Conquest Cruise Reunion On Course
By Steve Hunt
Secretary Treasurer
Our cruise reunion is now in the final months and we are over and above our projections, almost FIVE months before we sail. This is gonna be a great one, if we can tolerate each other for a whole week at sea! I’m positive our crew will have a better time at sea than the last time we shifted colors in San Diego, at Pier One.
The cruise is really coming together and we have a great hotel lined up for our 2 days before/after, so we can start the party early in Galveston and extend it, for a day or so, to “unwind” from a very busy and exciting 7 day excursion. Hotel details are on page 3, so once you’ve made your travel reservations, don’t delay in reserving a room at The Holiday Inn On The Beach in Galveston. Even if I were driving, I think I would stay an extra day to rest and prepare for the road trip home, that is, except for Paul and Michelle Strawbridge, who live in Houston!
In our next and final Pre-Reunion newsletter, we’ll have a list of things to do and see while in Galveston. It’s a great little city with lots of history, so include a day or two stay there.
Transportation info to and from the airports (HOU) and (IAH) is listed on Page 6. However, I didn’t have space to list Option #4: Rental Cars. While I was in Galveston in March I rented a car, toured Texas for a week and returned it at the airport, with no additional drop-off fees. If you’re arriving early and plan on visiting the USS Texas or other attractions in the Galveston area, you’ll need transportation. A rental car might be the best choice, since you would have travel expense to the hotel anyway. Check with Enterprise Rental Cars for Option #4.
Option #5 is, of course, personal transportation. Well, there’s parking at the pier (don’t know if they charge) and FREE parking at the hotel if you stay one night. Great Deal!
We’re still receiving orders for our special “cruise reunion” polo shirts. If you want one on the cruise then please fill out the Ship’s Store order form (send it to me with no money) and mail it no later than July 31st. They will be available prior to sailing.
That’s about all the reunion updates. As I mentioned, we’ll have one more newsletter before the cruise. It should be out in late July or early August. For you stragglers, it probably won’t be too late to join the cruise, just too late for the great rates we’ve been offered up to now. After May 15th , the rates will increase. And, don’t forget that deposits made with your reservations are fully refundable until July 1st, 2008, as stated on the Registration form on page 5.
Wrapping up, I’d like to welcome our newest members to the Brooke Association: Our 107th member, Forrest Chapman, an SH from ’67 to ’71 and #108, Kaye Desch an FTG from ’66 to ’68. Both were on our first Westpac and many of us will remember them. Welcome aboard! We hope you can make next year’s reunion if you can’t make the cruise this year.
That’s it for now…
See all of you on the first list (on page 6) in Galveston and some of you on the second list.
Steve
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Shipmates,
Greetings to all! I hope this finds everyone well and enjoying the annual renewal of spring. As I like to mention at this time of year, I have lived most of my life in Southern California and our “seasons” seem to run concurrently as in, early summer, summer, late summer, and next summer. For those of you in the more traditional climes of our country (i.e. “cold”), you are probably thinking, “and that is why real estate is so high out there”. Well, that is true. There is a cost associated with 72 degrees in January. But hey, we make it up in the cost of gasoline! Oh, I forgot, that’s almost $4 a gallon in San Diego. Never mind. Seriously, as we move into another summer season, wherever you live in this wonderful country, I hope you are looking forward to spending time with family and friends in all the activities that warm weather brings.
We are just over five months away from this year’s annual get together of the “Brooke Gang” and as most of you know, we are “getting underway” for a Caribbean cruise. Based on our reservations to this point it is shaping up to be a great event. Besides visiting some very exciting ports-of-call there are numerous things available to do on board the ship. If you have never cruised before (haze gray and underway doesn’t count) this is a golden opportunity for you to try your first one. Besides an outstanding price you are going with folks you know and have the additional opportunity to share in the adventure. So if you are on the fence as to whether or not you want to make this year’s event you will have to decide quickly as the rates will not hold for much longer. On another note relating to the cruise, Steve Hunt and I are quite happy that our Association chose to “cruise” for this year’s reunion. It has reduced the amount of “up front” work required to ensure a successful reunion to a minimum. It is sort of like taking the family out for dinner, i.e. little preparation, wonderful meal, no clean up. Doesn’t get any better than that. We don’t have to haggle with hotels, tour companies, etc. Just sit around the pool and sip umbrella covered drinks. Not that there isn’t work involved in putting this together. The “grunt work” on this event all fell on our Vice President, Buddy Harris and he has done an outstanding job in putting this all together. If you are heading out with us in September make sure you give Buddy a well deserved “atta boy” when you see him.
Since Steve will be providing additional cruise information in this newsletter I’ll limit my comments on the reunion. I hope that those of you who are planning on shipping out with us will come to Galveston early so that we can begin the festivities ashore and carry them onboard.
I wish you all the best of health and happiness and will see you in the next newsletter.
Fair Winds And Following Seas,
Tom Adametz
President, USS Brooke DEG-1/FFG-1 Association
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Cruise Details from Brian Forrester
The Holiday Inn On The Beach will be our “before and after hotel”. The special rate of $109.00 (plus tax) will be good 2 days before and 2 days after the cruise. Those who are flying in (or have a long drive) should make reservations as soon as possible. Their reservation number is 409-744-7545. Ask for the Brooke Rate. Free parking is included with a one night stay and free shuttle to the pier.
In addition, breakfast is included!
Embarkation is from 1230 to 1430 on Sept. 28th.
Underway, shift colors is at 1600.
Be on board no later than 1420 hours.
Ship Returns @ 0800 on October 5th and the hotel shuttle and other transportation services will be on the pier.
Galveston Limo departs Houston Hobby and Bush International. Please call 1-800-640-4826 and make your reservations for transportation from the airport to Galveston (they drop off at the hotel) and for a pier pickup if you do not book a room at the Holiday Inn.
Departure times are on page 6
Special rates for seniors and round-trip tickets: From Hobby Houston: Adults $40 one way/$65 round trip and Seniors $35/$55 respectively. From Bush International: Adults $45 one way/$75 round trip and Seniors $40 and $65 round trip.
Other Transportation Options:
See Page 6…”The Road to Galveston” for details.
Travel Care Insurance protection for the cruise portion is $59.50 pp based on double occupancy. Single is $62.00. Rates are slightly higher depending on the Cabin/accommodations reserved. (On the Registration Form). Insurance includes Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Medical Expense $50 K pp and Emergency Medical Transportation $300 K pp. Trip insurance is strongly recommended. For any more details please call Brian Forrester @ 1-480-998-1112 or 1-800-998-1228.
Once Final Payment is made, members can go to www.carnival.com and on the bottom tool bar of the home page, click on FUN PASS. You will then put in your booking # (on their invoice, top left, conf#), name, ship (Conquest) and sail date (Sept. 28th, 2008). This needs to be filled out and printed out at least TWO weeks prior to sailing and taken with you for boarding. You will also be able to print out your e-documents approximately 30 days prior to sailing if you wish. All cruise lines are going to e-tickets, so there will not be paper tickets mailed. The most important information you need for boarding is the FUN PASS and your PASSPORTS. For those who do not have access to a computer, please call me and I will assist you..- Brian @ 1-800-998-1228.
Shore Excursions and other good information can be found on Carnival’s web site @ www.carnival.com
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Don’t Miss The Boat!
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USS Brooke Cruise Reunion:
September 28th to October 5th, 2008
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For those of you who have not signed up for our exciting U.S.S. Brooke Cruise Reunion there are still cabins available and upgrades are still possible!
You don’t want to miss out on this reunion, as our “Floating Hotel” includes all costs for your cabin, taxes, fees, meals, GRATUITIES and ALL Las Vegas/Broadway style entertainment shows. On this Cruise Reunion you only pack and unpack ONCE while you will be visiting exciting Western Caribbean ports such as Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico. We have arranged a hotel in Galveston for those of you who wish to drive/park/fly and stay pre-or post-cruise.
Don’t Miss The Boat!
You only have until May 15th, 2008 to take advantage of our great rate. Call Brian Forrester @ 1-800-998-1228 to register. Your deposit is fully refundable up until final payment in July.
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YOU WILL NEED A PASSPORT FOR THIS CRUISE REUNION
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We’re Going!
The following crew-members and friends-relatives have signed up for our cruise, as of April 28th, 2008:
Strawbridge, Paul and Michelle
McNamara, Tricia, (TC)
Shannon and Katherine
Lipham, Gerald and Mattie
Usery, David and Wanda
Miller, Harvey and Karen
Adametz, Thomas and Harriet
Hunt, Steve and Linda
Renne, Daniel and Vicky
Dawson, Alvin and Christine
Hanna, Jimmy and Elizabeth
Elfrink, Patrick and Mary Kathleen
Whitaker, Larry and Nancy
Carroll, Daniel
Powell, Kathlyn
Apter, Marc and Rose
Youngren, Scott and Karen
Jones, Elmer and Diane Rae
Herron, Joe and Kathy
Harris, Buddy and Julie
Goeller, Dorthy
Vogel, Merle
Secrest, Del and Dwyllis
Howery, Leo and Debbie
Whitaker, Douglas and Hollace
Hamling, Jerry and Estelle
Eisele, Newell
That’s 48 of us! So Far….
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And, We Maybes, MIGHT Go!
The following crewmembers and friends/relatives and others are envious and “maybe” will join us on our cruise as they indicated in our last Brooke questionnaire:
Bracamonte, Gunner & Shirley
Schinn, Duane ‘Boats’ & Gloria
Ulmer, William
Looker, James
Bjelland, B.J.
Fine, Monty
Allen, Dennis
Upham, J.
Hulse, L.
Esmele, J.
Colombo, George and Rebecca
McAvoy, Jack and Mary
Garoutte, Michael and Jody
Kalaf, Dave
Hall, George
Smith, Brian and Leslie
Wilson, Ed
Wasielewske, Ski and Betty
Durniak, Dan
Baadte, John
Desch, Kaye
Delaney, James and Deborah
Ryon, Kevin
Bush, G. W. and Laura
Cheney, Richard and Lynn
Obama, Barack and Michelle
Clinton, Hillary, without Bill!
Eastwood, Clint
Rogers, Kenny
Boitano, Brian and Kristy Y.
Cable Guy, Larry the, and
Foxworthy, Jeff
White, Ron
And many others….**
** (Just wanted to see if you were paying attention to the list).
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The Road To
Galveston
Or, How I can get There from Here…
-If you Fly in-
Option #1
Galveston Limo Service:
Departing from:
Galves. IAH Hobby
0530 *0830 0930
*0700 *0930 *1030
0800 1030 1130
1000 1230 1330
1130 1400 1500
1500 1730 1830
1700 2000 2100
*Operates only Monday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Approx. Travel Times: IAH 2 hours, Hobby 1 hour.
Reservations: Phone 1-800-640-4826
Prices are on Page 3 - Cruise Details.
Option #2
Super Shuttle
How it Works:
A SuperShuttle van will take you to the airport from the hotel or cruise terminal and bring you back after you land. To keep prices low, you give a small amount of your time and share the ride with a few other passengers.
To The Airport:
A SuperShuttle van will pick you up at the designated reservation time and drop you off right outside your airline terminal.
From The Airport:
When you arrive at Hobby (HOU) or Bush Intercontinental (IAH) airport, collect your luggage and follow the signs to “Ground Transportation” where the SuperShuttle service counters are located.
Call or Reserve online:
1-800-BlueVan or
Option #3
Taxi
Approx. $140 for 4 people one way.
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Application or renewal for membership in
U.S.S. Brooke Association
DEG/FFG-1
If renewal, please fill out any up-to-date information
Name_____________________________________Date________________________
Address___________________________________
City____________________________________State_______Zip________________
Phone: Wk_________________Home_________________Cell__________________
Type of Membership applying for:
[ ] Regular $25 [ ] Renewal $25 [ ] Dual $35 [ ] Associate or Honorary (no fee)
Years stationed aboard: From___________to____________.
Rate/Rank______________Highest aboard Brooke Highest in USN______
Additional Comments:___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Note: For an Associate or Honorary membership, please fill in the above information for the crewmember.
Please submit application for regular or renewal membership with check for $25/$35 (dual) to
USS BROOKE Association c/o Steve Hunt P.O. Box 1692 Tacoma, Wa. 98401
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Ship’s Store Order Form
Items available Number Total
USS Brooke Ball Caps [ ] DEG/FFG-1 [ ] FFG-1 $12.95 ea. ______ _________
USS Brooke Polo Shirts (some DEG-1, some DEG/FFG-1)
[ ] Med. [ ] Large [ ] X-Lg. [ ] 2X [ ] White [ ] Blue $25.00 ea. ______ _________
USS Brooke Pens (with active service years) $3.00 ea. ______ __________
USS Brooke Ceramic Mugs $7.50 ea. ______ __________
USS Brooke Videos: DVD’s only
[ ] #1 [ ] #2 [ ] #3 [ ] #4 $15.00 ea. _______ __________
#1 First produced in 1988, video includes the actual commissioning
Day, the 20th Anniversary (Plankowners get the ship underway), and
The Decommissioning Ceremony in 1988. 57 thrilling minutes!
#2 Home video of the Brooke underway. Includes Missile Shoots,
Gun & ASROC firings and more. From 1977 Westpac. 43 minutes. Shipping &
#3 First Westpac for Brooke in 1968. Includes Unreps, Crossing the Handling ___$4.95____
Equator, firing exercises and more. 38 Minutes.
#4 NEW! 2005 Charleston Reunion. Provided by Scott Youngren. TOTAL ENCLOSED ____________
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Regular Membership dues to the Association are $25 per year. Associate membership (no fee) is available for all surviving spouses of Brooke Crewmembers.
Your current membership expiration date is to the right of your name on the address label on the newsletter. To continue "Port & Starboard" please remit your dues payment in accordance with published dues schedule, payable to the USS Brooke Association and mail to our Treasurer at the address below:
Steve HuntUSS Brooke DEG/FFG-1
P.O. Box 1692
Tacoma, WA 98401
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For more information please visit our website @
