2014 REUNION REGISTRATION – SEE DETAILS INSIDE – Y’ALL ATTEND! LAFFEY NEWS THE USS LAFFEY DD-724 – THE SHIP THAT WOULD NOT DIE “I’LL NEVER ABANDON SHIP AS LONG AS A GUN WILL FIRE”: CO F. JULIAN BECTON Dedicated to those who served in Battle…and those that Preserved in Peace _________________________________________________________________________________________ July-August-September www.laffey.org___________________________ _2014 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE lunch at the new restaurant next to Patriots Point. We had around 20 attendees from the Association. FALL - 2014 The whole luncheon was donated by Pat Waters who happens to be the grandson of General I want everyone to know that Ari Phoutrides is now George S. Patton. We want to extend many thanks the hero of D-Day 1945. The D-Day celebration to Pat for the delicious meal. We hope to see Pat was held on June 6, 2014 at Patriots Point. Ari and and his wife Marsha at the reunion dinner. Lee Hunt were there to represent some of the survivors of the invasion of Normandy, France. Patriots Point treated us to dinner aboard the Yorktown after the seminar. Thanks to Mac for the Lee was there during the day and had a great time. treat. Our friend Jeff Jacobs of the Patriots Point However, this wore him out and he went home Foundation brought the new plaque to the luncheon early and could not attend the seminar in the for a sneak preview. It’s really beautiful and it will evening. Ari was there to represent the USS Laffey be a real tribute to the 32 men killed at Okinawa. and another gentleman was there representing the The new plaque will be formally dedicated during Army heroes who landed on the beaches of the reunion. Normandy. Our reunion enrollment is rolling along. Jill is The folks at Patriots Point did a great job with the working really hard to get this thing going. Jill also program. Melissa Buchanan was one of the told me that there has been some confusion at the performers. She, along with a few more Patriots Quality Inn and Suites at Patriots Point concerning Point people acted as wives, soldiers and people at having rooms available. At this time (August 7) home who were involved in the battle. They really there were 23 more rooms available. Some folks did a professional job. were told that they were out of rooms…..not true. Please ask for the Group Sales person to get this After the program, Ari and others took to the stage straightened out. Be sure to tell them you are with for a question and answer session. Ari was great. the Laffey Reunion group. Afterward he signed autographs and had photos taken with many of the folks in attendance. While REMEMBER – YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN we were there for 3 or 4 days, we were treated to LODGING RESERVATION FOR THE REUNION. 1 This is going to be a special reunion. We are going reunion, we will be visiting the Charleston Tea to dedicate this beautiful plaque and Live Oak tree Plantation, having lunch at the Irvin House that was donated by Bartlett Tree Experts. The Vineyards and stopping by the Firefly plaque was paid for from our association treasury. distillery. When we take a trip down to Patriot's Also, at our reunion dinner, we will have a new guest speaker. General James Livingston USMC Point for the Tree Dedication and Memorial (ret) has agreed to speak. General Livingston is a Service, we will then stop at the Harbor Breeze for recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. The lunch and fun and will be finishing up Wednesday Medal was awarded to him for his actions in Viet night with our USO dinner. You will have a lot of Nam as a Captain in the Infantry. I have read his time to explore on your own and hang out in the book and this man is exactly what you think of Hospitality room. Hope to see you there. when you think of a real MARINE! So hurry and get signed up! Get your checks to Jill Michel JUST RECEIVED – SAD NEWS TO ANNOUNCE ASAP…..Hurry! All Hands: The raffle tickets are going out shortly. By the time you receive this newsletter you should have More bad news: Don Vorgity, past president of the received the tickets in the mail. Please fill them out USS Laffey DD724 Association and veteran of the and mail me the check and the stubs with your Korean War, has passed away. name on it….. NOT THE BIG END WITH NO NAME SHOWN ON IT!!! Duh! I need to have them Don has been fighting cancer for a long time and returned by Sept. 15, 2014. That way I can he finally succumbed to this terrible disease. Jill, guarantee they will make it to the drawing. Don's Daughter, called this morning and told me Our work party will be coming up October 19-25, that Don passed away at 7:37 this morning. She 2014. We will have a lot to do. I have 20 guys said he went peacefully. already signed up so far. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us. Call me at 410-515- Don was elected president twice. Bob Langevin 3223 or e-mail [email protected] and I will took over for him after his first term and I took over put you on the list. Remember, we have 30 racks if after his second term. He had planned on bringing you plan on sleeping on the carrier. his daughter Jill to the reunion this year but he ran out of time. Please pray for our shipmates who are in failing health: Joe Folino, Lee Hunt and others that we He will be remembered at our fall reunion in aren’t aware of to date. September. See you all at the Reunion! Please say a prayer for Don and his family. Sonny Walker Funeral arrangements have not been made. I will President advise when I get them. NOW LISTEN UP – JILL MICHEL HAS SPOKEN! Sonny (August 8, 2014) Our reunion coordinator, Jill Michel has recently AN EARLIER NOTE TO THE LAFFEY NEWS announced (August 3rd) that she spoke with the Quality Inn Patriots Point and they said they still Bob – have rooms available for the reunion but they are th only holding the rooms for us until August December 17 is my Dad’s (Glenn Setmire) 22nd. MAKE YOU RESERVATION NOW/ASAP. birthday. So, in his memory I always send a donation to the Laffey. I think he would like that Come join your old friends and those that will because it was something he was proud of – his become new friends. Concerning the plans for the ship and crew mates. 2 I always read the newsletter that is sent to my Mom FALL 2014 WORK PARTY DATES ANNOUNCED to keep up with what is going on. Even though my Dad has passed away (4 Years) it makes me feel ALL HANDS: good to be able to do a little in his memory: The We are booked on the Yorktown for our fall work Laffey meant so much to him. party. Keep up with all the good work everyone does. Arrival date: Sunday October 19th. Compartment will be available after 0900. Depart date: Saturday Sharry Setmire October 25. Editor’s Comment: Sharon’s in memory of Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can donation was acknowledged in the first quarter keep track of how many will be there. edition of the Laffey News. Sonny Walker QUOTE OF THE QUARTER [email protected] “You will never do anything in this world without 410-515-3223 courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next CSS ALABAMA ARTIFACTS ADDED TO NHHC to honor.” Aristotle From Military.Com - Week of July 07, 2014 THE LAFFEY’S SHIP MODEL – WITH PRIDE! The Naval History and Heritage Command's Underwater Archeology Branch (UAB) recently received more than 30 conserved artifacts from the sunken Confederate Ship, CSS Alabama, to add to the command's collection. The artifacts consisted of two wooden boxes, a partial gunstock, a copper alloy bolt, and pieces of wood from cannons, ropes, leather and cloth. These artifacts will help the scientists interpret the site of the ship. CSS Alabama, built by John Laird Sons and Company of Liverpool, England, was commissioned on August 24, 1862. Its mission was to wreak havoc on Union warships and Union-backed merchant ships, which President Sonny Walker recently sent out raffle it did for nearly two years. tickets for a chance to win the ship’s model during the annual reunion in Charleston this year. The For more information on the CSS Alabama, visit the above photo of the model is representative of the Naval History and Heritage Command website at quality and attention to detail that we provide the www.history.navy.mil/branches/org12-1.htm winner. FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA The drawing for this wonderful model is the primary HAVE OTHERS NOTICE YOUR FRAME!! means of fund raising for the association. We hope that you all recognize the needs we currently have and we trust you will buy the raffle tickets (or more) when they arrive in your mailbox. Remember –“Ya gotta play to win”! Good luck!! 3 Let’s make certain that you (procrastinators and the many new members) do your part in making everyone know that the Laffey still lives! Install these plate frames around your vehicle tags and be noticed!! Remember, $1.00 of each frame price goes to help fund the Junior Laffey Sailor Program.