USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter January 2013
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USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter January 2013 Jene Cain, Editor – Jim Durough, Assistant Editor This Newsletter Sent to 1039 Former Crew Members, Families & Guests USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras • WWII • Korea • Vietnam • Copyright © 2002 - 2013 http://www.dd596.com Las Vegas Reunion 2013 at Sam’s Town Presidents Column By Jack Blann By Carol Blann Connie Carl, Carla Boscarino and I are this year’s reunion committee and are very excited about the upcoming Reunion in Las Vegas at Sam’s Town. I want to share my impressions of Sam’s Town, and also give some details of the Casino/Resort. Jack and I had an overnight visit last month to check on details for the Reunion trip, and I was hugely surprised by the amenities and attractiveness of the complex. I am very pleased with our selection of Sam’s Town in Las Vegas as the site of our 2013 reunion meeting. We have First of all, the gaming areas, although not totally free from secured an amazing room rate of $ 31.49 (tax included) per smoke, were quite clear. This is an important plus for those night for the period October 6th thru 10th. Carol has written of us with allergies and sensitivities to cigarette smoke. I was an article about the hotel amenities that is adjacent to my never uncomfortable walking through the casino. Also, the column and I encourage you to read it. The Reunion casino is just one area of the complex, and most of the time Committee will come up with some interesting tours and we were not even in where there was gaming. Another plus events which will be published along with the registration form was the upkeep and cleanliness from the parking garage, in our April edition. We are looking forward to a large turnout. into the casino, and in all the grounds and rooms. This is a well-run facility. We have found that reunion attendees prefer a more informal approach to these meetings and so we have progressed from Secondly, the hotel rooms we saw were nice sized and well the formal banquet to a more casual buffet type venue that appointed. You can pay a little more and have a room allows a greater opportunity for interaction with our fellow overlooking the atrium, but I wouldn’t ask for that upgrade as shipmates. Our goal throughout these last 10 years has been there are activities in the atrium that are somewhat noisy. All to keep cost for attendees as low as possible and to create an the rooms are the same size, so you won’t lose space with atmosphere where we can get a maximum benefit out of the the less expensive outside room. time that we spend together. We plan optional activities for those who wish to participate and we always do our best to The atrium area is the big surprise. The hotel/casino is built be able to provide beer and wine at ridiculously low prices. around a very large atrium with paths, sitting areas, a bar and a giant waterfall with “critters”. The waterfall is the center If you have suggestions about future reunion activities please of performances by dancing waters and robotic animals and complete the shipmate survey that was sent with our October birds. The shows go on several times a day and change as newsletter and mail it to me or send me an e-mail at the day progresses. The light show in the evening is [email protected]. beautiful and inspiring and I know that you will enjoy it. All around the outside of the atrium are little shops and eating Your reunion association is supported by a core of dedicated, establishments. hard working volunteer shipmates who are committed to providing services and activities that renew and foster our In addition to the casino and atrium, there is a multiplex celebration of service to our nation and our time aboard the movie theater, a bowling alley, a giant bingo parlor, and USS SHIELDS. We are supported by volunteer dues many fast food restaurants and higher end eateries. The payments and reunion participation that through the years Sam’s Town RV Park adjoins the property and I noticed that have allowed us to keep in touch with our shipmates. Our there are trees in abundance, and a high wall surrounding newsletters, through the efforts of Jene Cain and Jim the park. There is even a Wal-Mart across the street. Durough, are the envy of the fleet. Even if you are unable to There is so much to do at Sam’s Town, you may not want to attend one of our reunions, please consider sharing a go to the Vegas Strip, but, if you do, there is a free shuttle shipboard experience with your shipmates by submitting it to service to take you there. We are planning several fun Jene Cain for inclusion in the newsletter. events for you at Sam’s also, so you will have lots of choices. In closing I would like to remember our skipper Captain Battson who was the first CO under whom I served. I last I hope you will make the Reunion in October of 2013 a saw Captain Battson at our San Diego reunion and I will priority, and we, your committee, will do everything in our always remember him complimenting our association and power to make your stay memorable. remarking that we were the only association that he knew of who had the position of bartender on the Board of Directors. He is one of many shipmates who left us much too soon. May he rest in Peace. USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter January 2013 Page 2 Board Members Contact Info. Eldest Living Shipmates Below is a list prepared by Jim Durough of the 10 eldest living Jack Blann, LTJG, 61-63 officers and enlisted shipmates. If Jim missed you, please President, Memorabilia Keeper contact him with your birth date. 2925 Harrison Dr Chino Valley, AZ 86323-5569 10 ELDEST OFFICERS Ph: 928-636-2087 E-mail: [email protected] New addition in bold face Schweizer, Jack R., CDR, 49-50, 08/27/1915 Jim Sewell, LTJG, 57-60 Hoblitzell, Paul C., LTJG, 44-45 11/24/1916 Vice President Teeters, David R., LT, 49-50, 04-11-1918 304 White Moss PL Metze, George M., LCDR, 52-54, 09/15/1918 Franklin, TN 37064-8628 Fredell, Erling W., LT, 49, 12/01/1918 Phone: 615-790-2325 Goodell, Trenor F., ENS, 44-45, 12/29/1918 E-mail: [email protected] Wessel, Robert L., CPTN, 61-63, 06/20/1919 Bob Carl, RD2, 63-67 Parr, Harold S., LT, 58-59, 09/05/1921 Director, Secretary Dupre, Marcy M., CDR, 45-46, 09/17/1921 6987 Lazy Sunset Ct Staring, Graydon S., LTJG, 49, 04/09/1923 Las Vegas, NV 89156-7206 Ph: 702-438-9826 10 ELDEST ENLISTED E-mail: [email protected] New addition in bold face Reifsnyder, Robert A., FC3, 44-45, 05/21/1920 Roger Brotherton, SO3, 60-62 Director, Treasurer, Resident Agent Kowaliski, Arthur A., BMC, 52-55, 09/08/1920 PO Box 8023 Field, Raymond W., FC3, 44-45, 11/25/1920 Reno, NV 89507 Hendrickson, Jack M., MM2, 45-46, 10/11/1921 Ph: 775-250-4818 Purdy, William V., WT1, 45-46, 11/27/1921 E-mail: [email protected] Grandjean, James J., QM2, 50-52, 12/11/1921 Conroy, John J., BM1, 44-46, 04/22/1922 Thomas G. Morrow, HA, 70-71 McNeese, Charles L., QM2, 51-54, 04/25/1922 Director Proetto, Gerald S., BM3, 57, 09/10/1922 PO Box 165 Dukett, James E., MM3, 44-46, 01/29/1923 Basin, MT 59631-0165 Ph: 858-752-0650 E-mail: [email protected] Friends to the Board Contact Info. Recently Passed Jene Cain, ETR2, 61-63 Shipmates Newsletter Editor 13171 Galleria Pl Apple Valley, MN 55124-6113 Editor's Note: Please contact Jim Durough to notify us if Phone: 952-432-8746 a shipmate has passed away. His contact information is on E-mail: [email protected] page two of this newsletter. If e-mailing please include DD-596 in the subject line. Jim Durough, ETN2, 62-65 Asst. Newsletter Editor, The deceased listed below were identified through letters Shields Locator & Contact List Keeper and phone calls from the family, returned letters marked 5470 S Shades Crest Rd deceased and research. Bessemer, AL 35022-4183 Chevier, Maxine G., RM1, 66-68 Ph 205-425-9197 Baum, George F., SO2, 61-62 E-mail: [email protected] Jackson, Harrison M., MM3, 60-64 Bill Ragan, IC3, 56-59 Kennington, Jimmy S., SFP2, 62-63 Ship’s Store Kyle, Kenneth W., LTJG, 54-57 1642 Rambling Rd Reeves, Edgar C., RM3, 45-46 (Was our Eldest Simi Valley, CA 93065-5737 Enlisted shipmate) Phone: 805-527-2196 Smith, Leslie R., YN3, 53-55 E-mail: [email protected] Wagner, Raymond L., BT3, 52-55 Editor's Note: Please keep your contact information up to date by getting in Ware, Lucious L., TM3, 57-58 touch with Jim Durough above. If e-mailing please include DD-596 in the subject line. USS SHIELDS DD-596 All Eras Reunion Association Newsletter January 2013 Page 3 Korean Shipmates Reunion Info Bob MacNeil, YN2, 52-55 reports that the 2013 gathering of the Korean shipmates is going to be in Cincinnati, OH. As plans are finalized there will be further information published in the April 2013 newsletter.