form.

Our Farewell Banquet will be on Thursday night and we will have Karaoke/Dance after the banquet. In order to encourage Karaoke singers, we will have an "Arlington Idol" contest for the Karaoke singers, where the person judged by popular vote as the best singer will receive a $100.00 cash prize. If this is successful, it will become a regular Reunion tradition.

Changes in duties:

Due to my recent health problems, we are distributing some of the duties. XO Jerry Jorgensen now has the check book and will handle the finances, Admin Officer Chuck Geiter will be keeping the Crewmember Roster up to date and welcoming newly found Shipmates, Communications Officer/Webmaster Jim Arnold will take over the Ship's Store. I will continue to receive dues payments and send out Membership Cards, dues reminders and keep the Association Roster. Jim Arnold and I will continue to plan and host the reunions. Once all the details have been worked out, Jim will change the names and addresses on the website, to reflect these changes.

Health Issues Update:

In these past few months between Arly Times we have had our shipmates returning new and updated Health Surveys and nearly all reporting an increase in their Medical Affliction (s) associated to Agent Orange and Asbestos. Members who had nothing to report three years ago are now reporting changes to their Health.

It is important to update your Health Survey if you have been diagnosed with a new Medical Affliction or a change in your current condition example: Diabetes - Pills to Shots. Or a a decrease from Shots to Pills due to exercise or something else.

Everyone should file a claim who has one of the Medical Afflictions associated to Agent Orange through your Service Representative. Do not try and do this on your own!

In order to get our CD please send $5.00 to Jerry Jorgenson to cover the cost for the Postage and the CD. This CD has the research done so far on this project. All extra money will goes back to the Association. Thanks.

I was in Washington DC over Easter Break and found new files regarding the USS Arlington. These were files that were classified and have now been declassified to "UNCLASS". Jim Arnold will be ultimately putting these on our WEBPAGE.

Mike Ferderer, Health Issues Coordinator

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To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at

952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net

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Note: Did you just get a computer and go on-line? Did you change your email address?

If you received this by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via

email. So if you have a new or corrected email address, please email me know so that

I can change my records to avoid time consuming rejections.

God Bless America!

The Arly Times November/December 2007 Edition

Welcome Aboard to:

Martin Ayars, MM1, 65-68, Athens, TX

Bernie Daily, BT3 68-69, Brockport, NY

Arnold Fairchild, SFM3 68-69, Bremerton, WA

Olin (Lee) Fritts, RM2 69-70, Purley, TX

Charles W. Kiefer, MM3 67-68, The Woodlands, TX

Roy Kleist, RM3 65-67, Stanley, WI

Ed Morrison, RM2 69-70, Marshalltown, IA

John Paddock, BM2 65-68, Clarksville,TN

William (Doug) Peterson, RMSN 1969, Kissimmee, FL

Reynaldo (Rey) Weaver, RM2 65-68, Alta Loma, CA

To contact any of these shipmates, contact Ken Cox kcox@tampabay.rr.com

TAPS: No reports of Shipmate deaths were received since the last Arly Times Issue.

Request for Information: The following shipmates are requesting information:

Lee Fritts, was wondering if anyone would have any amplifying information on RM1 A. W. (Jack Lands) that might help us locate him. His real first name, what his home town might have been. Perhaps someone is even in contact with him, but he is not on the crew members roster. You can email Lee Fritts at lee_fritts@yahoo.com

Shipmate Barry Silva writes: "I'm writing to see where I can get some info about a shipmate who was killed around 65-67 while he was on Liberty in a foreign port. I believe he was from Texas. Can you tell me where I might find the pertinent info?? I would be greatly appreciative of any and all info you could help me find." If anyone recalls this incident, would you contact Barry at kipbarsilva0627@att.net

It pays to advertise ! In the last issue of the Arly Times, Dave Bauer placed a note that he had been looking for Rey Weaver for quite some time and asked for help. Mike & Linda Bean came to the rescue and found Rey in California.

Crewmembers websites. Once again I would like to publish websites of our Shipmates. It doesn't matter if it is a personal website, or a hobby website, or a commercial website as long as it is a "Crewmembers" website. Let the crew know what you and the family look like now, what you do for a living or for a hobby. Perhaps this will stir some more interest in contact between crew members and result in larger reunions. Give it a shot guys.

The Roster has a new look. In order to better protect the privacy of our shipmates, we have revised the Website copy of the roster by removing email and street addresses. All crew members are now listed simply by Name, Rate, Years, City and State. The only persons whose email mailing addresses appear are the Association Skipper and Communications Officer/Web Master. In the future, if anyone wants to contact a person on our roster, they will have to write Ken Cox or Jim Arnold and we will forward their request to the person they are trying to contact. This change comes about from a complaint by a Surviving Spouse that she had "Googled" her name and her entry on the Arlington Roster came up, divulging her name and address to the whole world. Hopefully, Google will soon pick up on the roster change. Check the new look roster: http://www.ussarlington.com/a-rosteold.htm

The only time the Association will divulge email addresses is when a crewmember submits a request for information about happenings on the ship, such as the below note from Barry Silva.

Elections at the San Antonio Reunion: Elections or Volunteer Service will be called for at the San Antonio Reunion. The Arlington Association was launched in 2002, and I have served as Skipper from the onset. We have a Constitution and by-laws that designate responsibilities to various Association Officer, but I have been handling most of the duties. I have been very blessed to serve my shipmates in this manner, but I have to slow down. To make a long story short, my Doctor discovered that I have an erratic heart beat (Atrial Fibrulation) and an ensuing appointment with a Cardiologist suggests that I may have some blockage. Further stress tests will determine if I need bypass surgery. I've cut my hours at my part time Wal-Mart job, but I am going to be looking for someone to take over the Finances and the Ship's Store. Jim Arnold has indicated he would take the Ship's Store duties. I would like to pass the financial end on to someone. Our current Disbursing Officer, Scott McCobb, volunteered for this position back in Las Vegas, on an "emergency" basis, since he is a CPA. He was able to assist me by keeping records for a year or so, but then his personal business grew to the point that he was unable to continue. He has remained in the position simply as a figure head ever since. Our Constitution allows for the Skipper to appoint Assn Officers to fill duties, so it would be no problem to appoint someone to handle the money and bank account, if a volunteer would come forth. This is not an immediate issue, if no volunteers come forth at this time, we can figure something out at San Antonio. I would be willing to continue to be the Skipper, handle the roster and Arly Times and Jim Arnold and I will be willing to continue to be permanent Reunion Hosts.

Reunion Update: One person asked why the reunion this year runs from Monday - Friday instead of the usual Wednesday - Sunday. These are the dates the hotel offered me in our negotiations. Since I am hosting a reunion for the USS Cony in May of 2008 with a 70 Room expectation, I was given the rate of $109 with a buffet breakfast every morning. Our smaller reunion will only block 30-35 rooms and our rate would probably have been a little higher, but the Hotel said if I could take the dates offered, I could get the same rates for the Arlington. Downtown Hotels are atrociously priced, even for Military Reunion Rates, and few of them have free parking for the guests. So I accepted the Monday-Friday dates. I hope this does not cause too many problems.

We are going to try having a Karaoke / Dance again this year. We will be getting a much better Karaoke machine, and we now have over 500 song titles from the 40's on through the 70's, including classic country, oldies rock, crooner music and even some show tunes. Lots of groups and duets. If we get enough singers, we'll have an "Arlington Idol" contest with the winner getting a $100 prize. (Duo's and groups will have to split the money). Jim Arnold and I will be hosting the reunion and we will be looking for a good DJ to spin the discs for the dance and the Karaoke singing. If you are planning on attending the reunion and want to participate, email me and I will send you an excel version of the list of songs I have so that you can pick out a few and practice up. Or, if you are already a Karaoke singer and have a CD with your favorite songs, and we don't have any of them, bring the CD along. The CD player will be set up in the Hospitality Room during the entire reunion for people to use to practice their songs prior to the event.

The San Antonio Reunion Registration Form will not be disseminated until about April or May. But you all have plenty of notice. Here it is again, please try to start making your plans now:

Dates: Mon, Oct 6th thru Fri, Oct 10th, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Downtown Market Square, 318 West Durango Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78204 The hotel's website is www.hi-downtown.com Our Reunion Rate is $109.00 per night (Plus tax) --BUT-- this rate includes a hot buffet breakfast every morning, two per room, which will help lessen a persons daily cost. The Market Square Holiday Inn has free parking, lots of other amenities and there is a Trolley Stop located in front of the hotel. The Trolley goes to the River walk and other San Antonio areas. Most Hotels around the River Walk and other downtown areas do not have free parking for guests. Instead, they provide valet parking at fees of $15 per day and higher. The free daily breakfast softens the $109 rate somewhat.

2009 Reunion; Our 2009 Reunion, while not set in cement yet, will most likely be in Baton Rouge, LA. A trip to the USS Kidd Museum and an evening at Bay view on the Bayou (out in the bayous) will be planned. The Bay view tour includes bayou boat rides, tremendous Cajun Buffet Dinner, Cajun Band and Cajun Dancers. For super photos of the Kidd Museum and Bay view on the Bayou, go to www.usscony.com and search for the 2003 reunion photos.

Health Issues Update:

The Arlington Crew Members are still reporting 87% having medical afflictions that are associated with Agent Orange. Chuck and I will send out a letter in the next few days for all members to copy and to send to your representatives and the DVA for feedback to the DVA's current push to change the M21 Manual legally this time.

Those affected should read "The Nexus Letter: A Powerful Tool To Establish a Claim". This is on VAWatchdog.org written by Jim Strickland. Shipmate Jim Mathews sent this to me - Thanks Jim.

To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at 952-935-8162 or email mpferderer@comcast.net

The Arly Times August / September / October 2007 Edition

Welcome Aboard to: SHB3 Mike Ballare, ETN2 Fred Hubbard, SK3 Dennis Jandt,

SN Jack Meyers, EM3 Mike O'Hara (showed us our movies at night).

YN1 Irving Levine (levineirving@aol.com) sent me the following email. "If my memory serves me right (mas y menos), there was a blinding snow storm at least part of the time we were "in" Hanoi. I would be interested to hear if my memory is correct."

CYNSN Dave Bauer (djbmab@ncentral.com) asks if anyone has info about the current location of RM3 Reynaldo E. Weaver from Brownsville Texas. Dave has been looking for several years.

The Sixth Annual Arlington Reunion was held at the Holiday Inn Express at Mpls/St Paul Intl Airport. with Mike Ferderer and Jim Cocking as co-Hosts. Attendance was small, only 21 crew members, with a total of 35 persons. Additionally, CWO4 Hilmer Erickson (a former USS Saipan Crewmember) and his wife Glorida were Mike and Pam Ferderer's guests. The main reason given for the lack of attendance was that the Registration form was sent out too late. This is true, the form should have been provided much sooner, but it is also true that the Reunion dates, hotel and cost of hotel rooms was disseminated several times, beginning in Oct 2006, plenty of time for planning and saving.

Due to the low attendance of the reunion and contractual obligations necessary to reserve events and meals, the reunion lost several hundred dollars. This loss could have been lower had registrations been sent in early enough for Mike Ferderer to be able to give a solid estimate of participants in events and meals. As it turned out, in order to make sure there was enough space for everyone, estimated minimums were given that were not reached, yet still had to be paid for.

Comment from Mike Ferderer: "I received many favorable comments about our reunion. The only negative comment was the attendance! What we do about that is each of our problem! I also want to again thank all those who helped Jim and me to make the 2007 Arlington's 6th Year Reunion a success. I feel we have a great association and personally I enjoy seeing each of you each year. I am sorry if I did not get to visit with each of you or if I sounded a little rushed."

Reunion Recap: The Shipmates toured the Air Guard Museum on Thursday and lunched at the Air Base Cafeteria, where the menu was a German Buffet. On Friday Morning, we gathered at the Fort Snelling National Cemetary for our Memorial Ceremony, that was hi-lighted by a 21 gun Salute from the American Legion Color Guard, followed by a bugling of TAPS. Some of the crew returned to the Hotel, while others went on tours of Minneapolis, the James J. Hill Museum and the Model Rail Road Museum. Several Reunion Attendees visited the Mall of America on a daily basis. Friday evening saw us dining in the Hospitality Room with a picnic style buffet. Saturday was a free day with the evening capped off with our Farewell Banquet, after which we had a stand up comic. We then retired to the Hospitality Room where our Karaoke Machine was set up. Skipper Ken Cox was the only one brave (or silly) enough to attempt launching a singing career. Needless to say, he'll not appear on American Idol any time soon.

Association Meeting: Several items were voted on and passed. Skipper Ken introduced some minor amendments to the Constitution, concerning Duties of the Skipper, Membership, Honorary Membership and Annual Dues due dates. These amendments were designed to clarify Regular and Honorary Membership, and spread due dates out throughout the year instead of 1 Jan of every year, thereby making notification of due dates easier. All suggested amendments revceived a favorable vote and the Constitution and ByLaws will be changed accordingly. Any paid up Member of the Association who desires a copy of the Constitution can contact Skipper Ken, who will send a copy either by email or US Mail, as soon as these changes are inserted.

Association Officer Elections: Once again Association Members voted against holding an Annual Election, voting to retain all current Officers. Jim Arnold and Ken Cox were again affirmed as permanent Reunion Co-Hosts. However, at each reunion, an opportunity to host a future reunion will be offered to anyone who would want to volunteer.

Future Reunion Sites: San Antonio, TX, Baton Rouge, LA and Pigeon Forge, TN were all offered as sites for the 2008 Reunion, with San Antonio being chosen for 2008 and Baton Rouge a possiblity for our 2009 Reunion.

2008 Reunion. Remember the Alamo! The first event will be a tour of San Antonio's Spanish Missions, including the Alamo. Then a boat trip on the Riverwalk will be scheduled as the second event. A buffet dinner at the hotel will not be scheduled if a meal is included in the the Riverwalk Tour. So the only known scheduled meal at the hotel should be the Farewell Banquet followed by a DJ/Dance/Karaoke. More about the reunion in each Arly Times until the Registrations are sent.

To learn more about San Antonio, check out http://www.sanantoniovisit.com/ , and click on "Attractions" to view all of San Antonio's things to do. The Riverwalk's website is: http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/

SO HERE IT IS......THE REUNION INFORMATION FOR 2008. We are giving a you all almost a full year's notice, so write the info down. If you still work, please get your vacation scheduled.

If you think you can attend, start saving your money. When the registrations are sent out, be sure to register early. The Registration Forms will be sent out around May of 2008.

For those of you who are unaware, Historic San Antonio is an expensive tourism city. Hotel rates are very high, even for special military reunion rates. So every effort will be made to keep the reunion as inexpensive as possible and still provide a quality reunion. A small reunion like ours would be hard pressed to get decent hotel rates, but since Skipper Ken, is hosting a much bigger reunion in San Antonio in May 2008 for the USS Cony (approx 70 rooms) the Holiday Inn is extending the same rates to the Arlington's smaller reunion of approx 30 rooms).

The Arlington 2008 7th Annual Reunion Information: Dates: Mon, Oct 6th thru Fri, Oct 10th, 2008.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Downton Market Square, 318 West Durango Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78204 www.hi-downtown.com Our Reunion Rate is $109.00 per night (Plus tax) --BUT-- this rate includes a hot buffet breakfast every morning, two per room. The Market Square Holiday Inn has free parking, lots of other amenities and there is a Trolley Stop located in front of the hotel. The Trolley goes to the Riverwalk and other San Antonio areas. Most Hotels around the River Walk and other downtown areas do not have free parking for guests. Instead, they provide valet parking at fees of $15 per day and higher.

Shipmates, I cannot put enough emphasis on the importance of returning Reunion Registrations forms in a timely manner. A person who says that they will attend but will pay when they arrive puts an unnecessary burden on the Reunion Hosts. However, we realize that special circumstances may arise where a person discovers, at the last moment, that they can attend. So they show up at the reunion, wanting to register. If this happens to you, please be aware that absolutely NO late arrivals will be turned away.

Health Issues Report: from Mike Ferderer.

We continue to get new members who have medical afflictions that are associated to Agent Orange and Asbestoses. We are going over the 87% number of those sending in their Health Surveys reporting medical afflictions. I have not figured out the % but the new members are mostly all reporting Health issues. If your Health Condition has changed please let me know. If you have not sent a Health Survey in please do.

Regarding our Claim to exposure to Agent Orange and Asbestos: On October 2^nd, the Veterans Administration Hearing Officer acknowledged, the USS Arlington was a Major Communications Relay and an Intelligence Gathering Ship. Further that the Arlington did sail very close to land to complete its mission. This is on the transcript and in front of witnesses. In addition, we had two Arlington Shipmates come forward as witnesses at the hearing. Allen Layman, explained how the evaporators had an 8-1 concentration factor or our water going through the evaporators. Gary Van Horn explained that he had a medical affliction and was granted a 60% disability for Agent Orange.

Please continue to keep me updated with your claims process. The Hearing Officer said: “once a person is granted disability, it can not be taken away”.

Cross of Gallantry. This award is a Unit Award, and we have been awarded the ribbon. costs are:

Ribbon $ .70 Cost of Medal: $11.67

Ribbon Frame .70 Cost of Palm 2.00

Palm (2 per package): 2.00 Total Cost $13.67

Total Cost of Ribbon $3.40

I have an agreement with the Navy Exchange to order these. Let me know by Nov 5th as I am going out to the Navy Exchange - Bremerton on Nov 17th for a week. I will pick these up for you cost plus shipping. I don't know how much shipping will be - I will use DHL or USPS (snail mail) - whichever is cheaper. /s/ Mike Ferderer

To inquire about info concerning the Cross of Gallantry or Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at 952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net

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Note: Did you just get a computer and go on-line? Did you change your email address?

If you received this by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via

email. So if you have a new or corrected email address, please email me know so that

I can change my records to avoid time consuming rejections.

God Bless America!
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Roster Additions and Changes:
(n) = new (c) = correction

(n) Ballare Michael SHB3 68-69 blast48@aol.com 15102 Chaseridge Dr,

Missouri City, Texas 77489

(n) Hubbard, Fredrick, ETN2, 67-69, fhubb40325@aol.com 120 SE Everett Mall Way,

Everett, WA 98208

(n) Jandt, Dennis, SK3 67-69, cjandt@charter.net 215 Country Club Court,

La Crosse, WI 54601

(n) Meyers Jack, SN 66-68 outdoors@iwon.com 1032 Heberle Drive,

Burleson, TX 76028

Thermopolis, Wyoming 82443

(n) O'Hara, Mike, EM3 68-69, mjohara@sbcglobal.net 2410B Oakland Cir, Morris, IL 60450

Claremont, CA 91711

Eatonville, Wa 98328

Remove from Survivors/Family Members List

TAPS: (Added to Deceased List)

M.R. "Mike" Bartis, RM3 1969, passed away in 2001 (word received from Mike Meccia)

Roland Gutierrez, RMC 67-68, Passed away 17 Sep 2007 after a long illness

Virgil "Ray" Ray, RM2 66-68, was killed with his wife, Sally, in an auto accident 3 Sep 2000

The Arly Times June/July 2007 Edition

Welcome Aboard to SN Steve Black, RM2 Henry (Phil) Hanes, WO1 Bill Lynch,

LTJG Steve Schilke, SH3 Gary Tuccitto and EM3 Paul Zadonia. Their info is in the

last section of this Arly Times. (Note: RM2 Phil Hanes's name was put on the "Lost

Shipmates" list before we started including the names of those who were searching

for lost crewmembers. So, whoever was looking for Phil Hanes, He's on the roster now.)

I receive an email today concerning recent passage of legislation allowing Veterans and

Active Duty Servicemen to salute the flag when not in uniform. This is factual, I checked

it out on Sen. Inhofe's Website. Herewith is the text of that email:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)

today praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877)

clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to

salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that

veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over

their heart, without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.

"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's
military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members
continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.
Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans
and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My
legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen

alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not. I look forward

to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games,

parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor

and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served

in the military and remain as role models to others citizens. Those who are

currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and

their recognition will be an inspiration to others."

Reunion Update. All Reunion preparations have been finalized. Please send your

Registration Forms to Ken Cox. We need attendance numbers. We have to let the

appropriate people know how many will attend meals, how many souvenirs to buy, how

many people will be on the bus, etc. This is literally impossible unless you help us out

and send your registrations in NOW. Time's a-wastin'.

If you need another registration form, email Ken at kcox@tampabay.rr.com or by

phone at 863-307-3187 and he will send you another copy.

The recent Bridge Disaster will not effect anything. Traffic is moving well in that area --

it is around 15 miles from where we are having our events. We will if you want take a

tour of the area on the day we go to the James J Hill Museum and RR Museum.

Hotel Reservations. You must get your Hotel reservations made as soon as possible.

Our 40 Room Block expires on September 12th, so you must get your hotel reservations

made by then in order to get the Arlington Reunion Rate. For Reservations you either

call the Hotel Direct at 952-854-9000 or Central Reservations at 800-465-4329. Be sure

to tell them you are with the USS Arlington Reunion.

Here are the finalized Reunion Events:

Thursday. The Tour of Air Guard Museum & Base includes lunch at the EM Club and

The Treasure Island Casino event includes an evening meal.

Friday. The Memorial Service will be held at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, with

Fort Snelling Color Guard. The Tour of James. J. Hill Museum and RR Museum includes

lunch.

The Bowling Alley Bowling/Buffet is CANCELLED due to lack of interest. If you have

signed up for this event, you can either attend the Holiday Inn Buffet or receive a refund

at the reunion. The Holiday Inn will prepare a picnic style buffet for us to enjoy right in

our Hospitality Room. The cost is as stated on the Registration Form.

Saturday.

Farewell Banquet will be as stated and with Prize awards and Karaoke/Dance afterwards,

featuring our own DJ and equipment.

Ships Store. This is just a reminder to go to www.ussarlington.com and check out the

items in the Ship's Store. We now have the 5" Arlington Crest Patch and well as the

deck planking pieces that can be ordered.

Health Survey

Our members still are reporting 87% of those who have turned in their Health Surveys

medical afflictions associated to Agent Orange. I recommend and urge anyone who

has one of the 13 diseases associated to Agent Orange or Asbestos to file a claim.

Plotting Project

Nothing was done in July as I was out of town. A detailed report will be given in Sept.

Some facts/details if you missed earlier reports. Arlington was 60 miles from Haiphong

Harbor and the same from the shoreline or river entrance to Hanoi.

Our Op-Area 2-50 miles off the coast - the closest point so far is 2 miles. We will be doing

more in August and Sept depending on my ability to get to the Reserve Center and the

availablity of the QM's.

Cross of Gallantry

The Arlington was awarded the Medal every time she went on Patrol. You get a Medal w/palm.

The Ribbon has a Gold Frame w/Palm. The Medal and Ribbon are presented for acts of Valor,

or herioc conduct during conflict with an armed enemy. This was a unit award for the Arlington.

I have talked with the Navy Exchange and we can get the Medal for $11.87 palm is about $2.00

The Ribbon is 80 cents and the frame and palm come to around $2 - $3.00

You can ask for a re-issue of your medals and this should be included for free. Some members

want another set and those are available at the prices listed above.

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To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at

952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Note: Did you just get a computer and go on-line? Did you change your email address?

If you received this by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via

email. So if you have a new or corrected email address, please email me know so that

I can change my records to avoid time consuming rejections.

God Bless America!
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Roster Additions and Changes:
(n) = new (c) = correction

fra1949@sbcglobal.net 646 Pinedale Ave., Sacramento, CA 95838

(n) Black, Steve, SN 1967, deniselblack@juno.com 16608 Janan Dr., Tyler, TX 75707

add mailing address: PO Box 2720, Riverview, FL 33568

(n) =Hanes, Henry (Phil), RM2 66-68 PHanes@spirax.com

6021 Majors Lane # 1, Columbia, MD 21045

(n) Lynch, William A. (Al), WO1 (DCA) 67-69, allynch_15@msn.com P.O. Box 201,

Clarendon, AR 72029

(n) Schilke, Steven R., LTJG 68-69 steveschilke@yahoo.com E2628 Newton Rd.,

Genoa, WI 54632

16 Kazan St., Irvine, CA 92604

(n) Tuccitto, Gary P. SH3, 66-68, Wheelflux@earthlink.net 528 Jackson Street,

Grovetown GA. 30813

(n) Zadonia, Paul D., EM3 69-70, pzadonia@charter.net 5636 S. Huron St.,

Pinconning, MI 48650

The Arly Times

April / May 2007 Edition Fifth Annual Reunion Issue

Welcome Aboard to: FM3 William Elaban, SN Larry Ellison, SA Ervin Emery, ET1 Rich Harris and MMFN Budd Tieman. (Note: Larry Ellison's name was listed on the "Lost Shipmates" so whoever wanted to get in touch with Larry, he is finally on the Crew Member Roster.)

Note: If you received this Arly Times via US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via email. Normally the Arly Times is only mailed to dues paying Association Members without email addresses. The only Issue of the Arly times that Non-dues paying Crew Members (without an email address) receive is the Reunion Issue. If you want to receive every Issue of the Arly Times, you need to either provide us with an email address or joint the Association. So, If you have recently got a computer and now have an email address, or if you have recently changed your email address and have not notified me, please send it to me asap. I can make the addition or correction and you will receive every Issue of the Arly Times via email. If you still don't have an email address, and want to receive every Issue of the Arly Times via US Mail, contact me for a Membership Form. The yearly dues are only $10.00 per year. Either call me at 863-307-3187 or write me at

Ken Cox, 104 Winterdale Dr., Lake Alfred, FL 33850

Membership Dues: Please check your Membership Card for the dues expiration month and year that is on your card. If your dues have expired or are now due, please remit them as soon as you can. If you are not sure about your dues status, contact me and I'll let you know. I will have some extra time within the next month and will go through the list of dues paying Members and will send out reminders. You can catch this ahead of time, send the dues in, and save me some work.

USS Arlington Ship's Crest Patch. The five inch version of the Ship's Crest patch is now available in the Ship's Store. It will sell for $7.00 including postage. This is the same size patch that we had back on the ship, to sew on our jackets. The Road Runner and TGYC patches are still the 3" version for $4.00 each. The Ship's Store will again "eat" the Postal Increase and will not increase the cost of other items. This is the second Postal Increase that has been absorbed, but next time around, the prices will have to be raised on hats, cups, etc.

2007 5th Annual Reunion Summary.

Mike Ferderer and Jim Cocking have completed all the final preparations for the 2007 Reunion in Minneapolis, MN.

Dates: Wed Oct 3rd thru Sun Oct 7th, 2007

Hotel: Minneapolis Airport Holiday Inn Select

Wednesday is check in day

Thursday has a Tour of the 933 Air Guard Museum w/Lunch at the EM Club and a trip to Treasure Island Casino for evening gaming and possible show.

Friday has several options. The Memorial Service at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, then either a free day for Lingering in the Hospitality Room, shopping at Mall of America, Tour of James J. Hill (Home) Museum, Model Rail Road Museum and a bus tour of the Minneapolis/St Paul Skyline including lunch. The Association Meeting will be held and then Friday evening there is an optional Bowling Tournament with Buffet or a Buffet at the Holiday Inn, depending on interest in bowling.

Saturday is free until 4:pm when Jim Cocking will act as photographer and will take portrait photos for a Memory Book. The Farewell Banquet will be held in the evening, and after the banquet there will be a stand up Comic and then Karaoke and Dance. We have purchased our own Karaoke Machine and will be utilizing our own DJ talents in the furture in lieu of hiring local DJ's.

Sunday Morning, the Hospitality Room will be open from 8 - 11 am for Final Farewells.

Health Issues Update. 87% of Arlington Crew Members who turned in the Health Survey have reported medical afflictions associated with Agent Orange and Asbestos.

PTSD: Jack Vines has reported that the Seattle VA Regional Office recognizes the the North Atlantic Storm is a PTSD Stress-or. This still means if you have PTSD that you will still have to go through the VA process. Jack Vines said he will try and help (guide you through the paper work for any AGMR2 shipmate with this process. Jack has done a very good job putting this project together and deserves a Bravo Zulu for his dedicated work in the Arlington - PTSD (Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder) Project for VA Claims.

Plotting of the Deck Logs: We have plotted the Arlington's First and Second Patrols in Vietnam. We operated usually above the DMZ (17th Paralell).

Some other highlights:

-We entered for the first time the Hostile Fire Pay Zone on 23 August 1967 @ 22:48

-We came within 90-95 miles from Hanoi. Hanoi is about 30 miles inland from the coast.

Hypothetically from the shore if the Arlington wanted to get a closeup look of North Vietnam

in that Hanoi Op area we were approximately only a little over 1 hour away, considering the

Arlington had a gitty-up of 36.5 knots at full speed.

The closest point to Land was 2-4 miles off the Coast.

Note: The Arlington's Operations Area was in an area that en-compassed a large Sector of the

Tonkin Gulf. The Plotting Points are only representations of time periods written down by the

QM's and OOD on the Deck Logs. Due to the real nature or mission of the Arlington (that

being both a Communcations Relay and Intelligence Gathering Ship), we are not always going

to get an accurate representation of where the ship was. We can only see by the plotting

points that it was very near to the coast line and with the added capability of its speed, it

could be just about anywhere it was needed in the Gulf Of Tonkin within 8 hours time.

Using the Plotting points of 29 August 67 08:00 and 29 August 67 20:00. The Ship went from

2 miles off shore on the 16.5 Parr ell 107-35- to within 60-65 miles of Hai Phong Harbor

107-35- on the 19th Paralell. We will be plotting the Third Patrol in June.

Manifests: This is typed from the text of a letter to Jim Mathews from Barry L. Zerby of Modern

Military Records (NWCTM) Textual Archives Services Division.

Dear Mr. Mathews

This is in response to your recent fax concerning manifests of material loaded on

USS Arlington in 1967. Although many logs are maintained aboard U.S. Navy ships

while they are in operation, the only log that is permanent is the ship's log. From your

request you note that you have already received a copy of that log. Records such as

manifests of cargo and supplies carried aboard ship would not be considered a

permanent record and would be disposed after a limited time period.

Sincerely.

Barry L. Zerby

Modern Military Records (NWCTM)

Textual Archives Services Division

Bravo Zulu to Jim Mathews for tracking this information down.

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To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at

952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net

God Bless America!
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Roster Additions and Changes:
(n) = new (c) = correction

Correct all of Bill's information to read:

Ash, William H. (Bill), RM2 67-68, billash65@yahoo.com

1625 Wooded Acres, Apt. 113, Waco, TX 76710

(n) Elaban, William, FM3 68-70, wcelaban@aol.com PO Box 709, Kurtistown, HI 96760

(n) Ellison, Larry J., SN 69-70, mapaellison@msn.com, 25405 Wonderly Rd, Rainier, Or 97048

(n) =Emery, Ervin, SA 65-66, ervinemery@verizon.net PO Box 515, Clinton, ME 04927-0515
(c) Goldsberry, Robert change mailing address to: 12 James St., Brunswick, ME 04011

(n) Harris, Richard (Rich), ET1 1969 richard@harris.net 217 Elizabeth St., Norwich, CT 06360

(n) =Tieman, Budd R., MMFN 66-67, tieman295@hotmail.com 813 East Prairie St.,

Prairie Du Chien, WI 53821-3059

The Arly Times

January / February / March 2007 Edition

Welcome Aboard: SHSN Vince Masi, SHSN Jack Watson and "Zaldy" Santos, son of our late USS Arlington Shipmate, SH1 Nardo Santos,

Also Welcome to James I. Mayer, a Resident of Arlington, Virginia who has become interested in the USS Arlington, purchased several items from our Ship's Store for Memorabilia and requested to be placed on our Roster as a "Friend" of the Arlington.

Taps: SH1 Nardo Santos passed away on May 13, 2003 of a Heart Attack. Those who remember Nardo may want to email his son, Zaldy, as he is interested in learning about his Dad's shipboard life.

USS Arlington AGMR-2 Association Constitution and By-Laws. We recently had a rather disturbing situation occur that resulted in consulting the Constitution and By-Laws. When doing so, it was noticed that some areas concerning membership need to be revised, so I will prepare some revisions, submit them to the Arlington Officers for their perusal and when agreements are reached, the changes will be presented at the Minneapolis Reunion Association Meeting for Members Present to vote on.

Jim Arnold Volunteers to be our Communications Officer. The Constitution outlines the duties of the Communications Officers as that of Webmaster and advisor to the Skipper of Internet matters. Jim has been filling these duties for the past year on a voluntary basis and has done a tremendous job updating the Website, as well as volunteering to be future co-Host of Arlington Reunions. Through email correspondence, all officers agreed that Jim should be installed officially as the Communications Officer and will hold that office until we meet in Minneapolis, where the Temporary appointment will be voted on by all Members present. Jim has again updated www.ussarlington.com. He added more Apollo photos, made a separate page for all of the older Arly Times, and soon the Ship's Store page will also be updated. Jim will also replace the Message Board with a Guest Book. This will prevent Spam from overloading the site. The old message board will still be available as a read only page!
. Bravo Zulu to our new Communications Officer, Jim Arnold.

2007 Minneapolis Reunion. There will be a planning meeting for the Minneapolis 2007 reunion on April 14th 2007 at the Holiday INN at Appletree Square near the MPLS / St. Paul International Airport. At 10:00 AM. We will be touring hotel facilities and making the final preparations for the 2007 Minneapolis Reunion on Tuesday, Oct. 2nd through Sunday, Oct 7, 2007. A 2007 Reunion Registration Form will be sent out late April, 2007. However, those persons who plan to attend the Minneapolis Reunion can make their Reservations from this point forward.

The Hotel Information is: Holiday Inn Select Mpls/St. Paul, 3 Appletree Square (I-494 & 34th Ave. South), Bloomington, MN 55425

Rate Is $92.00 per night plus 13.5% tax. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel at 942-854--9000 or using the toll free number 1-800-465-4329. Rates are honored 3 days prior and 3 days after the reunion. Be sure you reference the USS Arlington AGMR-2 Reunion to get the special rate.

Members with expired Dues. We have about 35 Association Members with dues over 60 days in arrears. The status of members over 60 days in arrears is described in the Constitution as "Associate Members". They will continue to receive any mailings that the General Fund is sufficient to provide but they cannot vote on issues, nor can they hold any office. I do my best to send out notices every two or three months. I do not limit the notices to once per expired Member but usually send out three or more reminders. The expiration date is on your Membership Card and if you can't find it, you can email me to find out when your dues are payable. As you all know, our dues originally started out at $20, then were lowered to $15 and now to just $10 per year. I'll be sending out reminders again in April. 'Nuff Said.

Ships Store. It was reported at the Norfolk Reunion Assn meeting that the AGMR-2 ship crests patch were nearly all gone. A proposal was given to the men to decide if they wanted to remain with the 3" patches or if the next batch to be ordered would be the 5" patches like we were given aboard ship. The 5" patch won with a unanimous vote and so I recently submitted the order for the 5" version. Naturally, the cost will be somewhat higher. There's a 4-6 week delivery and I will let everyone know when the patches are available and the cost.

Norfolk Reunion Memory Books. The Norfolk Reunion photographer had a 25 minimum Memory Book fee of $25.00 each. We fell five orders short of 25 orders, so the Association was required to purchase 5 additional Memory Books. They are not in the Ship's Store, but if anyone wants to purchase one of these Memory Books, we will sell them at a reduced price of $20 and that will include the postage. Let me know before you send me an order, so that I don't take in more orders than I can fill.

Deck Planking. USS Arlington crew members can now obtain pieces of the Deck Planking. Due to the condition of the wood, the amount of loss realized by scraping, cleaning and shaving the wood to make it presentable as well as the need for a large number of these pieces, they are slightly smaller than the original "Plank Owner" planks given out to the Commissioning Crew. The original planking measures 6.5" x 4" X 1" and the pieces we made for distribution are approximately 5.5" x 2.5" x 1". They will not have any lacquer or staining, that will be left up to the purchaser. They will come with a self-adhesive brass plate (engraved with three lines) reading: ORIGINAL DECK PLANKING - USS ARLINGTON AGMR-2. The third line will state either: PLANK OWNER or CREW MEMBER depending on the status of the person who purchases one of the deck planking pieces. It is not economically feasible to put names and ranks on the Brass plates. Purchasers will also receive a reduced size copy of a certificate that was sent to us by the Naval Historical Society, authenticating the wood as Arlington original deck planking.

Those shipmates who received a piece of the deck planking or won a frame at the Norfolk Reunion who would like to have one of the certificates to keep with their planking/frame, email either me kcox@tampabay.rr.com or Jim Arnold (jfba@earthlink.net) and we will mail it to you.

In keeping with the stipulations given us by the Naval Historical Society, we cannot sell the planking for profit, and it will only be sold to Arlington crew members. The cost will be $12.00 which covers the cost of the Brass plates, postage and packaging, as well as the cost of labor and materials used in preparing the wood (This teak wood is very old and very hard and went through several saw blades). The Communications Officer and Webmaster, Jim Arnold, will place the Planking (with a photo of the wood) in the Ship's Store. You can order the wood through me. Ken Cox, 104 Winterdale Dr., Lake Alfred, FL 33850

Jim Arnold and his neighbor did a fantastic job with some very, very dirty, damaged and bolt hole filled wood, and very little was wasted. Jim took scraps that were wide enough and long enough and fashioned picture frames that were given out as prizes at the Norfolk Reunion. One of those frames is featured on the opening page of the website, showing Skipper Ken presenting the frame to Capt. Murphree. A lot of this scrap material was saved, so we might be able to offer frames for sale at a later date.

Shipmates, bear in mind that this wood is not only a part of your past, but it is a piece of US Naval history. Please treat it as such and keep the Certificate of Authenticity with the wood at all times. Let your family members know just how important this wood is so that, in the future, it may be preserved by your heirs and their heirs for generations to come.

US Military Handbooks. I received notice from Military Handbooks that the new versions of the 2007 Military Handbook is available for free. Visit: www.militaryhandbooks.com to reserve your copy of the handbooks. They are in Adobe Reader format.

John H. Moore, SMSgt, USAF Ret. asks that I pass along info to the Arlington crew members that the Retired Enlisted Association's website: www.trea.org now has reunion listings. Our 2007 reunion is listed there and you can look up any other ship or duty station that you were assigned to for their reunions. A couple of other great military websites are www.vajoe.com and www.veteransearch.com

Jim Grooms asked that the following note be placed in the Arly Times. "Ok, I want to hear frpm you E Div dudes. Jack Pugh, Doyle Calhoun, Lindblom, Demmit, Campbell, Frenchy LaFleur, Lurch Hardin, Ferryman, Delahanty and so many that I can't remember. Lets get together at the next reunion. We were a tight group and none of us have any reason not to go to one. Can't let the RM's do it all. Jim Grooms jimgrms@yahoo.com --- NOW THAT'S THE SPIRIT ! ! !

XO Jerry Jorgensen sent along info about Social Security Extra credit for Military Service. In a nutshell, this is how the Special Extra Social Security Earnings Credit for Military Service works: A. Credited for years of active duty through 2001 (the program was done away with in January 2002). B. Up to $1200 per year of earnings credit ($300 per eligible quarter). C. You have to request that the credit to be applied to your Social Security file in order to receive it. For further information on this one time credit, go to the following web site: http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm

Health Issues Update. The following Arlington Health Coordinators report for Agent Orange and Asbestos does not have any new changes. Two reports came in and the percentage of afflicted still remains at 87% of our members are still reporting medical afflictions associated to Agent Orange or Asbestos. Some members are reporting updates but these are medical afflictions that are getting worse. There is nothing new to report on the Nicholson Vs Hass case.

Deck Log Project. This our progress though March 11, 2007.

Jack Vines has been working on tracking storms. Chico, Jim Arnold, and I have been working on the "Deck Logs" and plotting of the Maps and Charts.

We now have the full set of Arlington's "Deck Logs" from August 1966 to December 1968. A Reserve Unit at the Naval Reserve Center in Minneapolis has officially taken on our project and is currently plotting the Arlington's course from the "Deck Logs" and using our Maps and Charts. I will be ordering the 1969 to 1970 De-Commissioning in around June/July.

We will be able display the underway periods of the USS Arlington on three wall maps in addition to more detailed or Nautical Charts that are used by the Navy to depict an area or event (example: Mar 67 Storm. The 0800 and 2000 Hours Latitude and Longitude readings are taken off the Daily Deck Logs of the Arlington and then plotted on the Maps or Charts. Over-lays will be used when more than one underway period uses the same or similar course.

Special Charts have been order for the March 67 Storm, Cuba, Norfolk area, Whole Vietnam Coast line (2 Charts or Maps in addition to (Cam Rahn Bay & Da Nang Harbors), Subic Bay PI, North Korea. As other important events come up we will get those charts that depict that particular Op-Area (ex: Nixon's visit and Space Recovery Flights.).

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To inquire about info concerning Agent Orange related illnesses, call Mike Ferderer at
952-935-8162 or e-mail mpferderer@comcast.net
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Note: Did you just get a computer and go on-line? Did you change your email address? If you received this by regular US Mail it is because we are not in contact with you via email. So if you have a new or corrected email address, please email me know so that I can change my records to avoid time consuming rejections.

God Bless America!
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Roster Additions and Changes:
(n) = new     (c) = correction

(c)    Angel, Larry change email address: larryeangel@yahoo.com
(c)    Barkman, Orvin change email address: oiroof@yahoo.com
(c)    =Bean, Mike change contact info: cowboysandpigs@yahoo.com
             19575 Benton City Rd. Lot17, Somerset, Texas 78069
(c)    Boethin, Fred change email to: fboethin@comcast.net
(c)    Bookhoop, Frank change email to: fbookhoo@comcast.net
(c)    Branden, Norm delete email address insert: (No Email)
(c)    Cousins, Richard change email address: rcousinsinct@comcast.net
(c)    Cox, Andy change mailng address: C/o Bazon-Cox Associates, Inc.
             1244 Executive Blvd., Suite B113, Chesapeake, VA 23320
(c)    DeCristofaro, Harold change email address: decrishd59@goeaston.net
(c)    Gissleberg, Joel change email address: jlgiss@comcast.net
(c)    Harris, Walt change email address: walt.harris@windstream.com
(c)    Hassebrock, Al change mailing address: 10221 W. Lake Fork Rd.,
             Kenney, IL 61749
(n)    Masi, Vince, SHSN 1968, bellevilletravel@aol.com 765 Greens Ave.,
             Long Branch, NJ 07740
(n)    Miller, Dan, IC2 69-70, leehelm@hotmail.com 2334 130th Ave.,
             Glenwood City, WI 54013
(c)    Miller, Tom change email address to: ncphotographer@peoplepc.com
(c)     Robertson, Cliff change email to: clfrbt@Gmail.com
(c)    =Roerty Ed. (Rope), BM3 65-68, roertyinfla@cfl.rr.com
             1604 University Lane Unit 1101, Cocoa, FL 32922
(c)    Sudicky, Sam change email address: sam_sudicky@yahoo.com
(n)    =Watson, Jack R., SHSN 65-68 jrabbitw@cebridge.net 520 Bronco Trail,
             Oak Point, TX 75068
(c)    Woessner, Warren change email address: wwoessner@cox.net

Add to Arlington Family and Survivors List:

Mayer, James (Friend of the Arlington) jim4us@comcast.net 903 N. Garfield St.,
     Arlington, VA 22201
Santos, Rizalde (Zaldy), rzaldys0619@yahoo.com 4558 Silva Ave., San Jose, CA 95118

Add to Deceased Crewmembers list:

Santos, Nardo B., SH1 67-69 passed away 13 May 2003 of a Heart Attack in Cavite City, Philippines. Information provided by his son, Rizalde "Zaldy" Santos, who also served in the Navy as an HM3

USS Arlington Association Membership Application Roster
Reunion Photos 2006 Arly Times