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Navy
Reunions
These
are items of interest to military reunions including reunions
that have already happened so others can find their own reunion
groups. If you have military reunion news, e-mail
us. If you are listing your reunion, send the reunion name, date
and place and the name, address, phone and contact person's e-mail
address.
How long will you go?
The USS Callaway Newsletter noted that WWI reunions
continued to be held for about 75 years after the war. The newsletter
then questioned how long WWII reunions will continue. The original
estimate was until 2016 which has been changed to 2006 or 2007.
We’re collecting information about how long you plan to continue
holding/attending WWII reunions. We also seek information from
children and grandchildren who plan to continue the reunions.
And if anyone is in the midst of planning a “final”
reunion, we’d be interested in featuring it in Reunions Magazine.
Email reunions@execpc.com with your stories!
Here’s the recap, old sport
The USS Callaway reunion persevered through the events
of September 11th to have an outstanding event. The early birds
met at hosts Tom and Betty Maxwell’s house for Sunday dinner.
The reunion officially kicked off on Monday, even though some
couldn’t make flight arrangements following the attacks.
The Maxwells’ son and daughter-in-law, John and
Kit, hosted a welcome reception. Tuesday morning. Several members
visited the Sophia Sachs Butterfly House; rain kept them indoors,
where they got acquainted with more than 2,000 species of butterflies.
Others were entertained by shopping and an Ameristar Casino trip
for a buffet and gambling.
Wednesday’s theme was Germany. The first stop
was the Hermanhof Winery. After inspecting and tasting wine, they
lunched on German foods at Europa Inn. The Fulton Historical Society
in Callaway County, Missouri, welcomed the group. Joining the
group was Nathan Carrington, who built a model USS Callaway for
the society’s exhibit. The day’s last attraction was
Auto World, a huge car museum. Everyone enjoyed seeing cars of
the past as well as those anticipated for the future.
Thursday was their annual meeting, which concluded with a banquet.
Coast Guard Captain Kevin Schumacher, the guest speaker,
presented a slide show about the Coast Guard in the 21st century.
Summarized from USS Callaway Newsletter by Kit Jenkins Maxwell.
Flags flying proudly
In an emotional and patriotic letter to the Northern
Kentucky CVB, Albert B. Moore, president of the Mobile Riverine
Force Association (MRFA), wrote that “on Christmas Day 2001,
while on operations in the Arabian Sea, a flag presented to the
MRFA was flown in all her glory in honor of the Mobile Riverine
Force Association and the folks of Northern Kentucky.”
In part, the letter read: “Being a retired Navy
man my thoughts were running deep for the love and respect I hold
dear to my country.… looking around the den I spotted a red,
white and blue box. In the box was a flag that was presented to
the Mobile Riverine Force Association at our annual reunion at
the Drawbridge Inn in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky.”
Mr. Moore continued that in following the nightly
news, he saw how flags flown over the World Trade Center had been
sent to various US bases and ships. Another member of the MRFA
had a son on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The flag was sent in
the hope it would be flown during a day of operation. Mr. Moore
has the flag at his home in North Carolina, where he will ensure
it attends all future group reunions.
Bravery x 4
The Indianapolis Rescue and Recovery Association has
formed, joining members of three ships with the crew they rescued
in August 1945. The USS Bassett, USS Doyle and USS Ringness responded
to the a call for help from the sinking USS Indianapolis nearly
60 years ago. Now they’ve answered the call to become a collective
unit once again.
The group’s specific goals are to perpetuate
patriotism and community awareness about the 1945 events and communicate
with these ships’ current crews. They also endorse programs
to increase and promote reunions of these individuals sharing
a common bond.
We wish them luck in their endeavors, and many happy reunions
in the process. We also encourage others to follow their footsteps
and share their stories with us.
Taps,
a fitting tribute
A touching moment in ceremonies for a fallen
war hero is the playing of Taps by a bugler. Unfortunately,
a bugler shortage often forces veterans to play a CD or record
instead of the real thing.
With about 1,200 WWII veterans dying daily, there is an effort
to recruit more buglers. The Pentagon urged commanders around
the world to find and train buglers and rifle salute volunteers.
“We want to provide the appropriate honors to veterans who
pass away,” said Charles Abell, assistant secretary of defense.
Michael Hurt plays Taps for families
of veterans and gets paid between $50 and $200 per funeral. But
the 20-year-old college student isn’t doing it for money.
“I do it to honor the veterans,” Hurt said. Beth Gay,
another bugler, said, “The highest honor I've ever had is
the privilege to play Taps for our military heroes. I don't
know how to express how I feel when one of our veterans passes
away and it is my job to salute him with my music.” That’s
a powerful statement, especially from someone whose accomplishments
include being an Olympic Torchbearer in 1996.
Gay added that it’s her own way of contributing
something to America’s “Greatest Generation.” She
is touched by the moment because “Taps is the final
goodbye for a friend or someone you never knew personally ...
except that, in days gone by, that person served our country.
Playing Taps for these men and women is and has been the
highest honor of my life.”
Many veterans haven’t experienced a traditional
funeral for their comrades. John Davis, a WWII commander, said
he’s attended many funerals and has always had a CD playing
Taps and has only been to two funerals with an honor guard.
He said the Pentagon’s efforts are “wonderful”
and that “a bugle rendition would be much more touching,
meaningful, poignant.”
If you or someone you know can help, Pentagon
officials urge you to contact a military base in your area and
ask for the public information or casualty assistance offices.
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