Next Stop: Galveston Island, Texas
By Steve Hunt
Secretary Treasurer
Ahoy is a word that many of the 52 Brooke Cruise Attendees will be using a lot beginning September 28th when we “shift-colors” aboard the good ship Conquest, out of Galveston.
From what I’ve read, I think we’ve selected one of the better Caribbean cruise ships, as it’s one of the newest and largest Mega “Fun Ships” ever to sail out of Galveston.
For all you “Stragglers”…if you have a valid passport, you may still have time to join us. The “cheap seats” are gone so you may have to pay a little more, if you decide NOW.
The special rate for our before/after hotel, the Holiday Inn On The Beach, ends Aug. 27th and will probably not be extended. The rate includes parking during the cruise, transportation to and from the cruise terminal, and a free breakfast. (They also have a GREAT lounge!)
I hope to see many of you, prior to the cruise, at the Holiday Inn. There’s a lot of attractions in Galveston so plan an extra day before/after if you haven’t already. A list of some of the major attractions is on page five in this newsletter.
Topping the list (and the one’s I’ve visited) are Moody Gardens with its Pyramids, 3-D and 4D theaters, “The Strand” downtown for shopping, great restaurants, the Texas Seaport Museum, which features two historical films about Galveston, the Lone Star Flight Museum and Seawolf Park, which has a destroyer and sub open for tours.
At this reunion, and since it’s our first “Cruise Reunion”, we’ve declared it to be our “Road Runner” cruise and hope to fly the Brooke Road Runner Flag in conjunction with a brief memorial service. It’s not the original Road Runner flag (who knows where the original is), but is a great reproduction!
We have special cruise shirts for those who pre-ordered them. We should have about 10 extra shirts for those who did not “get the word” about pre-ordering and we may have one in your size. Our usual price on our Polo shirts is $25, however, we’ll have to charge an extra $5 ,just to break even. Tom says they’re worth it, as the guy did a great job embroidering them with the Road Runner logo, dates, etc. Tom has the shirts so see him when you arrive in Galveston.
And now, we have a new Brooke movie coming out…
One of our newest members, Kaye Desch, has sent me his Brooke “Super 8” films from our first WestPac. Unedited, it’s an hour and twenty-two minutes, however, we won’t have to edit much, as Kaye did a fantastic job filming! Film in-cludes gun, missile and ASROC shoots, vertreps, unreps, towing exercises and an exciting ending crossing the equator. (Kaye, did you have time to be an FTG??). It also features our own “Road Runner” flag, flying after every unrep. Bravo Zulu Kaye! All Hands will enjoy this one, and , of course, ALL proceeds go to our Association fund. Available in DVD only so watch for it in our “wrap-up” newsletter after the reunion.
See some of you on the “Boat” and more of you at our 2009 reunion.
Steve
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Shipmates,
As I write this column another summer is quickly coming to an end. Is it my imagination or has this summer season passed more quickly than summers of the past? It seems just a couple of weeks ago that baseball season began (and unfortunately ended for my Padres) and last Saturday the first pre-season football game was played (Go Chargers!). I suppose I could attribute the faster passage of time to age but, I have no intention of giving in to time quite yet. There are still a few mountain peaks I want to climb, metaphorically speaking, before I muster out. I am reminded of how uncertain life is each time I add another shipmates’ name to the Memoriam page of our website. So at the risk of sounding like I’m giving a sermon, allow me to encourage you to enjoy each and every day to its utmost. OK, let me get off this fatalistic horse and let’s talk about some fun that is coming our way.
In just under a month and a half 53 or our shipmates, including their families and friends, will be getting underway on a week cruise. The number of folks who are attending this event has exceeded our initial estimates, which was around 35 people, and we are looking forward to having another fantastic get together of the “Brooke Gang”. One of our members contacted me to ask whether we had any special “group” events planned. My response was “nothing official” which meant you are on your own to have a great time with no “schedule” to keep. That is the idea of cruising. Relax, don’t look at your watch (unless you have to get back to the ship), and do whatever interests you. We will be sitting together at dinner as a group and I understand that there will be a lounge set aside for us to gather in during the day. As for special events, the only thing that we have planned is a flag raising ceremony and memorial service which will more than likely be held jointly. More information on that will be forthcoming before we board the ship.
If you have never cruised before then you are in for a wonderful experience. For those of you who have cruised in the past, you know the fun that lies ahead. I’m sure that this year’s gathering of the Brooke Association will generate many memories and stories and I’m looking forward to seeing many of you again.
If you cannot join us this year I hope you will have the opportunity to come to Reno, NV in 2009. Yes, we haven’t even begun the 2008 adventure and we are already planning the following year’s festivities. We attempt to “look out” two years when planning each reunion so at some point during the cruise we will have to get the membership in attendance together and look at our 2010 location. If the cruise turns out to be as successful as we expect then we might just look at doing another on in two years.
Well, that is all for now and as mentioned previously, I look forward to seeing many of you in Galveston prior to getting underway and then aboard ship. Until then I wish you all the best of health and happiness and.
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 409-740-3581. 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
Call Brian Forrester @ 1-800-998-1228 to register
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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!
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We’re Going!
The following crew-members and friends-relatives have signed up for our cruise, as of August 15th , 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
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, Larry and Nancy
Whitaker, Douglas and Hollace
Hamling, Jerry and Estelle
Eisele, Newell
Morrison, Patricia
Boyer, Thomas Jr.
Rattigan, James and Gwen
That’s 52 of us!
Don’t forget to sign up
early for your Fun Pass!
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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:
Approx. Travel Times: IAH 2 hours, Hobby 1 hour.
Reservations: Phone 1-800-640-4826
Prices vary. . Ask for Senior discount.
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 www.SuperShuttle.com
Option #3
Rent a car for Friday and Saturday. Enterprise rentals can be dropped off in Galveston prior to sailing for an additional $60 (from IAH).
(Example: Steve’s rental is a 7-seat Minivan. 2 day rental: $128, plus $60 drop-off, or $188 total.) There are less-expensive rentals, of course.
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Top 10 Attractions on Galveston Island
Moody Gardens
Visitors crossing the causeway to Galveston will surely see the pyramids rising on the western side of the Island.
Rainforest Pyramid:
Our 10-story glass Rainforest Pyramid is home to thousands of exotic plants, birds, fish, reptiles and animals. You’ll navigate the rainforests of Africa, Asia and South America to discover new wonders of nature at every turn. You’ll explore waterfalls and streams, a Mayan Colonnade, the Bat Cave and ever-changing array of tropical plants.
Aquarium Pyramid:
Explore the oceans of the world at the Aquarium at Moody Gardens. With 1.5 million gallons of water, the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. Special viewing tanks showcase colorful inhabitants from the ocean waters of the South Atlantic, North Pacific, the tropical Pacific and the Caribbean.
IMAX 3D theater:
Slip on your 3D glasses to see realistic three-dimensional images as they are projected onto a six-story screen with such realism that you’ll want to reach out to grab them.
4D Special FX Theater:
See, hear, feel and smell the action! Hi-def digital 3D projection, audio and show control systems combined with special effects, such as wind, mist, leg ticklers, SFX lighting and DTS surround sound system immerse you in a unique short-film theater experience that is a thrill for all ages.
The RideFilm Theater:
Ridefilm technology offers the ultimate in high-impact simulation. Each 18-passenger ride is surrounded by a seamless 180 degree spherically curved, wraparound screen that fully encompasses each viewer’s peripheral vision.
The Colonel Paddlewheel Boat:
The Colonel Paddlewheel boat is a luxurious double-decker replica of an 1800’s paddle wheeler featuring hour-long cruises of Offats Bayou.
The Garden Restaurant:
A lunch buffet is served daily
The Strand
Developed as Galveston’s commerce center in the late 1800’s, the Strand has survived over 100 years to be reborn as an island shopping mecca with many unique restaurants & pubs.
Texas Seaport Museum / The Elissa
Home to the 1877 tall ship Elissa, a national historic landmark, the TSM tells the seaborne history of Galveston with two films shown daily, every hour and half hour.
Galveston Island Railroad Museum
The GIRM tells the story of the railroad’s role from early development until the 1960’s.
Lone Star Flight Museum
Located at the Galveston International Airport, the Lone Star Flight Museum displays rebuilt aircraft and historic photos of wartime aircraft from various eras throughout US history.
Historic 1894 Opera House
Not only did this historic opera house survive the 1900 hurricane, it is still flourishing and has even been designated the “Official Opera House of Texas”.
Plus…
Moody Mansion
Bishop’s Palace
Galveston Island State Park
Schlitterbahn Water Park
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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 @
