* "In kind" refers to payment for goods or services with a medium other than legal tender - in this case the value of donated work on the application. Visit the NEWS FLASH to find out why there are now two thermometers.

NEWS UPDATE - 06/18/08

ACVA NEWSLETTER
The June 2008 ACVA Newsletter is out and can be reached through this link NEWSLETTER. In the newsletter are articles on the February 2008 ACVA Survey of the CHARLES F. ADAMS in Philadelphia, the ship museum costs and Jacksonville pier design graphic, and an updated list of all the DDG-2 Reunions.

NEWS UPDATE - 06/09/08

MIDWAY DINNER
At the Navy League's "Battle of Midway Dinner" on Saturday night, June 7, 2008, Bert Watson and Jim Aldrich, both members of the ADAMS Class Veterans Association and the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association, were able to talk with CNO Admiral Gary Roughead about berthing ADAMS as a museum in Jacksonville on the St Johns River.

(L-R) Jim Aldrich, CNO Admiral Gary Roughead, Bert Watson

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.

NEWS UPDATE - 05/14/08

NEW BOARD MEMBERS
In last week’s Board Meeting, Jim Aldrich, the Director of the City Search Team was elected to fill the vacant Vice President’s position. Jim’s hard work in the ACVA in Tampa and now in Jacksonville to work to establish a home for the CHARLES F. ADAMS as a ship museum is well known to all ACVA members. Congratulations, Jim. At the same meeting the Board approved to change its By Laws. Previously the ACVA had a City Search Team in its organization. Since Jacksonville has approved the location of the CHARLES F. ADAMS and a Donation Application has been received by the Navy and is being evaluated, the City Search Team in the By Laws has been replaced by the Donation Application/Restoration Planning Team. This team will respond to the Navy’s questions about the Donation Application and also develop the plans for the restoration of the ship and its equipment as part of the ship museum development. Former Seller’s CO Bob Rumney and John Skiffington a former ETR2 on Sellers and long time Air Force and Defense Contract Management Agency Civil Service manager were elected as Directors to serve on that new team on the Board. Bob’s contributions to the Donation Application effort and in the survey of the ship in Philadelphia were a great help to the cause.

DONATION APPLICATION SUMMARY
We have now placed a summary of our Donation Application on the web site to explain to ACVA members the depth of information that was included in the application. Over 2100 hours of effort were completed by the core application team in the effort. The Marketing Survey and the Mooring design were completed by industry professionals, but the remaining portions of the application were developed by the ACVA members listed in the summary. The work was completed on Friday March 28th in time for delivery to NAVSEA on Monday March 31, 2008. The application summary highlights the effort to make the preservation of CHARLES F. ADAMS as a memorial to all 23 ships of the class. The DONAPP SUMMARY link on the left column of the Home page will open up the Summary.

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 concieved 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.