December 5, 2009
From: Steve Silk
To: All Hands
Ahoy mate,
Can you believe our 8th USS Perry reunion
has already come and gone? While I was unable to share this wonderful cruise
down memory lane with everyone I was truly there with you in spirit as were
many of our other shipmates. From the phone calls I had received throughout
the reunion I know you all had a wonderful time. When the weather forecasters
threatened stormy weather, our reunion chairman Ken took umbrage to their
forecast and brought in fair and following winds to insure smooth sailing all
the way. While a thank you Ken is well deserved, special thanks go out to all
the shipmates that signed on for this reunion making this cruise 'down memory
lane' a very special event.
I believe
all of our reunions have been special and trust the tradition will continue
for a long time to come. I can vividly recall our 1st reunions ten years
ago that was chaired by our Perry's XO Cdr. Ken Chaman in Virginia Beach.
We had 150+ 1st time attendees and also had five Perry Skippers attending.
My skipper Capt. George Ball was our honored reunion skipper. Did you know
Capt. Ball had the unique distinction of commanding the DD-844 and also
served as an Ensign aboard the DMS-17 Perry during the Pearl Harbor attack?
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Our Pensacola reunion was also special in
many ways. Excluding Virginia Beach, we had the most first time attendees
ever and also had the largest number of shipmates taking their final voyage
within a reunion cycle. At our memorial service, the following shipmates were
honored for their exceptional Perry Assn. support with a special flag folding
ceremony. Individual flags were then presented to Sandi Pittenger, Joy
Flanagan, Bob Noroski and the Pruett family (accepted by Martin Deeney). I've
been told by several shipmates they will cherish this memory forever. During
the service, the Navy Drill Team provided a Color Guard, bugler and two
sailors for our wreath placement at the memorial park. The drill team then
joined everyone for lunch and were given a standing ovation of gratitude for
carrying on the Navy traditions we all experienced so long ago.
And how
about the Blue Angels and that show-off in the F14 from the Air Force. Lets
not forget the helicopters flying upside down, explosions on the runway, sky
divers, planes crisscrossing and flying in all directions. And of course
the jet truck that Sid wants to buy.
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We also received the largest contributions
ever. I've also been told that with Chief Sid Brown's help we had more raffle
winners than ever before. I understand he cancelled the Cinderella liberty
and had everyone up to the wee hours of the morning waiting to win a raffle.
The raffle prizes winners of the Wil Pruett Singing Men of Arkansas CD will
receive them just as soon as I get back home. I believe you'll find the CD
most enjoyable and worth waiting for.
I understand the farewell banquet dinner at
the Black Angus restaurant was superb and only outdone with Martin Deeney's
video presentation of the modern Navy and our Reunion Skipper Cdr. Ed Etzkorn's
talk of the wonderful Perry memories of yesteryear.
Of course I know there were
many other exciting events like the get-acquainted cocktail party and the
superb barbecue dinner. This event was especially a happy one for Ken and
Sid who won the hotel room raffle. They tell me there is nothing better
than being the guest of the hotel. And how about the fun of just hanging
out in the hospitality room rekindling old friendship and making new
buddies. Isn't it funny how the sea stories grow from year to year? This
year we also inducted Ray Sittnick, an Army vet into our Perry family. Ray
is the father of BT3 Jay Sittnick a 1st time attendees that was warmly
welcomed into our extended Perry family. I understand the leather Jacket
won by James Christman was presented to Ray. Tom & Dottie Moritz won
the cuckoo clock and blanket. Anyone know who won the GPS system?
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I trust and hope you feel as I do, that our Association, since its inception,
has managed our objectives effectively. Collectively we have kept the memory
of the DD-844 alive and have fostered good fellowship and camaraderie among
all the shipmates who proudly served aboard her. To date over 900 Perry
shipmates have entered our Perry website. I believe our Association has
provided us the opportunity to reminisce about what many of us consider being
the best years of our lives. Simply put, our reunions are testimony to
meeting our objectives. In this regard, if you have a new idea or solution to
a problem and are willing to donate your time implementing the idea, your
Association wants you ASAP.
Lets congratulate our new officers;
Bob Noroski, Pres.
Sid Brown, VP
Sandi Pittenger, Sec.
Lou Guarinello, Treas.
In closing I would like to take this
opportunity to acknowledge all the Perry Hall of Fame supporters for the
2009-2010 season. On behalf of the USS Perry Reunion Association, it is my
honor to extend a sincere thank you for your most generous contributions.
It's your continued enthusiasm and generosity that keeps our Association
afloat and helps support the wonderful events of our Reunions. To our
shipmates who found it necessary cancel their reunion plans and contributed
their refund you must promise to be at the next reunion to enjoy the fruits
of your labor.
Our 2009-2010 Hall Of Fame
Supporters:
Geraldine
Miethke, Sandi Pittenger, Bill Beyhl, Steve Caldwell, James Christman,
Grant Cummings,
Joseph D' Antonio, John Ellis, Tom Fedash, Thomas Hemphill, Arnie Myotte,
Bob Noroski, Allan Meyer,
Bruce Davidson, John Blaine,
Sid Brown, Ronald Conrad, Robert Hales, Jim Archer, Tom Moritz,
Joseph Jurewicz, Jason Matthews, Ken Annino, Michael Canon, Edward Etzhorn,
Andrew Marchese, Glen Miller, Roger Piper, Raymond Richter, Jerry Luffman,
David Frazier, Richard Stephens, Grant Cummings Jr., William Janulin,
Charles Jenkins, Tom Lobue,
Gerald Schnoblen
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2010 Proposed Reunion Venues
The following reunion venues were proposed at the business meeting for
consideration:
San Diego, Philadelphia, Chicago, New London Conn. Mystic Sea Port, Tampa
Fl., Nashville TN and a Ship cruise. These places will be considered after
costs and availability are submitted and evaluated. The result of the best
locations will then be submitted to the membership for a vote. If you offered
one of these venues please let us know that you're working on gathering cost
figures ASAP.
My sincere thank you is extended for your
kind expressions of sympathy and memorial flowers we received. Very few
shipmates knew the reason for my failure to attend the reunion. Having
tragically lost my granddaughter Brittany Joy Lindstrom shortly before the
reunion, I was afraid my pain would have shown through and may have caused
discomfort for others.
View My Brittamy's Obituary
God
willing, I'll join you for the next reunion.
Stay well and smooth sailing.
Steve
Silk
steve@ussperry.us
http://www.ussperry.com
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