U.S.S. BROOKE DEG-1/FFG-1 ASSOCIATION REUNION
50th ANNIVERSARY OF COMMISSIONG
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
SEPTEMBER 21 - 25, 2016
U.S.S. BROOKE CREWMEMBERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS
"LUAU NIGHT"
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
The U.S.S. Brooke DEG-1/FFG-1 Association held it's fifteenth annual reunion in San Diego, CA. This year's reunion was special in that we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Brooke's commissioning. In that regard we had the largest reunion turn out in the history of our Association. One hundred and twenty crewmembers, families, and guests attended the Saturday banquet. That speaks volumes for those who were able to attend this year and help celebrate a special moment in the story of our ship. And don't let the photo of the hotel sign, shown above, be misleading. It was just a Brooke reunion. The Isbell had completed their reunion the day ours started but the hotel kept the sign up the entire time Brooke was aboard.
Unlike previous reunions, we decided this year to reduce the reunion "speed" from All Ahead Flank to Ahead Two Thirds. At the suggestion of the membership we decided to reduce the number of off and on-site events to just three thus allowing our guests to enjoy San Diego at their own pace rather than taking three musters a day on the bus. Initial feedback from the membership indicates that they were more than satisfied with the pace of the reunion and we will continue to keep things a little slower. We learned our lesson in Branson, MO in 2014, four events a day just wears the gang out!
As for San Diego being the venue this year, it was excellent. What better place to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of commissioning than Brooke's homeport. For many it was like coming home again. For those who had not been to San Diego in a few years I am sure they marveled at how the city has grown and the skyline changed.
Next year we will be holding our reunion in Jacksonville , FL. While we haven't nailed down a specific timeframe yet, we will certainly take into account the east coast hurricane season when setting dates. Since Jacksonville was hit by Hurricane Matthew this year, the odds of back-to-back hurricanes hitting the city are pretty slim.
The following pictures are a representation of the four memorable days we spent together and the sights that we shared. I thank everyone who sent copies of their personal photographic memories and I have tried to capture the best moments and scenes of that wonderful time. As with each year's photos, and the captions beneath, I take full responsibility for my attempt at wit, or lack thereof.
Tom Adametz
REUNION ATTENDEES
(In alphabetical order with their home states)
Tom and Harriet Adametz (CA)
Marc and Rose Apter (VA)
Cray Bartley (CA)
Jerry and Sharon Beckius (NE)
Richard and Laurie Blackington (CA)
Christina Blohm (CA)
Ed Bromley (CA)
George and Joyce Cabias (CA)
Laurie Casale (TX)
Forrest and Glenna Chapman (ID)
Mike and Patti Collins (CA)
Pat and Jolie Cook (UT)
Robert Cook (TX)
David and Glenna Corcoran (CA)
Jim and Jean Daugherty (MO)
Jeffery and Laura Dial (TX)
Jim and Vivian Elliott (VA)
James Freiband (NY)
Ralph and Tisha Garcia (MO)
Don and Sherie Geyton (CA)
Kim Giblin (CA)
Lynn Giblin (CA)
Rita Giblin (CA)
Jim and Linda Gorton (NY)
Jerry and Estelle Hamling (WA)
Jimmy Hanna (TX)
Edward Harris (FL)
Elizabeth Hernandez (CA)
Hank and Debbie Howery (CA)
Steve and Linda Hunt (WA)
Larry and Helen Hulse (TX)
Charlynn Jennings (CA)
Elmer and Diane Jones (NV)
Betty Lucas (WA)
Robert and Joan Mahoney (CA)
Richard Mathew (CA)
Patty Mclaughlin (CA)
Kay and David (son) Morrow (CA)
Don and Kathy Newkirk (AZ)
Tony and Robin Precie (CA)
Jim and Wendy Rattigan (TX)
Dan, Vicky and Linda Renne (KS)
Pam Ruiz (TX)
Ted and Julie Schneider (WI)
Del and Dwyllis Secrest (WA)
Brian and Leslie Smith (RI)
Sam and Arline Toler (CA)
Bill and Barb Ulmer (CO)
Jeff Van Haren (CA)
Steve and Janet Vickers (CA)
Bob and Betty Wasielewski (CA)
Charles and Kathy Weiss (NV)
Larry and Nancy Whitaker (VA)
Mike Wilson (CA)
Mitch and Donna Yeager (IA)
Scott and Lynn Youngren (CA)
IN ORDER TO SPEED UP THE DOWNLOAD TIME OF IMAGES, REUNION PHOTOS HAVE BEEN BROKEN DOWN INTO INDIVIDUAL DAYS
While I received many photographs, they may not include all of the folks who attended the reunion. I used my best judgment to select photos that were clear and included as many of the people who attended. If there was a photograph that was unflattering, I excluded it (unless it was so darn funny that I had to put it on the "not ready for primetime" page.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 (Welcome Aboard)
Thursday, September 22, 2016 (Harbor Lunch Cruise)
Thursday, September 22, 2016 (Polynesian Luau)
Friday, September 23, 2016 (Seaport Village and Midway Museum)
Saturday, September 24, 2016 (Reunion Banquet)
PHOTOS THAT DIDN'T QUITE MAKE PRIMETIME