This was an important engagement opportunity for the Navy, as Tonga has been steadfast in their support for the U.S. Government’s foreign policies.  Several Officers were invited to a “Beat of Retreat” ceremony hosted by the Tonga Chief of Defense in honor of a departing French General (Commander, French Forces Pacific).  We also hosted a reception the second evening in port.  That day was also interesting, as we had intense rain in the morning (forming lakes on the ship), the trash/CHT ship alongside us took a heavy roll and tore off some stanchions and an electrical junction box, the one good liberty boat had a mechanical breakdown, and the company supplying tents/tables/chairs for the reception would not come out to the ship in bad weather.   The weather finally broke in the early afternoon, and we were ready in time (just in time) to hold our reception on the flight deck.  It was perfect.  The reception was co-hosted by JPJ and the U.S. Ambassador.  We had most of the high government officials from Tonga aboard for that one as well.  Since the King who had reigned for 40 years died last September, and his birthday was July 4^th, there had never been a U.S. Independence Day celebration in Tonga.  But that was the theme of our reception (we even had fireworks... we fired some flares off during the party).  6 countries were officially represented at this one as well (U.S., Tonga, France, Australia, New Zealand, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC Ambassador came)).

While in Tonga, Your Sailors participated in four Community Relations projects; including village clean-up projects, a mentoring/Q&A session with troubled teenagers, and repair of a bus that served community projects.  All four events were received extremely well by the Tongan people and were coupled with opportunities to participate in some local customs.  Some Sailors were able to take part in a traditional “Kava” ceremony, where they drank a milky substance made from the Kava root.  Most said it tasted like dirt or cardboard.  Another group was able to enjoy a traditional meal cooked in an o’mou, an underground oven.  All four projects were rewarding for both the Tongan locals and the Sailors who participated.

After departing Tonga, we transited to Guam to participate in an exercise with USS CHEYANNE, a Fast Attack Submarine, USS JUNEAU, an amphibious ship, and USCGC WASHINGTON, a Coast Guard Cutter.  The exercise lasted for two days and was a training opportunity for the crew of the submarine that gave JOHN PAUL JONES some good practice in formation steaming. 

In addition to the Change of Command ceremony, our Sailors were able to get out in town for some much-needed rest and relaxation, interact with the Chilean Navy Sailing ship Esmeralda, and replenish their personal items at the NEX and the local stores.

We’re back at sea now, conducting training and preparing for our rendezvous with NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group.  You may remember that we started the deployment with the Strike Group, but parted ways with them at the end of April.  The entire Strike Group will participate in exercise VALIANT SHIELD early next month which should prove challenging for the entire crew.

Sincerely,

Christopher K. Barnes

CDR, USN

CMC’s Corner

Hello JOHN PAUL JONES Family and Friends,             

After our longest underway period of this deployment we pulled into Tonga to celebrate the 4^th of July.  A hand full of crew members took advantage of the tours offered by MWR.  Some visited the Royal Palace, Royal Tombs, Majestic Blowholes, Flying Foxes (fruit bats) and Tongan National Centre, while others took up the Sunset Tour with Island Feast. 

Then it was off to Guam for our Change of Command ceremony.  On a nice hot sunny Sunday morning we said “Fair winds and following seas” to CDR Housinger and his wife Suzanne and welcomed aboard our new Commanding Officer, CDR Barnes.    

Your Sailors are still hard at work keeping the world and the sea lanes safe.  All are looking forward to our return home and seeing family and friends again.  I would like to personally recognize some outstanding JPJ Sailors on their recent achievements.  Good job shipmates and keep up the great work!

Command Advancement Program:

GSE1(SW) Cabamongan     HM3 Saechao

Navy Achievement Medal:

ENS Bissonette                  BMC(SW) Barnett

FC2(SW) Haupt                   FC2(SW) Johnson

HT2(SW) Kester          GM2 Lafferty

CTT2(SW) Ocana          GM2(SW) Rungfarsangaroo

STG2 Turner                     GSM2(SW) Mello

GM3 Bradley                     EN3 Daniel

EM3 Li                          GM3(SW) Singh

AOAN(SW) Dannenberg             GSMFN Malloy

Good Conduct Medal:

IT2 Beckett                     OS2 Libby

BM2(SW) Londono         IT2(SW) Morearty

IT3(SW) Morris                  OS2 Smith

OS2(SW) Spicher         GM3 Bradley

SK3 Hairfield                   GSM3(SW) Niosco

IT3 Quiambao                    IC3 Robinson

GSE3 Schultz                    SHSN Ramat

HN Saechao

Letter of Appreciation:

STGC(SW) Beck

Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualification:

FC2(SW) Johnson         STG2(SW) Nichols

FC2(SW) Davis                   FC2(SW) Servin

STG3(SW) Frederick              EN1(SW) Morris

EN2(SW) Lopez                   AOAN(SW) Dannenberg

Surface Warfare Officer Qualification:

ENS Murphy

Engineering Officer of the Watch Qualification:

LTJG White                      ENS Bissonette

Tactical Action Officer Qualification:

LT Fremming                     LT Spencer

Announcing new JPJ Babies:

GM3 Ouimet’s wife Anna Mae gave birth to their daughter Gwendolyn Marrin on 30JUN07.

SK3 Steele’s wife Kimberely gave birth to their son Travis Rey on 14JUL07.

Very Respectfully,

CMDCM(SW) Karol M. Kramer

OMBUDSMAN’S CORNER

Hello JPJ Families and Friends!

                I hope you all had a safe and happy July.  As we ended the month of July we have gained a new Commanding Officer of the USS JOHN PAUL JONES family.  I want to welcome aboard CDR and Mrs. Barnes and look forward to working with them.   

August is the time of year where people start thinking about ending the summer and beginning the school year and in our case Homecoming!  There are probably a lot of questions out and everyone is wondering about what it will be like.  Even though planning is already underway by the FSG for the ship’s homecoming now is the time to plan for yours.  Discuss what you and your sailor would like, involve any children, and most of all make it meaningful to your sailor and you.  Don’t do something simply because it is expected that “everyone” will do it.  If you love to decorate then by all means have at it but if you are like me and would rather not decorate then don’t worry about it.  This will be your homecoming so I hope that you are able to enjoy it to the fullest.

August is also the National Immunization Month.  I have included some information about immunizations in the newsletter.  Remember to keep your child’s and your immunizations up to date.  The beginning of the school year is always a great time to check them since most children are required to have immunizations.

The FSG’s Halfway Party was a great success.  Several prizes were awarded, including free babysitting, $50 to an area steakhouse, and a wide variety of gift cards and prizes.  Congratulations to Melissa Poole, Halfway Party Chair and the other members of the Halfway Party-you did a great job!

I also wanted to thank VFW Post 1512 for kindly hosting the FSG’s Halfway Party.  They graciously allowed us to use their building to hold the party.  The Post Commander, JJ Voight, and several other members even helped to set up the party.  Thank you so much for all of your help! 

I hope you have another great month and enjoy preparing for your sailor’s return!

Heather Cox

Command Ombudsman

Family Support Group News

Has another month really gone by? Unbelievable how fast the time passes when you are busy with family, friends and FSG activities. This month the FSG was very busy. We held a July 4^th BBQ at the Cox’s house and had a wonderful turnout and fantastic time. We also had our monthly meeting, this time held at the VFW Post 1513 in Lemon Grove. We all were very grateful to the VFW Commander for allowing us to hold the meeting there since the Murphy Canyon Chapel canceled on us last minute. July 22 we held the FSG Half-way Party at the VFW too. We jokingly called it the 2/3 party, but were happy that the cruise is more than half-way over. We were all happy to meet Mrs. Barnes, our new Command Advisor and Commander Barnes’ spouse. Thanks to Melissa Poole and the rest of the Half-way committee for putting on a great party.  Again the turn out was great! The FSG is in the midst of planning for the Night-before party and Homecoming.

Such a short time to go and so many things to plan for and I hope that everyone will join us for the next meeting, Thursday August 2^nd at the Murphy Canyon Chapel at 6:30.

Have another great month,

Julie Gushlaw

FSG President

United Through Reading® Update   

     Our Sailors will soon be making their way home- something we are all looking forward to!    By participating in United Through Reading®, the Sailors and families of the John Paul Jones                              (DDG-53) have been able to stay connected in a special way.  The DVD’s we have received and the pictures, video, and other responses we have sent back have built memories and moments that have served us well throughout this deployment.  The benefits of our time spent reading aloud will continue to be seen even after our Sailors come home.  As we talk about all the things we will soon do together, think about making reading aloud on a regular basis one of those special activities.

Let Family Literacy Foundation© know about your family’s experience participating in the United Through Reading® program.  Simply go online and fill out a Homefront Participant’s survey on the Family Literacy Foundation© website, www.read2kids.org.  This is your opportunity to provide them with feedback that they will use to continue to improve the program.

NAVY TRIVIA

In what year was the first uniform instruction for the US Navy given?

                   A. 1855

                   B. 1782

                   C. 1810

                   D. 1791

Save the Dates!

August is National Immunization Awareness Month:  August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). The goal of NIAM is to increase awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to the elderly.  August is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and healthcare workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season.

Why are immunizations important?

Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.  Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections.

Who should be immunized?

Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting community effort regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults of all ages and seniors, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, are critical to protecting ourselves and our communities from disease.

When are immunizations given?

Because children are particularly vulnerable to infection, most vaccines are given during the first five to six years of life. Other immunizations are recommended during adolescent or adult years and, for certain vaccines, booster immunization are recommended throughout life. Vaccines against certain diseases that may be encountered when traveling outside of the U.S. are recommended for travelers to specific regions of the world.

Source: "Overview of NIAM."  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 9 July 2007.                                                                     

< http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/default.htm#oview>.