Shipmates,
Although the Associaiton overwhelmingly approved the $2,500 donation, our second in as many years, to sponsor a hull plate for the refurbishing efforts of the USS Adams DDG 2 and the related DDG museum to be houses on board, I felt it was prudent to make the presentation in person. With the approval of the other officers for the trip, I purchased my plane ticket and hotel room with my own personal funds as I felt I needed to make sure that the Association's money was being wisely invested.
What I found in Jacksonville was a well organized event attended by no less than twenty five retired Admirals and Captains many of whom had been either the CO or XO onboard one of the twenty two United States DDGs. There were many other high ranking naval personnel on hand along with a few of us real sailors. Each DDG had a table designated with a framed photo of the ship. I will attached some photos so everyone can see what was on display at the banquet.
Plans for the ship, it's new home and all the support activity focusing on raising funds to accomplish the task were very well done. The Adams Class Veterans Associaition (www.adamsclassddgvets.org) in conjunction with the Jacksonville Historic Ships Museum are doing what I feel is a great job in promoting this project and in their efforts to raise money. I was so impressed that I decided to sponsor a plate for myself and I dedicated it to the eleven men killed in Vietnam from Preble County, Ohio, my home county. Anyone, or any organization is able to sponsor either a full, half or smaller plate and details will be on the ACVA website.
The Jacksonville Historic Ships Museum operates a store in the Jacksonville Landing, in free space donated by the mall administration in an effort to assist the ACVA and JHSM in their fund raising efforts. The store, which features the largest collection of military head wear in the country just opened and my wife went a little crazy buying hats for about everyone she knows. The store features hats from all branches so if you know someone who could not hack the Navy and settled for one those other groups, there are hats for them also. I am hoping as soon as they get the store up to full speed that they offer on-line ordering.
This year honored all the past Captains of the ships but next year, as they hope to make this an annual event, will be for the Chiefs. So if you were or are a CPO, next year will be your year to shine. I would encourage all to attend and take your rightful place in all the ship's history.
Pat Taylor