USS SPROSTON (DD/DDE-577)

Reunion Group Report January 2010

2010 SAN DIEGO REUNION

Plans for our 22-26 September 2010 San Diego reunion are well underway. Reunion chairman, Jim Marlatt secured the Hilton Harbor Island Hotel for our use. Tentatively, we will be visiting the NTC site, conducting our Memorial Service at the old North Chapel. A tour of the new NTC including the USS Neversail is planned. Scheduled are visits to the museum ship, USS Midway (CV-41); an active duty destroyer; and a harbor lunch cruise. We had a very successful, well-attended 2004 reunion in San Diego and I expect this reunion to be even better.

THE MILWAUKEE REUNION IN REVIEW

Reunion co-chairmen, J.J. Goodwin and Len Doran selected the Best Western Milwaukee Hotel and Conference Center as our headquarters. This proved to be an excellent facility with an attractive room rate, very attentive staff, swimming pool, and gym. Our hospitality suite was set up on the main floor; an included daily breakfast buffet was available in the Flight Room. Our banquet was attended by 81 registrants, eight of whom were first-timers. We kicked off the first evening with a poolside buffet dinner party where everyone got their fill of sausage, beer, potato salad, and an assortment of famous Wisconsin cheese. Thursday, our president, RF Johnson led the Memorial Service at the modern Milwaukee County Memorial Center where fifteen fallen shipmates were remembered. We then enjoyed a guided tour of Milwaukee, lunch at Joey Buona’s restaurant, and visit to the Mitchell Park Domes Botanical Gardens. Friday we were bussed to the Harley-Davidson Museum to learn the history of the company and see motorcycles from each production year. After a fish-fry lunch at the historic Turner Hall we toured the Lakefront Micro Brewery and were treated to samples of the product by a very motivated staff. As usual, the highlight of our reunion was the Saturday evening buffet, raffle, and dance. We thank Dan Suchy for arranging entertainment by the Milwaukee CFU Tamburitzans, a young Croatian dance, instrumental, and vocal troupe. Their costumes, skill, and enthusiasm was enjoyed by all. And who can forget the cameo appearance of Mr. Cheesehead! Sunday morning we said good-bye at our farewell buffet breakfast. Thanks to Mike Holmes, Al Fitz, Michael Bereskin, Geoff Laplace, Wayne Kluth, and RF Johnson for sharing their photographs.

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BUSINESS MEETING

The business meeting was called to order Saturday at 1500 by president, RF Johnson. Treasurer’s report was read by Orville Amos and deemed to be correct by auditor, Tony Filosa. RF Johnson was reelected president, Orville Amos was reelected treasurer and Michael Bereskin was reelected secretary. Three new directors were elected: Keith Yahn to serve a three-year term, Leon Muellner to serve a two-year term, and Bobby Nazarenus to serve a one-year term. 

An amendment to our constitution and by-laws proposed by J.J. Goodwin providing for the distribution of Sproston Reunion Group assets upon dissolution was unanimously accepted as amended by Jim Sagerholm. Pittsburgh was selected as the location of the 2011 reunion, chaired by Dan Suchy.

A resolution drafted by Jim Sagerholm to name a future destroyer, USS Sproston was unanimously accepted and submitted to the Secretary of the Navy. Each member of the Reunion Group is encouraged to petition his congressperson to help make this namesake ship a reality.

Business meeting adjourned at 1545.

DONATION

As has been our custom, treasury money has been added to the bar proceeds to total a donation of $500. This year that amount was sent to The American Cancer Society.

 

RAFFLE DONATIONS

We thank the following people for their generous raffle gift contributions and apologize for any donations omitted: Orville Amos Dan Suchy Burt & Betty Jo Alexander Tony Filosa The Holland Family Barry & Peggy Georges Tom & Linda Johnson Len & Mary Doran Robert & Patricia Medeiros Wayne & Darlene Kluth John Sullivan Kenneth Black Bobby Nazerenus Charles Krik Leon & Sally Muellner Cornelius Carroll Mike Holmes Robert & Arlene Johnson Best Western Milwaukee Hotel.

TAPS

Since our reunion we have been notified of the passing of the following shipmate: Lloyd C. Black BT3 Korea May 2009 May he rest in peace. Our sincere condolences to his family. He will be remembered at our memorial service in San Diego.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all our shipmates, family and friends who attended the Milwaukee reunion and participated in the tours, tasks, and activities, especially those who were with us for the first time. There wouldn’t be a Sproston Reunion Group without those of you who attend and give willingly of your time.

SHIP’S STORE

Len Doran, manager of the Ship’s Store, has many new items for sale including a line of Zippo lighters. Especially attractive are the high quality embroidered items which are of considerably higher quality than the silk screened items. Merchandise such as caps, patches, golf shirts and the book, History of the USS Sproston by George Ress can be viewed and ordered by going to the Sproston website, http://sproston.com and clicking on “Ship’s Store.” Len can also be contacted directly at Ldoran@new.rr.com or by snail mail: Len Doran, 820 Bengal Rd., Neenah WI 54956. You may also order by printing the order form from our online website. Make checks payable to Len Doran. All prices include shipping. Again, we have been advised that a rogue dealer has been contacting shipmates by email, selling “Sproston” merchandise. He is not representing your Reunion Group or our ship’s store. Only buy items from Len.

WWW.SPROSTON.COM

Our Sproston website is very user-friendly and is the place to get reunion information, shipmate e-mail addresses, access photographs, join the Sproston Reunion Group and see ship’s store items. Please contact Geoff Laplace, Webmaster or Michael Bereskin, Secretary if your address or e-mail changes.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

“Fair Winds and Following Seas”

Robert Johnson, President  robert.johnson22@mchsi.com
Michael Bereskin, Secretary  Sproston@sbcglobal.net
Orville Amos, Treasurer  816-483-2710  
Geoff LaPlace Webmaster  bluesky_openroad@hotmail.com 


Previous Reunion Reports

January 2010 Report
January 2009 Report
April 2008 Report
November 2007 Report

July 2007 Report
May 2007 Report
January 2007 Report
July 2006 Report
May 2006 Report
December 2005 Report
July 2005 Report
May 2005 Report
January 2005 Report

May 2004 Report
January 2004 Report
Archived Reunion Reports from December 1999-July 2003


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