USS FORRESTAL CVA/CV/AVT-59 ASSOCIATION, INC.

WELCOME BACK SHIPMATE!

Hello Shipmate:                                                                                                                                        (Revised 19 Dec 2004)

We are pleased to send you this information about the USS Forrestal Association Inc. We hope it, will shed some light on what the USS Forrestal Association Inc. is about and where we are headed.  Having served aboard in any capacity (Ship’s Company, Marines, Air wing, Squadrons, whatever), you are always considered Forrestal Family. As such, you have a standing invitation to join the USS Forrestal Association Inc.

The USS Forrestal Association Inc. was formed on 23 June 1990, aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59) in Mayport, Florida, with the help of then-Skipper Capt. Tim Thomassy, USN, his wife, Alice, and a handful of ex-Forrestal crewmembers.  Dedicated people like Lt. Arthur D. Billingsley, USN (deceased), who became the Association’s first elected President, and AMSC Jerry Godwin, USN (Retired), who became the Association’s first elected Vice-President, agreed to Keep the Spirit Alive and pursue all the possibilities of this endeavor.

In September 1990, twelve members of the USS Forrestal Association reunited and enjoyed a three-day Caribbean cruise.  It was decided during this gathering to proceed full speed ahead and attempt to make the Association one of the biggest and best of its kind.  At that time, the Association consisted of 80 members.

In February 1992, USS Forrestal (CV-59) was changing homeport from Mayport to Pensacola, Florida.  Once in Pensacola, she would become USS Forrestal (AVT-59), assuming the role as the U.S. Navy’s Training Carrier, a duty previously performed for many years, by USS Lexington (CV/CVA/CVS/CVT/AVT-16).  Thanks to the U.S. Navy, Capt. Robert S. Cole “Skipper #29 and then-Skipper #30 Capt. R.L. “BUNKY” Johnson, 75 of our members were able to relive the past and make a dream come true by being aboard for a Tiger Cruise around Florida to make the required home port change.

In September 1992, USS Forrestal (AVT-59) departed Pensacola bound for Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to undergo a scheduled, 14-month complex overhaul.  The overhaul was progressing as planned until February 1993, at which time it was announced she would be decommissioned to meet budget goals.  Unfortunately, that did come to pass and USS Forrestal was decommissioned 30 September 1993, after 38 years of service to our country.  It was a sad day for those of us who were in Philadelphia for the decommissioning, but there is still hope!  USS Forrestal has more than a good chance of being memorialized as a museum. There are presently two separate and unaffiliated groups incorporated solely to actively work with the U.S. Navy; their ultimate goal being USS Forrestal moored as a floating museum. They are: the USS Forrestal Museum Inc. PO Box 45 West River, MD. 20778 and  the USS Forrestal Sea/Air/Space Museum Inc. PO Box 15824 Tampa, Fl 33684.

We have had fourteen successful Annual Reunions to date. Venues such as: Washington, D.C. our first in 1991; Pensacola, Florida, Virginia Beach, Virginia, (three times) Orlando, Florida, Baltimore, Maryland, Hyannis (Cape Cod), Massachusetts, Charleston, South Carolina, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Northern Kentucky, Tampa, Florida, Phoenix, Arizona, A Caribbean Cruise, Franklin (Nashville) Tennessee the location of the 2005 Reunion.

As you can see, we are an active group dedicated to keeping the spirit of USS Forrestal alive and well… and we plan to continue!  You cannot turn back the clock, but you can wind it up again!  So, it’s time to rewind your clock and join with us in resurrecting the memories and camaraderie you probably left in the wake of The USS Forrestal.

           The USS Forrestal is presently moored at Pier 1, Newport, RI. and is in the “Ship Donation Program.

 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

·          The Association purchased two (2) chairs at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.

·          Made a one-dollar per member donation to the U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Memorial Plaza (ACMP) in San Diego, California.

·          The Association donated a Brass Plaque to USS Forrestal in 1992 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the conflagration on 29 July 1967 in the Gulf of Tonkin, which resulted in the death of 134 crewmembers.

·          Incorporated USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Association, Inc. as a non- profit organization in the State of Florida. (501C-19)

·          Obtained Federal tax-exempt status (Sorry, NO! Dues and donations paid to the Association are NOT tax deductible).

·          Obtained non-profit mailing privilege from the U.S. Postal Service as a military veterans organization.

·          Setup a WEB site on the internet, our address is <http://www.uss-forrestal.com>.

·          Every former Commanding Officer of USS Forrestal has been located or accounted for.

·          We now number more than 2,500 members; more than 325 of who are Plank owners and more than 600 of who were on the WestPac deployment and more than 25 from the Decommissioning Crew in addition to our other members who represent each and every year of Forrestal’s active service.

·          We never forget our departed USS Forrestal shipmates who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Each Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day we have furnished and will continue to furnish flowers and flags at a number of sites in memory of their valiant service.

·         A complete membership list is available for $5.00 (NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE) and updates (change-of-address and new members) are provided in our quarterly newsletter, The Forrestal SpotSheet.

·         If you fail to locate any of your former Forrestal shipmates in our Association’s Membership List, our Membership Chairman, Jim Stewart, has an extended (nationwide) databases available for assisting members, free-of-charge, in their search. (Just send him, a self-addressed stamped envelope and he will be glad to help.)

·          Of course, we hope you will invite your former shipmates to join our Association once you have reestablished contact.

·          Our Ship’s Store is up and running. Watch for price list in the SpotSheet, on the WEB or contact our Ship’s Store manager Wayne Warner at (315) 583-5253 or write him at 18813 Owens Rd. Adams Center, NY 13606. Yes we have CVA Hats!

·          Established a Scholarship Fund for Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren of our Members.

·          Sponsored a Brass Plaque for the Disaster at Sea Memorial, part of the “Navy Memorial Foundation”, Norfolk, Virginia.

·          Sponsored a Brass Plaque for the Memorial in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

·          Established our own Color Guard for Memorials and Special Occasions, under the direction of OIC Gerald A. Schlenker.

·          So, that’s a quick sketch of who we are and we look forward to you rejoining us.  Send in your paperwork to re-up and….

“Remember The Spirit” of USS Forrestal…She was “First In Defense” and is now “Forever in Dignity”

 The following is a partial list of the officers, staff, and/or committee chairmen of the USS Forrestal CVA/CV/AVT-59 Association, Inc.  If you have any questions, each and every one of these folks will be glad to help.