below decks log - USS SEA FOX

http://seafoxassoc.homestead.com/index.html
BELOW DECKS LOG
USS SEA FOX (SS-402) ASSOCIATION
SPECIAL MAY 2011 REUNION INFORMATION EDITION
February 2011
Please make your hotel reservations now.
A hard copy has been mailed to each former Sea Fox crew and wardroom member we have been able
to track down, regardless of belonging to our association.
We would like you all to come to Arizona in May 2011.
(Please, also go to our web-site to join our association and to buy reunion raffle tickets.)
This newsletter is posted on our web-site in PDF format. The links in this newsletter are active on the
web-site PDF. Go to them to see all of our information and attractions.
Remember, Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time. In May that means the same as Pacific
Daylight Time.
Joel M. Greenberg, Coordinator
USS SEAFOX ASSOCIATION 2011 REUNION IN GREEN VALLEY, ARIZONA SCHEDULE
This is a call for all to come. Reserve your rooms now. Forty-First Anniversary of the Sea Fox
Decommissioning. Decommissioning Crew Please Come! This is a call for all to come.
Friday, May 20 – Some may arrive, just to be here really early. Hotel is available at our rates. Meals on your own.
Saturday, May 21 – Very Early Arrival. USSVI, Tucson Base Monthly Meeting, 4 PM. Followed by dinner (about
5:30 PM) with the Base, at Cattle Town Restaurant, http://www.cattletownsteakhouse.com/, the Base's meeting
place in Tucson. The owner's son is a submariner.
Sunday, May 22 – Early Arrival. Radio Interview with KVOI host, Charles Heller, noon to 2 PM,
http://www.libertywatchradio.com/. Mid-afternoon dinner (about 2:30 PM) at a local restaurant with Charles.
Suggest late breakfast and skip lunch.
Monday, May 23 – Arrival, all day check-in at our hospitality suite, right next to the pool and office. Tour of Green
Valley, http://www.greenvalleychamber.com/. 5:00 PM No-Host Reception & Welcome Dinner at the Cow
Palace with the FRA at 6:00 PM, http://www.cowpalacerestaurant.com/. Or, go touring. Breakfast & lunch on
your own. Our official Reunion starts with this evening event. We may have local dignitaries attending
& a presentation about CAPT. Neeb.
Tuesday, May 24 – Breakfast from FRA Br 77 in our hospitality suite. Golf, all Day Titan missile Museum,
http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/, Pima Air Museum & Aircraft Boneyard, http://www.pimaair.org/ &
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/309th_Aerospace_Maintenance with , perhaps, lunch at the museum. Or, go
touring. Dinner Picnic at Inn. Perhaps a talk on a local topic: A-10, Predator, history or mining. This talk may be
Thursday.
Wednesday, May 25 – Breakfast from FRA Br 77in our hospitality suite. Golf, Rifle Range, Desert Museum, Old
Tucson, caves, Car Museum, Garden RR, Model RR & Tucson, U of A tours. Pick what you want to do; go where
you want. Go on your own or I can organize groups. Please be back for dinner. Joint Dinner at Quail Creek with
MOAA. Our speaker – CAPT Charlie MacVean, USN (Ret), Ph.D., Former CO of Seawolf & former Commodore,
SubDevGru One, 6:00 PM. Topic - Cold War Submarine Operations. Presentation of Colors by our local Jr Navy
ROTC Cadets. Lost Boat Ceremony.
Lunch on your own.
Thursday, May 26 – Breakfast from FRA Br 77 in our hospitality suite. Media Interviews with local newspaper and
radio station, Golf, tours. Lunch and Evening open. Perhaps a talk at the Inn.
Friday, May 27 – Breakfast from FRA Br 77 in our hospitality suite. Business Meeting at and tour of Caterpillar
Facility. Lunch at Caterpillar (09:30 to 13:00). Ladies Tour of Tubac. Banquet at Kristofer's in the Amado Territory
Ranch, with entertainment and/or speaker. Our official Reunion meeting is over with this Banquet. We may have
local dignitaries attending.
Saturday, May 28 – Departure. For those who stay, breakfast on the road, all-day tour of Tombstone Wyatt Earp
Days, http://www.tombstone.org/ and perhaps a mid-afternoon meal at a Tombstone RV park owned by a WW
II Subvet, http://www.tombstoneterritories.com/tombstoneterritories.com/Home.html,.
Sunday, May 29 – Late departure. Breakfast, lunch & dinner on your own. Golf or free day for those who stay.
Monday, May 30 – Very late departure. Green Valley (FRA & WWII Subvets wreath laying) or Tucson Memorial
Day Celebration (USSVI -ride in the parade with the large scale model of the USS Tucson (SSN-770)). Meals on
your own.
Tuesday, May 31 – Very very late departure. Meals on your own. Thank you for coming.
Feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns. We want to see you all here.
Joel Greenberg, 2011 Reunion Coordinator, [email protected], (520) 393-8252
HI ALL! Welcome to our home, one of the ten best places in the U.S. to retire (I have the magazine article!),
Green Valley, Arizona. We are 25 miles south of Tucson, one of the oldest of America's cities, and deep in the
heart of cowboy & mining country. We timed this muster to coincide with Wyatt Earp Days in Tombstone,
where we will have a great time. This is the home of the “Buffalo Soldiers”, Cochise & Geronimo. This is the
true old west. Many western movies & television programs were filmed at “Old Tucson”, at The Empire Ranch,
and just south of Green Valley. Do not be surprised to see folks wandering around open-carrying. Many of the
western stars were regular customers of The Cow Palace, the restaurant where our local FRA Branch meets and
where we will have our Welcome Dinner.
Yet we are modern-day as well. We are close to Davis-Monthan (D/M) Air Force Base, the center of the Air
Force A-10, its premier ground support combat aircraft being used throughout the middle-east. D/M is also the
home to the Air Guard Wing that runs the Predator unmanned aircraft in combat a half world away and the
“Boneyard” for all military aircraft. In addition, Tucson is the home to the Air Guard Wing that trains all the
world's Air Forces' combat pilots. Perhaps, if there is enough interest we can get some folks to talk with us
about the A-10, the Predator, or the foreign pilots.
You will have an opportunity to visit the “Boneyard” (on D/M) & the Pima Air & Space Museum (second only
to the one in Dayton, Ohio) while you are here. If you have base access & have a motor home D/M is also the
place to stay.
Tucson, the home of the University of Arizona, is the 31st largest city in the country. Pima County, in which
Tucson & Green Valley are located is about 1,000,000 people strong. Two other neighboring counties add more
to this metropolis. It is quite a mix of the old & new. We will get to see some of it while you are here. The links
to the sights are below. Go to the individual web-sites. Let us know.
And, do not forget golf. Many of our local USSVI and MOAA members are avid golfers and look forward to
taking you out on the links. I do not golf. (I have some Orthopedic issues that interfere with much physical
activity these days. That is why you have not seen us at the reunions and that is why we are excited about you
coming here.) We can set you up to golf as much as you want.
Arizona is the fifth largest land-mass state in the country. With a population less than Los Angeles County
(which actually makes us the 17th most populated state), and most of that population residing around Phoenix,
this is a state with lots of desolate, but breathtaking, open space. That allows for the 75 mph speed limits,
including trucks.
Here in the Santa Rita Valley we are a small portion of the Sonoran Desert which comes from Mexico north to
Phoenix. We live about 1000 yards from the Santa Cruz River, which flows north from Mexico through Tucson.
The northern flow is due to the elevation, which goes from 4500 feet at the Mexican border, to 3000 feet here in
Green Valley, to 2000 feet in Tucson, and to 1000 feet in Phoenix. (By the way Tombstone & Bisbee are mile
high towns.)
The Sonoran Desert is the wettest desert in the world, even though that only means we get less than 10 inches of
rain a year. You will be here during a most pleasant time of the year. It is in between the winter rains and the
summer Monsoons. Expect clear sky and dry temperatures from the 60s at night to the 90s during the day. Two
major observatories (you can see one from my house), Biosphere II and the “Boneyard” are located here because
of the dry climate and clear sky.
We also timed this event so we could catch the last meeting of the season of USSVI, Tucson Base and a radio
interview (prior to our Reunion) and so we could see Wyatt Earp Days and ride with our SSN 770 Float in the
Memorial Day Parade (following our Reunion).
Finally, go to our web-site to buy reunion raffle tickets to win a scale model USS Sea Fox. And, if you are not a
member, to join our association.
The Inn at San Ignatio http://www.innatsanignacio.com/ is located in the southwest corner of Green
Valley on a bluff, surrounded by residential neighbors, and with a nice mountain view. Its owner is a past
Chamber of Commerce President & he will do well by us. It is a motel with no restaurant. BYOB. We will
have most of your meals arranged and you have kitchens to store & serve whatever other culinary delights you
plan to have. We have reserved lots of rooms. Let this be the largest reunion to date. We need all of you from
all of the years to come (and, of course our decommissioning crew shipmates).
This half suites & half spacious rooms inn will provide a very large two room hospitality suite for us. It has a
large separate dinning room & full kitchen where our local FRA Br 77 will provide breakfast to us for the cost of
the food, just donate what you think is fair. All-day BYO & Association adult beverage hospitality.
http://www.seeaz360.com/the-inn-at-san-ignacio/ is the website for you to take a virtual 360 degree tour of
the Inn. You can see some Green Valley pictures on our Association Web-Site.
The Inn Has a small pool and outside BBQ grills. Private & quiet location. It is also the hotel some of our
Border Patrol work from. Bring you memorabilia for us all to see . Wear your hats, vests and clothes that
signify veteran, Navy, submarine or Sea Fox status. Prices are : Suites $79; Spacious single rooms with coffee,
refrigerator and microwave $59. I suggest the spacious single rooms. Save the $20. Call the Inn directly, (888)
450-5444 or (520) 393-5700. Tell them it's for the Sea Fox Reunion. Also keep me appraised of your
reservations.
For those traveling in motor homes or with trailers, and have a military ID, you can go to FamCamp on DavisMonthan (D/M)Air Force Base in Tucson http://www.dm.af.mil/ . If you do not wish to stay there or cannot,
you can park in the Desert Diamond Casino parking lot. I am working on additional arrangements.
About me: I was the Sea Fox Decommissioning Supply Officer. It was my qualification boat. I also served on
the USS Segundo (SS-398), stashed awaiting Submarine school to convene. After Sea Fox I went to the USS
Catfish as its Decommissioning Weapons Officer. Following that I went through Supply Corps School and to
the USS Francis Hammond (DE-1067) as Supply Department head. Shore duties included: the Naval Shipyard,
Long Beach, CA.; The University of Virginia; Supply Depot, Yokosuka, Japan; the Deep Submergence Project;
and as an Executive Assistant & Aide-De-Camp to a Supply Corps Rear Admiral on Navy Secretary John
Lehman's staff. I retired on 20 years as a Supply Corps Commander. In civilian life I was a Washington Rep for
a defense contractor, worked for two California Defense firms, had my own business and taught at the university
level. Michelle and I have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. We have been retired in Green Valley,
AZ for the past seven years. I look forward to see you and hearing all about you at our reunion.
Your reunion host, Joel M. Greenberg
End Notes & Fine Print:
Attendees - Let us have a gigantic turnout! Contact all the Sea Fox folks you know.
Prices - Prices at the Inn are firm for your reservation. We have rooms & suites blocked off for us. Early
reservations helps us maintain the Inn's focus on supporting us. Prices of sites to visit are current, general
public, individual attendee rates. Meals are current prices. Golf prices depend on the course. As our schedule
firms, I will negotiate and publish final prices to us as a group.
Logistics - The drive to Tucson is easy. Get to I-10 & head to Tucson. In downtown Tucson turn south
(Nogales) onto I-19 & drive to Green Valley. Get off at exit 56, make a u-turn onto Frontage Rd. You are
heading back north. Go ½ mile, turn left (west) onto Calle Tres and head up the hill. At the stop sign, Camino
Del Sol, turn right (north) for .2 mile. The Inn is on the west (left) side at Vista Ridge. Flying into Tucson:
From airport head north on Tucson Blvd. (the only street out) to the first light (Valencia). Turn left (west) onto
Valencia. Go to I-19 & head south (Nogales). Then follow directions as above. Flying into Phoenix (because it
may be cheaper or non-stop), get onto I-10 heading east to Tucson (you are really going mostly south). Then as
above get on I-19 in downtown Tucson. It will be about a three hour ride to the Inn from Phoenix.
We hope to have a bus for the Green Valley tour, but we may do it in cars. We will decide on buses or private
cars for Wyatt Earp Days, the Pima Museum day, & Tucson tour, depending on headcount. Everything else will
be private autos. You may be the only one interested in a certain tour & thus can still go on your own.
Proposed schedule - This is a busy schedule. You may need to take a vacation from this vacation. You need to
let us know your preferences so we can lay out a schedule. The only events we really would like to see you here
for are: our welcome dinner, Wednesday's dinner, our business meeting and our banquet. The Wyatt Earp Days
event, the USSVI meeting, and the Sunday radio interview are high on the list if can come early or stay late. If
you want to golf all the rest of the time that is okay. If you want to just sit around & chat, we will accommodate
you. The hospitality room opens out on to the pool. Swim!
This a Second Amendment friendly, open-carry, and now Constitutional carry state. If you want to bring the
tools of the second amendment trade, feel free. We can arrange for some range time & firearms. I will
personally take you. Ammo is available to buy. Arizona issues non-resident Concealed Permits. You want to
get one while you are here, that can be arranged. You cannot have weapons on base, at the Pima Museum tour,
or at the U. of A. Cowboy regalia and open-carry firearms are welcome and encouraged at Wyatt Earp Days.
We do not recommend the Biosphere, Tanqueverde Ranch, Mt Lemon, the observatories, & Old Tucson. Each
is quite a distance away and/or expensive. You may still want to go. That is why we listed them. So go! We
may be able to arrange drive-by viewing of most of the local sites during the Tucson tour, including perhaps 10
minutes up the road to Mt Lemon for a panoramic vista of Tucson. The Pima Air Museum, including the missile
silo & Boneyard tour will add up to some out-of-pocket costs. If there is enough interest we will put on a
catered lunch there. It has lots of walking. It is, however, truly magnificent! We recommend this expenditure
of time (a good portion of the day) and money. And we recommend Tombstone. All other sights are your call.
Miscellaneous web links:
http://greenvalley.arizona.com/
http://www.gvnews.com/
http://www.desertusa.com/mag00/sep/stories/colcave.html
http://www.doublekranch.com/
http://santacruzvalley.com/
http://www.desertdiamondcasino.com/
http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/facilities/flwo/visit_center.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Rita_Mountains
http://www.noao.edu/kpno/
http://greenvalleymoaa.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lemmon
http://www.amado-territory-inn.com/
http://www.oldtucson.com/
http://www.desertmuseum.org/
http://www.franklinmuseum.org/
http://www.b2science.org/
http://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?LodgeNumber=2592
http://www.gpdtoytrainmuseum.com/
http://www.desertusa.com/azkartchner/index.html
http://www.ok-corral.com/
http://www.tucsonrifleclub.org/
http://tucsongrs.org/
http://www.tanqueverderanch.com/ranch.html
http://www.desertdiamondcasino.com/
http://www.asarco.com/AMDC/mine_tours.html
http://www.arizona.edu/
http://www.tubacaz.com/
http://www.nps.gov/tuma/index.htm
OUR REUNION SPONSORS
Goodie Bags supplied by: Rosemont Copper. Goodies from: Chamber, Rosemont, FRA, MOAA, 770 and USSVI.
Raffle Gifts supplied by: Sea Fox Association, FRA, Liberty Watch Radio.
Raffle Grand Prize: A scale model of the USS Sea Fox.
Tell us your interests (do not send money at this time, this is for planning purposes only):
_______Name______________________________________________ Number in party________Sea Fox Years________
_______What days will we be here? 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 30, 31? (circle) Phone___________________
_______Bringing motor home or trailer? _____Using D/M? ____Need Help ?
e-mail___________________
_______Tour of Green Valley (we will work out when)? _______Friday Business Meeting, Caterpillar tour &lunch ($20)?
_______USSVI Tucson Base Meeting? _______Stay for dinner (meals from the menu)?
_______Charles Heller Radio Interview on Sunday? ______With Dinner (from the menu)?
_______Golf? How many days? _____ What day(s)?____________ What do you expect to pay for 18 holes?_________
_______Titan Missile Museum ($9)-Pima Air & Space Museum ($13)-Aircraft Boneyard ($7) with lunch ($15)?
_______Interview with local paper & _____radio station?
_______Monday dinner ($25)? ____ Tuesday dinner ($15)?_____Wednesday dinner ($20)? ______Friday Dinner ($25)?
Have a talk on: (All to be scheduled in the evenings at the Inn hospitality room if enough interest)
_______A-10 ______Predator _____Foreign Pilots? _____Green Valley and Arizona geography, immigration & history?
_______Desert Museum ($10)? ______ Rosemont Copper Mine (free) _______ASARCO Copper mine ($6)?
_______Mt Lemon (no cost but a long trip)?
_______Biosphere II (a long trip & $20+)?
_______One of the observatories: Kitt Peak ($7) (a long trip) & Whipple ($7) (close by but you will give up a day to go)?
_______Old Tucson($20)? _____See the university?
_______Tucson tour (cost unk)
_______Tucson Rifle Range – We will supply firearms & have ammo to buy. ($8 range)?
_______Thomas Hubbard Franklin Auto Museum($5)?
_______CCW class ($80)?
______Ladies Trip to Tubac?
_______Model Railroads, in-home, garden & Gadsen Toy Train Museum (all are donations)?
_______Kartchner Cavern ($20) or ______Colossal Cave( $5 parking & $8)? _______Tanqueverde Dude Ranch?
_______The Saturday Wyatt Earp all-day trip (cost of transport & meals to be determined)?
_______Memorial Day Parade? Or _____Wreath Laying
Prices above are estimates. Breakfast will be served Tuesday through Friday in the hotel Hospitality Suite, for donations,
by our local FRA Branch 77. Please circle here all the items of interest to you. Regular Coffee, Decaf
Coffee, Tea, OJ, Cold Cereal, Hot Cereal, Boiled or Poached Eggs, Fried or
Scrambled Eggs, Omelet, Potatoes, Grits, Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Toast, Muffins,
Bagels, Pastries, Pancakes, Waffles, or anything is fine.
Print out or copy this form, fill it in and mail it back to:
Joel M. Greenberg
71 E. Santa Chalice Dr.
Green Valley, AZ 85614
Or, you can scan the filled in form back into your computer and e-mail it to me as an attachment:
[email protected]
You can call me at (520) 393-8252 for questions and more details. Please feel free to do so. Please make your hotel
reservations now. Joel
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Green Valley, Arizona
PERMIT NO. 14
SEA FOX ASSOCIATION
MAY 2011 REUNION
% Joel M. Greenberg
71 E. Santa Chalice Dr.
Green Valley, AZ 85614
USS SEA FOX (SS-402) ASSOCIATION
GREEN VALLEY, ARIZONA MAY 2011
REUNION
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