USS STODDARD ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

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Plapp Proud Recipient of the 2013 President s Award Radisson Branson Hotel 120 South Wildwood Drive Branson, Mo 65616 USS Stoddard Group Rate Standard Room $99 + tax Leisure Suite $147 +

4 Agent Orange Info 6 Chaplain Taps 6 Registration 7 Ship s Store 8 The Ozark Hills are now blossoming with color as spring has finally arrived.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REGISTER EARLY as final counts for the number attending the shows must be in 30-60 days to meet minimal numbers to get the discounted group rate.

If you are arriving late and wish to attend, we suggest ordering your own tickets online for the shows listed. Reunion Activities: Wed.

Afternoon Dixie Stampede (Early Dinner Show Need 15 People) - 3:45 PM Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede is a dinner show featuring a lot of audience interaction.

1 Website: Date: April 15, 2014 USS STODDARD ALUMNI NEWSLETTER USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnam 26th Reunion-Branson Missouri September 24th September-27th Hosts: Al & Kathy Plapp Proud Recipient of the 2013 President s Award Radisson Branson Hotel 120 South Wildwood Drive Branson, Mo USS Stoddard Group Rate Standard Room $99 + tax Leisure Suite $147 + tax Breakfast Buffet Free Parking & WI-FI Rate Available 3 days prior & after reunion Inside this issue: 2014 Branson Reunion 2 Directory Update 2 Transportation 3 Calvin Paschetta Story 4 Agent Orange Info 6 Chaplain Taps 6 Registration 7 Ship s Store 8 The Ozark Hills are now blossoming with color as spring has finally arrived. Kathy and I look forward to welcoming you to Branson, Missouri and our 26th USS Stoddard Reunion. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REGISTER EARLY as final counts for the number attending the shows must be in days to meet minimal numbers to get the discounted group rate. Late reservations cannot be guaranteed nor the discounted rate and you may not be seated with the group. If you are arriving late and wish to attend, we suggest ordering your own tickets online for the shows listed. Reunion Activities: Wed. 9/24 Registration Hospitality Room - Noon Cost $20 per person includes Thursday Evening Welcome Reception Wed. Afternoon Dixie Stampede (Early Dinner Show Need 15 People) - 3:45 PM Dolly Parton s Dixie Stampede is a dinner show featuring a lot of audience interaction. This high energy show features lots of animals, singing, and dancing, even a lumber jack or two. There is no dust. A must show while in Branson $61 per person. Thurs. 9/25 The Brett s Show The Brett s are know for honoring veterans and their patriotic show. You will leave feeling proud of you service. This will be a great way to start our day. Lunch at the College of the Ozarks, Hard Work University, will be our next stop and a unique experience. All students graduate debt free through work study with high academic standing. You will tour and hear about their education philosophy and be able to tour the veteran tribute area. A set menu of pork and chicken with all the trimmings will be offered. Thursday continued Page 2

Evening Welcome Reception (Cost included in Registration) Bus departs 7:00 for IT Show Hughes Brothers these five handsome and talented brothers will treat you to a show filled with a variety of

Friday 9/26 Annual Business Meeting 9:00 AM - Lunch on you own Bus departs 1:15 PM for Table Rock Lake Dam where we will tour the Interpretive Center.

She is an Army veteran who played at the White House and combines her Julliard musical talent with a high energy show $63 per person.

Next we will travel to Shepherd of the Hills and have a light lunch followed by a tour of the Stone Hill Winery $66 per person.

! As in the past, please remember that some in our group will be flying to Branson and will be limited to items they can take home. carlene rauh, secretary.

The year of your last dues payment is above your name.

2 USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter April 2014 Page 2 Thursday continued from Page 1 We will follow lunch with a 2 hour shopping stop at the Branson Landing along beautiful Lake Taneycomo. Bass Pro Shop and Belks are just of few of the many shops located there. Cost for Brett s Show, College of the Ozarks, Branson Landing $67 per person. Thurs. Evening Welcome Reception (Cost included in Registration) Bus departs 7:00 for IT Show Hughes Brothers these five handsome and talented brothers will treat you to a show filled with a variety of music from pop, rock, and country to Broadway gospel, hip hop as they dance in unison with grace and style that leaves audiences breathless $37 per person. Friday 9/26 Annual Business Meeting 9:00 AM - Lunch on you own Bus departs 1:15 PM for Table Rock Lake Dam where we will tour the Interpretive Center. Next we will have our USS Stoddard Memorial Service at the Show Boat Branson Belle. This will be followed by a dinner show cruise on Table Rock Lake. You won t believe the star of this show. She is an Army veteran who played at the White House and combines her Julliard musical talent with a high energy show $63 per person. Saturday 9/27 Bus departs 10:00 AM for Titanic Museum where they have many artifacts. They also have a million dollar grand staircase reconstruction of the original as it was on the Titanic. Next we will travel to Shepherd of the Hills and have a light lunch followed by a tour of the Stone Hill Winery $66 per person. Saturday Evening Banquet & Music - Alumni Raffle - $45 per person Please remember to bring your items for the raffle. We love to have items from your home state to raffle!! As in the past, please remember that some in our group will be flying to Branson and will be limited to items they can take home. carlene rauh, secretary... Supplement to Alumni Directory 2013 (Please make the changes to your 2013 Directory) **DUES NOTICE** Please check your mailing label to make certain your dues date is correct. The year of your last dues payment is above your name. John Doe Main Street Anywhere, USA If the dues date on your mailing label is 2012, we will be unable to mail you the next newsletter. It is available on our website at Ambrose, Terrence New Address 400 S. Edwards Blvd. Unit 275 Lake Geneva, WI Boesenberg, Paul Deceased Hanna, Paul New Address 69 Virginia Drive Atco, NJ Johnston, Phillip Phone Levingston, Walter Deceased Polsgrove, Harold Deceased Punches, Earl New Phone Shineflew, William Deceased Turner, William Dale Deceased Warnes, William Deceased Westphal, Walter wewestphal@cox.net

You will be able to see all the attractions and shows that we could never show you in the short reunion time we have.

3 USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter April 2014 Page 3 TRANSPORTATION: We suggest you check your transportation options early. To appreciate the full beauty of the Ozark Hills, you may want to drive to Branson and stay for a few extra days. You will be able to see all the attractions and shows that we could never show you in the short reunion time we have. For those flying to Branson Airport BKG, unfortunately Southwest Airlines is discontinuing service July 1, As of the time of this newsletter Frontier Airlines with its base in Denver shows service up until September 21st so you will need to check as their service since it is seasonal. The Branson Airport Authority is actively trying to seek other carriers to fly into Branson. Check flight availability into Branson frequently for potential new carriers. For transportation from the Branson Airport to the Radisson is $25 per person each way without reservations. Call Gray Line Bus Service News Release-BRANSON, Mo. -- Branson Airport has a new airline that will service Chicago and Houston. Buzz Airways will begin service on June 12. Fares begin at $99 each way including taxes. Flights will operate in each market six days a week. We are happy to step in to continue to offer low fares, great service, and nonstop flights for the busy summer travel season. The new flights by Buzz will replace some of those the airport will lose when Southwest ends it's service June 8. Please call for reservations. Springfield, Missouri Airport SGF For those wishing to fly into the Springfield, Missouri Airport SGF is served by more of the major airlines: The Springfield National Airport is located 53 miles northwest of Branson. The drive generally take about an hour. Transportation to the Radisson in Branson is by reservation only through Terry s Shuttle at $104 per trip for one or more guests. However, Terry s Shuttle fees can be divided by the number of people on the bus. The van can carry 14 persons. Pick-ups at the Springfield Airport must be prepaid. Pick-ups are between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. If pick up is before 8 am or after 6 pm, a $10 surcharge is added. Cancellations require more than 24 hours notice to be refundable. Call to make reservations. Terry s Shuttle will coordinate your arrivals to make a group so you can divide the cost of the shuttle. They can coordinate times if you call them with your flight information. The shuttle can wait approximately 1 hour between flights. All major car rentals agencies are available at both airports.

(Samantha Clemens/Las Vegas Review- Journal) By KEITH ROGERS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Of the 16 million U.S. veterans who survived World War II, only about 1 million are alive today.

$And of those who remain, one can argue that a small fraction can say they served in two other conflicts that followed: the Korean War and the French Indochina war the precursor to the Vietnam War.$

4 USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter April 2014 Page 4 North Las Vegas sailor who fought in three wars celebrates 90th birthday Calvin Pascetta, USS Stoddard GMGC Calvin poses inside his North Las Vegas home Monday, Feb. 3, Calvin s 30 -year career in the Navy spanned from World War II, the Korea War and the Vietnam War. (Samantha Clemens/Las Vegas Review- Journal) By KEITH ROGERS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL Of the 16 million U.S. veterans who survived World War II, only about 1 million are alive today. That means in the next decade or two, as the youngest of the Greatest Generation vets approach the century mark, few if any will be left to recount their experiences, according to the National World War II Museum website. And of those who remain, one can argue that a small fraction can say they served in two other conflicts that followed: the Korean War and the French Indochina war the precursor to the Vietnam War. That s because most who fought in World War II opted instead for reserve duty or discharges to return to civilian life while keeping their war memories as visions of the past. Calvin T. Pascetta, a retired Navy gunship sailor from North Las Vegas, is one of those few who can claim he dodged bullets or artillery fire in three wars. His 22-year Navy career began 41 days before Japanese warplanes attacked the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, A native of Philadelphia, he was 17 when his ship, the USS New Mexico, sailed into Pearl Harbor after the attack. He was following the footsteps of his father, a career Navy man who had fought in World War I. In response to the attack, the Navy had beefed up the USS New Mexico with new guns and state-of-the-art radar. I wanted to get to the Pacific as quick as I could, he said, reflecting on the war on his 90th birthday, Feb. 3. Pascetta and his wife, Joanne, moved to North Las Vegas in 2009 from Anaheim, Calif. They celebrated his birthday with family and friends and a cake trimmed with a Navy insignia, much like the decor and memorabilia throughout their home. He s as fit as can be for a combathardened nonagenarian. But the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack is still fresh on his mind. As his ship steamed through Hawaiian Territory waters at the onset of the war, and he saw the oil from sunken ships and bodies that had floated up from them, It just Calvin Pascetta, left, and his father James Pascetta, dressed in their Navy uniforms is shown in this undated photo. Both men had careers lasting 30 years in the Navy. James Pascetta was in both World Wars and Calvin Pascetta was in World War II, the Korea War and Vietnam. (Samantha Clemens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Portrait of Calvin Pascetta when he was 17-years-old. (Samantha Clemens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) made me sick, he said. I was devastated. What did I get myself into? he asked. The ships were all sunk. There was oil in the water. It looked like it was almost a foot thick. During the war in the South Pacific, he also served on a landing craft USS LST 589 that made seven assault landings at Luzon and six other islands to invade and retake the Philippines. The tour involved evading torpedoes to deliver ammunition to Espiritu Santo and removing bodies, some that were booby traps, from beaches that U.S. troops had invaded. There were American soldiers, Marines and Japanese. The stench was overbearing. I can never forget it, he said. (continues on Page 5)

I was going to live longer because when we had loaded those troops to go to Japan, I knew we wouldn t make it back. By the time he retired from active duty on Dec.

5 USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter April 2014 Page 5 Continued from Page 4 In August 1945, about a week after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, he witnessed the start of the surrender when some low-ranking Japanese generals landed their Betty bombers on Ie Shima, Okinawa, and gave themselves up. It was a relief, he said. I was going to live longer because when we had loaded those troops to go to Japan, I knew we wouldn t make it back. By the time he retired from active duty on Dec. 13, 1963 at Long Beach Naval Station, Calif., the ships he served on had fired salvos in crossfires at Wonsan Harbor on the Korean peninsula in 1952 and 1953 and encountered rifle fire sailing up the Saigon River when the Navy answered France s request to evacuate nearly 25,000 friendly Vietnamese, Chinese nationals and anti-communist troops in Because of the rules of engagement, his destroyer, the USS Stoddard, couldn t fire its 5-inch guns. The Vietnamese were shooting at us but we couldn t shoot back, he said. His closest brushes with death came during the Korean War. As a gunner s mate first class, he was awarded a Navy commendation for his actions on Aug. 10, 1952, when the USS Barton came under heavy enemy fire in Wonsan Harbor. North Korean troops fired 300 rounds at the ship, and the Barton fired back 388 rounds including many from Pascetta s twin-mount 5-inch guns. On his own initiative (he) quickly gathered the crew and brought the guns into action promptly with telling effect on the enemy batteries. His prompt and decisive action with the ship under heavy fire was of material assistance in silencing the enemy s guns, the citation reads. Pascetta said he remembers looking through binoculars after one of his guns hit the target on the third shot. I could see bodies flying. The USS Barton stayed engaged until it ran out of ammunition. Then as the ship was underway, an enemy round hit its stack. Shrapnel from the blast killed one of his crew members and best friend, Dale Gray. When I found him, he was still alive, but there was no way to save him. The following year, 1953, on the USS Irwin, again in a crossfire at Wonsan Harbor, Pascetta s single-handed manning of the gun made headlines. While under fire, he bolted to the ammo room, grabbed a 5-inch shell and powder charge, loaded the gun and set it on automatic fire before his crew arrived. The rest of his 13- man crew were at their stations before it became necessary to load the gun for the second time much to the relief of the sweating gunner s mate, the story reads. Calvin and wife Joanne at USS Stoddard 2011-San Antonio Reunion Calvin Pascetta, 90, shows photos from his career in the Navy. Pascetta's 30- year career in the Navy spanned from World War II, the Korea War and the Vietnam War before he retired as a chief gunner's mate in "I was a lifer," Pascetta said. "It was my job and I just figured 'this is what I want to do.'" (Samantha Clemens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) So why did he stay in the Navy after World War II to risk his life in Korea? I was a lifer. This was my job. NAVY QUOTATION...Destroyer men have always been a proud people. They have been the elite. They have to be a proud people and they have to be specially selected, for destroyer life is a rugged one. It takes physical stamina to stand under the rigor of a tossing DD. It takes even more spiritual stamina to keep going with enthusiasm when you are tired and you feel you, and your ship, are being used as a workhorse. It is true that many people take destroyers for granted and that is all the more reason why the destroyers Captains (and crews) can be proud of their accomplishments. Admiral Arleigh A. Burke

net Chaplain: Al Plapp email: aplapp@ims-1.com Webmasters: Dan & Roxane Withers email: dwithers@rodaxwireless.com Email coordinator: Bob Hoag email: rwh@donobi.

net There is a new bill being introduced that will help thousands of Vietnam Veterans in their fight for recognition to the exposure to Agent Orange. The House bill, H.R.

This bill is to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of the Blue Water Navy veterans who served in the Territorial Waters of the Republic of Vietnam to Agent Orange.

History: prior to 2002, any veteran who received the Vietnam Service medal was granted presumptive exposure to the 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

It now required the veteran to have set foot on Vietnam soil or was on patrol on the inland waterways in order to qualify for exposure to the Agent Orange.

6 USS Stoddard Alumni Newsletter April 2013 Page 6 USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnam VIETNAM VETERANS NEED OUR HELP! President: Al Plapp aplapp@ims-1.com Secretary: Carlene Rauh cjrauh@ldd.net Treasurer: Bill Melyan keystonewillie@verizon.net Storekeeper: Marlene Brant tmbrant@sbcglobal.net Chaplain: Al Plapp aplapp@ims-1.com Webmasters: Dan & Roxane Withers dwithers@rodaxwireless.com coordinator: Bob Hoag rwh@donobi.net Newsletter Editor: Carlene Rauh cjrauh@ldd.net There is a new bill being introduced that will help thousands of Vietnam Veterans in their fight for recognition to the exposure to Agent Orange. The House bill, H.R. 543 The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2013 has been presented and is currently under review. This bill is to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of the Blue Water Navy veterans who served in the Territorial Waters of the Republic of Vietnam to Agent Orange. Currently, there are 165 co-sponsors for this bill. History: prior to 2002, any veteran who received the Vietnam Service medal was granted presumptive exposure to the 14 diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure. In 2002, the Veterans Administration changed the rules. It now required the veteran to have set foot on Vietnam soil or was on patrol on the inland waterways in order to qualify for exposure to the Agent Orange. I am asking that you contact your Congressman asking for their support of this very important bill. The process is pretty simple, just follow these steps: On internet explorer, you need to type in: Click on Advocacy, and then click on Action Center. Scroll down until you find Support Agent Orange Reform for Blue Water Navy Veterans, (H.R. 543). Click on H.R Scroll down and enter your zip code where it says Take Action Now. Click on GO! Enter the requested information, i.e. Name and Sender Info Confirm the box is checked that says Remember Me. This will help you if you go back in at a later date for Senate bill updates. Uncheck the box that says Sign me up for the Action E-List. Click Send Message. al plapp, chaplain This bill states Blue Water Navy Veterans, but also encompasses Marines, Army and Air Force personnel that were stationed aboard a Navy vessel in the Territorial waters of the Republic of Vietnam. May They Rest In Peace Boesenberg, Paul S Levingston, Walter S Polsgrove, Harold MM Shineflew, William Turner, William Dale MM Warnes, William ETC If you have not signed up for Veteran s , go to to sign up for alerts on information concerning Veteran s issues. Thank you in advance for assisting our Veterans in getting this bill passed! Dennis L. Franklin Vietnam Veteran

7 USS Stoddard DD rd Reunion-Branson MO September 24 September 27, 2014 Radisson Hotel Branson MO Make your hotel reservations directly with the Radisson-Branson Make certain to give USS Stoddard Group Rate. The USS Stoddard Room Rate is Standard $99 per night or Leisure Suite $147 (plus tax), single or double occupancy. The rate is available three days prior and after the reunion. A hot breakfast buffet, free parking and Wi-Fi are included, based on single or double occupancy. Name: Lady s Name: Stoddard Service Years: Navy Rate or Rank Guest Attending with me: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Driving to Reunion: Yes No Driving Directions: Yes No Number Price Attending TOTAL Wednesday 9/24 Registration Fee $ 20 X = $ Wed. Evening Dixie Stampede (Early Dinner Show) $ 63 X = $ Need at least 15 people - Bus Departs 3:45 PM Thursday 9/25 The Brett s Show - One of Branson s Finest Lunch and Tour at College of the Ozark Branson Landing Shopping 2 hours $ 69 X = $ Thursday Evening IT Show Hughes Brothers - 50 Singers $ 39 X = $ Bus Departs 7:00 PM Friday 9/26 Table Rock Lake Dam Tour Bus Departs 1:15 PM Memorial Service at the Branson Belle Dinner Cruise and Show on the Branson Belle $ 65 X = $ Saturday 9/27 Titanic Museum Bus Departs 10:00 AM Shepherd of the Hills History and Light Lunch Stone Hill Winery Tour $ 68 X = $ Saturday Evening Banquet $ 45 X = $ Banquet Meal Choices Please indicate your choice and quantity in box. Make checks payable to: USS Stoddard Alumni Association Grand Total $ Beef Medallions with Bordelaise Sauce Champagne Chicken Mail to: USS Stoddard Alumni Al s Cell: Kathy s Cell: S Highway 51 Home Phone: Perryville, Mo aplapp@ims-1.com Deadline August 1st

USS STODDARD SHIP S STORE-ORDER FORM TO: Marlene Brant 508 S. Maish Road Frankfort, IN 46041 Phone: 765-659-3605 Email: tmbrant@sbcglobal.net Item Size Price Qty.

8 USS STODDARD SHIP S STORE-ORDER FORM TO: Marlene Brant 508 S. Maish Road Frankfort, IN Phone: tmbrant@sbcglobal.net Item Size Price Qty. TOTAL Golf Shirt navy M $23 Golf Shirt navy L $23 Golf Shirt navy XL $24 Golf Shirt navy XXL $26 Golf Shirt navy XXXL $27 Golf Shirt white M $23 Golf Shirt white L $23 Golf Shirt white XL $24 Golf Shirt white XXL $26 Golf Shirt white XXXL $27 Sweatshirt navy L $21 Sweatshirt navy XL $21 Sweatshirt navy XXL $23 Sweatshirt navy XXXL $26 Sweatshirt cream L $21 Sweatshirt cream XL $21 Sweatshirt cream XXL $23 Sweatshirt cream XXXL $26 Jacket navy (LT.WT.) L $58 Jacket navy (LT.WT.) XL $58 Jacket navy (LT.WT.) XXL $58 Jacket navy (LT.WT.) XXXL $65 Jacket navy (H.Wt.) L $66 Jacket navy (H.Wt.) XL $66 Stoddard Ball Hat navy $13 Stoddard Ball Hat (mesh)-navy $13 Stoddard Coffee Mug $ 6 Subtotal $ (Below Items Shipping Included) Shipping $ 8.00 Stoddard Pic. 8 X 10 (Side View) $6 Stoddard Pic. 8 X 10 (Rear View) $6 Stoddard Pic. 11X17 (Color) $8 Stoddard Sinking DVD $8 HistoryChan.DVD(Stoddard In It) $25 4 Stoddard Patch $5 Stoddard Alumni Pin $5 *TOTAL ORDER $ *Checks payable to: USS Stoddard Alumni Association Ship to: NAME STREET CITY STATE ZIP USS Stoddard Alumni Association 4337 S Hwy 51 Perryville, MO 63775

USS STODDARD ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Website: www.ussstoddard.org Date: July 15, 2006 USS STODDARD ALUMNI NEWSLETTER USS STODDARD DD566 WWII * Korea * Vietnam 18th Reunion - Mobile, Alabama (Oct. 11th-14th) - 2006 from presidents, Al Plapp