On Sept 6-9, the Red Lion Hotel, Harrisburg PA,
was the site of our 20th annual reunion with 70 shipmates and guests in attendance. After a period of uncertainty concerning
the status of our future reunions, we finally found a new coordinator, Gatherings Plus of Branson MO., to carry on with a
format similar to our past reunions and still allowing us to retain our unique identity.
Check-in started Thursday
noon with smiles and lots of friendly catching up to do, the hospitality room filled quickly. The evening began with the pledge
of allegiance, a welcome address by our 2018 Chairman, Mike Upchurch (USS Van Voorhis) and the introduction of Gatherings
Plus's on-sight representative, Brandon Castales who then addressed the group and assured us that his company has a depth
of reunion resources and is looking forward to working with us on future reunions. Mike was then called to the podium by former
chairmen Jerry Skorch, Richard Legg and Marc Arsenault and was presented with the traditional three time a chairman, Newport
Dealeys hat as our appreciation for his dedicated time serving in the years 2014, 2017 and 2018.
Our traditional
Thursday evening chicken wings and pizza buffet was followed by a computer screen projection of the on-line Newport Dealeys
movie created by Joe Banana (aka Jim Venanzi RM3) of the USS Courtney. Friday took us on a guided tour of a model Amish farm including the history and traditions of the Amish culture and
ending at the Good and Plenty restaurant for an all you can eat lunch.
The business meeting was opened with our routine reports. Marc Arsenault spoke on the website, reporting it is now
funded out to 2024. He emphasized the need to continue to extend it out as far as we can, so the Dealey class ships
history will be preserved well into the future when we are no longer able to sustain it.
Mike spoke on the selection
of the next reunion sites and their pros and cons. Norfolk VA, Washington DC and Pittsburgh PA were previously vetted and
selected as the nominees by the reunion committee. The shipmates then voted for Norfolk 2019 and Washington DC 2020.
During the evening buffet, we enjoyed a projected slide show of old shipboard pictures and highlights of past reunions
while music of the US Navy was playing in the back ground. For our evening entertainment we had a Popeye Old Salt quiz for
the ladies prepared by Marc Arsenault and Mike Upchurch. Questions were of salty shipboard terms and language used by sailors.
A name was chosen and a question was projected on the screen, If it was answered correctly, that name was put aside for the
next phase which would include a grand prize. (only known to me) Incorrect answers got a can of Popeye spinach. After 20 questions,
a handful of names were ready for phase two, I announced it would be a drawing for a beautiful set of US Navy dishes for two.
As the excitement built, Sue Harlow's name was drawn and she was presented with the prize, a set of two shiny stainless steel
mess deck trays, creating lots of laughs. As a consolation prize all the other ladies received a can of spinach too.
Saturday's tour started with a narrated tour of Harrisburg, followed by a cruise on the Pride of Susquehanna and a visit to
the National Civil War Museum including lunch at the museum.
Our evening banquet commenced with the entrance
of our Honor Guard and presentation of colors by the host ship the USS Lester, followed by the Missing Man Table ceremony
and Grace by Jerry Skorch of the USS Joseph K Taussig. After dinner, the chairman announced that Don Shields of the USS Lester
would be the 2019 chairman in Norfolk. Our traditional raffle of purchased and donated items followed included copies of author
Rick Campbell's latest book "Blackmail". Phil Passler, USS Dealey won the grand prize, the Newport Dealeys porthole
clock.
Sunday morning memorial service was conducted by Jerry Skorch and Marc Arsenault followed by well
wishes and goodbyes, as we look forward to mustering again next year in Norfolk under our own banner.
Marc
Arsenault
Newport Dealeys
Red
Lion Hotel
Harrisburg PA |
Rich Legg and Kathy Arsenault
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Newport Dealeys
Reunion Committee Meeting |
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Gathering Plus
on site representative
Brandon Costales |
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Mike Upchurch with his
3 times a
Chairman hat |
Chaplain Jerry Skorch
with an openning prayer
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Newport Dealeys Displays
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Phil and Gail Passler
USS Dealey
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Sandy Skorch, Karen Davis
and
Norma
Holzschuh |
Ray Hammock and Jerry Skorch
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Marc and Kathy Arsenault
USS Lester
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Mike Upchurch
USS Van Voorhis
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Waiting for the tour bus
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Tour guide offering an insight into Amish life style |
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Charlie Holzchuch and Steve Kittle
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Karl and Diane Petersen
USS Van Voorhis
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Joe Csizmadia
USS Cromwell
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Larry Percival
making friends |
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Sue and Bud Harlow
with their new set of Navy dishes |
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Mike Upchurch
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harlie and Norma Holzschuh
USS
Hartley |
Gail Passler at the helm
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John and Catherine Pero
USS John Willis |
Marc Arsenault
taking his turn at the helm
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National Civil War Museum
Harrisburg PA
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Moment of Mercy
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Joe Csizmadia and Nina Percival
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Vera and Michael Lewis
USS
Lester / USS Dealey |
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Mike and Bev Upchurch with
Tom and Dierder
Egizi
and Tom Hennessy
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USS Lester Honor Guard
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Don Shields
USS Lester
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Gail Passler and Mike Upchurch
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