HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of our Sproston shipmates, family members and friends. Once again, we extend to you all our best wishes for a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing many of you in Branson, Missouri in 2006.

2006 REUNION BRANSON, MISSOURI,  SEPTEMBER  13-17

The Reunion Group has made a course correction and we are now headed for what we think will be another outstanding reunion in Branson, Missouri. Our original destination was Memphis, Tennessee. However due to circumstances beyond our control it was necessary to change destinations. We are working with folks in Branson to put together an itinerary of activities everyone should enjoy. Branson has a reputation for being particularly friendly to military groups. Many Destroyer groups have held reunions there. Orville and Ruth Amos volunteered for a reconnaissance mission to evaluate the location. They have reported back that the location meets our standards and Branson is a good reunion destination. Additional information and registration forms will be mailed in April. Reunion information will be posted on our website, www.Sproston.com, as it becomes available. This is a reunion you definitely don’t want to miss.

BLOOMINGTON REUNION

Our Reunion in Bloomington was one of the best ever. Our Reunion Committee under the leadership of Iver Anderson, assisted by Doug Menikheim and Steve Krenz did an outstanding job. There were 120 in attendance including 63 shipmates and 57 family members and friends. There were 12 shipmates from the WWII crew, 19 from the Korean crew and 32 members of the Vietnam crew. On Thursday we went to Fort Snelling National Cemetery for our annual Memorial Service honoring our deceased shipmates. The Honor Guard from VFW post 1296 presented the Colors and rendered a gun salute and taps at the conclusion of the ceremony. We then journeyed to the picturesque little town of Stillwater where we boarded a replica of an 1890’s paddlewheel riverboat for a pleasant cruise and lunch on the St Croix river. On Friday we boarded our busses for an interesting and entertaining tour of the Twin Cities area. The highlight of the tour was the “hijacking” of our bus by a 1920’s era “gangster” who pointed out the locations of all the criminal activities of the era. Following the tour of the historic areas of St. Paul and Minneapolis we proceeded to the Longfellow Grille for a delicious Walleye lunch. The day concluded with a visit to the Mall of America.

Friday evening we had a good old fashioned sing-along in our Hospitality room with Al Fitz and Thomas “Toad” Donahoo on the guitar. We may make this a tradition. It was great fun. Saturday evening we enjoyed fun, food and fellowship at our annual Dinner/Dance. Shipmate Admiral Jim Sagerholm shared a meaningful message with us regarding naval tradition and commitment. As usual, the reunion concluded with a farewell breakfast. It’s always hard to believe the time at Sproston Reunions flies by so fast.

THANKS

What always makes Sproston reunions special is shipmates, family and friends working together to make the reunion a success. We thank all of you who assisted during the reunion. It is truly a team effort. A special thanks to Iver Anderson, Doug Menikheim, and Steve Krenz for the many hours they spent putting the reunion together. Thanks to our registrar and official greeter Lethea Holmes. Where would we be without our bartenders Richard Taylor, Ray Minko and J.J. Goodwin……thanks guys. We thank the audit committee chaired by Tony Filosa and assisted by Charles Holland and Orville Amos. Thanks to our Treasurer Elmer Everidge who does an outstanding job all year long keeping our books balanced. We thank Carol Landry for all her work as our new webmaster. Thanks to Al Fitz for all he has done over the years as Secretary and webmaster. We look forward to working with our new Secretary Ken Landry.

The following gifts were donated for the raffle:

Thanks to Iver Anderson for the hand carved oars we each received as an everlasting memento of a great Sproston Reunion

Thanks so much to all the donors for the great gifts. We apologize for any donations we may have omitted. The annual raffle is always a fun part of the evening. The “Traveling Sailor” handmade by Jim McLaughlin was won by The Yahns and is spending the year in Viroqua, WI.

Finally, a special thanks to my wife and best friend, Norma, for her assistance and support and for putting up with me!!

DONATIONS

Each year The Sproston Reunion Group donates the bar proceeds to a worthy cause. In 2005, based upon the recommendations of Jim Sagerholm, $500 was donated to the Navy Relief Society and designated to assist Naval personnel affected by the hurricanes.

BUSINESS MEETING

At 1500, Saturday 24 September, the annual business meeting was called to order by President Jim Marlatt. The Audit Committee, presented the audit report indicating all financial transactions had been reviewed and the records as presented by Treasurer, Elmer Everidge, accurately reflected the financial status of the Group  The members included Tony Filosa, Chairman  Charles Holland, and Orville Amos. In accordance with the bylaws the annual election of officers was conducted. The following officers were nominated and elected: Jim Marlatt, President; Elmer Everidge, Treasurer; Ken Landry, Secretary and Michael Holmes, Director. Memphis, Tennessee was selected as the location for the 2006 Reunion. Jim Marlatt will coordinate reunion arrangements. (As indicated elsewhere in this report the location has been changed to Branson, MO.)

TAPS

Since the Bloomington Reunion we have been notified of the passing of the following:

May they rest in Peace. Our condolences to their family members

SHIP’S STORE

The following items are currently available:

All items are pictured on the Ship’s Store page of the Sproston website (http://sproston.com/Ships_store/shipstore.htm). A downloadable order form is also available.

For further information contact Len Doran, E-mail--- ldoran@new.rr.com

WWW.SPROSTON.COM

Remember to visit our Sproston website for updates regarding the 2006 reunion. Webmaster, Carol Landry has added a number of new features and pages. There is now an “In Memoriam” page which honors and lists the names of all deceased shipmates we are aware of.  Also there is a “News” page with articles of interest about Sproston shipmates. If you have news of interest please send it to Carol Landry. Pictures are regularly being added to the “Photo Gallery” You will also find a brief “Ship’s History” page.

Finally, it’s not too early to be thinking about Reunion 2007. If you have any ideas or suggestions please contact Jim Marlatt.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

“Fair Winds and Following Seas”

PS: Closing Notes

I see we have a little space left here at the bottom of the page. I would like to use the space to share a personal message. We, who served on Board the USS Sproston, shared a unique experience. Out there, we have shipmates who need our support and encouragement. They are dealing with many challenges. They need to hear from us. Let’s start Operation “Sproston Outreach.” Somewhere, there is a shipmate that would like to hear from you. Let’s each reach out to a shipmate, a friend, who we shared time with on board the Sproston. Give them a call,

Send them a note or an email.  Let’s do it before we read or hear their names at a Memorial Service. If you need assistance in contacting a former shipmate, let us know and we will try to help. If you know of a shipmate that should be added to our mailing list send us his name and address. And once again, if you move, please send us your change of address so we can stay in touch.

God Bless

Jim

Please let us know when you move. We need your change of address notice……thanks!

Jim Marlatt, President
Email: jrmarlatt@earthlink.net

Elmer Everidge, Treasurer
Email: tincan577@aol.com

Ken Landry, Secretary
Email: klandry341@comcast.net

Carol Landry, Webmaster
Email: cf9of12@comcast.net