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Shipmates,
Now that the dust has settled and things are
getting back to a more normal status I want to take this
opportunity to thank everyone who made the trip and enjoyed a
great reunion. San Diego certainly offers many opportunities to
see the sights whether you are a local or a far distant
traveler.
The event cannot go into our history books
without giving acknolwedgment to the great hard work of your
Reunion Committee. The committee members are not only the ones
who deserve recognition. All the bahind-the-scenes people that
are not even Willy-R members who came together to give our ship
the deserving recognition. These include the hotel staff all the
down to the room servants, cooks, registration desk personnel,
security department, etc. The many people on the Sub Base that
helped us through security clearances, meal preparation, sub
tour, etc. Even the bus driver and the transportation staff that
bent over backwards to work with us to ensure we had the proper
bus size and drivr qualifications to get on base.
This
was an enormous undertaking and cannot be done by just one
person. It took the entire Association Board officers and
boardmembers. We had to set up allowances to accept credit card
transactions, track reservations and hotel days, arrange for
proper meals and venues, the memorial service (which was a huge
job), and all the little details that goes into a major
production to see that over 60 shipmates and guests are properly
serviced.
The harbor dinner cruise was very enjoyable
with the live D.J., dancing, great GREAT food, and beautiful
evening on the water crusing the San Diego Harbor. Some even
were lucky to bump into a film crew filing the new movie The
Phantom" which is the storeyline of the Russian sub that the
U.S. was attempting to secretly raise from the depths of the
Pacific Ocean without them knowing. The actors were elated at
meeting REAL sub sailors as we were meeting them.
At the
banquet we were entertained by the music of Fabrizio from Lake
Tahoe. We all sand Happy Birthday to Adm Larry Marsh who
celebrated his 659th birthday that night. Even his klaxon rang
out occasionally after being repair by IC1(SS) Paul Kelley. That
obviously made the Admiral pleased to hear those mellow sounds
again. An opportunity drawing was handled by "Frenchy" DeFrehn
and some very nice items were given out. We wish to thank all
those contributors and there were many.
The next reunion
is up for grabs for probably 2013. It probably will be on the
East coast this time again and a recommendation was made to
consider New Hampshire to honor 50th anniversary of the loss of
the Thresher. Nothing definite was voted upon and ideas are
still being accepted. I think I heard Las Vegas, somewhere in
South Carolina, and even Area 51 as candidates among the many
possibilities. Send in your ideas and comments.
As
outgoing Reunion Chairman or Coordinator (your choice), I want
to thank all who gave a helping hand sometimes literally. I am
totally thrown by the honor bestowed upon me with the
presentation of the Gold Plankowner plaque presented to me as
custodian until the next reunion. Having my plankowner name on
that plaque which was on the bulkhead as you entered the mess
hall on board was a sincere honor. To see it again it again
another honor and to hold it and safeguard it is the utmost
honor. THANK YOU!
Many photos were taken during the days
of the reunion and they will be posted on the website and in the
photos section of this yahoogroups websight. Many will be thanks
to Bob Bissonnette who was our guest at the banquet and who
helped Paul with the operation for an honorable Memorial.
If you have any photos to share please send them along.
Thanks and I can't wait until the next one when I hope even
MORE shipmates can attend - especially some that have never
experienced the fun we have.
Regards,
Ed Greany,
Vice President
USS Will Rogers Veterans Association, Inc.
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