CVA News

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE USS AMERICA CARRIER VETERANS ASSOCIATION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FIRST RECIPIENT OF OUR SCHOLARSHIP, MATT FLEISCHER, SON OF RICH AND LINDA FLEISCHER, HAS GRADUATED FROM THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, CLASS OF 2009 WITH A DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO SEE THE SCHOLARSHIP PUT TO SUCH GOOD USE. CONGRATULATIONS YOUNG MAN.

VETERAN'S DAY 2008

USS AMERICA CARRIER VETERAN'S ASSOC. Pass the reviewing stand during the New York City Veteran's Day Parade.

AMERICA WILL SAIL AGAIN

Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter has announced that the new LHA(R) will be named AMERICA. This proud new ship will be designated USS AMERICA LHA-6 and is expected to come on line in 2012. The announcement was made June 27th 2008 during the reunion banquet hosted by the USS AMERICA Carrier Veterans Association in Jacksonville, Florida. Secretary Winter was the guest of honor at the banquet, which was also attended by Radm. Robert Fuller, AMERICA's 10th skipper, General Peter Pace, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and his wife Lynne and Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund.

In his speech, Secretary Winter reviewed the proud history of USS AMERICA CVA/CV-66 and applauded the patriotism and enthusiasm of AMERICA's former crewmembers. "AMERICA's veterans have much to be proud of and superb performance will always be associated with that name. It is with this extraordinary legacy in mind that I would like to take this opportunity to announce the name of what will be one of our crown jewels of our fleet. And so today, I am proud to announce that LHA-6, our newest assault ship, will carry on the proud legacy of her predecessor and be named AMERICA". Secretary Winter went on to announce that Lynne Pace, wife of General Peter Pace has accepted the invitation to serve as AMERICA's sponsor.

Secretary Winter's announcement successfully ended an almost four year effort by the USS AMERICA Carrier Veterans Association to have the name AMERICA once again sail the high seas. That effort began with the belief that the name AMERICA, above all others, should always be on a U.S. Navy ship. During this effort, we recieved input from many of the CVA membership, asking questions, making suggestions and helping to guide us in the right direction. Your contributions to this cause helped turn an idea into a reality. Four years from now, we will stand pier side and proudly watch as USS AMERICA LHA-6 is christened knowing that it was our unified effort that made it happen. This, more than anything else, reinforces our belief that together, we can accomplish just about anything, and it is you the membership, that makes the CVA work. The entire USS AMERICA Carrier Veterans Association offers our collective thanks to Secretary Winter for making this happen. We appreciate his patience with us over the years and ultimately, his decision to once again put the name AMERICA on a great Navy ship.

Tenth Anniversary of USS AMERICA’S Decommissioning

On Wednesday August 9, 2006, the Tenth Anniversary of USS AMERICA’S Decommissioning, the CVA held a wreath laying ceremony at The Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. to honor those who have gone on before us. The ceremony took place at the Statue of the Lone Sailor. Afterwards, in the Naval Heritage Center, there was a dedication of a plaque on the Commemorative Wall, in the memory of the USS AMERICA.

The Memorial Commemorative Wall, located inside the Naval Heritage Center, is publicly displayed and viewed by thousands of visitors, including veterans, families, friends, tourists and school children who visit Washington. We have been fortunate to have acquired a space on the wall next to the plaques of the USS LIBERTY. Since AMERICA first responded to the attack on the Liberty, there has been a bond between the two ships. We on the BOD felt it would be fitting that they be memorialized together.

The plaques on the wall are dedicated to ships, individuals, squadrons and battles. On this wall the USS AMERICA will have a place of honor well into the future.

The cost of the plaque was cover entirely by donations from members of the CVA.

Thank you all for your support.

Coordinates for the America

The United States Navy has released the Coordinates where the AMERICA slipped beneath the waves.

33.09.09 north

071.39.07 west

Click here to see map

Connection between John Stennis, CVN-74 and USS America

The CVA has recently heard from the JOHN STENNIS CVN74. They have told us of a bond between the Stennis and AMERICA. It seems the Stennis inherited the AMERICA's wheel, silver and the call sign COURAGE. There is a display onboard honoring the AMERICA. We have set up some photos of the current tour of duty for the Stennis and a copy of the Newsletter "The Statesman" from the ship. This issue tells the story of the bond between the two ships.

Click to view/download a copy of the newsletter (requires adobe pdf)

Click to view photos of the current tour of duty

RETURN AMERICA TO SEA VOTING RESULTS

Voting has ended for the Return AMERICA To Sea effort. A total of 213 members voted both online and by postcard. That number represents approximately 35% of our membership. The Board of Directors wish to thank all those who took the time to not only vote, but also express their strongest feelings regarding USS AMERICA. Your response has reinforced our belief that it is you who make the USS AMERICA Carrier Veterans Association work. As a result of your voting, the Board of Directors have begun working in the direction that you have chosen. Thank you all.

	CVN-79	LAH(R)
Online Votes	38	42
Postcard Votes	50	83
Total	88	125

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