The start of 2009 saw our financial situation to be in excellent order, with a bank balance of $10.939.00.
The Great Ship Nimitz
Your Historian felt it might be appropriate time to reiterate the Mission of the Great Ship Nimitz for all of our Members by publishing it in our 2009 History.
MISSION
Employ persistent, precise combat power from the sea to destroy or neutralize adversaries in all regions of the battle space.
VISION
USS NIMITZ is one of eleven capital warships in the United States Navy. As such, everything NIMITZ does is observed by others. NIMITZ achieves excellence in combat capability by relentlessly executing all tasks, both fundamental and advanced, with professionalism. This execution is enabled by a high degree of teamwork. The professionalism thus demonstrated is an indicator of combat capability that comforts friends and gives pause to potential adversaries.
GOALS
Attain and maintain a high degree of professionalism and competent execution of all tasks, thereby achieving superior combat capability.
Provide for the professional and personal development of the crew through training and covenant leadership.
Promote the welfare of NIMITZ families using regular communication and facilitating the use of established support services.
While preparing for our core missions, retain the flexibility and capability of conducting humanitarian tasks as directed.
Reunion 2009
The 2009 Reunion was held aboard Royal Caribbean’s “Enchantment of the Seat” from 13-18 June 2009. We departed Port Everglades on 13 June at 1700 and returned to port on 18 June at 0800.
A Bon Voyage party was held in the Schooner Bar where each participant was handed a glass of Champagne as we departed Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The general meeting for the USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Association was held at 0800, 14 June, and was called to order by Joe Brunner, Acting President, with the Members Only meeting commencing at 0900. The second business meeting was held on Wednesday, 17 June. Results of these meetings are as follows:
The first motion made was to suspend the By-Laws related to conducting a business meeting without a superior majority of the Association Officers present due to extenuating circumstances’ regarding the economy, etc., by Dave Wood. The motion was seconded by Pat O’Brien. The motion carried.
John Wilder was nominated in absentia for Secretary/Treasurer. The motion was seconded by Ed Deats, Nominating Chairman. Since there was no opposition, the vote was unanimously approved.
l Wood was nominated for a second term as Spouses Advocate; the motion was seconded by Jim Futtner. Since there was no opposition, the vote was unanimously approved.
All applauded both John and Carol for their continued support to the Association.
A motion was made by Ed Deats for members of the Association to once again attend the Tail Hook Convention later this year using the President’s discretionary fund. The motion was seconded by Tim Gildea. Discussion ensured.
The vote was taken at the second business meeting and passed with a majority vote.
Discussion ensured regarding the reunion in 2012, with the following cities recommended:
Sacramento, CA - Fort Mitchell, KY - San Diego, CA - St. Louis, MO
A vote was conducted on Wednesday, 17 June and the overwhelming winner was Sacramento, California. Ed and Phyllis Deats agreed to Coordinate the Reunion.
It was noted that the increase in membership was due in most part as a result of the letter and e-mail campaign last year, as well as our participation in the Tail Hook Convention, held in July 2008. Thanks to all who participated in getting new members for the Association.
The Treasurer’s report was as follows:
Bank balance as of 31 December 2008 = $10,900.00
Bank balance as of 1 June 2009 = $11,500.00
Volunteers were recruited to review the Scholarship Applications. Each volunteer was given a blind scoring sheet.
Results: The 2009 winner of the Chester Nimitz Scholarship was Ross Pederson, son of Shipmate Mark Pederson. Mark served on board in Admin/X4 from August 1984 to June 1986. Ross was notified that he had won when we came ashore on 18 June.
A 50/50 Raffle was conducted, and $130.00 was collected for the Scholarship Fund. The winning ticket was held by Doris Berlin, who donated $20.00 back to the Scholarship Fund.
The Spouse’s meeting was held after the General, All Hands meeting. The ladies decorated souvenir picture frames and discussed possible location for the 2012 reunion.
A Silent Auction was held and raised $231 for the Association. Thanks to all who participated and brought Memorabilia/items for the auction.
The Captain of the Enchantment of the Seas was invited to attend our meeting and graciously accepted. He was presented with the Association Plaque commemorating the RCCL’s hosting of the 2009 Association reunion. The plaque was supplied and created by our own Myrl Wallace. The Captain was very appreciative and remained at the meeting to speak and answer any questions that the members had for him. There were lot of humorous comparisons of an Aircraft Carrier vs. a civilian cruise ship. It was a great opportunity to meeting and talk with the Skipper.
Father Peter conducted a Mass on Sunday, 14 June in the Royal Crown Room.
Ports of Call included George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.
It was a great reunion; all participants commented on how much fun it was despite the low turnout..
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On 24 March 2009, Captain Paul O. Monger relieved RADM Michael C. Manazir (16 March 2007 - 24 August 2009), becoming the 15th Commanding Officer of the Great Ship NIMITZ (CVN-68). Captain Monger was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in June 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering. The son of a career Naval Aviator, he attended flight school and was designated a Naval Flight Officer upon receiving his wings of gold in August 1983. He completed F-14A training with VF-124 at NAS Miramar and reported to the Bounty Hunters of VF-2 in March 1982. NOTE: Not wishing to refer to any of our Members as “old”, but our Association Founder and Historian, Bill Paschall, completed 30 years of active naval service on 1 July 1980, about two years before Captain Monger graduated from the Naval Academy, and at this writing he is still with us at age 79.
Having been officially organized on 1 July 1997, our Association celebrated its 12th Birthday in 2009. Our first reunion was held 18-22 March 1998, at the Lake Wright Resort, Norfolk, Virginia.
Ed Deats, Joe and Bea Brunner, Joe Murphy, representing the Association, attended this year's Tailhook Convention at the Nugget in Sparks, Nevada from Wednesday, September 9th through Saturday, September 12th. The coordinator of this event, Marc Ostertag (“Tag”), invited our group to participate again at no charge to the Association. We are still the only carrier shipmates organization that participates in recruiting. The USS RANGER Foundation purchased a booth space to promote itself but did not recruit. Although our participation was roundly received we regretfully only signed up one new member. Exposure, however, was priceless!! Former NIMITZ skipper, Rear Admiral Jack Batzler, attended as well as another previous NIMITZ CO, Rear Admiral (LH) Ted "Twig" Branch, who is now the new Commander of Carrier Group 1 and will be home ported in San Diego. Even though our recruiting was not as good as last year we still feel that our presence was a success and look forward to attending the 2010 convention 9-12 September 2010
Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet awarded USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) the Retention Excellence Award, also known as the Golden Anchor, for the fourth year in a row.
On 2 December 2010, NIMITZ changed homeport to Bremerton, Washington.
Our Ship’s Store Inventory shows a well stocked Ship’s Store. Although we do not include a dollar value of store items, it is in addition to our end of year bank account balance:
USS Nimitz Ships Store Inventory
(Store Items are available on the Association Web Site)
Hats 2807 8 Gold;
2808 9 Child;
2809 5 Lowrise
2810 Watch Cap 11
Visors
2904 5 Blue; 2911 5 Khaki
2901 Golf Shirts Black Pique 9 sm; 8 med; 3 lg; 0 xl; 0 xxl
2902 J Golf Shirts Blue Jersey 11 lg; 10 xl; 10 xxl
2902P Golf Shirts Blue Jersey with Pocket 6xl; 6 xxl
2902 Golf Shirts Blue Pique 8 sm; 12 med; 6 lg; 10xl; 5 xxl
2903 Golf Shirts White Pique 8 sm; 9 med; 5 lg; 12 xl; 6 xxl
2904 Golf Shirts Royal Blue Pique 6 lg; 11 xl; 12xxl; 2xxxl
2905 Golf Shirts Royal Blue Jersey 6 xl; 6xxl
Grey T Shirts 0 sm; 0 med; 1 lg; 0 xl; 0 xxl
White w/gold T Shirts 0 sm; 0 med; 2 lg; 0 xl; 2 xxl
White w/blue T Shirts 0 sm; 0 med; 3 lg; 4 xl; 0 xxl
2816 Ladies Sleeveless White Pique 2 sm; 2 med; 2 lg; 4 xl
2817 Ladies Sleeveless Navy Blue 1 sm; 2 med; 4 lg; 3 xl
2815 Ladies Sleeveless Lt Blue 3 sm; 2 med; 3 lg; 4 xl
2814 Ladies Golf Shirts Aqua 2 sm; 3 med; 3 lg; 3 xl
2906 Windshirts Blue 1 lg; 1 xl; 2 xxl
2810 Windbreaker Jackets, Brushed Twill, Royal Blue 1 lg;
Micro Fiber Navy Blue 2 sm; 2 med; 2 lg; 6xl; 1 xxl
2920 Sweat Shirts Blue 0 sm; 0 med; 0 lg; 0 xl; 1xxl
Childs White w/blue T Shirts size 10 to 12 - 2
Childs White w/gold T Shirts size 6 to 8 – 1; size 10 to 12 – 2
2809 Totes 6 Blue;
2813 5 Khaki
2811 USS Nimitz CVN-68 Challenge Coins 59
Mouse Pads 7
3000 Lapel Pins 294
3010 Shave Kit 12
The Association ended 2009 on solid financial grounds with a bank balance of $ 13,686.00.