2014 NEWSLETTER

   Okay, here we go. After weeks (and weeks) of telling myself “start the newsletter tomorrow”, it is finally “tomorrow”! I took a few extra weeks this year to just “chill out”, de-compress and take a break after the wonderful Reunion experience of September. But now, break time is over, so back to work.

    Jim and Roberta Karosich stepped up to the challenge of hosting this year’s reunion a few miles from their home in Bremerton, Washington, at the Best Western Silverdale Beach Hotel in Silverdale, WA. The first step in planning what turned out to be a super reunion experience. Located just feet from the shore of Dyes Inlet, the facility, and the staff, provided all we could want, and more, for the eighty two Kretchmer shipmates, mates and family attending all, or part of this year’s gala. A great big “THANKS” to Roberta and Jim for a job well done. Another great location, great hotel and great sight-seeing adventure spent with an awesome group of people!

    Carolyn and I planned, well in advance of September, to make this trip an exciting adventure by considering how much time (and money) we could come up with to see some of the wonderful attractions available to us on our way to and from Washington. We spent five and a half days on the road, with stops at Sioux Falls, SD, the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone, shopped and ate lunch at Wall Drugs, saw the Corn Palace and enjoyed the beautiful natural scenery of each state that we drove through. Still, we have some things to see and do on the way home. I am already trying to put the stress of that many miles in so few days out of my mind, knowing I have to drive it again in just a few days!

   But, we made it! Arrived at the hotel Tuesday early afternoon, as planned. Checked in and spent some time checking out the banquet and hospitality rooms with the hotel boss, Kirstie, then greeted some of the other early arrivals. Carolyn unpacked and put our “stuff” in order, then we went out to get some lunch. Shopping centers and restaurants were all within walking or driving distance, but as we were driving, disaster struck. No air-conditioning in the car! After lunch, got back to the hotel, can’t find any obvious reason for no air, so nothing to do about it tonight, will deal with it tomorrow. Later, a local retired CPO struck up a conversation with Jim Alansky and me, interested in the Kretchmer and our group, so I asked him where the nearest GM dealer was. He gave me directions to a dealer in Bremerton, just off the highway, about 10 miles away. So, situation under control, we finished off the day in the hotel’s bar with mates and first mates. The longer we were there, the more tables and chairs we added, sampled the menu and stayed late. Great time for the first day.

    Wednesday morning, no time to hang out, have to get the car to Bremerton. Jim Alansky offered to ride along, so we found the dealer, no problem. Problem, after an hour they tell me they can’t get to the car today (I expected that), so made an appointment for Saturday morning, there goes more free time, but I don’t need the car until Sunday.



    We got back to Silverdale in time to meet Jim and Roberta unloading the supplies for the hospitality room, the first of several loads. Jim did a great job of managing the drinks, etc. throughout the entire event, no small task. We got the room set up, hotel staff brought in more tables and chairs, registration table in place and ready for Roberta and Sheri to go to work getting everyone signed in and all the information passed out. Hugs and handshakes all around, much noisy conversation and laughter were the norm for the afternoon, welcoming old friends and meeting new mates and first-mates for the first time.

    Nearing five o’clock, time to move into the dining room where the stage is set up for a real treat. Roberta arranged for members of the Navy Band from the nearby Naval Base to perform for us. We were privileged to witness a stunning concert performed by four sailors and their saxophones. They played expertly and effortlessly, a variety of genres, from pop to classical. A rare treat for us, enjoyed by all. This unique experience is followed by gathering for a brief official “Welcome”, some opening remarks and recognition of the many first-timers in attendance, then the buffet dinner. Did some business following the meal, then off to enjoy ourselves in the hospitality room for the remainder of the evening.

    Here’s a thought. As I am overseeing the securing of the hospitality room with the hotel security guy, I realize that it is only a little past eleven P.M. and everyone is back into their rooms. I recall a time, not too many years ago, when several of us (you know who you are) would keep the room open and “party” until two or two-thirty in the morning. We would scoff at the “old folks” who gave up and hit-the-sack before eleven. Of course, the next morning we were the last ones to the breakfast table and those “old folks” were all bright-eyed and eager to be the first ones on the bus! I am shocked into reality by the realization that we are now “them” and it is OK. The exception being that we are still last to breakfast and not “bright-eyed” until much later.

    Thursday morning, up early, breakfast and on the bus for the first stop of the day. We ride to the town of Tukwila and arrive at Boeing’s Museum of Flight. This is the largest, privately owned, air and space museum in the world. Displays and aircraft from Boeing’s first plane to the modern aircraft of commercial and military applications. Also, The Red Barn, Boeing’s first workshop and where he developed and manufactured his early aircraft. This fascinating and historic facility is way too large to see it all and grab a quick lunch within the time limit we had.



    So, too soon, we are back on the bus and headed north on I-5 through Seattle, to Everett, the home of the unbelievably huge BOEING Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Plant Tour.  The size of this facility is beyond description. It is the world’s largest building by volume with 472 million cubic feet. A 90 minute guided tour enabled us to see the process involved in the building of several of these giant planes, all in various stages of construction. We were impressed by the organized system they have for handling the huge number of people who come to tour this facility each day. We concluded our tour and were back on our bus at a little past four o’clock. So now we ride to a town, the name of which I don’t remember, to catch a ferry back another town I can’t remember, and then the drive to our hotel. Uh-oh, we missed the ferry!! Have to wait an hour to board the next one. No panic, as many left the bus and hit the nearest saloon for some refreshment and others did some-seeing. We made it back to the hotel at around six and soon after we were gathered in the dining room for the meal. We conducted some business after and then the rest of the evening to gather in the hospitality room for more spirited conversation. A great way to end an exciting day of sharing new experiences with great people.

     Friday morning dawns bright and sunny, again, and we are eager to board the buses for another day of exploring some of the wonders of this area. First stop, several miles up the coast, is Fort Worden. Named after Rear Admiral John Worden, Commander of the USS Monitor of the American Civil War. Construction of this military post began in 1879 and continued, in one form or another, until it closed in 1953. Originally built as a U.S. Army installation for the protection of Puget Sound and served many different roles throughout its existence, mainly training of troops as early as WWI. Beautiful Victorian style housing for officers and a well preserved lighthouse are parts of the sprawling grounds that stand out. Also, scenes from the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” were filmed here. The fort is now the focal point of a 433 acre state park, opened in 1973.



Back on the buses for a stop in the town of Port Townsend, a few miles away. Quaint, and old, buildings of the town’s waterfront business district house a variety of specialty shops and eateries,a fun time to browse and grab a quick lunch before making the journey to our next discovery, The Naval Undersea Museum. This is one of those “who-knew?” places. Outstanding displays of all types of undersea vessels, not just your average submarines, used over the years for exploring the depths of the oceans. Actual deep-sea explorers, from the “I’m not getting in that thing” era, to the latest high-tech wonders in existence today.



    Last destination of the day, south to the city of Bremerton waterfront, adjacent to the shipyard, to tour the Navy Museum and/or the USS Turner Joy DD951. I opted for the tour of the Viet Nam era destroyer and, after a 1/2 mile hike to board her, spent more time than I anticipated wandering her decks. I learned that she was instrumental in the Gulf of Tonkin incident which propelled the US into the full-scale involvement in Viet Nam. Built in Seattle and commissioned in 1959, de-commissioned in 1991, now a museum ship. I was also reminded that life aboard a destroyer was much better than life aboard the Kretchmer!! After making the 1/2 mile hike back to the museum, I discovered that it was now closed, so I missed that attraction. Back on the buses for the ride to the hotel and another great night of merriment, enjoying a good dinner and then lively inter-action in the hospitality room well into the night.

    Saturday morning is free-time until 1300. “Ski” and I are on the road early, off to Bremerton to get the A/C fixed. We lucked out, as it only took a little over an hour to fix the problem, and they had complimentary coffee and donuts for us to enjoy while we waited. Repair was covered under warranty and has not caused any problem since. We got back with time for lunch and then into the big room, where the other hotel boss, Danielle, was on hand to supervise getting tables, etc., set up for the exciting “White-elephant Auction”



   As you know, this event has been our primary source of revenue since day one. Each year we have had a great deal of fun bidding on items, some unique and some “just-for-fun”, donated by attendees. This year was no exception. Auctioneer Jim Alansky turned in another outstanding job, moving with enthusiasm from one item to the next. He has a knack of generating a level of enthusiasm that ensures an atmosphere of high-level fun for all. Marge McKenna kept pace, delivering each treasure to the winning bidder and collecting the money. Thanks to Jim and Marge and to all who contributed to making this a very exciting and successful event.

   Next on the agenda, we moved to our separate meeting rooms for our “mates” and “first-mates’ meetings. At the men’s meeting, first-timer Mike Morrissey shared his expertise as a veterans advocate with his church by giving us some excellent information on benefits that are available to all of us, regardless of what years we served. You can access this information by going to www.veterans-ministry.org. Thank you Mike, for all you do and for sharing this information with us.

   I took this opportunity to bring a serious subject to the fore. The success of these reunions has been made possible by shipmates/first mates willing to come forward each year to host an event in, or near, their home town. This has been the format since 1988 and it has worked, with enormous success, for all these years. We are in a position that is bothersome to me, as we have no commitments from the group after this year. The Dearborn party, hosted by Ralph and Lucy Sulek, could be the last, as we know it. It is imperative that we have volunteers for the 2016 and 2017 reunions by August, 2015. If you have entertained the idea of joining this elite group of hosts, even remotely, contact me by phone 937 436 1245. I assure you, you will not go it alone. I, and past hosts, will help you plan each step. We even have a program of seminars available that you can attend to learn all of the ABC’s of planning a reunion. Don’t put this off, as it takes many months to put one of these galas together.

   I also took this time to update the crew on the situation of the Kretchmer gun mount, on display at the American Legion Post on Stock Island, Key West, Florida. This past summer, Dave Sautte posted a message and photo on our web site of the mount and pointed out that there was no plaque identifying it as being from the Kretchmer. This prompted a response from many, encouraging us to remedy this by getting a plaque made and having it installed. So, with the help of shipmates Luther Hafey, Barry Faughnan, Jim Miller, Phil Osborne and others, I tracked the history of the mount, from the Kretchmer 1971, to the current status, 2014. In the meantime, I went to a local source and had a brass plaque made and, along with a photo and a letter of appreciation, sent it to the Post in early September. I compiled this information and, with several pictures, wrote the history into a booklet which was available on the “memorabilia” table in the hospitality room. I intend to complete this history, when I get some further information, and have it added to the web site History pages.

   Shortly after the meetings, we head to the big room for the “grand finale”, where we enjoy our last dinner and then have some great fun. We are excited to welcome our twenty-one “first-timers” to the group, as they introduced themselves to us. WELCOME ABOARD to the following!

   Thanks to his two daughters, a son-in-law and granddaughter, who live in the area, we were very glad to see WWII Kretchmer vet, 88 year old Lou Piergross. The family arranged for Lou to be here and accompanied him to the Saturday dinner. Lou last attended the Nashville reunion so we were really happy to see him again and hear a few of his “sea stories”.



Tom Swallow provided us with a real treat as he, with his ukulele, sang two songs for us, one with special lyrics that were directly Kretchmer related. Real nice job, thank you Tom.

   Getting late, so on to drawing winning tickets to our annual raffles. Lots of unique prizes were donated and won by the many ticket holders. Mike Morrissey took home Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Jim and Georgia Alansky’s handmade contribution. I was unable to fit Dave Learn’s beautiful model of the Kretchmer into the car, so it did not make the trip. It will return in Dearborn. Thanks to all who participated and contributed to this fund raiser.

   Ralph Sulek came forth and outlined the plans for the 2015 event in Dearborn. Hotel is set, dates are September 16-20. A final detailed letter will be sent to all in late May or early June.

   Next, I presented a plaque to Roberta and Jim, on behalf of the Group, in appreciation of the great job they did, from planning to execution, hosting this exciting four-day party.

   As has become a tradition, Earl Chinn takes the mic and closes the festivities. This year, Earl chose to sing a medley of his favorites which were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

   The hospitality room was especially noisy for the rest of the evening, as the realization that this was final night of what has been a great adventure for all of us.

    Sunday morning we bid farewell to most with plenty of hugs and handshakes and promises to “see you in Dearborn”. To Jim and Roberta, a big “Thank You, you did good !!”

    Special THANKS to: Sheri and Bruce Erbaugh, Ralph and Lucy Sulek, Peter Gamwell, Jim Alansky, Marge McKenna, Betty Kropp, Teri Dicus, for your continued contributions to the success of these annual reunions.

    Since Carolyn and I had made plans to stay until Thursday to take in the sights of Seattle and other attractions, we took off Sunday afternoon for a drive back up to Port Townsend, and spent the time browsing some of the places we missed on the Friday tour. Lunch at the Diner, on the waterfront, and yes Sally, she found the shop and bought the glasses !   
  
     Monday, we were up early and off to Seattle, by ferry from Bremerton, with Diane and Bob Doyle. We did a two-hour lake and harbor cruise and spent too much time at the “Pike Place Market”. Barely made the 5:00 ferry back to Bremerton, and then dinner at a nice place in Silverdale.

    Tuesday, we paired with Sheri and Bruce Erbaugh for a day trip to “Mt. Ranier National Park”. Awesome experience and another great day, spent with long time great friends.

    Wednesday we took the ferry from Bainbridge to Seattle and walked our way to the monorail and the “Space Needle”. Ended the day with a tour on one of the DUCKS, through the city and into Lake Union, where we got a close-up look at the houseboat community and the “Sleepless in Seattle” movie home of Tom Hanks. Back to the hotel, late, to recuperate. Thursday we hit the road for the return trip home. We were able to spend most of one day re-visiting “Yellowstone”, the west side that we did not have time for on the way out. Finally, home late Monday night.

    Know this: for all the scenic beauty and natural wonders that we experienced over the past three weeks, the most awesome experience was the four days spent with the amazing family of the Kretchmer. Our thanks to all of you, and we wish you good health and happiness for 2015 and,

                                             SEE YOU IN DEARBORN !!!