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.