The Thirteenth Biennial Reunion, San Diego California

 

The reunion scheduled for September 13-17, 2000 is now less that two months in the future. Most of the arrangements have been made by the San Diego Committee. Responses have been somewhat disappointing. The replies from the questionnaire mailed in 1999 indicated that 201 members, wives and guests either planned to attend or hoped to attend. Of the 115 replies received from the most recent mailing, 61 members have submitted funds to attend, 54 have declined and 91 members still have not responded. From the responses, we show that 128 members, wives and guests plan to attend. On page 3 is a list of members who will attend and a list of those who declined. The committee hopes to hear soon from those that have not responded. A few among the 91 have responded via email but have not submitted the form for our files, which should include the biennial dues in the amount of $15.00 covering the years 2000 and 2001. Dues are the only financial source available for our operating funds which includes copies, roster, stationery, postage, etc. All labor is strictly volunteer. You can assist us in reducing our expenses by answering all communications promptly, thus eliminating the necessity of follow up correspondence.

Worthy of mention is the planned attendance of four widows of former members. Eileen Keeler, Joyce Miller, Miriam Stephens and Martha Washburn. Martha’s daughter will accompany her while Joyce’s daughter Joan (Miller) Matteson and Joan’s friend Jane McCann will accompany Joyce. If you attended the Pensacola reunion in November of 1998 you will surely remember Joan and Jane.

Doug Hart will be attending his first reunion and will be accompanied by three of his children. Doug served in VP-14 and VB-102 and flew with Bob Dimmitt. Sylvestor J. Lambrecht will be attending his first reunion and plans to tee it up in Diggs Walton’s golf tournament. John and Beverly Sachs will also be attending for the first time. They plan to bring two friends, Allen and Joanne Bingham. Allen and Joanne will also sail on the post reunion cruise with us.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The drawing for the free reunion was held on July 14 during a meeting of the reunion committee. The winner was Robert E. Dimmitt and he was notified by a telephone call on July 15. Bob and Kitty will be housed in a deluxe suite at the Holiday Inn Bayside free of charge during the four nights of the reunion. A check in the amount remitted for reunion activities has been mailed to Bob.

SPECIAL NOTICE

SICK CALL

Al Dresner and Harvey Skaar qualified for the “pacemaker club” when they recently had pacemakers implanted.

Gus (Speedy) Martin had a second knee replacement but plans to be in shape for the reunion. Wife Pauline had cataract surgery in July.

Jim Frank will undergo a hip replacement on August 15 but is confident he will make the reunion.

George Cates suffered a near catastrophe while trimming his four cherry trees using a chain saw. The chain saw struck his arm, severing an artery and nerves. He was air lifted (via chopper) to St. Louis where expert medical care was available. It was necessary to undergo some nerve transplants. He reports that he is "out of the woods" and will attend the reunion.

Louise Van Nostrand sustained a head injury resulting from a fall and was hospitalized for a week. Several cat scans revealed no serious lasting results. She is now home and recovering.

A number of members report health conditions that preclude traveling long distances.

REUNION 13 MEMORY BOOK

Several members have requested that we continue with the reunion Memory Book similar to the ones at Minneapolis, Boston and several other reunions. The committee has contracted a nationwide firm to accomplish this. The books done previously have been in black and white. For a mere five dollars more ($25) the company will furnish a book in full color. Plans call for the photos of individuals and couples to be taken at the Reunion Banquet on Saturday night, September 16, the company will produce the book in full color. They will also be happy to take photos of any group you desire and will be taking candid shots during the night of the banquet. We can also include any photographs taken by attendees throughout the reunion. This entails your sending photos to be included in the book. If you are not attending the reunion or leaving before the night of the banquet, please send a snapshot of you or you and your wife. Preferably a close-up photo from slightly below the waist upward. We would also like to include your guests in the book. Please send the photos to Bob Kirk, 4371 Logrono Drive, San Diego, CA 92115-5623. We will include as many as possible in the Memory Book.

CROOZ NOOZ

Diggs Walton advises that there are now 39 members, wives and guests who will participate in the post-reunion cruise down the Mexican Riviera. A charter bus will take cruisers from the Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside to Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro. The bus fare computes to be $14.00 per person to San Pedro. Since some are departing for home from Los Angeles International, a lesser amount of passengers will share the cost of the return trip. Cost of the return fare will be $18.00 per passenger. If you are cruising, the appropriate fees will be collected when you register at the reunion. Payment by check is preferred. On the return trip, the bus departing from the cruise ship dock will leave for San Diego at 10 AM. Enroute time each way is approximately two hours.

For those departing for home from Los Angeles, transportation from Los Angeles Harbor to LAX can be booked on board the cruise ship. We are told that the cost is $15.00. You can book this trip in advance through Connie at the number listed below. It will save some standing in line time, we are told.

Anderson Travel Group, the agency that booked our cruise, will sponsor a complimentary cocktail hour for our group. It will be scheduled for one night while under way and on a night that will not conflict with the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Party. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to call Connie Lemmon at Anderson Travel. The phone number is 1-800-398-5579. Identify yourself by name and as a member of the group Navy Squadrons 102/14 Association.

A rebate of $100 per cabin will be forthcoming from the cruise line. It will be in a form that you can cash, deposit in the bank or spend on board the ship.

Please read pages 114 and 115 of your cruise brochure carefully for important information regarding purchases onboard, tipping, clothing, dining reservations and documents required for boarding. If you have any questions, call Connie Lemmon at the number listed above. If you plan to return home from Los Angeles, read page 110 regarding Transfer Services.

GOLFERS

Diggs Walton is seriously in need of an additional golfer or two. Please call him at 1-858-487-1826 or you can email Bob Kirk at bobkirk@aol.com  The fee is $35 with cart. Rental clubs are available.

Diggs also advises that the Navy, as do many commercial and private courses, prohibits golf shoes with metal spikes. If you plan to golf, please make sure you have shoes without metal spikes.