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July 28, 2017 
2018 USS Wainwright DLG/CG-28 Reunion
Welcome to Branson
Branson, Missouri provides a unique environment for both commemoration and celebration. Nestled in the scenic and secluded Ozark Mountains, Branson offers a peaceful respite for those who want to enjoy a quiet reunion away from the cares of the world. Branson also can dazzle with its glittering lights, legendary performers, and non-stop entertainment. This remarkable combination of neon and nature offers reunion groups a very special environment for reflection and recreation. The almost endless array of entertainment options is ideal.  Branson combines old-fashioned hospitality and world-class entertainment making an unforgettable reunion destination for millions of people.

Hotel Information
The reunion is officially scheduled from Wednesday, September 26 through Sunday; September 30. We will be staying at the Radisson Hotel Branson, located at 120 South Wildwood Dr., Branson, MO  65616.
The hotel is conveniently located i n the heart of the Theater District .  For those of you who choose to arrive early or stay after the reunion ends, the same room rate will be available for three days prior and three days after, based on availability.   Click here to make your reservation on-line or call the Radisson Branson Hotel direct at 417-335-5767 and reference group code: 180918USSW . When calling the hotel, please make sure you tell them you are attending the USS Wainwright Reunion. 
 
Hotel check-in is 4:00 p.m. Please do not expect to get into your room before then.  You may cancel your hotel room up to 24 hours prior to arrival without penalty.  The hotel does require a deposit or credit card number to guarantee your room reservation. Please note; the hotel reservation cut-off date is August 1, 2018, thereafter; reservations will be taken on a space available basis only.

Airport Transportation & Parking
If you are flying to the reunion, the closest airport is the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) in Springfield, MO.  Several companies offer shuttle services to Branson.  For those of you driving the hotel offers plenty of free parking.  Call the hotel for driving direction.

Additional Information
As we mentioned in the last newsletter, our dates are September 26-30, 2018.  We will not be the only military reunion group in the hotel so it's imperative that reservations are made as soon as possible.  Even if you are not sure if you can join us, go ahead and reserve your room so you are guaranteed space in the reunion hotel.  You can cancel up to 24 hours prior to check in.   The basic room rate is $119.00 including breakfast.  The hotel has a limited supply of rooms with balconies on which smoking is permitted.  These are  $149.00 per night, also including breakfast.

The reunion committee is working on the "details" and a reservation form will be uploaded to our website by the end of the year and will be included in our hard copy newsletter which will be mailed at approximately the same time.

Branson is the farthest west of any of our reunion locations and we hope this will encourage our shipmates who have been unable to attend in the past due to travel distances to join us.  Please reach out to your buddies and encourage them to make the journey.
TRAILER NEWS
We will be participating in the Old Soldiers Parade in Alpharetta, GA on August 5 as we have now done for the past several years.  Those who have joined us in the past can attest to how much fun this parade is due to the large crowds who show their appreciation for the military as well as us being able to throw candy to the children.   There is limited space in Richard's truck for anyone who wants to ride with us and they will  be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis.  Please let Rich know at trailerguy@usswainwright.org .
We will also be participating, for the first time, in the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization 35th annual gathering in Kokomo, IN from September 13 through the 17th.  This is the longest running such event in the country and we are anxious to see how it compares with the Vietnam and All Veterans yearly event in Melbourne, FL.   JC has taken on the role of local coordinator and if you need information as to camping, etc., please contact him at tracker@i2k.com.  As of the writing of this article, there will be at least half a dozen shipmates in attendance, some camping and some day-tripping.    We mentioned in the last newsletter that we would be willing to set up the trailer for display along the route from Rock Hill, SC to Kokomo if a local shipmate would assist in the logistics and publicity.   No one has come forward yet and we must know no later than August 10 so we have time to make all the required arrangements.
 
USS WAINWRIGHT AND AGENT ORANGE
With apologies to all, the last newsletter contained incorrect information about Wainwright and her Vietnam service.  While it is accurate that Wainwright is listed as one of the vessels that saw service as part of the Blue Water Navy, we are NOT on the official Veterans Administration list which can be viewed at: 
http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/docs/shiplist.docx .   Congress has not yet approved any legislation that would entitle our Vietnam era crew members to benefits because of the duties we performed while operating in waters that were contaminated by dioxin.  Currently, the only categories of ships whose crews are eligible for treatment and possible compensation are:

1. Ships operating primarily or exclusively on Vietnam's inland waterways

2. Ships operating temporarily on Vietnam's inland waterway

3. Ships that docked to shore or pier in Vietnam

4. Ships operating on Vietnam's close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that crew members went ashore

5. Ships operating on Vietnam's close coastal waters for extended periods with evidence that smaller craft from the ship regularly delivered supplies or troops ashore
According to this list, the only possible avenues for us to be listed now are categories 3 and 4.  JC has provided copies of the deck logs from the second deployment which show the Wainwright to be at anchor in Da Nang Harbor.  There are no notations of any small boats going ashore which would, at least, qualify under category 4 those shipmates that were sent ashore. 
 
We know that all the deck logs are maintained at the College Park, MD location of the National Archives and can be copied for use in a petition to have our ship listed.   If there are any crew members in the DC area who can assist in this effort, please let Manny know at mseligmann@usswainwright.org.   If anyone has documentary or photographic evidence that would assist in our efforts, please let Manny know that as well.   By being included in one of the above categories, it should make it easier for affected shipmates to qualify for benefits when Congress approves the pending legislation.
 
Please, all shipmates, contact your congressional delegations and insist on their approval for pending legislation.  The House Bill is HB299 and the Senate Bill is S422.  You can locate your representatives and senators at http://www.whoismyrepresentative.com.
Trailer Donations
The USS Wainwright Veterans Association is a 501(c) 3 non-profit association of men who served aboard any of the three USS Wainwright ships. Our association exists to keep alive the memory of all vessels named Wainwright. With our mobile museum we educate the public about what our sailors have accomplished, and or completed while onboard any of the ship's named Wainwright. This mobile museum also promotes the United States Navy and Americanism, but we cannot do this without your support. We need your donations to support cost of operating this one of a kind teaching tool. Your donations are 100% tax deductible so please be generous and help us keep our museum going. Donations can be made on our web site http://www.usswainwright.org/donate/
Facebook Pages
U.S.S. Wainwright DLG-28/CG-28
https://www.facebook.com/groups/27853608525/
USS Wainwright Veterans Association 1980's Crew Members
Women of the Wainwright
https://www.facebook.com/groups/551561701713590/
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE U S NAVY?
A.  When was the Navy founded?
      1. 1755      2.  1775       3.   1789

B.  What is the Navy's motto?
     1.  Not for self, but for Country    2.  Sink or Swim     3.  Full Speed Ahead

C.  Which President did not serve in the Navy?
     1.  Dwight D Eisenhower     2.  John F Kennedy     3.  Lyndon Baines Johnson

D.  What was the name of the first ship commissioned in the Navy?
     1.   USS Washington     2.  USS Hannah          3.  USS Enterprise

E.  What does "Did the Ditch" mean?
     1.  Dropped out of the Navy    2.  Died at Sea    3.  Transited Suez  Canal

Answers:
  A. 2, B.1, C. 1, D.2, E.3
Wainwright Veterans Association Newsletter | 269-397-1354 | newsletter@usswainwright.org | http://www.usswainwright.org/
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