Charleston Reunion Deadline Near
Ahoy again!
Well, this is our final news-letter before the Charleston reunion.
Our deadline for hotel reservations and the tours is September 20th, so you should make your move soon if you want to join us for our 4th annual reunion.
The hotel gives us a 30 day deadline for our special re-union rate but I think if you don’t know if you’re attending by the 20th, an extra five days won’t make a difference.
Any rooms which we have not reserved are returned to the hotel and their regular rate applies. So, at 30 days out, you may still be able to attend, if the rooms are available, just not at our guaranteed rate.
The only other problem with stragglers is our planned tours in Charleston. We can possibly add a few to the tours, but only if we have space on the bus. It appears we will fill one bus on every tour, but adding another bus would not be economically feasible. It would probably add $5 each to our already low price. So you can see our dilemma.
Well, at this point we don’t have any entertainment lined up for our Saturday night banquet, but I’m working on it. Buddy and I watched an Elvis impersonator while in Charles-ton in June, however, we didn’t think our group would enjoy the show. After my return to Tacoma I also had a few words (e-mails) with Elvis and his manager and am glad we didn’t hire them. It’s a long sea story and will be available in print at the reunion.
We also went on a dinner cruise and the boat had a “one-man band” for entertainment. It was pretty good, so, I’ll try for something similar to that. Maybe we’ll splurge and hire two of’em…..
At the very least we’ll have Tom and his always up-to-date power point presentation. He keeps discovering old photos of us from 40 years ago, and then compares them to our present manly shapes.
At last year’s reunion when things were looking bleak, (Linda and I were “retired” with no income), he envisioned my next job as a Wally-world greeter. So stand by to stand by for Tom’s show. It’s a hoot!
As Tom has mentioned in this issue, it appears many of our shipmates have recently had more than their share of health-problems this year and are unable to attend. We’ll miss those who can’t make it this year, and especially miss those who weathered Katrina with us in New Orleans last year.
In the last Port & Starboard I mentioned that we should have our reunions every other year or maybe plan a cruise every other year. At this year’s business meeting we’ll discuss future reunions, reunion sites and frequency. Personally I think we should have one every year, no matter how big or small. We still had a great time when we had only 12 present. And, since our numbers will be dwindling in the next years to come, I believe we need that continuity of an annual reunion.
Lastly, a word on our membership:
We have now reached 90 in our membership. Our newest members are Robert Palleja, a BT from 1984-1988, Sam Samaniego, a DK from 1970-1974 and number 90 is Joe Herron, an RM from 1970-1971. Welcome Aboard!
On that note, I bid you all farewell ‘til Charleston or the next reunion you can attend. Hopefully it’ll be this years, but if not, then next year.
Your Secretary/Treasurer,
Steve
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Shipmates,
We are now only a couple of months out from our fourth annual reunion in Charleston. Actually it would be our “fifth” if we count the first get together in San Diego in 2002 but that was held before we became an “official” association in 2003 at our Seattle reunion. Whether it is the fourth or fifth the point is that time certainly has flown by. When I think about it, I was just a “kid” of 55 when we met up in San Diego and in a blink, I will be celebrating my 60th birthday in Charleston. As most of you probably have said a thousand times, “where the heck did the time go?”
As in the past five years, many things have happened during this past year to our Association members. And while this is no surprise since we are a reflection of life in general for people of our generation, there were certain events that marked the year that are noteworthy to our group. As I stated previously, we are a reflection of life and in that context the passing of Mike Smithlin, Engineering Officer on our first Westpac, marked the end of one life while the birth of not one, but two, grandsons to Buddy Harris, our Association Vice President, marked the beginning of new lives. And in between the health of our members varied from a successful hip replace for Bill Dorow to a survived stroke for Dick Blackington. And while this is not intended to be a “state of the health” column I think it puts into perspective the fact that we only have a finite amount of time on this earth and every minute is precious and should be enjoyed to the utmost.
Being part of something, like our Association, has allowed me to reconnect with many friends from the past. People who directly, or indirectly, impacted my life and helped steer it on the course it has taken to this point. Who amongst us doesn’t remember the hours spent on the fantail, mess decks, fire room, berthing, bridge, or wardroom, shooting the breeze with our shipmates about our hopes and aspirations for the future? That is one of the prime reasons for having our reunions. It offers an opportunity for shipmates to reconnect and see if any of those “dreams” came to past.
And speaking of reunions, I want to take this opportunity to make an observation. In the last couple of weeks I have been on the phone contacting our members to see if they will be coming to Charleston this year. For whatever reason, life’s events are interfering with many of your plans. From weddings to medical issues, many of you will not be able to come to Charleston this year. If anyone thinks that by not being able to attend a reunion they will be looked at as not caring about the well being of our organization, nothing could be further from the truth. Remember, once a crewmember, always a crewmember of the “First and Finest”. I realize that many of you, including myself, still work and normally have one opportunity a year to enjoy a vacation of any significance. While getting together with old (and I emphasize “old”) shipmates might be OK for you and I, the family might have a different perspective. And that is how it should be. Heck, we sure enough spent enough years of our lives away from our families. It only makes good sense that we enjoy as much time with them now.
So, if you can make a reunion, great! If not, we hope you will be able to attend one in the future. My best to all……
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Tom Adametz
President
USS Brooke DEG/FFG-1 Association
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USS Brooke DEG/FFG-1
Charleston, S.C. - Registration
October 25-29, 2006
Name_______________________________ _____________________________
Spouse and/or Name for Badge Guest Name _______________________ _____________________________
Name for Badge
Address:
Street_____________________________City____________________State_____Zip_______
Phone_____________________Cell________________e-mail________________________
Room(s) reserved at Radisson Hotel? Yes or No____________
Arrival Date:__________Time__________ Departure Date:_______Time:____________
[ ] Please reserve_______seats for “Welcome Aboard” Party hosted by Radisson Hotel!
Wednesday 1800 to 2000 in our Hospitality Room. Beer/Wine & Light snacks.
[ ] Please reserve_______seats Ft. Sumter and city tour @$51 ea. ____________
Shop and have lunch in Historic Charleston after Ft. Sumter Tour. Includes all Bus Tour Charges.
Thursday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm 7 hours.
[ ] Please reserve_______seats for Pizza Night! Pizza included with registration
Thursday 1800 – 2000 in our Hospitality Room
[ ] Please reserve _______seats Patriots Point with lunch @$44 ea. ___________
aboard the Yorktown in CPO Mess Includes all Bus Tour Charges.
Friday 9 am to 2 pm 5 hours.
[ ] Please reserve _______seats on Bus Tour of Historic Charleston @$28ea. ___________
Shopping and lunch (not incl) around the Old City Market Includes all Bus Tour Charges.
Saturday 10:30 to 4:30 6 hours
[ ] Please reserve_______seats for the Saturday Night Banquet @$39 ea. ___________
THREE ENTRÉE Southern BUFFET with all the trimmings! Includes entertainment tba.
Reunion Registration Fee______person(s) @ $20 ea. __________
TOTAL ALL EVENTS AND REGISTRATION FEES _____________
To help your reunion hosts plan our reunion, please check off the events
and send this form along with your reunion total as soon as possible
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USS Brooke Assoc./Steve Hunt P.O. Box 1692 Tacoma, Wa. 98401
More details/Questions Call Steve @253-471-7766 (day) e-mail: thehubbahubba@aol.com
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USS Brooke DEG/FFG-1
Charleston Event Schedule
October 25 – 29, 2006
October 25th – Wednesday
Hospitality Room Opens 1200
Welcome Aboard Registration – Pick up Reunion Pkg./Refreshments!
Ship’s Store Open
Radisson Hotel hosting a “Welcome Aboard” Party 1800 to 2000
October 26th – Thursday
Buffet breakfast begins at 0600
Ft. Sumter and city tour from 8:30 to 3:30
Shop and have lunch in Historic Charleston today.
Board buses at 8:15 sharp. 7 hours.
Pizza night in the Hospitality room! Begins @ 1800.
October 27th – Friday
Buffet breakfast begins at 0600
Hospitality Room opens 0800
Patriots Point with lunch aboard the USS Yorktown in the CPO Mess.
0900 to 1400. 5 hours. Free evening to have dinner at the hotel,
take the hotel shuttle downtown (at a very minimum cost) or just fast
food fare from nearby establishments. (within walking distance).
October 28th – Saturday
Hospitality Room opens 0800 – Annual Business Meeting 0800 – 1000
Coffee, juice and pastries served.
Guided Bus Tour of Historic Charleston and lunch on your own at the
Old City Market downtown.
Tour is from 1030 to 1630 6 hours.
Saturday night Banquet /Social at 1800 Dinner at 1900 – 2100
Entertainment TBA
October 29th – Sunday
Hospitality Room opens 0800 – 1200
Memorial Service at 1000 for our departed shipmates.
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USS Brooke Reunion
Charleston, S.C.
October 25th – 29th, 2006
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Radisson Hotel
Room Rates: $89 Single or Dbl. + Taxes
Note: Rates are honored 2 days prior and 2 days after the reunion.
So, come early and stay late! Hotel rates will NEVER be BETTER!
Hotel has recently been renovated and ALL rooms have “Sleep-number” beds!
For Reservations:
Call hotel direct at 1-843-744-2501 or
Radisson central at 1-800-333-3333
Space is limited…
Make your reservation TODAY!
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Planned events:
Patriot’s Point Tour with
Lunch aboard the USS Yorktown In the CPO Mess
Ship’s visits: Destroyer, CG Cutter, Submarine
Ft. Sumter Tour
Where the Civil War Started!
Guided Bus Tour through Historic Charleston
And shopping at the Old City Market
Possible tours to Confederate Sub “The Hunley”,
Ft. Moultrie and/or the City Aquarium
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Reunion Tours:
PATRIOTS POINT TOUR ***
Tour Patriots Point, the world’s largest naval and maritime museum. Visit the Aircraft Carrier YORKTOWN, the Fighting Lady of World War II; the destroyer LAFFEY, a participant in the World War II D-Day Landings at Normandy;
The Submarine, GLAMAGORE, one of the Navy’s last diesel-powered submarines; and the Coast Guard Cutter, INGHAM,
Which was in active service until decommissioned and given to Patriots Point in 1989. Enjoy a traditional hot lunch in the
CPO Mess. Yep! Lunch is even served on those old metal trays! ***
A DAY IN HISTORIC CHARLESTON***
Tour Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the South. Her stately homes with their lovely gardens, her
Magnificent public buildings and her majestic churches will enchant you. As you tour you will see the College of Charleston,
Harleston Village (one of the early suburbs of the city), the Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and of course
Our famous Battery with its elegant town houses built by planters and merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Spend some
Time shopping and browsing in the Old City Market and have lunch on your own at one of our fine restaurants. ***
FORT SUMTER TOUR***
As you cruise through Charleston’s beautiful harbor, you will view the beautiful homes along the Bartery, and watch the Sea
gulls and the dolphins play in the harbor. Upon arrival at Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, rangers from the National
Park Service will give you an informative introduction before you tour this famous bastion and its marvelous museum. ***
THE H.L. HUNLEY TOUR**
On February 17, 1864, the Confederate submarine, the Hunley, successfully sank the USS Housatonic in Charleston harbor
By ramming her with a spar torpedo. She was the first submarine to be used successfully in naval warfare. Lost for 136 years after the momentous victory, the Hunley was successfully raised from the ocean floor in August of 2000. Today, she and her crew have been successfully preserved in a special tank and are being studied by a renowned team of archeologists.
There are on-going discoveries being made about this amazing vessel and her crew. Tour includes an expert guide.**
FORT MOULTRIE**
Begin your visit to Fort Moultrie by viewing the film that depicts the history of the fort. After the film a guide will beive you a brief orientation to the fort, which began its life as a simple fort built of Palmetto logs and sand from which Revolutionary soldiers under the leadership of Col. William Moultrie repulsed a British fleet on June 28th, 1776. The fort remained active until 1947 and is one of the more interesting forts on the eastern seaboard. **
** Tours Possible if schedule allows (to be paid at reunion) *** Tours on our present schedule
More Reunion/Hotel Information
- Hospitality Room Provided - noon Wednesday to noon Sunday
- *One “Pizza Night” approved by hotel
- Buffet Breakfast provided free on Thursday and Friday mornings
- Complimentary Expanded Airport Shuttle Service and ample Free Parking
- Coffee Makers, Microwaves and Refrigerators in all rooms
- Welcome Aboard party on Wednesday evening hosted by Hotel
- Transportation to downtown Visitor’s Center at minimal cost
- “Sleep-Number” beds in all rooms
- Refreshing Crystal clear indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool
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Due to the success of a record turnout at last year’s reunion…
Our reunion is again open to all crewmembers’ friends and relatives!
PLUS, we are hoping to integrate our reunion with ALL
“Brooke-Class” shipmates, beginning this year.
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The U.S. Navy Answers the Question:
Why did the Chicken cross the Road?
Contributed by Ken Wray, STGCS (Ret)
Reprinted from The Ping Jockey, the official newsletter of NSA.
Here are the answers:
Naval Education and Training Command (NAVEDTRA):
The purpose is to familiarize the chicken with road-crossing procedures. Road-crossing should be performed only between the hours of sunset and sunrise. Solo chickens must have at least three miles of visibility and a safety observer.
Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS):
Due to the needs of the Navy, chicken was involuntarily reassigned to the other side of the road. This will be a 3-year unaccompanied tour and we promise to give the chicken a good-deal assignment afterwards. Every chicken will be required to do one road-crossing during its career, and this will not affect its opportunities for future promotion.
Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC):
This event will need confirmation; we need to repeat it using varied chicken breeds, road types, and weather conditions to confirm whether it can actually happen within the parameters specified for chickens and the remote possibility that they might cross thruways designated by some as “roads”.
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI):
Chicken? What chicken?
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS):
We’re not sure now, but give us five minutes alone with the chicken and we’ll not only have the answer, but we’ll also know who else was involved in the conspiracy.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIRSYSCOM):
The chicken was instructed to hold short of the road. This road incursion incident was reported in a Hazardous Chicken Road-Crossing Report (HCRCR). Please re-emphasize that chickens are required to read back all hold short instructions.
Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR):
The purpose is not important. What is important is that the chicken remained under the OPCON of COMSIXTHFLEET and did not CHOP to the theater on the other side of the road. Without Chopping, the chicken was able to achieve a seamless road-crossing with near perfect, real-time in-transit visibility.
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Word to the Wives
By Linda Hunt
Well, it won’t be long now!
I sure am looking forward to seeing everyone again (or, for you first-timers, meeting you).
Charleston is such a nice city, it would be a shame for you to miss it. All of you who live on the east coast should make it a point to make this reunion, since the next one will probably be back out on the West Coast.
Sorry I wasn’t here to proof this issue…hope there aren’t too many errors!
Hope to see everyone in Charleston. We know you’ll enjoy it!
See Y’all soon!
Linda
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Raffle Items
Don't forget to bring your unique raffle items from your part of the country......
We had a great turn-out of items in New Orleans, including a grand prize of a 2-night stay in Galveston Island, Texas.
The money raised also helped pay for the extras provided during the reunion.
Steve
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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 @
