 Ahoy, friends and family members of the USS Perry
Association
I'm proud to say the Patriots
have won a very overwhelming and decisive victory regarding our
recent opinion survey on the "How Soon We Forget" story.
My special thank you is extended to everyone who took the time
to share their opinion with their shipmates.
While I never believe issues
are purely black and white, there comes a time when we must put
aside our differences and do the right thing for the betterment
of the world. Without question, the cost of this endeavor is
mind-boggling. I'm not talking economics, I'm talking the lives
that will be changed forever as a result of what is happening.
Read the opinions, they say it all.
All opinion replies are
now posted to our website for everyone to read. I never anticipated
the amount of work I created for myself because of the enthusiasm
of everyone responding with their opinion. Aside from the technical
work, I read and answered every email including those containing
viewpoints I disagreed with. I must also commend the shipmates
who provided dignified and logical opposing viewpoints. I am
also sorry to say I received undignified personal messages that
more than pissed me off. Had these characters been in striking
distance I would have kicked ass.
The first amendment may provide protection for guys like these
but the USS Perry dose not. I have always respected opposing
viewpoints but I will never accept someone being nasty to any
Perry shipmate. Let me know how you feel on this issue. Maybe
a section 8 is in order.
To view our opinion survey
Click the SHARING OPINIONS button on left side index.
As always, your comments and OPINIONS are always welcomed.
Keep reading and look for
the photo at the end of this newsletter.
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NJ Tin Can Sailor Bull
Session
I attended the event this
Saturday and learned the TCS President, Tom Pelton is seriously
ill with cancer. Please offer a prayer on his behalf. Everyone
who has had the pleasure of knowing him will attest to the fine
way he has commanded our TCS ship.
As always the food was
excellent. The guest speaker was a very attractive mermaid, I
mean Captain. Would you believe she was a Navy Seal? She gave
a wonderful presentation about a recent project, the recovery
of the USS Monitor. This old ship was settled in 240 feet of
water, similar to the depth of the DMS17. At this depth, diving
cannot be done with basic oxygen and for any great length of
time. The Navy was only able to recover the steam engine and
revolving gun turret that was considered state-of-art during
that time.
As always, I met a couple
of our shipmates there. I learned that Bill Janulin  cannot
attend our reunion because he will be visiting his son during
the time of our reunion. His son is a proud Marine who will be
leaving for the Iraq area immediately after his visit. Let's
all extend Bill our best wishes for the safe return of his son.
Wedding Bells are in the
air. Can you believe one of are shipmates will be tying the knot
once again. You will have to guess who it is because I will not
reveal the name at this time. However, you probably will find
out WHO at our reunion.
I also met Charlie Kletz,
Chief Warrent Officer 3, USN Retired
He served
aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry and wanted to know if we had an
interest in shomehow having our Ships participate in some joint
venture. I'll keep you posted. |
Branson Reunion
By my last count we have 62 room registrations with 115 attending.
It's still not to late to sign aboard.
|
With our Branson reunion date fast approaching,
reservations should be made  as early as possible. I understand the
difficult times we are once again experiencing. However, let
me remind you that our Jacksonville, FL Reunion was held in the
wake of 911 and proved to be an outstanding event. As we have
done in the past, let's stand strong and united in the face of
the enemy.
Please contact Pam Brown at Gatherings
Plus to make your reservations.
pamb@inter-linc.net Fax
417-338-5171 Phone 417-338-4048 |
Our 3rd Reunion Chairman, Will Pruett,
SK3 1946-47
Any questions or suggestion should be directed to "Will"
1-479-582-3665, FAX 1-479-582-5666,
eMail willandbjpruett@aol.com |
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Scrapbooks
Please bring your scrapbooks, pictures
and memorabilia for everyone to enjoy. Special Memorabilia Tables
will be setup for both the DMS-17 and DD-844 to display your
treasured pictures, scrapbooks and other artifacts.
The Hospitality Room will be open Wednesday
Noon to receive your displays for the rest of us to enjoy. BE
ASSURED THAT HOSPITALITY ROOM WILL BE SECURE AND LOCKED EACH
NIGHT AT 10:00PM.
looking forward to share SEA STOTIES
with new shipmates and past acquaintances. |
DMS17 SHOW 'N TELL
At no extra cost to you, we have added
another event--DMS17 SHOW 'N TELL at 1:00 - 3:00PM (or more if
needed) on Friday, May 16th in the Hospitality Room. We will
hear firsthand from shipmates aboard the USS Perry DMS-17 who
had their ship struck at Pearl Harbor and later struck again
and sunk on September 13, 1944. Our sister ship earned six Battle
Stars during World War II. We will also hear about it's discovery
on May 1, 2000 in 40 fathoms of water near Palau Island from
Larry Tunks, a survivor, who was there to witness the discovery.
We will see pictures, scrapbooks and video of that discovery.
www.ussperry.com/dms-17/story.htm |
|
Musical Instruments
For those of you gifted to play a musical
instrument please let me know and if you would be willing to
play for extemporaneous sing-alongs in the Hospitality Room from
time to time.
Also, we need someone to play TAPS at
our Memorial Ceremony. Please let me know if you can help. |
Gone But Not Forgotten
I would greatly appreciate any names
of shipmates that have passed away since June 1, 2001 (or about)
that are not shown on our websit roster. We will list their names
in the Memorial Program and pay tribute to them at our Special
Memorial Ceremony to be held on ARMED FORCES DAY, May 17, 2003. |
Have a safe trip and come
prepared to share your joys and laughter.
Sincerely,
Will Pruett, SK3, 1946-47, 3rd Reunion Chairman.
"Long after they are gone, their crews remember"
Mailing Address
If you have not already done so please
email your complete US Postal Address to
medeene@comcast.net |
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Stay well and God Bless you all.
 See you in Branson for a cruise
down memory lane.
Steve Silk
steve@ussperry.com
Keep an eye out for Wolves below in Sheep clothing!
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