U.S. NAVAL CRYPTOLOGIC VETERANS ASSOCIATION


NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER

U.S. Naval Cryptologic

Veterans Association
NCVA		 USNCVA
Click HERE for National Group

NCVA-NE
Click HERE for New England Group

[Officers] [Members] [By-laws] [Print Application] [NCVA-NE Apparel]
[Auxiliary] [Reunion Guide] [Mini-Reunions] [Reunion 2001] [Reunion 2007]

TO  VIEW  REMEMBRANCE  CLICK  ON  CANDLE 
NEXT  TO  DECEASED'S  NAME.
AFTER  60  DAYS,  YOU  CAN  VIEW  FROM  MEMBERSHIP  PAGE.

All NCVA-NE/Auxiliary Deceased Shipmates

Who are we and what is our purpose?

We are the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association – New England (NCVA-NE) Chapter, a not-for-profit fraternal group. Our purposes are to:

1) Conduct periodic reunions that provide our members (and their guests) with fraternal, social, and recreational activities.
2) Advocate a strong and adequate U.S. Armed Forces and cryptologic agencies sufficient to maintain our security interests worldwide.
3) Support the preservation of the history of cryptology.

Some Cryptologic History (a glimpse at our work)

In the beginning of the 20th century the Navy began systematic efforts to secure our own communications and exploit those of our adversaries. In July 1922, the Navy formally established a cryptologic element, known as OP-20-G, which recognized that the future of cryptology lay in machine cipher systems.  Coupled with these efforts was the emergence of linguistic specialists. During the period between the world wars, a handful of Navy and Marine Corps service members trained themselves in cryptologic procedures.  The enlisted intercept specialists who trained on the roof of the old Navy Department building in Washington, D.C., became known as the "On the Roof Gang" and were the core of a vastly expanded effort during World War II.  During the war, Navy cryptologists were successful in breaking the Japanese Naval Code JN-15b, in time for the Battle of Midway, and were instrumental in providing information for the Fleet Commander to defeat the Japanese fleet.  They also broke the Japanese merchant shipping code, giving American submarines the locations of Japanese ships. By war's end, five-sixths of the Japanese merchant fleet was sunk.

In the Atlantic theater, Navy personnel operated the machines dedicated to deciphering the German Enigma-generated message traffic. By late 1943, most German radio communications were an open book to the Allies and the German submarine offensive had been defeated.

The war demonstrated the need for centralized management of signals intelligence while the trend toward increasingly complex technology and more sophisticated equipment continued.  This culminated in the establishment of the Naval Security Group in 1950 and the National Security Agency in 1952. Since then, the Naval Security Group (NAVSECGRU), and now its legacy organization in the Naval Network Warfare Command (NETWARCOM), continues to execute the Navy’s signals intelligence mission in war and peace.

The Desire to Maintain Contact

The U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans’ Association (USNCVA) began as a desire by some individuals who had served in the cryptologic organization during World War II to re-establish and maintain contact with those with whom they had served in silence. During the late 1960’s and through the 1970’s this group of individuals held reunions at various locations around the United States. At their 9th reunion, in Denver, Colorado, it was decided to organize more formally into a not-for Profit Corporation. At that time there were about 100 members, 52 of whom attended the 1978 reunion in Denver. This corporation was/is the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans’ Association. Website: http://usncva.org

What is the "Tie That Bonds" these veteran cryptologists together?

From WWI, through the Cold War, and in times of peace and conflict since, the Navy’s collection and interpretation of electronic intelligence data of all types has been vital to the national defense. The mission of the NAVSECGRU (and now NETWARCOM) has been performed by commissioned and enlisted military cryptologists who share unique and often dangerous experiences in the service of their country. It is these unique background experiences that bond us together.

The New England Chapter’s Beginning and Growth

As a result of a request from the USNCVA at their 1997 national reunion in Seattle, Washington, a new chapter was formed in the northeastern U.S. This chapter was the New England Chapter of the NCVA (NCVA-NE). The first meeting of the NE Chapter was held in Nashua, New Hampshire in the spring of 1998 on May 30th. This initial meeting and mini-reunion was held at the Sheraton Hotel, and was attended by 39 members, wives and significant others. This group proceeded to put together a draft of By-Laws for the NE Chapter, elected chapter officers and directors. The initial purposes of NCVA-NE were:

1) To create an organization capable of fostering a bid for the 2001 NCVA reunion, to be held in the Boston area.
2) To hold periodic social functions of eligible members who reside in the New England region.
3) To support the NCVA through preservation of our cryptologic history.

All NCVA members in the six-state New England and New York are automatically eligible for membership, as are people who have had past Naval cryptologic service but have not yet joined the NCVA. We strongly encourage NCVA membership for any personnel contemplating NCVA-NE membership.

Membership is for ALL Regular or Reserve veterans of the U.S. Naval Cryptologic organization who have served on active duty under honorable conditions. You DO NOT have to be 20-year Navy to join. The membership roster for the New England chapter now stands at 168, and the organization has, to date, held mini-reunions in Connecticut (2), Maine (3), Massachusetts (8), New Hampshire (4), New York (2), Rhode Island (1), and Vermont (2), for a total of 22 through the end of 2008.

Annual dues are $5 and we encourage voluntary contributions to help defray administrative and postage costs.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact NCVA-NE President Kent Beach president@ncva-ne.org, Vice-President Terry Rowe vicepresident@ncva-ne.org or Secretary/Treasurer Art Gowie secretary@ncva-ne.org or treasurer@ncva-ne.org.

Any comments, suggestions or corrections concerning this website can be directed to: webmaster@ncva-ne.org

What's New/Updates

* Java Window *   * Non-java Version *

ARCHIVES: [ CY - 2007 ] [ CY - 2008 ] [ CY - 2009 ] [ CY - 2010 ] [ CY - 2011 ]


Looking for reunion information for past duty stations or ships?
The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) is providing the Military Reunion Listings as a FREE service to the veteran community. Go here for details.

* * * * * * NCVA-NEws * * * * * *

Thanks to shipmate and NCVA-NE member Paul W. "Stache" Hartnãgel of SpookGroup.org, NCVA-NE now has it's own domain name: www.ncva-ne.org 

This will make it a lot easier to remember the website address. When you type in www.ncva-ne.org your browser will be directed to the web.meganet.net/kman/ncva-ne.htm page.
"Now Hear This"

"Now Hear This" is where you will find announcements for upcoming events or news which might be of interest to NCVA-NE members.

  • Larry Peterson Photos

    Larry Peterson’s photography is featured in the 2012 edition of *Maine Invites You*, the primary publication of Maine’s Office of Tourism and the state’s official travel planner. The cover shot is his, as are the images on pages 113 and 114. Page 4 contains an explanation of the cover photo and a short bio on him. These magazines are available free at all tourist nformation locations in Maine, including those along Interstate 95.

    A free copy can also be ordered online at: http://www.mainetourism.com/content/4047/Travel_Planners/ and can be viewed online at: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/16bfc9e9#/16bfc9e9/1

    Larry’s photography business email address is: larry@larrypetersonsmaine.com and his website is: http://larrypetersonsmaine.com/

  • Vietnam Veterans "Moving Wall" Exhibit

    Wednesday July 4 through Sunday July 8 continous 24 hours a day Cushman Park Track, Green Street, Fairhaven. An exhibit of "The Moving Wall," a half-size replica of the Washington, DC, Vietnam Veterans Memorial which has been touring the country for more than twenty-five years. Sponsored by the Fairhaven Bicentennial Committee and area veterans organizations.

    For the complete calendar of events for the Fairhaven, MA Bicentennial Celebration please visit their website: http://fairhavenevents.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-events-overview.html

  • Stolen Valor Act upheld on appeal

    by By John Ingold - The Denver Post

    The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals this morning upheld the Stolen Valor Act, which makes lying about having received military awards a federal crime.

    For the complete article go to the Denver Post's website: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19839419#ixzz1kqrVRND4

  • VA Expands list of AO at risk ships

    The VA has expanded the list of ships with Agent Orange risk. For the complete list and other news concerning Agent Orange visit their website: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/shiplist/index.asp

  • Merrill Spaeth

    [Wife of NCVA-NE member Edmond Spaeth]

    Merrill Marie Hunting Spaeth, 66, of Fishkill, died on 6 January 2012, as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

    She was born in Yonkers, NY, 29 April 1945, to the late Willard and Marion (Sullivan) HUNTING. Merrill graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Yonkers in 1963 and in 1967 went on to get a BA in Elementary Education at SUNY New Paltz. In 1971, she earned a Masters Degree in Library Science at C.W. POST College of Long Island University. In 1967, she started her teaching career in Yonkers Public Schools and later worked at New Rochelle Public Schools. In 1975, she became a librarian at Wappingers Central Schools. When she retired in 2000 from Wappingers Schools, she had a district level position at the Central Media Office. Through her whole life and library career, she was an avid reader and a strong advocate for reading, for libraries, and for public education.

    Merrill was a member of the DAR, and as such she was honored to recently participate in a Wreaths Across America tribute to Revolutionary War veterans at the unmarked burial ground in Fishkill, just down the hill from her home. Merrill was a woman of many talents, among which was a love of cooking, doing all manner of needlecraft and of late, making lovely greeting cards. She was an active member of the Skykill Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America, Apple Valley Needleworkers, and the Gayhead School Retirees Lunch Bunch and Book Club. If one were to catch Merrill unaware, she probably would have been reading or stitching. In her retirement, she loved to travel and go adventuring with her husband on trips to Alaska, Hawaii, or across other states, to Europe and the Caribbean. Merrill, so unpretentious, had a warm and friendly personality, making friends wherever she went.

    On 16 September 1973, Merrill was married in St. Denis RC Church, Yonkers to her husband, Edmond Spaeth who survives at home, a fellow whom she met, where else, but in the Yonkers Public Library. She is also survived by their daughter, Erin Elise and her husband, Tim Murphy of Kingston. Also surviving are several cousins, Marie and Ed Keating of Pennsville, NJ; Gerald DeVito of Yonkers; Ron and Andrea Noonoo of Las Vegas, NV; Eugene Newman of Miami, Fl; and Robert and Susan Noonoo of Los Angeles, CA; and several other cousins throughout the US. Merrill, who was with her beloved mother when she died, cherished her family more than anything. She was predeceased by her parents, and both her sisters, Denise Hunting and Karen Ann Drambour.

    Because Merrill placed such a high value on her eyesight using this precious gift to read and to create beautiful needlework pieces that grace our home, her corneas were given as a Gift of Life for someone in need of a corneal transplant. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Guiding Eyes of the Blind or to the charity of your choice . The family wishes to thank the staff of the Putnam Hospital Center, Carmel and other first responders for their heartfelt caring and thoughtful response in our time of need.

    The family will be holding a celebration of her life on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9pm and Wednesday from 2-4 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. The funeral service will be at 4pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery at a later date.

    For driving directions or online condolences, please go here.

    [Published in the The Journal News on January 8, 2012]

  • Smartphone Pictures Pose Security Risk

    If you use your smartphone to post photos to the internet and social media websites, take a few minutes and watch this report. Note the solutions at the end of the piece.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2vARzvWxwY.

  • Honoring Our Flag - When and How to Salute

    To salute the flag, all persons come to attention. All persons in uniform should give the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may also render the military salute. All other persons should salute by placing their right hand over their hearts. Men wearing a head covering (a hat, cap or other headwear) are to remove it. Women do not have to remove their head covering.

    In parades or reviews, at the moment the flag passes, each individual should stand at attention facing the flag and salute.

    The Flag of the United States is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of the national anthem, whichever is longer.

    When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute by placing their right hand over their heart at the first note and holding the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music. If in uniform, the person should salute in the formal manner. It is proper to salute wherever the national anthem is played, for instance, on a college campus, in a public park, in a church, at a ball game, sports event, etc.

    When, on U.S. soil, the national anthem of more than one nation is played, the visitors’ national anthems are played first, and may or may not be followed by our National Anthem. During the visitors’ anthems, all present should stand at attention and face the flags of the nations (or the music, if they are not present). Men not in uniform should remove their hats as well.

    We contacted the Institute of Heraldry (Army) regarding the rendering of a salute during anthems of other nations. They did not have an official answer to this question but commented that they felt it would be appropriate for U.S. citizens to salute only during the playing of our National Anthem. We concur with that recommendation.

    To salute a flag in a moving column, it is proper to start the salute as the flag enters your position and end when it has passed..

    When the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, citizens should stand at attention and salute by placing their right hand over the heart with the first word and hold the salute through the last line of the Pledge. The salute is directed to the flag by facing it during the Pledge.

  • New Form Will Assist with Death Notification

    11/2/2011 - CLEVELAND (AFRNS) -- Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials report that survivors can now use a "fast form" to report the passing of a retiree on the Internet rather than waiting on the phone.

    The DFAS Form 9221 for notification of death can be processed quicker than faxed or mailed forms, said officials, and they save paper and postage costs. Officials warn that if a survivor doesn't receive confirmation of receipt from DFAS within 48 hours of submitting the form, they should call 800-321-1080.

    The form can be completed and submitted online from the privacy of a customer's home, or with the help of a casualty assistance representative. Submitting the form initiates all of the same actions a DFAS customer care center representative would:

    • The retiree's account will be suspended to avoid release of monthly payments.
    • A Standard Form 1174 claim form will be sent to the retiree's arrears-of-pay beneficiary.
    • If the decedent was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan or the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan, an annuitant care package will be sent to the beneficiary.

    The notification-of-death form is only for reporting the death of a military retiree. Annuitant deaths must still be reported to one of the DFAS customer care representatives at 800-321-1080.

    To access the notification of death fast form, click on the link at http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/forms.html.

BITS 'n BYTES Articles
If you have an item you think would be of interest to other NCVA-NE members,
such as a local festival, fair, concert, etc., please email me and I'll list it here.
RECIPROCAL LINKS TO SITES THAT LINK TO US
AND LINKS TO INFORMATIVE WEBSITES
[If you know of a site that links to us or if you have linked to us, please email me to be listed.]

I received an email today, 5 April 2008 from Rocky Rankin, former Australian Navy and Vietnam Vet. Rocky and I have been corresponding for many years and he has asked me to pass along information about this website to viewers of my webpage. I do so happily.

[Email Message] "This website is about the work my fellow member of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club does when he can get over to Cambodia. He pays for a lot of his equipment out of his own pocket as well as paying his own way to get there and while he is there. We have tried to give him money towards his expenses but he just hands it on to the people he is working for in the country. The website explains it rather well and he has a link for donations. Could you please pass this site around so that people can get to know about his work and support him with donations?"

Whether you can help with donations or by linking this site (http://members.optusnet.com.au/glaust/index-1.htm) from your website or blog or just telling others about its existence, please do so. Thank you for any help you can give. - Karl Kristiansen

You are visitor  Initialized 9.18.08