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Click here for pictures from Concord
Post Reunion Notes from our
"Departing Fearless Leader" With a formal Association now in place, my task of shepherding these events over the past four or so years is finished. The torch has been passed to your newly-formed Benjamin Stoddert Association elected officers, led by Chairman Lou Turilli, to take it to a higher level. As our co-webmaster with wife, Carole Bryan, Lou and Carole have been on board almost from the beginning so the transition should be a smooth one. My thanks also to the others who provided support during the early times: Bert Cassels, plankowner ASW Officer, who assumed the role of Wardroom Liaison, identifying and contacting past members of Stoddert's Wardroom; Art and Janie Hansen, our dynamic newsletter duo; Dave Behrend, Ship's Historian, These folks have devoted time and personal expense to carry out their tasks. And to my lovely lady, Carmen, thanks for putting up with me (and this project). To Terry McManuels and his aptly-named MRTR organization--All three past reunions certainly have been Military Reunions To Remember. Last, but not least, thanks to each and everyone who has supported these festivities through attendance, monetary contributions, etc. Needless to say, without you and your support, we wouldn't exist. Lou, USS Benjamin Stoddert Association Board of Officers, and Members, I stand relieved. Aloha and Godspeed. Herm
Chambers
Herm's Pre-Reunion Notes Reunion number three upcoming, 19 - 23 September, for former crewmembers, their ladies, families, and friends, of the USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22). As with the first reunion (10/05) in the St. Louis, MO, area, and our second (10/06) in King of Prussia, PA, Terry McManuels and his Military Reunion to Remember (MRTR) team have arranged another outstanding event to be held in historic Concord, CA; actiivities are outlined in the Itinerary Sheet of the newsletter. Astoundingly so, in our third year and in California, no less, Terry has managed to hold down costs which compare favorably to those of our previous get-togethers. A word about Concord for you who are unfamiliar with the region. It is situated inland, a bit northeast of Oakland and San Francisco, separated from those two Bay Area metropolises by the Coastal Range in the Diablo Valley of Northern California. Served by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train system(http://www.bart.gov/index.asp) from both Oakland International and San Francisco International airports and by car on Interstate I-680. A free hotel shuttle runs to and from the Concord BART station and our headquarters hotel, the Concord Holiday Inn. Weatherwise, September is usually very dry, and a bit on the high warm side in the daytime, altogether pleasant in the evening; similar to Aloha Land, though without the cooling tradewinds. As vets of the Pineapple Fleet, we should feel almost at home as the climate lends itself to continuing our informal dress code of Aloha shirts and slacks for the gents and comparable attire for the ladies at our two dinners. Also, the hotel has a nice outdoor swim pool right off the hospitality room; you might want to include a swimsuit in your bring-alongs. To those who might like to explore surrounding areas, to browse shops, eaterys, etc., many are within strolling distance on tree shaded promenades. Nearby is the Sunvalley Mall, a large regional shopping mall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunvalley_Mall), which may be accessed by the free hotel shuttle. Saturday morning will be devoted to our business meeting. Please forward any agenda items or ideas you may have for discussion/action--items planned to be discussed: continuation of reunions, suggested locations and times. formation of an association, passing the reunion chair torch, etc. This is definitely, positively, without equivocation, my last DDG-22 reunion planning gig; it's two more than I had intended. Please make your wishes known to me in advance if you would wish to be considered by the electorate for the office. Hope to see you in Concord. Aloha Herm
Post Reunion Notes from our "Departing Fearless
Leader" With a formal Association now in place, my task of shepherding these events over the past four or so years is finished. The torch has been passed to your newly-formed Benjamin Stoddert Association elected officers, led by Chairman Lou Turilli, to take it to a higher level. As our co-webmaster with wife, Carole Bryan, Lou and Carole have been on board almost from the beginning so the transition should be a smooth one. My thanks also to the others who provided support during the early times: Bert Cassels, plankowner ASW Officer, who assumed the role of Wardroom Liaison, identifying and contacting past members of Stoddert's Wardroom; Art and Janie Hansen, our dynamic newsletter duo; Dave Behrend, Ship's Historian, These folks have devoted time and personal expense to carry out their tasks. And to my lovely lady, Carmen, thanks for putting up with me (and this project). To Terry McManuels and his aptly-named MRTR organization--All three past reunions certainly have been Military Reunions To Remember. Last, but not least, thanks to each and everyone who has supported these festivities through attendance, monetary contributions, etc. Needless to say, without you and your support, we wouldn't exist. Lou, USS Benjamin Stoddert Association Board of Officers, and Members, I stand relieved. Aloha and Godspeed. Herm Chambers
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