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Magazines for the Troops.
Shipmates, Following is an update to report progress on our Magazines for the Troops program which NGRA began in December 2007.
With the deployment to Iraq/Kuwait in October of 2007, Cdr Mark Schwartzel (TM2(SS) Schwartzel requalified in Nathanael Greene in 1973) in command of about 500 sailors to form up the Navy Customs Battalion Tango. Their mission was to expedite the customs clearance of all armed forces service personnel entering and leaving the war zone. This service at in-country departure points saves the required time for each serviceperson to individually clear customs upon arrival back in the U.S. thereby getting them back with their families a bit sooner as well as easing the strain on reentry point customs resources.
Commander, now Captain, Schwartzel is presently CO of a Navy Reserve unit (NR USS Frank Cable [AS 40] Detachment Alpha) located in San Diego. His unit deploys forward to Guam in support of the USS Frank Cable who services submarines forward deployed in WestPac. He has completed 37 years of service.
The magazine program continues; LT Ralph J. Cahil, our present POC is the fourth consecutive submarine officer serving as POC for the magazine program. To date NGRA has sponsored thirteen shipments to the customs units totaling more than 1000 lbs of magazines.
Normally recently outdated unsold publications would be recycled or turned back to the publishers for credit however these magazines are donated at no cost to the program by World Wide News Inc. a news media distributor located in Rochester, NY. NGRA picks up the magazines from the distributor, packs the boxes to be shipped, makes out the customs and mailing forms then delivers to the USPS for shipment to the APO. The freight from Rochester to APO is paid for by NGRA while the freight from the stateside APO is picked up by the Military Transport Service. Cost to NGRA per shipment averages about $30.00.
Each shipment usually include 75 to 120 magazines with a wide variety of topics including; news, sports, puzzles & games, investments, short stories, cars, racing, outdoor hunting & fishing, hobbies, mechanics, scientific and electronics.
Freight costs for magazine shipments to APO are paid for out of our NGRA treasury. The treasury is funded by annual membership dues, small stores sales and donations. If you are behind on your annual dues of $10.00 or would like to make a donation to the magazine program please mail a check to our treasurer:
Greg Hand 6726 Hayes Road Cincinnati, OH 45248
While I have your attention, I’d like to remind everyone of our 4th NGRA reunion to be held in Springfield, MO next April. Each of the past reunions has been bigger, better and more exciting than the previous event. President Tom always seems to outperform himself when it comes to the planning and execution of each reunion. Frankly I don’t think he can outdo the ‘08 event in Groton. However I learned over 40 years ago not to underestimate a Nuc Electrician’s Mate.
If you have attended any of the past reunions I know I don’t have to twist your arm as you already know it’s an unforgettable experience meeting former shipmates, catching up on your post navy life’s events and reliving memories of upkeeps, transit flights, homecomings, ORSE inspections, etc. However if you haven’t been to one of Tom Carr’s NGRA parties this is the one to plan for. Call some of your old running mates & make plans to meet them in Springfield! I look forward to seeing you all in April. Fair winds, John Trubee VP
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