~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ B i t s  'n  B y t e s ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A very Happy 2010 to all, This message is to announce the launch of "USS PUEBLO 2010  the Website." It has taken a while to compile everything, and we are not finished yet, for which I apologize in advance. But, the birth had to come sometime so Groundhog Day seemed right. There has literally been a plethora of new information that we have been trying to digest. The Cdr. Richard A. Mobley's book Flash Point North Korea has opened a new window on why PUEBLO was left without any protection. Add that book's information with the info from Mitch Lerner's The Pueblo Incident: A Spy Ship and the Failure of American Foreign Policy and the two show a total USN disregard for any semblance of protection for PUEBLO let alone what North Korea would attempt!

Anyway, here it is: http://www.usspueblo.org/

The quest continues.

Dick was born on the 5th of July 1935 in Gardner, Massachusetts, and entered the U.S. Navy on 3 May 1954.  While he was serving in USS LIBERTY on 8 June 1967 in the Mediterranean, Israel attacked the ship without warning during the Arab-Israeli Six Day War.  Dick received shrapnel wounds from the first attacking Mirage Jet Fighter’s machine guns while he watched, with binoculars, the Israeli bombardment along the shores near the El Arish Lighthouse. He was standing on the 04 signal bridge at the time of the attack. His first hand account of this incident is in the NCVA History Book, "Echoes of Our Past", beginning on page 133.

Dick married his wife Merlene on 30 December 1959 in Ellsworth, Maine, while he was stationed at NSGA Winter Harbor. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their children (David, Katherine and Eric), daughters and son-in-law, and all five of their grandchildren. Dick retired from the Navy on 3 October 1973. He retired again in 1989 from his second career as Vice President and Senior Operations Officer of Key Bank of Maine, then again from his third career as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Maine in 2002. His hobbies include landscape photography, reading military history, as well as camping, traveling and sailing.

There were several dispays of WWII equipment and weapons and people dressesd up in uniforms of that period. One of the diplays was dedicated to the combat photographer/correspondent. Many pieces of the equipment he used were there to see, including cameras and typewriters.

We went aboard the battleship USS Massachusetts around 1300 just as the ceremony celebrating national POW/MIA Recognition Day was to begin. We sat down and watched the various speakers talk about the importance of keeping the POW/MIA issue alive and in the minds of polititians as well as the general public. The event was sponsored by the American Legion.

There was a color guard made up from members of various posts around the Commonwealth.

A place table was set with four empty place settings signifying the POW/MIA's from the four services.

Color Guard

Missing Men Setting

The guest speaker was former POW CDR Timothy B. Sullivan, from Massachusetts, who's F-4B Phantom II was shot down on November 16, 1967 after taking off for a mission from the USS Coral Sea. He spoke about how the wearing of POW/MIA bracelets and flying of the POW/MIA flag here at home were very important. Their captors saw this as a show of support for them, their treatment improved.

Other NCVA-NE members present were: Tom Christie, Walter Green and Mike Powers.

Tucson, AZ was selected as the reunion site for 2012. Phoenix, AZ was a choice. Personal opinion is that the features of both cities were too close to make any great distinction.

Dave Fiehtner (Reunion Site Coordinator) asked me about the possibility of NCVA-NE hosting the 2013 reunion in Hartford, CT. I said I'd pass it along.

Dave is also investigating the means by which voting is conducted in the NCVA, for example: election of officers. One of the methods to be looked at is using the Internet.

The Reserve Cryptologic Sailor of the Year is EN1 Michael Watson of Lakewood, CO. Yes - Mike is an Engineman attached to a unit composed of cryppies (info/warfare).

Fred Demech, host for the 2010 reunion in Valley Forge, PA provided an update on his plans. Registration information, tour information and hotel reservation information is available on the NCVA website - www.usncva.org. Some members have already made hotel reservations.

Bob Anderson (Executive Director) asked for input on revision to NCVA by-laws. He also stated that Jack Gustafson (Membership Secretary) will be retiring next year. Anyone interested in taking over this position should write a letter to Bob (address is in the Cryptolog).

The NCVA Treasurer's Report was handed out at the Board of Director's meeting. Net worth is: $204,501.39.

Ship's Store annual report indicates that sales during the past year amounted to $24,880.00; expenditures: $15,077.91. Profit: $9,802.09.

A flyer for the Louisville reunion (2011) was made available. Room rates begin at $104.00. NCVA website contains some additional information.

Rear Admiral Thomas Kendziorski, head of the Reserve program was speaker at the NCRA (Naval Cryptologic Reserve Association) meeting and NCVA business meeting. (He is a former CTR2.) One item of note provided by him is that the U.S. Cyber Command is slated for establishment in the near future. The Navy's subordinate command will be titled Fleet Cyber Command/Commander U.S. Tenth Fleet. (I'm assuming the Naval Network Warfare Command will be absorbed into this organization.) Fort Devens, MA (home of some of our Reserve members) is slated for a "cyber unit."

NCRA, like NCVA, is having problems with obtaining new members. Lee Parsons was appointed to the position of Information and Membership Director. I volunteered to get together with Lee to work on a "presentation program," something similar to what Nuchie Carnavale and I did at the Reserve Unit in Pennsylvania about three years ago. If you have ideas, pass them along (kcadran@comcast.net).

Re-elected to the Board of Directors are: Jerry Maravetz and Penny Tardona. Newly elected is Rob Rude.

Rob Rude and Bill Hickey (NCVA webmaster and Reflector "master" respectively) provided a dog and pony show about the NCVA website, explaining various parts of how the website came about, how it is monitored, communicating with the "masters", etc. One item that was dwelled on was the recent change to using Yahoo. Also, if an individual wishes to provide an attachment to an e-mail for All Hands, this may now be done. Bill also stated that he has re-assumed "monitoring" any e-mail addressed to NCVA. The plethora of e-mails appearing in recent times which have nothing to do with NCVA, was a major reason for this act.

Rob Rude also asked for recommendations for modifications to the website. Forward to: K0RAR@yahoo.com . (That's a zero in his address.)

The Board of Directors voted to authorize the Cryptolog Editor to purchase a lap top computer.

End of report.

Many years after I left the Navy, I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes which falls under the Agent Orange umbrella. For this I get a 20% disability from the VA. It took over two years and a lot of hard work to get my claim approved. I was fortunate to have a local VA agent who really fought hard for my case.

H.R. 2254, The Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009, will eliminate the "boots on the ground" requirement for those trying for medical benifits from the VA. I strongly urge all veterans to write their congressman and tell them to support this bill.

For more information you can check out these sites:

We all went through our own special moments in the military. We have stories to share. And values to uphold and present to others. Dave Phaneuf and I go back to our teenage years in high school together.

Memorial Day (observed) began with a crystal clear day.

The night before I had removed my 3 rows of ribbons from the "shadow box" and affixed them to my blue jacket, ironed up the trousers, brushed off the shoes, and straightened out the metal emblems on my ball cap which has written on it, "IN GOD WE TRUST…ALL OTHERS WE MONITOR."

The temperature was around 60°F when I left home at 0630 for the 75 mile drive to Gouldsboro, Maine. Traffic was practically nonexistent. I set the cruise on 55 most of the time, just to enjoy the pristine Maine coast scenery. I stopped to take many photographs along the way, to include the new bridge with the observation tower over the Penobscot River, the mud and clam flats in Hancock, Acadia National Park as seen from an overview on U.S Route 1, and lobster boats in the bay hauling traps while sea gulls flew close by looking for scraps of bait. A stunning drive.

I arrived at the ball field on Fisher Road in Gouldsboro at 0830. I was the first one there. I parked the GMC under a shade tree. Soon other vehicles began to arrive carrying the Naval Base Det Alfa color guard, boy scouts, cub scouts and other veterans. I spoke with the parade organizer and explained that I had been asked by other naval personnel to join them in the walk on this day. She was pleased to hear that. She explained that we could drive in our vehicles the half mile to the Gouldsboro Fire Station where the ceremony would take place, or we could walk. I said that the four of us planned to walk. (We were later joined by other walkers).

Soon, Dave Phaneuf arrived, followed by Bob Kord and lastly Larry and Phyllis Peterson. We were all placed directly behind the color guard from the Navy Base. Many photos were taken by Larry and I. We were joined by about 8 other veterans who walked with us. Behind us were more veterans in autos, followed by the local Scout troops, and then the fire engines, ambulances, emergency vehicles and others, all with lights blinking and sirens turned off.

The half-mile walk was brisk down a country road, lined with stately old elms, birch and poplar trees, indigenous to this area. As we neared homes owned by residents whose livelihood is from the sea, the owners stood outside and waved little flags and applauded. The majority of the greeters were standing closer to and at the fire station. Larry and Dave chided some veteran friends standing along side the parade route and invited them to join us, which they did, much to the glee and applause of the local community.

The walk seemed to be more like a family outing. Grand. Just simply grand!

We arrived at the Gouldsboro Fire Station, mingling for a spell, taking photos of everyone, and then took our seats as Cub Scout Troop #101 sang "Proud To Be An American" and received a healthy and resounding applause from the crowd. The U.S. Navy Color Guard, Prospect Harbor Naval Station posted the colors. The National Anthem was played. Mr. Dana Rice, Head Selectman of Gouldsboro, welcomed us. A reading "Freedom’s Memorial" was read. The Cub Scout Troop #101 sang "America The Beautiful" and then YNC(SW) Rob. A. Hudson, USNR spoke to us about Memorial Day. A wreath laying by ETCM (SW/AW) Michael Chavez, USN and MA3 Krystal Pierce, USN was followed by a moment of silence. Taps was played and YNC(S) Rob Hudson read the verses of TAPS.

As the program ended, an elderly gentleman in the crowd fainted. Medics rushed to him. The ambulance was brought. He was revived.

The final reading "I Stand Before You" was read, and then we were dismissed to enjoy the fellowship of everyone and move over to the Community Center next door, for a women’s club sponsored pancake breakfast. Didn’t have to twist my arm to go! I was hungry, since I had not eaten breakfast.

I was introduced to many local townspeople, by Dave Phaneuf, who has lived in the area for over 30 years. He was a teacher and principal for the Lamoine Consolidated School in Lamoine, Maine for 17 years until he retired in 1994.

Following the pancake breakfast, Phyllis Peterson drove us back to get our vehicles. We then followed her and Larry to their home in Gouldsboro. They have a brand new home, which sets high on a hill, from which they over look Frenchman’s Bay and Harbor, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. A stunning million dollar view! Wow! Phyllis gave us coffee and tea and little cakes as we sat around the table talking about R390s (radio receivers from the old Navy days), and life in general both military and civilian while watching the wood peckers and hummingbird feeding at the feeders near the bay window. It was a grand morning.

The first order of business, after the April meeting was called to order by President John Hogan and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, was to recognize both Ed Carey (for holding an extremely successful mini-reunion in Vermont) and Dick Carlson (for his Prayer List). It was noted that the Prayer List has been getting a lot of use in recent months.

Past President Dave Phaneuf was presented with an award plaque for his Exceptional Service as the President of the United States Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association’s New England Chapter from October 2004 through October 2007.

(Photo left) Dave addresses NCVA-NE members after being presented with the plaque for his outstanding service to the group.

An updated listing of the present active members of the New England Chapter was made available to the members at the business meeting. Phil Sirmons, the Director of the NCVA-NE Ships Store , introduced some new items that are available for purchasing for the ladies of the NCVA-NE. The items included some tote bags and a baseball type hat in color(s) more suited to the taste of the ladies.

One of the new business items brought before the members was a discussion about supporting the San Diego County POW Chapter 1. That organization proposes to erect a 15 foot tall bronze statue that will convey the excitement, trepidation, exhilaration, and emotion of the moment that a veteran steps out of the darkness of captivity and into the light of freedom. The statue will be placed in the hallowed grounds of the new Annex to the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Dedication is scheduled for February 2010, and donations are being solicited to defray the costs of building the monument. The NCVA-NE voted to support the effort and will urge the USNCVA to do likewise.

It was decided, at the business meeting, to hold the Fall 2009 mini-reunion in the quaint Connecticut town of Bethel. The host for the Fall Mini-Reunion, which will be headquartered at the Stony Hill Inn, will be Dave Phanuef. A second location that was in contention for the fall reunion was the Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine. After due consideration, it was decided to hold mini-reunions at both locations, but the Stony Hill Inn in Bethel Connecticut got the nod for the Fall of 2009. A reunion at the Samoset Resort will be scheduled at a later date.

This is a project that deserves more attention and our active support. The purpose of this program is "to get as many pocket flags as we can into the pockets of our military personnel on the front lines. We want them to know that we care and that we keep them in our hearts and our prayers."

This particular program was conducted at Sebasticook Middle School in Newport and the actual program lasted about an hour (I am too old to regularly stand at attention for an hour). My responsibility was to present a folded flag to the JROTC members from Nokomis Regional High School, who refolded the flag and then presented it to the family of a soldier currently in Afganistan. I felt very honored to be the sole uniformed Navy member in attendance. Following the ceremony which included a speech by a Army Colonel and the reading of a letter from Senator Susan Collins who was in Europe, the students retired to their classrooms to fold the 600 small flags (explained on their website).

In 1927 Scherbius brought the patents held by the Dutchman, Hugo Alexander Koch, who invented a more sophisticated rotor principle in 1919. After the death of Scherbius further technical development of Enigma was led by WILLI KORN, who had in 1926 made it possible to design the compact and much lighter Enigma "C".

Although smaller, it lacked a typewriter, relying instead on the operator reading the lamps, hence it was known as the "Glowlamp Enigma." It quickly became extinct, giving way to Enigma "D", in 1927.

The German Reichwere acquired a large number of enigmas in 1926. At that time, the German Navy adapted it for military use.

I guess the reason for me writing this is; Is WILLI KORN a long lost relative, who interestingly enough held at least four US patents? (two were issued in 1926 and two more in 1929). If he is related, he really would be a long lost relative as the KORN side of the family arrived in New Jersey sometime around the 1830 or 1840s, and my great grandfather John Korn (1847-1940) served in Connecticut 2nd Heavy Artillery during the Civil War. Perhaps a genealogy project is in the offing.

Upon exiting the M-1 motorway, near Milton Keynes, some 50 miles NW of London, one approaches Bletchley Park. The first thing that one notices is the road signage, Bletchley Park, "Home of the Codebreakers." The mansion at BP, originally the home of a wealthy landowner, was sold in the 1930s' to Captain Hebert Faulkner, who planned to demolish the buildings and sell the land as a housing site. However, Captain Ridley, RN, of MI-6 came up from London, under the guise as a gentleman sportsman and asked if the owner would be interested in leasing the land to a "shooting party." With the threat of war looming in 1938, the Government Code and Cypher School, in London needed a safer home, away from any possible enemy air attacks. Hence was founded once Britain's best kept secret.

In a turreted water tower, located in the mansion, was a tiny radio room, known as Station X. It maintained contacts with British embassies in Europe between 1939 and early 1940, when it was moved, in fear that it might be a target. The site did however suffer minor bomb damage on the night of November 20/21, 1940. One bomb hit the nearby church, another moved Hut 4, which housed the naval section, about a meter off of its foundation and a third bomb hit the outer parameter of the compound. By the end of the day, naval engineers had moved Hut 4 back into position and work was carried on as if nothing had happened. It is believed that the intended target was not BP but the nearby railway yards.

At the height of WWII, nearly 9000 people worked at BP. In addition to the work going on in the mansion, similar activity was taking place in at least 9 huts on the grounds. It was the site of Churchill's secret passion. He called it, "Geese that laid the golden eggs that never cackled." (The site now houses the largest privately owned collection of Churchill memorabilia). It is estimated that as a result of the work carried out there, countless lives were saved and the war was shortened by two years. There still exists the myth that the bombing of Coventry, which on November 15, 1940 German bombers completed a 10 hour blitz, dropping over 500 tons of explosives and 30,000 incendiary bombs, was permitted in order to save Bletchley Park and the work being conducted there. This is nothing more than a myth, yet the story lingers on. Bletchley Park is now designated a heritage site had home of the National Museum of Computing.

In addition to the mansion and the various huts, some unfortunately in rather poor condition, a must see are the various museum buildings. They house the famous Abwear Enigma machine, the Lorenz, a more complex cipher machine, an operational Bombe rebuild, as well as the Colossus rebuild which was the worlds' first semi-programable electric computer.

The Colossus (Mark-1) design started in March 1943 and by December of that year the 1500 valve, which we know as tubes, was shipped to BP. In January 1944 it was operational and reduced the time to break Lorenz messages from weeks to hours. This enabled vital information to be given to Eisenhower and Montgomery prior to D-Day. The Mark-2 followed in June 1944, with eight more quickly built to handle the increase in messages. By the end of hostilities some 63 million characters of high grade German messages were deciphered. After VJ Day, eight of the ten machines were dismantled, one of the remaining went to Eastcote, N. London and the other eventually to Cheltenham. All drawings were destroyed as the very existence of Colossus was kept secret. Over the years information about Colossus began to emerge, and in the 1990s' through the efforts of Tony Sale and others, wartime photos were studied, along with fragments of illegally kept drawings, the rebuild process began. There still some wartime valves available along with various pieces of equipment belong to the Post Office. Through the efforts of Sale and many retired gentlemen who fashioned needed parts in their back garden workshops, the Colossus was finally rebuilt. On June 6th, 1996 HRH, The Duke of Kent, switched on the rebuilt Colossus, now housed in the Faulkner House.

In Block B there is a statue of Alan Turing, a true genius who developed the theory of a machine that formed the basis of the modern computer. It was Turing who worked out the methodology of breaking the naval enigma. Also included is a home front exhibit, a German Signals (65th Nachrichten Abteiling) mock-up, a model of the new GCHQ headquarters in Cheltenham, known as "the doughnut." Countless other displays including a large selection of wartime posters, ship and aircraft models, an active amateur radio site are housed in the museum. The gift shop has a variety of items, including an extensive collection of books relating to BP and cryptology for sale.

My visit to BP was particularly interesting as I was fortunate to listen to a lecture given by a woman who actually worked there during WWII, and she provided a real insight into what went on there. In addition, our tour guide of the grounds was Tony Sale, an internationally recognized computer security lecturer, who was instrumental in rebuilding many of the complex crypto devices that are on display. He provided us with a wealth of information. Sale was one of the technical advisors when the film Enigma was being filmed, he said it was great fun teaching Kate Winslet how to use cypher equipment. He also maintains a website which is of interest to cryptology buffs.

Having spent a tour at GCHQ Cheltenham in 1966-1968 and worked with some of the people who had actually worked at BP, made me all the more appreciative of the enormous contribution that they had made. They lived in rented accommodations, roomed with local townspeople, stayed in manor houses, pubs, etc. Many bicycled to work in the pitch black of night, worked in cramped spaces, which must have been claustrophobic when at night the windows were shuttered to protect the workers should there be any bomb blasts. Under these conditions they processed thousands of messages, reading and rereading tapes, probably under poor lighting, can only make one thankful for their efforts. It is estimated that some 3000 messages arrived by courier daily. I felt very humbled, and indeed privelaged, to have experienced a visit to Bletchley Park, "Home of the Codebreakers".

World War I was known as the "war to end all wars" because of the great slaughter and destruction it caused. Unfortunately, the peace treaty that officially ended the conflict -- the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 -- forced punitive terms on Germany that destabilized Europe and laid the groundwork for World War II.

November 11, 2008 found patriotism very much alive Veterans Day in Bangor, Maine. We, who walked with veterans from all branches of the military, saw it in the eyes of our great servicemen and women who lined the streets of Bangor and Brewer and walked or rode in the parade.

The Veterans Day Parade march was quite exciting, as it always is, every year.

There were 3 members of the New England chapter of our NCVA who participated in the parade this year. Dave Phaneuf, a retired Lieutenant Commander, retired school teacher/principal of the Lamoine (Maine) Consolidated School, who lives in Gouldsboro; Jim Burks, is a Cryptologic Technician Technical Master Chief, also retired, living in Ellsworth; and Dick Carlson, a Cryptologic Technician "R" Petty Officer First Class living in Winterport, Maine. This was Jim's first time at marching, where as Dave and I have marched more than 4 times now, and mostly at either the Memorial Day Parade or the Veterans Day Parade.

Terrorism, the war in response, and the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan give Veterans Day special urgency.

Beginning at the head of the parade, the Vets were grouped as follows: WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq who marched with a new group just formed: the Global War on Terror Veterans. Jim qualifies for WW II and decided to march with them. Dave and I qualify for Korea and Viet Nam, but we decided to march with Jim to make sure he made it to the end and give him support.

We were behind the Army Band, headquartered at the old Dow AFB complex, now the Industrial Park of Bangor. The band played all of the military marches and patriotic hymns. It lifted our spirits even higher, and put a brisk pace into our step, as most of us failed trying to 'march' as a unit again even with "Sarge" behind us was calling out cadence.

It was cold! I had my coveted walking stick, courtesy of Cole Land Transportation who hands them out to Veterans. I had rigged something up on the walking stick with a strap so that it hung around my wrist and made it easier to hold on to, AND to use both hands to take photographs when I needed to.

The walk began at the Brewer Shopping Center, went down across the RR tracks, across the bridge over the Penobscot River, and then at the red light a right turn down Main Street in Bangor, where hundreds were waiting by the reviewing stand.

As we crossed the bridge over the Penobscot River, we were getting tired. The wind was biting cold everywhere, except on the bridge, where there was NO wind, and it was warm. No one stood on the bridge thinking it would have been too cold. It wasn't cold there. People were applauding, and waving. Many "Thank you veterans for serving" were heard. We responded to their greetings. There were many professional and home made signs everywhere. Little children, bundled up in winter gear, stood holding up signs of "Thank You" while their parents stood behind them waving. We made it a point to wave to them and get their attention. Something they'll remember when THEY march in parades.

Older veterans, unable to either walk or ride in the school buses provided for them, sat in chairs, wrapped in blankets, wearing portions of their uniforms, holding small American Flags, and waved. When we saw them, we saluted them. It was an emotional moment for the entire 1 hour of the march. Many wrapped in blankets, stood cheering as we walked by. The bulk of the crowd stood along Main Street downtown in Bangor, where the roar of their voices cheering us on echoed off the tall buildings.

We paused at the reviewing stand. I turned and looked back up the hill. Hundreds of marching veterans all the way to the top at the red light. Prayers were offered by dignitaries on the reviewing stand. Three were dressed as Civil War Union Officers and their wives. At the playing of our national anthem we removed our caps and placed our hands over our hearts. A 3 round volley from the rifle brigade startled many, the echo reverberating along the canyon of buildings on Main Street. And then taps was played, and I lost it. Taps always does that for me. I weep for joy that I'm alive, and weep for sadness because I lost so many dear and close friends on the USS LIBERTY.

We neared the red light, and I asked Jim how he was doing. He was still humming the tunes the band was playing, and marching like a Brit Paratrooper - chest out, arms swinging, and moving right along. I was stunned. I looked at Dave and said, "I don't think we need to hold up Jim. Look at him!" Dave looked over, and laughed. A few feet more and we both said, "Are we there yet" as we huffed and puffed. A right turn at the red light, and I said with a huge sigh, "we're here! It's all downhill from here!"

Jim was still marching along all the way to the end of the parade. What a guy!!

The band resumed their march, and this time as the NAVY HYMN was played we picked up our step. We marched further on, and then quietly disbanded. Another parade completed. We said to strangers who were now friends, "hope to see you next year also". Each understands that it is meant as a polite greeting of "thanks that we met up and marched as 'Brothers'"; but we also know it means, God willing, we will still be HERE next year. It's a given. The school buses were waiting to pick us up and take us back to Brewer to our vehicles.

We shook hands with a promise to "see you next year at the Memorial Day Parade, or at the Navy Conventions - which ever comes first."

I got into the GMC, fired it up, and turned the heat on. I was freezing cold! By the time I got home, I had warmed up.

The pool of WW II veterans gets smaller every year for obvious reasons.

The New England Chapter of NCVA held their mini-reunion 12-14 September 2008 in Burlington, Vermont. The reunion was scheduled the same time, and place, as the USS PUEBLO (AGER-2) 40th Anniversary reunion and I was invited to attend both. My experiences at the PUEBLO reunion are described on page 5. [in Cryptolog]

I was very impressed with John Hogan and Art Gowie and their organization and conduct of the meeting; Robert's Rules of Order prevailed but with a stereotypical New England twist. One could imagine being in a town meeting in some small Vermont village. Everyone knew the other participants but conducted themselves as though they were addressing strangers. The formalities were observed, and honored, by one and all, but the language back and forth was that of people used to having their say! And everyone definitely had their say! It was educational to listen to the arguments for and against changing the name of the New England Chapter to the North East Chapter. One reason for the proposed change was that people from outside of the "New England" states (New York and New Jersey) wanted to join this active chapter. Everyone had an opinion and expressed it in a most definitive manner! Motions were made, some were tabled, some were seconded, discussions were held, and minds were changed, all in good humor with lots of laughs and friendly disagreements. In the end, it was unanimous; the name of the chapter would stay New England. They decided that almost anyone, from anywhere (even Texas) could become a member of the New England chapter if they paid their dues and attended meetings. This was one of the best organized and formally conducted meetings, of any kind, I have witnessed in many years. Now I know why the New England chapter is one of the NCVA's most active and productive chapters.

I was surprised to learn how many local initiatives they were pursuing, like raising money for a "Lone Sailor" statue and other community based activities.

Near the end of the meeting, after all business had been conducted, each participant introduced themselves and gave us a short biography, including all duty stations and the years served. What a great idea! In that final half hour, several of us discovered we shared duty stations and experiences and re-connected with people we hadn't seen or heard from, in years.

If you live in the New England area, read anywhere in the North East, you should join the New England chapter and attend meetings. They are both educational, informative, and entertaining!

EMERGENCY IN ST. LOUIS
By Larry Dolieslager

As I was checking in at the St. Louis reunion registration desk I had what turned out to be a heart attack! Apparently I was a very lucky guy; someone was looking out for me as I was on the operating table and had two arteries that were blocked (100% for one and 90% for the other) cleared within an hour of the onset of my attack. I ended up having four stints inserted by the time I was finally released on 8/27/2008.

I want to thank Florance Egan for being in the right place at the right time as well as being concerned enough to check if I was okay. Her quick action went a long way in saving my life! I also want to thank Deborah Coutinho for her EMT expertise; keeping me calm and reassuring me I was going to be okay. If you ever have a bad case of "Heart Burn" like I did, you definitely want those two gals around!

The "Get Well Scroll" everyone signed was an unexpected surprise and went a long way in raising my expectations. I can't tell you how great it is to be part of a community that doesn't matter if they know you or not; there was a CT in distress and all jumped aboard! Just one more reason to be proud that I was and am a part of that community.

I finally got approval from TRICARE Prime to see a cardiologist; the appointment today seemed to go well - the doctor stated I appear to be well on the mend. Heck I even walked 3/4 of a mile tonight and never had any heavy breathing. I'm scheduled for a low impact stress test and an echo cardiogram this Friday; the results should provide the true status of my heart.

Just a reminder to all: a 30 minute quick walk at least 3 times a week, watching your salt in take (especially on processed foods - which by the way Sandy and I seldom eat), and just basically being aware of your diet will go a long way to ensure you don't have to go through what I did. I was extremely fortunate to have my heart attack when I did and where I did. Not everyone has one 2.5 miles from a hospital that specializes in cardiac issues. If the pain you are having is considerably more uncomfortable than you have ever experienced it's worth a trip to the ER to get checked out.

One weird surprise that happened to me while in the St. Louis Hospital was the nurse assigned to me in the ICU ended up being my second cousin, unbeknownst to each of us initially, but then that's a different story.

I owe thanks to so many people; too many to be mentioned here. Your visits to the hospital were lifting and much appreciated as were all your prayers and well wishes. Looks like they worked; Sandy and I are looking forward to seeing you all in Portland and for those who can't make that trip - in Philly!

I still have the "Get Well Scroll" and look at it every several days trying to figure out who's who; I hope to meet and thank each and every one of them in Portland; Philly for sure!

You can view a few I've done here:

http://web.meganet.net/kman/kk-bio.htm
http://web.meganet.net/kman/rc-bio.htm
http://web.meganet.net/kman/as-bio.htm

The link to the Bio-pages, [B], can be found on the NCVA-NE Membership roster page.

Upon closer observation, Deborah, a 20-year veteran EMT, determined that Larry may be suffering an onset of a heart problem. First ensuring that 911 be called immediately, she remained with Larry – constantly monitoring his vital signs until the EMT-Paramedics arrived. During this time she was calmly asking Larry pertinent questions regarding his symptoms, and health background, and explained why each question and answer was necessary. She stayed at his side explaining to Larry the Paramedics/EMT team screening procedures until it was determined that a visit to the nearest hospital was required.

The good news is that Larry is recuperating well after stents were placed in at least two arteries to the heart and he was resting comfortably.

Thank you Deborah for your lifesaving skills and your willingness to use them in a time of need. Your fellow NCVA-NE members and spouses are proud of you!

"I finally got approval from TRICARE Prime to see a cardiologist; the appointment today seemed to go well - the doctor stated I appear to be well on the mend. Heck, I even walked 3/4 of a mile tonight and never had any heavy breathing. I'm scheduled for a low impact stress test and an echo cardiogram this friday; the results should provide the true status of my heart. My blood pressure was 110/80 so thats a start in the right direction; my weight was down to 202.4lbs and it's been awhile since the scales have seen that figure with me standing on it."

"Apparently I was a very lucky guy on 8/21/2008; someone was looking out for me as I was on the operating table and had two arteries that were blocked (100% for one and 90% for the other) cleared within an hour of the onset of my attack. I ended up having four stents inserted by the time I was finally released on 8/27/2008."

"I want to thank Florance Egan for being in the right place at the right time as well as being concerned enough to check if I was okay. Her quick action went a long way in saving my life! I also want to thank Deborah Coutinho for her EMT expertise; keeping me calm and reassuring me I was going to be okay. If you ever have a bad case of "Heart Burn" like I did, you definitely want those two gals around!"

"The 'Get Well Scroll' everyone signed was an unexpected surprise and went a long way in raising my expectations. I can't tell you how great it is to be part of a community that doesn't matter if they know you or not; there was a CT in distress and all jumped aboard! Just one more reason to be proud that I was and am a part of that community."

"I owe thanks to so many people; too many to be mentioned here. Your visits to the hospital were lifting and much appreciated as were all your prayers and well wishes. Looks like they worked; Sandy and I are looking forward to seeing you all in Portland and for those who can't make that trip - in Philly!"

He was was a 22-year veteran of the US Navy, serving during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired in 1974 as a master chief petty officer.

He was a marketing manager with Digital Equipment Company, retiring in 1990. Mr. Allen enjoyed genealogical research, and was a member of the Navy Cryptologic Veterans Association.

Members of the family include his wife, Mary (Leathers) Allen of Bedford, two sons, J. Scott Allen of Boston, and Craig Allen of Kasilof, Ark.; one daughter, Jeannette Midgley of Dracut, Mass.; three grandchildren; four brothers, James Allen of Ukiah, Calif., Robert Allen of Jacksonville, N.C., Peter Allen of Palmyra, Va., and Patrick Allen of Kannapolis, N.C.; several nieces, nephews and cousins.