NEWS UPDATE FEBRUARY 3, 2012

FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN

This link will take you to the latest IMPORTANT news bulletin from the JHNSA/ACVA.

NEWS UPDATE NOVEMBER 27, 2011

PHILADELPHIA OPEN HOUSE

From November 14-17, an ACVA team worked hard in Philadelphia at an Open House to obtain more restoration equipment for the ex-USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2). Thanks to the skillful rigging of John Quigley and the hard work of all, unique electronics were collected to help restore systems on the Charley Deuce removed or damaged after it was decommissioned.

The Open House was a reunion with the CHARLES F. ADAMS for Tim Kraft who was a Sonar Tech on the ship in the late 1960s and for Mike Mullin who was an Electronic Warfare Tech who served on the ADAMS in the early 1980s when Bob Branco was the CO.

During the four days of work the seven man team obtained over 120 pieces of electronics, fire control, damage control, IC/ electrical and engineering equipment. Some of this equipment is shown in the CHARLES F. ADAMS mess deck where it is being stored. It was an enjoyable week for all who participated.

GALA WEEKEND OCTOBER 14-15, 2011

Florida Governor Rick Scott, who served in the Navy on the USS Glover in the early 1970s, was the guest of honor for the Gala on Saturday night, October 15. Governor Scott arrived at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel before hundreds of attendees from the region, around the country and from as far away as Australia. He mingled with guests for over two hours talking about his Naval experiences and hopes for Florida’s future. The Governor was introduced to the guests by JHNSA President Dan Bean and Toney Sleiman, the owner of The Jacksonville Landing.
           

“One thing great about our state, Jacksonville in particular, is people start things like this,” Governor Scott said. “They happen. It starts with a few people. The individuals who started this did it for the right reasons. It’s something to be proud of – our Navy heritage, especially right here in Jacksonville. It will be nice when it’s finished and here. I look forward to the day when I can walk on the Adams.”

The Gala was highlighted by a large successful Silent Auction of a wide variety of special items donated by the JHNSA’s supporters in Jacksonville. In addition, John O’Neil, the Executive Director of the JHNSA, and his wife Carol made a donation of $10,000 to the cause. O’Neil, a Surface Warfare Officer with more than 30 years of active duty, has been instrumental in the fund-raising drive to bring the Adams home.

NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 8, 2011

To All ACVA Members from Bob Branco:

The ACVA Board and I want to thank you for the tremendous support you have given our effort during the past several years. Your donations from individuals and ship associations have made it possible for us to get the professional support required to submit an outstanding Donation Application to NAVSEA as well as obtain the needed technical support to complete engineering and environmental work in Jacksonville for obtaining the City of Jacksonville's approval of the site next to the Acosta Bridge. The attached newsletter describes the hard work of the ACVA and the JHNSA teaming together to have the USS CHARLES F. ADAMS donated to become the Adams Class Naval Ship Museum in Jacksonville.

In addition to meeting with Governor Rick Scott and the staff of new Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown JHNSA President Dan Bean has recently updated NAVSEA's Captain Chris Pietras on our project efforts at the Navsea office. The discussions have all been positive and the key step at this point is getting significant fund raising accomplished over the next several months to keep the ship on Donation Hold. JHNSA is working with many key Jacksonville businesses and public figures to obtain the donations to expand the fund raising campaign in north Florida. All of you have been key to our success and we thank you for the support you have given us...Bob

Click on this link to read the latest Newsletter

NEWS UPDATE JULY, 2011

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

ACVA & JHNSA PARTICIPATE IN PHILADELPHIA OPEN HOUSE

From June 20 to June 23, 2011, a team of Adams Class veterans visited the USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) which is currently at the U. S. Navy's Inactive Ship's Facility at the former Naval Base in Philadelphia, PA. The group participated in an "Open House" sponsored by the Naval Sea Systems Command where ship museums are allowed to collect restoration equipment from non-museum, deactivated ships. The team of veterans was comprised of ADAMS Class Veterans Association (ACVA) and Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA) members Steve Weber, former Electricians Mate Second Class and "Plank Owner" on USS Semmes (DDG-18), Bill Reinard, Hull Technician Second Class on USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2), John Quigley, Yeoman Third Class on USS Earl K. Olson (DD-765), and Bob Branco, Captain USN (Ret), former Commanding Officer of USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2), and President of ACVA.

Working in the heat the team was able to obtain a sizeable number of equipment items which will be used to restore the ADAMS so that she may serve as a Naval Ship Museum in Jacksonville. On June, 23 John O'Neil, Captain, USN (Ret), former Operations Officer on the USS Lynde McCormick (DDG-8) and Executive Director of JHNSA, joined in the effort. In addition, John O'Neil surveyed the ADAMS, reviewing the plans of JHNSA to establish the USS Charles F. Adams as the ADAMS Class Naval Ship Museum as a Naval Ship Museum in Jacksonville, Florida.

The equipment items included firefighting and damage control equipment, Interior Communications switchboard equipment, sound powered telephone circuit equipment and other electrical items, and Combat Information Center and Radio Central electronics equipment. In addition, important fire control system electronics units were obtained to restore key systems on the USS Charles F. Adams.

NEWS UPDATE JUNE, 2011

Friday, June 10, 2011

Billboards in Jacksonville Now Advertise the ADAMS Class Museum

Digital billboards touting "Bring Home the Adams" are now in place at five locations around Jacksonville, Florida. The blue-and-gold digital boards state "Bring Home the Adams" and show the www.Adams2Jax.org web site address, along with the ADAMS Class Museum logo. The locations include Southside Boulevard at Beach Boulevard, San Jose Boulevard at Old St. Augustine Road, Beach Boulevard and Aldridge Mall, I-95 at University Boulevard and Philips Highway at Southside Boulevard.

Here is a picture of one of the billboards!

Our Media and PR Committee are now working on radio and TV spots and a digital spot for the Internet.

Thanks to Scott-McRae Advertising, Clear Channel Outdoor and Farah and Farah for their assistance in putting our ADAMS Class Museum advertising on these billboards!

Friday, June 10, 2011

BaD SHIP MODELS PRESENTATION

On May 28, 2011 BaD Ship Models owner and ACVA/JHNSA Member Keith Mullen presented an impressive model of the USS Wisconsin to the Nauticus ship museum in Norfolk, Virginia. His skillful artwork created an outstanding display for the museum and he made the announcement over radio and TV that part of the proceeds from future sales of any Wisconsin models would be donated to the efforts to save the Charles F. Adams.

The City of Norfolk has assumed stewardship of the Battleship Wisconsin, which is now included in regular Nauticus admission. Admission fees help preserve and maintain the battleship for future generations. Berthed at Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. Explore its deck through a self-guided or audio tour that will take you back in time to experience this majestic ship that earned five battle stars during World War II.

NEWS UPDATE MAY, 2011

Thursday, May 12, 2011

ACVA VETERAN HULL PLATE DONATION

Recently the ACVA received a $1500 Violet Level hull Plate sponsorship from Jane Willson in memory of her husband Ron who served on DDG-2 from 1963-65. He joined the Navy in September of 1961 and was on board the Adams during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During his time in the Navy, he sailed the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Mediterranean. He received the Royal Order of the Blue Noses card on September 21, 1964 for those who have crossed the Arctic Circle. He was discharged honorably on September 24, 1967 as an FTM2 and loved his time in the Navy and was proud of his service. After leaving the Navy, he became a draftsman for the Bechtel Construction Company for 26 years. ACVA thanks Jane Willson, Ron's wife of 30 years and their children Rob and Jennifer for their special memorial donation.

   Ron Willson

NEWS UPDATE APRIL, 2011

Friday, April 15, 2011

JHNSA Makes Presentation to Florida Governor SCOTT

The Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association made a presentation to Florida Governor Rick Scott for the State of Florida on Friday evening, April 15, at The Jacksonville Landing in Downtown Jacksonville, honoring Governor Scott’s Naval service.

Governor Scott served for 29 months on the USS Glover, beginning in 1971, as a radar technician on the Garcia-class frigate. Governor Scott and the State of Florida were presented with a detailed model of the USS Glover, as prepared by Barry Kryspin, a JHNSA member and Master Modeler. The presentation took place in the Adams Class Museum store located on the first floor of The Landing, with the Governor reminiscing about his time on board.

The Jacksonville Landing has a full view of the proposed site for the retired guided missile destroyer USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2). The JHNSA is working to bring the Adams back to Jacksonville as an interactive attraction downtown on the South bank of the St. Johns River adjacent to the Acosta Bridge.

“As a Naval veteran, it is an honor for our organization to make this presentation to another Naval veteran, Governor Rick Scott, for the State of Florida,” said Daniel K. Bean, President of the JHNSA. “Having the support of Governor Scott is another step in reinforcing how important bringing the Adams back to Jacksonville is to our community and region. When fully operational, the Adams interactive attraction will result in the addition of 28 jobs and an economic impact of approximately $3 million to the hotel, restaurant and tourism industry in this area. We look forward to this continuing effort.”

JHNSA with Governor: Florida Governor Rick Scott (center) with (L-R) Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association Executive Director John O'Neil, JHNSA President Dan Bean, JHNSA Vice President Joe Snowberger (back), JHNSA Member and Model Maker Barry Kryspin and The Jacksonville Landing owner Tony Sleiman.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

JHNSA Holds First Annual Golf Fundraiser: On Thursday, April 7th, the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA) held it's First Annual Golf Fundraiser to help "Bring Home the USS Charles F. Adams to Jacksonville". Executive Director John O'Neil worked his organizational magic along with volunteer Bob Salser to recruit players, sponsors, and donors for the event. They also collected numerous items for the Silent Auction. The Golf Fundraiser was held at the Queen's Harbour Golf & Country Club. Players had a light breakfast, teed off at 9:00 AM and finished in time for a delicious buffet of pulled pork bar-b-q and grilled chicken with all the fixings, plus cookies and brownies for dessert. Sixty-three players in three flights enjoyed the event, which included many prizes. The event players, along with our sponsors, helped the JHNSA raise almost $10,000. We also signed up 7 new JHNSA members. BAE South Shipyards sent 8 golfers to play and several of them had been USS Adams men! A small world indeed.

Click here to see Golf Events pictures (Webmaster Note: This is a link to the JHNSA Photo page. I have not received any photos from the golf event yet).

JHNSA ESTABLISHES A MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

For over three years the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA) and the ACVA have been teamed together to save the USS CHARLES F. ADAMS as the ADAMS CLASS NAVAL SHIP MUSEUM in Jacksonville, Florida. JHNSA has established a Membership Program that will help build support for Bringing the Adams Home to her old homeport. All of those interested in making this happen are encouraged to show your support and become Members of JHNSA. By clicking this link http://www.adamsclassmuseum.org/join_us.htm you can go to the JHNSA web site and become a JHNSA member. Membership dues are $25/year for Regular Membership, and for those able to more fully support the Museum effort, Sustaining Membership is $125/year.

NEWS UPDATE FEBRUARY 12, 2011

DAN BEAN ELECTED JHNSA PRESIDENT

At a recent JHNSA Board meeting, Daniel K. Bean, a commercial trial attorney in Jacksonville, Fla., and a Navy surface warfare veteran, was elected to be the new President of the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association. Bean, a 45-year-old Alexandria, Va., native, is a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Holland & Knight. He attended Vanderbilt University on a Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship. As the outgoing President of The Jacksonville Bar Association, he is a decorated barrister with numerous awards, memberships and published writings. Bean also possesses a strong Navy background, having served as a Surface Warfare Officer beginning with a stint on the USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) as a Midshipman with an underway period to Guantanamo Bay Cuba for ship training.

	Daniel Bean

Bean served on board the USS Voge (FF-1047), home ported in Mayport, and made a Mediterranean deployment and later served as Navigator on the USS Fanning (FF-1076), home ported in San Diego, and deployed to the Persian Gulf. He also served as an Instructor at the Surface Warfare Officers School Pacific before attending law school at the University of San Diego on a Navy Law Education Program scholarship. He currently serves as a Captain in the Navy Reserve as a Judge Advocate General, and is the Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Regional Legal Service Office Southeast.

NEWS UPDATE February 6, 2011

Jeff Zahratka, who's first ship was the USS Lawrence (DDG-4), has written a book about his career in the Navy, called Sweepers Sweepers Man Your Brooms. This book is now available through the JHNSA, see the JHNSA Visitor's Center for details.

USS CHARLES F. ADAMS PHOTO TOUR

During the Open House in Philadelphia, Craig Bernat took a series of pictures showing the condition of the ship in many of the spaces in all parts of the ship. By clicking on this link, Adams Photo Tour 0510, you can see the ship in its current condition.

The DDG-2 Ship Model kit built for the JHNSA/ACVA is available from

For more information on these model kits go to http://www.badshipmodels.com/
Or contact keith@badshipmodels.com

Introduction

The Adams Class Veterans Association is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization.

Our Mission

• Work with all Adams class groups and organizations to Save, Restore and Preserve the USS Charles F. Adams DDG-2;


• Educate the public on the rich naval heritage of the Adams class DDG ships;


• Document the roles of Adams class DDG ships in United States history;


• Show the importance of preserving historic naval vessels and memorabilia for future generations to appreciate.

What is a ship, really?

Most people look at a ship as nothing more than a bunch of iron and steel. A sailor sees it as a living being conceived in a shipyard; the hopes, dreams and pride of those who built her - from the grandmother who helped assemble her electronics to the welders and pipe fitters who turn her into something recognizable. Eventually the day comes when she is commissioned and her crew breathes life into her hull. Her radar and lookouts are her eyes, sonar her ears, radios her voice and engines her heart. She reflects her crews attitude, their hopes and dreams. In her life time she will see about 10-15 complete crews man her, until that sad day when Uncle Sam says 'Thank you for your service" and she is retired.

The ships of this class were, in the tradition of the Navy, named for famous men; from Revolutionary War heroes and Civil War admirals to former statesmen. It is our dream and goal to save the last of this proud class of ships.

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