Bastion - MSB Technology Center

JPJ Alumni Association
JPJ
Winter 2004
THE BASTION
JPJ REUNION
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
JUNE 25-27, 2004
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
HAVE YOU…
√ Paid your dues? (see page 4)
1. NEW Reunion Travel
Award!… page 2
2. Sangley Point, the
Final Days...page 3
3. What’s in a word?…
page 3
√ Registered for the reunion? (see page 4)
√ Booked travel arrangements?
√ Reserved a room? (see below)
√ Encouraged old friends to meet you in Virginia?
√ Unearthed old pictures to bring along?
EMBASSY SUITES Toll-Free Reservation Line: 1-800-362-2779
OR book online @ www.EmbassySuites.com
(go to Embassy Suites, Alexandria, Virginia, Crystal City/ National Airport)
Queen bed: $119.00 per night
JPJ Alumni Association
Officers
Joint Reunion Chairpersons
John Carpenter
Wilson (Dan) Haigler
Ken Norris
Treasurer
Carol (Wycoff) Collins
Database Manager
Debbie (Gilbert) Smith
Bastion Editor
Elaine (Mackres) Rotondo
H
Doubles: $139.00 per night
Make your reservations now! For those who are doubling up in rooms, the
Embassy Suites has allotted 12 two-bedroom suites for us, and the remainder will be regular one bedroom suites. Rooms are filling up! To be assured
a room at the above rate, book ASAP!
Don’t Forget to state that you are with the
JOHN PAUL JONES REUNION, June 25—27, 2004
Tip: The Embassy Suites’ policy is to allow group rates for one day prior and
one day after a scheduled event. If you want to extend your stay beyond June
27th, you can make individual rate arrangements with our sales rep., Ellen
Zilch, at [email protected] or 703-979-9799. Please do not attempt to
make initial reservations through Ellen, but call the toll-free line provided.
Page 2
The Bastion
JPJ REUNION 2004, JUNE 25-27,
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
A Note from the Alumni Association Officers
Getting excited? So are we, though sometimes our heads hurt from the organization of this reunion! Boy, do we respect the officers that put on previous
reunions in San Diego, Atlanta, Dallas, and New Orleans. But the work is worth it,
and we look forward to seeing you in June, at the Crystal City Embassy Suites!
Our hotel is conveniently located near Reagan National
Airport, with a free shuttle service, so if you are flying in
remember to arrive at this airport. We are also close to the
Pentagon City metro stop, which can get you to Washington
D.C. and all the sights, within 15 minutes! And, historical
Alexandria and Mount Vernon are very close by.
The Embassy Suites offers great amenities to both
cozy couples, or folks who want to share suites. When
planning your vacation budget, don’t forget to factor in the
complimentary breakfast buffet and the daily free Happy
Hour from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Your registration fee covers
dinner and entertainment on Saturday night and the
Farewell Breakfast on Sunday morning. We have reserved
JPJ at sunset. Photo taken from the BOQ.
the Presidential Suite for our Friday night Welcome
Reception. We hope to have some bus trips to the Capitol Mall organized. Details
on reunion activities will be included in our next Bastion. Get ready to have a great
time!
NEW…. TRAVEL AWARDS!
We are pleased to announce the NEW JPJ Alumni Association Travel Awards!
These awards were discussed and voted on by attending alumni at the business meeting of our last reunion in New Orleans. Two awards were created. The first award of
up to $400.00, and the second of up to $200.00, are for the reimbursement of travel
expenses (transportation & accommodations) to a John Paul Jones Reunion. Awardees
will be notified by mid-April, and must attend the reunion to receive the award. These
awards are open to ALL alumni!
Check out
Washington D.C. and
plan a virtual
vacation by visiting:
www.washington.org
HOW TO APPLY… Simply send us a short note telling us in 100 words OR
LESS about a favorite memory of JPJ and why you want to go to this reunion. Maybe
one special day or one special person stands out in your mind. Maybe a place like the
geedunk, the launch, the gym or the Principal’s office is enshrined in your mind! Or
maybe you learned a lesson (good, bad or hilarious). Tell us about it—inquiring minds
want to know! And why do you want to go to the reunion? Perhaps you’ve never been
to one, or haven’t been to one lately and want to reconnect with an old friend. If you’re
a regular, tell us why you want to go again! And don’t worry, Ms. Ley will not be grading your application for grammar!
Submit applications to [email protected] or by airmail to: Lina Quinsaat,
Kastanienalle #13, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany D51427. All applications must be received by March 31, 2004. Please include your mailing address, telephone number, and
the dates you were at JPJ. Members of the Board will choose the $400 award winner
based on the contents of their application. The $200 award winner will be chosen at
random from all remaining applicants. Good luck!
Th e B a s t i on
Page 3
LIFE AT SANGLEY POINT
THE FINAL DAYS…
All JPJ alumni experienced leaving Sangley Point. A few have gone back
for a visit only to find that the busy, ship-shape community of their memory is no
more. American military life at Sangley Point ground to a halt when the base was
turned over to the Philippine Military in April, 1971. Very few souls were there when
the wheels stopped turning. The following is an excerpt from a letter received from
Bill Mitzel, the school counselor, who was there in the final days.
“We were at Sangley Point during its very last
year as a U.S. installation. I was the counselor and my
wife, Barbara, taught lower elementary kids. Other teachers at that time were Polly Nestle, Madeline (Delino)
Bourque, Greg and Phyllis Hafliger, Fred Evans, Mike
Quinn, Al Aseel, and Bill Gannon.
After the end of the school year, which was my last
in DODDS (Department of Defense Schools), I was asked
to stay on to assist in closing Sangley Point. My job was to
assist in final contract work, such as the revamp of the
CPO club and to negotiate with Manila officials regarding
the support for those who remained behind with duty assignments in Manila. This included negotiating for school
age children to attend the American School in Manila.
Ghost town? Photo taken two years after the closure of
Sangley Point. Notice enlisted pool is drained.
That last year at closedown, we lived in a Quonset on the runway about five
houses down from the “O" Club. There was a Quonset with a couple of Officers, and
another for Enlisted personnel who were also detailed to close the base. The base perimeter was guarded by Philippine Marines. All together, there were probably less
than ten of us. It was a very lonely time. In the evening, Barbara and I used to ride
our bikes the length of the runway. There were no airplanes on the mat; all homes
were boarded up. It was as if we were the last people on earth. The saddest day was
when we biked down to see the last airplane full of departing personnel off to Clark.
No one else was there to see them go—just the two of us. Riding back on the vast
empty concrete space brought back some memories. It was a sad time. “
Thank you, Bill, for sharing some Sangley History with us.
WHAT’S IN A WORD? Apparently a whole lot when the word is
“GEEDUNK”. The origins of this word are fuzzy, but here are a few theories from
Naval glossary and word history:
1. The 1920’S comic strip character, Harold Teen and his friends hung out
at Pop’s candy store. Pop called it the “Geedunk” for reasons unexplained.
2. The Chinese word meaning “a place of idleness” sounds like “gee dung.”
3. The German word “tunk” means to dip in gravy or coffee. The “ge” is a
prefix denoting repetition. In time “getunk” may have become “geedunk”.
4. “Geedunk” is the sound made by a vending machine when it dispenses a
soft drink in the cup.
Whatever the true origin, “Geedunk,” to most sailors, means snacks or the
place where they can be purchased, and is universally known to all Navy folks!
Have something of
interest for the next
BASTION?
Contact
Elaine Rotondo at:
[email protected]
JPJ ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION
Debbie Gilbert Smith
7810 Mellow Days Drive
Pensacola, FL 32506
JPJ REUNION REGISTRATION FORM
LOOK WHAT
YOU GET FOR
YOUR
REGISTRATION
FEE OF
$120.00
PER PERSON!!
$120.00 PER PERSON
Friday Evening:
Drinks and light food in our Presidential Suite
Saturday Night:
Dinner and entertainment.
(ROOM COSTS AND OTHER MEALS NOT INCLUDED)
Sunday Morning: Farewell breakfast.
Yes, I will be there!
I will bring a guest(s)
YOUR FULL NAME and year you attended JPJ ______________________________________________
ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________________
So we know you’re
coming…
Please fill out and mail
both these forms with
payment to:
Carol Wycoff Collins
1853 Cortez Avenue
Escondido, CA 92026
Questions???
Contact Carol at :
[email protected]
TELEPHONE#___________________________E-MAIL________________________________________
SPOUSE/GUEST’S NAME________________________________________________________________
JPJ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DUES:
$20.00
My Alumni Dues for 2003—2004
$40.00 or more
Yes, I’d like to become a patron!
Send me an Alumni Roster (Dues must be current to receive newsletter and roster)
NAME: ______________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________________
PHONE ________________________________________EMAIL:________________________________