U.S.S. BROOKE DEG-1/FFG-1
ASSOCIATION
REUNION
THE "ROADRUNNER" CRUISE
SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 6, 2008
U.S.S. BROOKE CREWMEMBERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS
ABOARD CARNIVAL SHIP "CONQUEST"
"FORMAL NIGHT"
SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP "CONQUEST"
The U.S.S. Brooke DEG-1/FFG-1 Association held it's seventh annual reunion during a seven day Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Cruise Ship "Conquest, September 28 - October 5, 2008. Fifty two shipmates, family and friends "shipped out" for the annual gathering and it turned out to be, after a shaky start, a great time for all. I say "shaky start" because this was almost the "Reunion that wasn't". Seems that Hurricane Ike had some different plans for the city of Galveston, TX and the planned departure port for the Brooke Gang. I don't know what it is about our Association and hurricanes (we all remember Katrina in New Orleans in 2005) but I'm beginning to think that the Convention and Visitors Bureaus in future cities that we may want to hold our reunions in may offer to decline our plans to visit their local. Nonetheless, with the outstanding work of Buddy and Julie Harris and Mr. Brian Forrester, our travel coordinator, and Carnival Cruise Lines, changes were made and the event went off pretty smoothly. When I say "changes" I mean major changes. First, Carnival Lines changed the port of departure for the Conquest from Galveston (which, sad to say, was pretty devastated by Ike) to the Port of Houston. No small feat since the cruise terminal there was not scheduled to open for another six months. Next we had to change our hotel reservations for the many guests coming in early from Galveston to Houston. We were very lucky in that so many local folks were looking for rooms because they had to evacuate Galveston. We ended up staying at the Holiday Inn I-10 East in Houston and rooms were available for both pre and post cruise stays. Outstanding job by Brian Forrester in making that happen for us. Finally there was the transportation issue of moving people from the hotel to the ship on departure day and the return to the hotel when the ship came back. Thanks to quick work of Buddy and Julie Harris and the coordination of Super Shuttle we were able to move everyone and their luggage (and boy was there luggage) to and from the ship. Just a super effort by all those involved to make this long planned event happen. We ventured forth to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico and in between put on a few extra pounds from all the fine food aboard Conquest. In the end, we raised the Roadrunner flag for the first time in many years and I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that when we saw that standard flying from the mast it was indeed a special moment. The camaraderie and friendship that flowed over ten days (between the ship and hotel) was a continuation of the Brooke spirit that has grown each year when we meet. And while old friendships continued, new friendships were made or renewed with the addition of many "first time" attendees this year. My hat is off to all of you who traveled many miles to see old friends and share your experiences of Brooke with others. The following pictures are a representation of those ten memorable days and I have tried to capture the best memories of that wonderful time spent together with some great folks. 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)
Tom and Harriet Adametz
Marc and Rose Apter
Tom Boyer
Dan Carrroll
Dale and Chris Dawson
Newell Eisele
Pat and Mary Elfrink
Dot Goeller
Jerry and Estelle Hamling
Jim and Betty Hanna
Buddy and Julie Harris
Joe and Kathy Herron
Leo "Hank" and Debbie Howery
Steve and Linda Hunt
Elmer and Diane Jones
Jerry and Mattie Lipham
T.C. McNamara
Katherine McNamara
Shannon McNamara
Harvey and Karen Miller
Pat Morrison
Kathryn Powell
Jim and Wendy Rattigan
Dan and Vicky Renne
Dan, Laurie, Blake, and Grace Renne
Del and Dwyllis Secrest
Paul Strawbridge
David and Wanda Usery
Merle Vogel
Douglas and Hollace Whitaker
Larry and Nancy Whitaker
Scott Youngren
Karen Valentine