NEWS UPDATE - 06/09/08

ADAMS CLASS DDG REUNIONS
In our June/July 2008 ACVA Newsletter out this week we have listed the key information provided to us by Adams Class Ship Associations and/or from their web sites. When requested, the ACVA Board is willing to attempt to make presentations at reunions regarding our project to bring the ex-USS CHARLES F. ADAMS DDG-2 to Jacksonville, Florida as a historic naval ship museum. We are already scheduled to make presentations to upcoming reunions for USS LAWRENCE, USS SEMMES, and USS SELLERS this year. Please contact ACVA President Bob Branco if you are interested in receiving a presentation.

CHARLIE DEUCE ON THE MOVE
On May 27th a former USS LAWRENCE veteran and Philly resident, Bob Schmid, reported to us that it appeared that the CHARLES F. ADAMS was missing from its normal place next to the USS Forrest Sherman and USS Edson in the Inactive Ships Facility. When we checked with another ACVA member from the Philly area, Steve Webber, he said that he also noticed that the ship was missing as he drove across the bridge on Interstate 95. After some checking, the ACVA determined that the “Charlie Deuce” had been moved to another berth for some paint maintenance for an undetermined amount of time. We will keep ACVA members informed.

BOARD CHANGES

Tom Crosser, who has been President of ACVA since the passing of our original President Frank Manis in 2004, stepped down in an April 16 ACVA Board meeting after the Donation Application was completed. Tom will continue serving on the Board as Director of the Volunteer Program that he helped to develop for the Donation Application. We are indebted to Tom for his efforts over these past years as President to make USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2) as a ship museum. Later, the Board voted and approved Bob Branco, the current ACVA Vice President, to succeed Crosser as President. In addition, Craig Bernat, the ACVA’s Director of Public Relations and Fundraising was elected to relieve Pete Mansel as the ACVA Treasurer. Pete’s efforts to organize the Donation Application and prepare the Business Plan for the Application were invaluable to that huge 828 page effort.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTION

Recently the ACVA received a major contribution of $2.500 from DRS Technologies, a defense contractor with headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey. Not only did the company make the generous donation, but they also offered to assist ACVA with the restoration of the MK 68 gun fire control system onboard ex-USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2).

5/6/08 - MAJOR SUPPORTERS

Now on the web site is a new Major Supporters link that displays an updated list of corporations and sponsors who made major donations to support our Donation Application effort. This link replaces the former Corporate Backers link.

3/31/08 - SHIP DONATION APPLICATION COMPLETE

GREAT NEWS for all ACVA Members and everyone who has supported our effort to berth the USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG-2) on the St Johns River in downtown Jacksonville, Florida - The SHIP DONATION APPLICATION has been completed!!! We have met the deadline for completion of the Application beyond all expectation and overcoming numerous obstacles, the most critical one being TIME!! Our Application Team put together in 75 days what normal ship organizations take up to two years to do.

Thanks to the efforts of Pete Mansel, Bob Branco, Jim Aldrich, Bob Rumney, Bert Watson, Wayne Misenar, Craig Bernat, and Tom Crosser, the 3-Volume document, with 826 pages, was completed on March 28th. These men spent countless hours, a few literally into the hundreds of hours, most days, and every week writing the many sections of the Application. The Team was very pleased with the final product, and felt it did justice to the wonderful ships we seek to honor. Bert Watson will personally deliver the document to NAVSEA at the Washington Navy Yard on the afternoon of March 31st. Since the application is being evaluated by the Navy, the document is considered confidential.

3/19/08 - PLANNING THE RESTORATION OF CHARLES F. ADAMS

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP - The ADAMS Class Veterans Association (ACVA) is beginning to plan for the restoration of the CHARLES F. ADAMS with an “advanced sign-up” request to Navy veterans and other interested individuals who want to help restore the various areas of the ship and set up museum displays. We need lots of skilled help from preservation to technical skills in order to restore the ship’s appearance to that of its operating days of service. We will not be starting the restoration work until the Navy awards us the ship. It will be a big help to have an “advanced sign-up” list that will allow us to build a database of seriously interested individuals who are motivated to participate in the restoration work. Go to the "VOLUNTEER" page on the ACVA web site and register today so that we can begin the effort to “RESTORE THE CHARLEY DEUCE” as a representative of all ships of the ADAMS class!!

3/11/08 - SPECIAL RECOGNITION – USS Barney Association

For several years a number of DDG Ship Associations had made strong efforts to have their ships saved for history. The leader of the USS Barney Association, John Van Dusen, had fought hard to have the Barney preserved. After the Navy disposed of the BARNEY for scrap, he shared his disappointment with ACVA Vice President Bob Branco and started to build new hope and greater resolve to save the last DDG by joining the team. This became even more important as the Jacksonville ACVA Team moved steadily towards getting the approval of the City Council to bring the former USS CHARLES F. ADAMS DDG-2 back to its homeport, ending 17 years of exile in the Inactive Ship Facility in Philadelphia. “John Van Dusen was excited about the possibility of having the last surviving DDG-2 class ship represent not only Barney, but all the ships of the class. John worked hard with the Barney Association to help make it a reality” said Bob Branco.

We ask that all ACVA members offer John and the Barney Association a GRAND “BZ” for their recent outstanding donation of $10,000 to the effort to bring CHARLES F. ADAMS home to Jacksonville, which will serve as a memorial to all 23 ships of the DDG-2 class. This great contribution will be recognized with a special ACVA plaque presented to the Barney Association and special recognition when the Museum is established.

Other associations are stepping up too. USS Goldsborough Association President Pat Taylor wrote a letter to the Mayor of Jacksonville, John Peyton, supporting the project to bring the ADAMS back to her old home port. He strongly suggested to Mayor Peyton that with the CHARLES F. ADAMS in Jacksonville, every DDG and other ship associations would likely plan on having their reunions there, boosting tourism and the local economy.

3/3/08 - ACVA Membership Increases Dramatically During Recent Months

Due to the success achieved by ACVA's Jacksonville City Team and support from ACVA members, Jacksonville City Council has endorsed the concept of bringing the USS CHARLES F ADAMS home to Jacksonville for permanent display as a Naval ship museum. With news of that success going out to so many through articles, emails, and broadcasts, ACVA Membership has increased significantly. During the past three months, over 145 new members have joined ACVA, for a total nation-wide membership of 555.

3/2/08 - ACVA Receives More Support for ADAMS Berthing in Jacksonville

The Florida Secretary of State and the Florida Executive Director for the Department of Veterans' Affairs have both written letters to ACVA supporting the berthing of ADAMS on the St Johns River in downtown Jacksonville. Click the links in preceding sentence to read the letters. Both of these letters will be a part of the Ship Donation Application being prepared by ACVA for submission to the Navy Department.

EX-USS CHARLES F. ADAMS GETS JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENT

The City Council of Jacksonville, Florida passed a Resolution supporting the establishment of the ex-USS CHARLES F. ADAMS as a Naval Ship Museum in Jacksonville. The CHARLES F. ADAMS is the first in the class of 23 guided missile destroyers built by the Navy in the 1960s. Currently, only one other DDG-2 class ship exists besides the Adams, and it’s in Germany moored as a museum.

The Adams Class Veterans Association (ACVA) started the effort to save the ADAMS as a museum by approaching at least three different cities. Complications successively sunk the first two efforts. Then the veterans focused on Jacksonville where they slowly gained some attention, incorporated a team, and systematically developed support in City Council, Council committees, City commissions, and received endorsements. After the Resolution passed out of two City Council committees, it went to the full Council for consideration. On February 26, 2008, the City Council unanimously passed an amendment to the Resolution that listed the entire Council as co-sponsoring the Resolution – and then quickly voted to pass the Resolution without dissent.

ACVA Board member Wayne Misenar, a retired Chief Warrant Officer, said that this was a day he has looked forward to for a number of years. “It’s a day I wasn’t sure I’d ever see.” The response to the ACVA from veterans expressing congratulations and quickly adding that they are available to volunteer to help bring the Adams back to her nimble state of readiness, at least as a museum, is gratifying. AVCA President Tom Crosser expressed appreciation for the progress to date and is very excited about the response from members of the AVCA and other ship organizations. “If we continue to get the support from members that we have seen in the last couple days, we will easily meet our goal to have a full list of volunteers to help bring her back to glory.” The ACVA’s reason for existing is to save the Adams and find her a home where she can serve the rest of her life educating and entertaining the public, veterans and children. The museum plans include memorializing all 23 ships in the class, including photos, memorabilia, and histories of the service of all the ships. According to retired Navy Captain Bob Branco, a former Commanding Officer of the Adams, “It’s appropriate to bring the ship back home to Jacksonville where she was home-ported for the last 23 years of her service.”

From here, the effort to save the Adams will include submitting an approximate 1,000 page Ship Donation Application to the Navy, and fundraising, fundraising, fundraising. Jacksonville team member Bert Watson knows very well what the ACVA is facing, but remains very optimistic. “I’ve been looking far into this tunnel for months, seeing a light and trying to decide if it was a train coming at me or not. I am very inspired by the capability of the ACVA team to put this Ship Donation Application together. It is definitely daylight in that tunnel.” But Watson also knows that the development of the Application must be matched by a successful fundraising campaign. The funding strategy will depend on three areas: (1) the DDG community strongly supporting the effort; (2) the greater Jacksonville community participating in large numbers; and (3) the business and corporate community playing their part. Between in-kind and monetary contributions, the $7 million cost to bring her to “museum ready status” is a realistic goal.

The quality of the attraction to be gained by the Jacksonville Community will be substantial. The organizers foresee the ADAMS being an exciting interactive and vibrant museum as well as the premier event venue in Jacksonville. There are no naval ship museums in Florida or Georgia, and both states have significant naval and military presence. Initial estimates suggest the Adams will be dedicated as the Jacksonville Historical Naval Ship Museum in mid-2010.

2/21/08 - UPDATE

This week, Adams and ACVA passed another hurdle by being endorsed by the Finance Committee and the Recreation / Community Development Committee of Jacksonville City Government.

Our next hurdle will be a vote of the full City Council on Tuesday evening February 26. Our Team in Jacksonville believes we have sufficient City Council support for our proposal to pass and be sent to the Mayor for his signature, which has been assured by a Mayoral representative.

Writing of the Application for Donation that we must submit to NAVSEA is progressing nicely and our Application Team must be commended for their efforts. Former Adams CO and ACVA VP, Bob Branco, led a second Survey Team back to Philly on February 19-20 to secure additional details on the condition of Adams for inclusion in the Application for Donation.

Former Sellers CO, Bob Rumney, has been working on a Yard Availability Report just as he would have done while on Active Duty. This too will be part of our Application for Donation so NAVSEA knows what repairs we intend to make while Adams is in Dry Dock. This was a primary reason for the Survey Visit I mentioned above. Bob Rumney has also put together an outline for our Volunteer Program, so those of you who may be pacing the deck waiting to get your hands dirty on Adams, will know what to expect. I will talk more about this in future emails / newsletters.

Tom Crosser
President, Adams Class Veterans Association, Inc.

1/22/08 - NEWS FLASH

As many of you ACVA members already know, ACVA set out some weeks ago to raise the $100,000 (plus!) needed to cover the cost of having a professional Application writer prepare the ADAMS Ship Donation Application for submission to NAVSEA before the 31 MAR 2008 deadline. However, the ACVA Board has also explored other alternatives to completing the Application. As it worked out, part of the answer came from within ACVA. Support for the project has been growing tremendously, both in the Jacksonville area and across the country. The end result has been an influx of new members and supporters, many of whom are uniquely qualified in areas critical to the project. After analyzing who and what resources we had gained, ACVA Directors of City Search, James Aldrich and Bob Branco, suggested that we complete portions of the application ourselves. This is not without precedent; several successful naval ship museums have followed the same course.

A plan was laid out, detailing who would do what parts of the application, along with a timetable that would assure that we got the completed application submitted by the deadline. The Board reviewed the plan and discussed it thoroughly at the 1/15/08 Board meeting. At the end of the discussion period, the Board voted unanimously to approve the plan - that ACVA would be responsible for preparation of the Application, but using "outside sources" to complete those critical sections of the Application where ACVA did not have the expertise. The writing of the Application is already under way and on schedule.

This new plan for completing the Application is reflected in the changes to the "thermometers" on the ACVA home page. We now have 2 thermometers. That portion of the total funds needed for the application which would have gone for the professional writing of the Application, approximately $78,000, has been shifted to an "in kind" donation thermometer. This represents the value of the time and effort donated by our people who are writing the Application, which we otherwise would have had to pay 'cash'.

Even with these "in kind" donations, we still require funds for things which MUST be done by "outside sources", like the required Marketing Survey, various engineering services, and the berth design. This is reflected by the "cash" thermometer, and these donations we have received will be used to pay for the services needed from the "outside sources". We are still short in this area; the cost of the Marketing Survey and other required expenses is still not totally covered. The Board feels, however, that obtaining donations to cover these expenses is "doable”, thus allowing ACVA to submit an Application for ADAMS by the deadline.

Also at the 1/15/08 Board meeting, the resignation of Rick Watson as Vice President was accepted. The Board was unanimous in their expression of gratitude to Rick for his efforts to help get ACVA to where we are today. The Board voted unanimously to elect Bob Branco, Captain, USN (Retired) and former C.O. of ADAMS, to the vacant VP position. Another recent addition to our ACVA Board is Bill Hunteman, who is taking on the job of Director of Ships Liaison. He will be responsible for communicating with all the DDG Ship Reps, and other interested parties, keeping them informed of our progress and providing them updates.

Since the ACVA is a “nation-wide” organization, ACVA members residing in the Jacksonville area have formed the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA), so that we will have a local group which can take custody of the ADAMS, and operate the museum.

The Jacksonville City Council met on January 22, and legislation was introduced by Councilman Warren Jones containing a Resolution that supports placing the ADAMS on the south bank of the St Johns River in the downtown area at our preferred berth site. This legislation (Resolution) has been referred to two committees for review, the Finance Committee and the Recreation and Community Development Committee. The Resolution will be reviewed at two more City Council meetings (standard procedure) prior to a vote, which we expect to see happen toward the end of February. This necessary piece of support is moving along nicely!

12/18/07 - PROCEDURE CHANGE

The ACVA Bylaws are going to be removed from the EZ Board. ACVA Members who wish to have their own copy of the bylaws may request them directly, via email, from Dave Myerly: DaveDDG2@aol.com

12/08/07 - STATUS REPORT TO NAVSEA and REPLY

We recently sent NAVSEA a status report and received a prompt reply. View them via this link.

11/29/07 - UPDATE

> To: All ACVA Ship Reps.

> > From: ACVA President.

> > Subject: Urgent Communication and Request to Adams Class Shipmates.

> > Gentlemen,

> > Due to the ongoing efforts of the ACVA Board and our JAX Team, the Jacksonville Florida Waterways Commission passed a Resolution on November 1, stating their support for the berthing of the last existing ADAMS CLASS DESTROYER IN THE UNITED STATES, USS CHARLES F. ADAMS, in their city and the creation of a Memorial and Museum, dedicated to the Adams Class DDG's, the sailors who served on them, their contribution to our nation's security during the Cold War, and their part in US Naval History.

> > As of Tuesday November 27, the report from our JAX Team added two more City Council Members to the list of those supporting our efforts. This brings the total to 13 supporting our effort, 3 uncertain (but probable) and 2 yet to be briefed. The 13 is the "super majority" we wanted to secure prior to bringing the request to the full Council for consideration. Additionally we were briefed on Business Leaders and other interested parties who have voiced support for Adams and ACVA. And lastly, the City of Jacksonville's Veterans' Affairs Director has voiced a "No Objection" position on our effort. This is significant due to the fact that the Mayor will ask his opinion first, and also because he has declined each and every Naval Ship Museum proposal he has seen, including this one in May, until last week when he expressed support for ours during a meeting with a JAX Team member.

> > We need to make sure that our message is getting to each and every former Adams Class crew member possible. We need to make sure that everyone knows about recent developments in Jacksonville and the fact that we only have until March 31, 2008 to submit our "Application for Donation" to NAVSEA. The preparation and submission of the actual "Application" Is going to cost ACVA at least $100,000.

> > This information must go out as fast as possible to all former Adams Class crew members. We need contributions and we need them very quickly. Our goal is within sight. We have asked and often prayed for this opportunity and it is finally before us. We must rise to the occasion and do our part to bring Adams to her final home. I am asking that every sailor make a $25 contribution - and send it today...PLEASE. If you can send a little more, Great! But more important, contact anyone else you think would be interested in our effort and ask them to send a little too. As we were taught on board, many hands make light work.

> > I will also request that everyone associated with an Adams Class web site or Reunion Group have our story and this request posted prominently so anyone visiting your site can read about our ongoing effort to save the last Adams Class DDG in the US. Please make sure all of your shipmates are aware of the ADAMS Class Veterans Association web site (www.adamsclassddgvets.org) because on that site is all the latest info, including a rendering of ADAMS sitting in the proposed berth on the St Johns River in JAX!

Tom Crosser
President, Adams Class Veterans Association, Inc.

11/02/07 - FLASH MESSAGE - JAX Waterways Commission endorses ADAMS Concept

On November 1st, the Jacksonville Waterways Commission (which is tied to the City Council) voted to endorse the concept of berthing ADAMS in JAX. Final endorsement from the Commission will depend on the future submission of a detailed Business Plan, and related Financial Plan (upon which work can now begin, given Commission support of the berthing... they understood we couldn't put a plan together without a location defined). The next step will be to go to the JAX City Council and also get their support (about 1/2 of all City Councilmen have already said they support the proposal).

Bert Watson gave a superb presentation (Powerpoint), and then there was an extensive Question & Answer session. There were 2 Commissioners who, during the Q & A discussion, voiced some concerns (parking, impact on nearby boat ramp, lack of a detailed financial plan, etc). One Commissioner expressed concern that there was "no organization behind the effort". Jim Aldrich explained about ACVA, and our concept that once the City says they support the idea, then a local "501c3 Museum group" will be formed. In spite of the concerns from the 2 Commissioners, these 2 Commissioners voted to Endorse anyway. On the other hand, during the Q & A, there were about half a dozen Commissioners who were very vocal in their outright support of the idea. One had recently been to Charleston, and Patriot's Point, and she said, basically, this is a wonderful thing to do, and can be of great benefit to the City ! The failed SARATOGA effort surfaced, but everyone agreed that ADAMS is a much different (smaller, more appropriate to JAX) kind of proposal. Another key point - the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Waterways Commission are both City Councilmen, and both of these men expressed strong support of the idea. There were no "NO" votes when the Commissioners voted on the Motion to endorse the ADAMS concept. Bert has been told that he will get a "copy" of the Endorsement. After the presentation, several - commissioners and people from the audience - came up and voiced strong support of the proposal; all offered support, a couple offered guidance and references to other that might help, and one offered to help directly!

That afternoon, the ACVA JAX Team put together the urgent action items that now must get into high gear - additional fund raising, establishment of 501c3 in JAX, and commencement of work on elements of the Application. This is what we have been waiting for. The door has been opened and it up to us to continue opening it so that we can walk through it. This is why the fundraising letters have been sent. We have asked for this opportunity - it is ours for the taking and take it we must. It is a great part of the reason we have banded to gether. Please contribute some funding, some names and contacts of others who can contribute, and please share the inspiration felt by the ACVA Board and the ACVA JAX T team !! We can now control our destiny - it is up to us to kick this can down the road. We owe Wayne & Bert a big ATTAYBOY for achieving this success!! Download the Jacksonville Waterways Commission resolution.

10/16/07 - Waddell Association Presentation

The WADDELL Association recently had a Reunion in Charleston, SC. Jim Aldrich went to their Saturday evening banquet to provide a Powerpoint briefing on ACVA's efforts to berth ADAMS in Jacksonville. The presentation was very well received, and some of the WADDELL crew members made very generous contributions to the ACVA effort.

09/22/07

06/07/07

Official Report - ACVA Report on Adams Evaluation Visit 0521-052307
This report of the survey of the Charles F.Adams in Philadelphia is set up so that you can download it and read it at your leisure, and/or save it for future reference.