November 2017

USS JOHN W WEEKS DD-701 ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER

Alan Cutcher, President

Another great reunion

was just completed in
Pittsburgh PA…the greatest
part was the attendance of Now Hear This!
eighteen members from the Please remit your 2018
Vietnam Era who attended. association dues by
These are the “youngest” March 31. Thank You!
members of our Association...
ages about 67 and up.
The Mini reunion will be
Your Association Board of
held in Linglestown, PA.
Directors is starting to work on
Dates are 6/4 to 6/7
Succession Planning to ensure
2018.
that we have leaders ready to
take over the Association and replace some of us “older”
members. As a part of that I announced that I intend to Shipmates!
step down as President in two years so that I can be Information on our
replaced by a Vietnam member. As much as I love being association founder Hal
your President, I think this is the right thing to do. Gross and the history of
I have asked Rodney “Ski” Leskowski to serve as our the USS John W Weeks
Vietnam Coordinator to help us recruit more members, to Association can be
find members willing to serve in leadership positions and to found on our website.
prepare proper displays for the Vietnam Era for our Ship. www.ussjwweeks701.org.
I will ask your Board of Directors to appoint additional
Vietnam members to the Board of Directors for training.
The Association voted three years ago that when the
time comes to dissolve the Association due to lack of members, all of our displays,
memorabilia and monies will be donated to our Museum located in the Weeks Summer
Home located in the Weeks State Park in Lancaster, NH.
After three years, our Museum located inside the home has come together with an area
with walls set aside for all of our materials. I visit the Museum each summer to drop off
items that I have received from members who have sent them to me.
Our next Annual Reunion is planned for Asheville, NC if proper arrangements can be
made. A Mini-Reunion/Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for June 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2018
near Harrisburg, PA. I am asking the Board to review our reunion format and activities to

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see if we can reduce the cost of attending. I am concerned that the cost may be
prohibiting some of our members from attending.
If you have any suggestions or complaints, please let me know. My address, e-mail and
phone number are on the back page.
A special thanks to Phil Varner, our Reunion Coordinator for his great work on the
Pittsburgh Reunion.

USS JOHN W WEEKS 2017 ANNUAL REUNION

PITTSBURGH PENNSYVANIA

This year’s reunion was held in scenic Pittsburgh PA. Reunion dates were Wednesday
September 13th to Sunday the 17th. In attendance were 33 shipmates and 37spouses,
friends and family. Special attention was given to Earl Thomas and wife Joanne. Earl is
one of the few WWII Week’s veterans still with us and still
coming to our reunions. Also in attendance for the
banquet was Marge Rinaman, widow of Chuck Rinaman
who served aboard the Weeks in WWII. The attendance
figure for this year’s reunion was bolstered by an
exceptional turnout of members from the late 60’s into
1970. The reunion was held at the Sheraton Hotel located
at Station Square, just across the Monongahela River from
downtown Pittsburgh. The hotel offered an excellent view
of the Pittsburgh skyline. Weather was agreeable with
both comfortable days and nights.

Wednesday evening Alan Cutcher opened up the

welcome meeting with a short intro before turning the
meeting over to guest speaker Kirstin Wenger who is the
Communications Director for Visit Pittsburgh. She gave us a
run down on the highlights of Pittsburgh including some
history, city facts, and places of interest to visit and some of
its many fine restaurants.

Thursday morning we were given a guided tour of the Heinz History Museum and then
transported to the Strip District for lunch offered by the many varied ethnic restaurants.
The following paragraphs from Wikipedia provide good insight into the history of both the
Museum and Strip District:
The History Center features the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and the Library and
Archives, and includes six floors of permanent and changing exhibitions that tell the story
of Western Pennsylvania. Though it was originally established in 1879, the Historical Society
of Western Pennsylvania opened its current location in the historic Strip District along the
Allegheny River in 1996. It is named for H. John Heinz III, the late US Senator from
Pennsylvania who died in a 1991 plane crash.

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The century-old Chautauqua Lake Ice Company building was renovated and adapted
for use as the museum. The interior was designed to show off the building's features as well
as create spaces for exhibits and support space. The museum building is an exhibit in its
own right. The History Center also features the following permanent exhibitions: Pittsburgh:
A Tradition of Innovation; Senator John Heinz: A Western Pennsylvania Legacy; Glass:
Shattering Notions; Heinz 57; and Special Collections.
Following our visit to the Heinz Museum our group was bused to Pittsburgh’s famous
and historic Strip District.
In the early 19th century, the Strip District was home to many mills and factories as its
location along the Allegheny River made for easy transportation of goods and shipping of
raw materials. It was the home of the Fort Pitt Foundry, a source of large cannons before
and during the American Civil War including a 20-inch (510 mm) bore Rodman Gun. Early
industrial tenants of the Strip District included U.S. Steel, Westinghouse, The Pittsburgh
Reduction Company (ALCOA), and later the H.J. Heinz Company, famous ketchup and
condiment manufacturer.
By the early 20th century, the Strip District became a vibrant network of wholesalers—
mostly fresh produce, meat, and poultry dealers. Soon, auction houses rose around the
wholesale warehouses. Many restaurants and grocery stores opened to feed hungry shift
workers at any hour of the day. By the 1920s, the Strip District was the economic center of
Pittsburgh.
By the mid-to-late 20th century fewer of the Strip's products were being shipped by rail and
boat causing many produce sellers and wholesalers to leave the area for other space with
easier access to highways or to where there was more land available for expansion. Today,
many of the abandoned warehouses have been renovated as small specialty shops,
restaurants, nightclubs and bars. The historic St. Stanislaus Kostas Church, an 1891 landmark
built in the ornate Polish Cathedral style, lies in the heart of the Strip District and served early
generations of Polish immigrants.

Residential developers have begun to convert old

factory and warehouse buildings into apartments
and lofts. Examples include the Armstrong Cork Factory,
Brake House Lofts, and the Otto Milk Building. A mixed-
use tower is planned for the Adobo Fruit Warehouse site.
Friday we enjoyed a leisurely three hour cruise on the
Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers aboard the
Gateway Clipper river boat. The trip gave us an
excellent view of the Pittsburgh skyline from the vantage
point of the rivers. Included in our cruise was a tasty
buffet lunch. During the cruise we took the opportunity to photograph the crew split
between those who served up to 1966 and those 67 to 70…. who the old timers refer to as
the “kids”! Included in the center of the latter photo was our WWII plank owner Earl
Thomas.
Throughout the reunion, attendees ventured to many venues on their own. Noted
ones are the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Art Museum and the

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Phipps Conservatory, all in Oakland. The National Aviary on the North Side was another
one of interest.

Food and beverages are always a popular

attraction and Pittsburgh has its share of good and
unique eating places. The City also has many brew pubs
and even a martini bar or two. Within walking distance of
the hotel was Joe’s Crab Shack, Texas de Brazil and
many others. The Mount Washington Incline would take
us to Monterey Bay, a classy restaurant with a wonderful
view of Pittsburgh especially at night. The Incline would
also take us to great hot dog establishments and ice
cream parlors. There was something for everyone. The Incline rides were free to senior
citizens and veterans and we vets even got a thank you for your service.
We can’t say enough about the hotel staff especially the van drivers who would take us
anywhere within a three mile radius of the hotel and the registration clerks. Of course,
everywhere we went in the city the people were friendly. If you didn’t have fun here it was
your own fault.

Saturday morning we held our business meeting and

announced the site of our next reunion which will be Asheville,
NC. There was no planned activity in the afternoon so folks could
tour on their own. That evening we attended the annual gala
reunion banquet following cocktail hour. After dinner, Alan held
his annual post dinner auction to raise money for the Weeks
museum in NH. This event always proves to be entertaining with
lots of laughs. Phil, our reunion coordinator, also held a 50/50
drawing and raffled off door prizes. Following the banquet, the fun continued. The
hospitality room was bustling with activity with good bantering and more sea stories and
laughs. Despite the good time being had by all, the time came when we had to clean up
the hospitality room and say our farewells until our next meeting, either at the Mini or the
next reunion. Thanks to the Varner’s, Phil and Lynn, for a wonderful time. You’re rehired for
the next reunion in Asheville.

Credits: Ray & Dave

2017 PITTSBURGH REUNION ATTENDENCE

The 33 shipmates attending were the most since

Nashville in 2011. The total attendees including spouses
and guests was 70 and that was also the most since
Nashville. We were especially glad to see 18 shipmates
who served between 1968 and 1970, the most prevalent
group at the reunion. These are our “young guys” and the
future of the Weeks Association.

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MINI REUNION

The 2018 Mini Reunion and Board Meeting will be held June 4, 5, 6 and 7 in
Linglestown, Pennsylvania. Linglestown is located just outside of Harrisburg. John and Deb
Santopietro will be our hosts so you know the food will be delicious. Add Jim Kletz’s
traditional dish of sausage and peppers and it gets even better. All shipmates are invited
to attend. Information on hotels and planned activities will be forwarded at a later date.
For now, SAVE THE DATE. Thanks to John and Deb for their continued hospitality and
friendship.

REUNION 2018

At the Pittsburgh reunion, the membership voted to hold the 2018 reunion in Asheville,
North Carolina. Asheville is the home of the Biltmore Estate that includes many other
attractions on the estate such as its beautiful landscaping, its winery, fine dining and more.
The City of Asheville offers unique shops, craft breweries and good dining. It also has the
North Carolina Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, cheese creameries, wineries galore, a
birder’s paradise and a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Additional information
on hotels and dates will be forwarded in future newsletters.

A Substantial and Lasting Legacy

By Rachel Bruce, Manager of Weeks State Park and the John Wingate Weeks
Historic Site

John Wingate Weeks, who was born in Lancaster, New

Hampshire on April 11, 1860, left an enormous footprint upon
this country. I am not referring to just Weeks’ physical size;
however, when John Wingate Weeks did walk this earth, he
was a striking 6’4” tall man who weighed over 200 pounds and
was known for demonstrating the same strength as two oxen.
The other footprint which I am referring to is that of the man
who possessed a vast working knowledge about numerous
things; the man who successfully arose to many various
occasions accomplishing countless political, military, personal,
and business feats.

One main contributing factor for success in Weeks’ life was his conviction in knowing
all of the facts before engaging in issues and speaking only when he had something of
substance to contribute. John Wingate Weeks was a man who was a true patriot devoted
to this country. With a commanding voice and influencing demeanor, Weeks was larger
than life. Through his resilient work ethic and principled convictions, Weeks left us with a
legacy rich in history; a legacy that is still enabling and flourishing today.

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 Weeks grew up on a quaint Lancaster, New Hampshire farm along the picturesque
Connecticut River banks. Before the age of 16, his exceptional work ethic was
demonstrated early on when he helped his uncle run a sugar maple business. It was noted
then that young Weeks could do the farm work of two oxen. At the early age of 16, Weeks
taught school at the local school house for about a year. At 17, he received a nomination
and then was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.
Graduating in 1881, Officer Weeks was voted the best balanced man in his Naval
Academy class. Let alone being respected by many in the academy, this honor only
reaffirmed his ability to be accomplished and committed to the tasks set before him.
Weeks served in the Navy until 1883. As a side note, Weeks’ graduating class of 1881was
also the first class to make officers available to the United States Marine Corp.
Weeks was a dedicated Navy man and his loyalty as a patriot and a public servant would
once again be demonstrated.

After Weeks had spent some time in Florida as a civil engineer; a fire chief in Orlando;
and as a Land Commissioner to the Florida Southern Railroad in Jacksonville, Weeks
settled back to the Northeast in the Boston, Massachusetts area. There, in 1888, he co-
founded the brokerage firm, Hornblower and Weeks. His business was a successful banking
and brokerage firm with offices in Boston and New York City. He also became President of
the Massachusetts National Bank and helped to create the First National Bank of Boston.
Once Weeks was established as a successful business man, he enlisted in the volunteer
Navy, The Massachusetts Naval Brigade. He was in the brigade from 1890-1900. Weeks
also served as a Lieutenant during the Spanish-American War of 1898. For 6 of the 10 years
he served in the volunteer Naval Brigade, he was a well-respected commander. Weeks
also founded the Wardroom Club, a naval club, in 1899. Once again, John Wingate
Weeks had demonstrated his strong work ethic; his ability to be successful; his ability to be
a respected leader; and his dedication as a patriot and public servant to this beloved
nation.

John Wingate Weeks’ substantial legacy is comprised of many accomplishments.

Being the Chairman of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, Weeks’ push for
the expansion and development of postal networks helped to meet our country’s early
quest for information and more efficient communication. The author of the Appalachian-
White Mountains Forest Reservation Bill, The Weeks Law of 1911 has created over 20 million
acres of forest reserves and over 52 National Forests and is still an active law today.
Collaboratively working with others and listening to the needs of farmers across the
country, Weeks understood the importance of protecting certain species of fauna. The
Weeks-McLean Act of 1913, which led to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, protected
insectivorous and migratory birds from being overhunted, while guarding the agricultural
industry and small farmers from devastating economic losses. He was also a prominent
framer of The Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Weeks certainly understood and believed
intensely in the significance of honoring our soldiers who unselfishly fought for this noble
country. Weeks was honorably and solemnly the master of ceremonies at the dedication
of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921. Weeks also
worked to implement and oversee the dedication of the Argonne Cross at Arlington
National Cemetery on November 13, 1923.

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 John Wingate Weeks died on July 11, 1926 in his breathtaking summer home atop Mt.
Prospect in his same cherished town of Lancaster, New Hampshire. He had planned his
final days there. Weeks may have lived a brief lifetime of only 66 years; however, he
accomplished more in those 66 years than most of us could accomplish in 166 years.
Weeks’ substantial achievements have been a significant contribution to this country’s
triumphs, and his lasting legacy still continues to live on today.
(To learn more about John Wingate Weeks, please visit The John Wingate Weeks Historic
Site or visit https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/weeks-state-park.aspx).

A Memory of the USS John W. Weeks (DD-701)

By Kate Johnson
My husband, Tony Johnson, boarded the Weeks in 1954 as his first active duty station.
We were married the next year and moved to Norfolk, VA where the Weeks was docked
at the D&S Piers located on the Norfolk Navy Base.
Once a year, when the ship was in port, they would host a “Dependent’s Day Cruise.”
Wives, parents and children over the age of twelve were invited aboard ship to spend the
day. We toured the ship with our sponsors and were shown their quarters, work areas and
even where they stood watch. After feeding us lunch on the mess deck, we were able to
watch various drills and exercises performed by the crew.

One such exercise was the “Highline” which was a series of pulleys and ropes
attached to a seat that was used to transport personnel from one ship to another while
both are underway. The sailor performing the demonstration jokingly asked if anyone
would like to be highlined across to the USS Haynsworth (DD-700). I stepped forward and
much to my husband’s distress, volunteered. As I was being prepared to make the ride
across the water, Tony looked at me and asked, “Have you lost your mind?” He helped
me put on a life jacket after which I climbed into a seat attached to the pulley apparatus.
Tony said, “I can’t watch this, I’m going below.” I was highlined across to the Haynsworth
along with another sailor’s (Danny Bartholomew) wife, Sharon. After we were highlined
across, two wives from the Haynsworth were highlined to the Weeks.

Sailors on the deck of the Haynsworth said that they would keep us, (Sharon and me)
and leave the wives from their ship on the Weeks. However, they did return us and we
were both presented with certificates as Line Breakers First Class. Although Tony and
Danny barely spoke to us until near the end of the cruise, this was a very special memory
that I will always treasure.

P.S. One of the crew members did let us know as we were leaving the ship that the week
before they highlined the Chaplain and he was accidently “dunked in the drink.”

My husband Tony retired from active duty in 1974. We moved to North Carolina
where he opened a welding and steel fabrication business. I returned to school and
became a registered nurse. Throughout his career, Tony served on many different ships

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and duty stations but he always treasured his time aboard the Weeks and the memories of
his shipmates. Tony and I both retired in 2004. We enjoyed traveling, spending time with
our grandchildren and loved attending the Weeks reunions for 28 years before he passed
in 2011.

BYLAW CHANGES

At the reunion, the membership voted to reduce our bylaws to a near six pages by
eliminating provisions that are no longer needed. A major amendment that was passed
will allow widows and dependents to join the USS John W Weeks Association as regular
members by paying annual dues of $25. As regular members, the widows and
dependents will have the right to vote on all Weeks Association business that comes to a
vote including the selection of annual reunion sites. Those interested in joining may
complete the form included in this newsletter and by following the instructions listed on
that form. Dave Kurtz drafted the amendments.

NAVY PROUD
Ringing Out Bell

There is a tradition across the country in cancer clinics that when a patient completes
treatment the patient gets to ring the “Ringing Out Bell.” When I was discharged from the
Hershey Medical Center for Stem Cell Transplant, I too got to ring the bell. When I did I
noticed a poem and the author of those few lines engraved on a brass plate under the
bell. Upon returning home I researched this mystery and found that the poet was Rear
Admiral Irv C. Le Moyne. This is the same “Irv” who was the highest ranking SEAL in the
Navy at one time. Rear Admiral Le Moyne contracted head and neck cancer and prior to
leaving the Anderson Cancer Clinic in Houston in 1996, he installed a bell at the main
entrance so he could “ring out.” His cancer was terminal and he died in 1997 at the age
of 57. He had a stellar naval career that included founding the Naval Special Warfare
Command.

RING THIS BELL

THREE TIMES WELL
IT’S TOLL TO CLEARLY SAY,

MY TREATMENT’S DONE
THIS COURSE IS RUN
AND I AM ON MY WAY!

Credit: Dave

NAVY PROUD
CAR-T Cells… If you follow the news you probably have heard what many are referring
to as the world’s biggest cancer break-through. In 2011, a team of researchers led by

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immunologist Carl June, a University of Pennsylvania Professor, reported stunning results
when patients were given infusions of their own “doctored” white blood cells. It is referred
to as CAR T-cell infusions. The three original patients treated had chronic lymphocytic
leukemia, a cancer that affects white blood cells. The recent media splash is because it
has now received FDA approval. Dr. June believes within a decade, there will be a
pathway to curing every blood and bone-marrow cancer.
Dr. June, by the way, is a 1975 graduate of the Naval Academy. While serving in the Navy
Medical Corps, he studied infectious diseases.

Credit: Dave

NAVY PROUD
Memorial Day Speech 1995

Following are paraphrased excerpts from a speech delivered on Memorial Day 1995
by Ron Cleveland, a Navy SEAL who served in Vietnam. Shirley Wester and Ron’s widow
Nancy were high school classmates and remain friends today.
The speech was different from most Memorial Day speeches in that his theme concerned
those who returned from war. He talked about the sacrifices they made including those
men and women giving us their youth. He stressed that these are your Fathers, Mothers,
Sisters, Brothers and other family. They returned to jobs in the community and became
your mailman, barber, nurse, your neighbor, etc. They may not show it but they are still
grieving because of war. Ron even brings in the VFW and American Legion Posts as
places where vets can go to question others to see if their own thoughts and memories
were normal or not. Ron, in his job as a counselor, says that only a caring and forgiving
God can give us all the peace we seek. He closed by asking for prayers not only to those
who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also for those that remain.

Credit: Dave

TAPS

Frank G. Ambrosini – Frank passed away on September 26, 2013. His son, Tony, notified
the John W Weeks Association in September 2017. Frank served aboard the Weeks 1952-
1954. He was residing in Maspeth, New York at the time of his death. Sympathy cards can
be sent to Frank’s son Tony Ambrosini at 6438 Perry Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

SICK CALL

At the Pittsburgh Reunion we really missed seeing our other plank owner, Jack
Coughlin, and his family who are regular attendees. Jack’s wife Elaine is undergoing
treatment for cancer. Jack and Elaine would always be the first couple on the dance floor

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when we had musical entertainment. We also got to know their daughters as well with
their attending many reunions. Please send your prayers to Elaine for comfort and healing.

A special and long overdue thanks to my wife, Judy “Hawkeye” Kurtz, for her help in
proofing all newsletters prior to them going to print.

2017 REUNION
ATTENDENCE
LAST FIRST SPOUSE CITY/STATE GUESTS
Barker Mike Kathy Eight Mile AL
Blakeley Larry Janie Clio MI
Budzynski Len Bea Maumee OH
Connelly Dave Linda Bristol CT
Cutcher Alan Port Huron MI
Dalton Fred Aida Joplin MO
Driesen Lloyd Kathy Charleroi PA
Dulac Al Carol Sabatus ME
Goodmuth Ray Harriett Centreville MD
Harmon Daniel Meredith Clinton OH
Harper Robert Lois Lawrenceburg IN
Johnson Kate Rutherfordton NC
Kletz Jim N. Brunswick NJ
Kurtz Dave Judy Elizabethtown PA
Lansinger Eric Ruth Lancaster PA
Leskowski Rodney "Ski" Phylis Londonderry NH
Lion John Ginny Pottstown PA
Mauger Bob East Earl PA
McAllister Clarence Pittsburgh PA Granddaughter
Michaels Bob Kathy Yorktown VA
Miller Bob Lost River WV
Nutter Dan Judy Pasaskala OH
Oakes Steve Athens VT LindaTripodi
Oxner Chris Marshfield MA
Parent Dave Diane New Lenox IL
Rinaman Margie Mars PA Bob & Rose Rinaman
Santopietro John Deb Linglestown PA Linda & Greer Capello
Struke Jerry Sonja Altoona PA
Tallackson Thomas Diane Lino Lakes MN
Thomas Earl JoAnne Gaithersburg MD Greg & Karen Thomas
Tracy Jim Sue Onakaska WI
Vagianos Michael Diane Bridgewater NJ
Varner Phil Lynn Wenonah NJ
Weight Larry JoAnn N Charleroi PA
Wester Jerry Shirley Little Canada MN
Wilson Karen Keene NH

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These folks say that you missed one heck of a reunion.
They missed you and hope to see you at the next one.

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See you in beautiful Asheville NC September 2017!

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 USS John W Weeks
Association
1118 Lincoln Ave.
Port Huron, MI 48060

We are on the WEB!

www.ussjwweeks701.
org

President:
Alan Cutcher - (810) 984-4670 wc1996@aol.com

Vice President & Assistant Chaplain:

Dave Kurtz - (717) 366-4610 davejudy55@gmail.com

Secretary/Treasurer:
Jerry Wester - (651) 483-4252 shirjer99@juno.com
2590 N. Sylvan Street Little Canada, MN 55117

Chaplain:
Kathy Michaels - (757) 898-1650 kfmichaels@cox.net

Directors:
Bob Michaels - (757) 898-1650 remichaels@cox.net
Phil Varner - (856) 464-1727 tobosopv@yahoo.com
Ray Goodmuth - (410) 758-6596 raygoo@live.com
Director Emeritus - Earl Thomas (301) 987-6347 ewtpearl@aol.com

John W. Weeks Museum Contact:

Rachel Bruce - 1-603-788-4004 Rachel.bruce@dred.nh.gov

Newsletter Editors:
Dave Kurtz & Ray Goodmuth

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