USS SPROSTON DD/DDE 577
REUNION GROUP REPORT
As we put the finishing touches on this Report, it is shortly after Thanksgiving and the holiday season is rapidly approaching. We all have many reasons to be thankful. We are thankful for a successful Reunion in Charleston and the opportunity to share time with our Reunion Group President George Ress. As many of you are aware, shortly after the Reunion we lost George. On September 30,1999, our friend, shipmate and Reunion Group Leader passed away. His contributions to this organization are immeasurable. We will miss him.
REUNION 2000 PREVIEW
In the year 2000, The Sproston Crew will again head South....Rapid City, South Dakota that is (it's only South if you live in North Dakota!) Burton and Betty Alexander, our Reunion hosts have already completed a significant amount of planning. The Reunion dates are September 13-17, 2000. We will be staying at the Quality Inn in Rapid City. The Alexanders have planned some unique and interesting tours to places such as; Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon, Bear Country and other scenic places. This will be another opportunity for many of us to visit areas of this great Country we have not seen. Details will be mailed in early spring and information will be posted on our new web site, as it becomes available.
With Treasurer and former Quartermaster Halase at the helm and Secretary and former Radarman Marlatt watching the radar scope, the Sproston crew sailed in and out of Charleston, SC, between two hurricanes. Was it good planning or good luck? Maybe a little bit of both.
The Reunion started early on Wednesday by assembling a work party to prepare nametags, registration materials and obtain supplies for the hospitality room. Thanks to all who assisted. In the afternoon, we greeted and registered arriving shipmates. On Thursday morning 115 shipmates and friends took a short ride to Patriot's Point and assembled on the fantail of the USS Laffey for our Memorial Service lead by John Halase and Charles Holland. At the conclusion, a memorial wreath was dropped in the harbor by shipmate widows, Mrs. Joseph Ceonzo, Mrs. Lawrence Paul and Mrs. Kimberly Prindle, daughter of Larry Paul . Thanks ladies...it was a moving experience. After touring the ships at Patriot's Point, we formed a chow line for lunch on board the USS Yorktown (first time I was in a chow line that went through the head!) Following lunch, the crew toured the harbor and visited Fort Sumter. On Friday, we toured historic Charleston including a visit to the Heyward-Washington House, built in 1772. Washington actually slept there! How many of you saw the “Necessary Chair” in the bedroom? What is it? A clue...they did not have indoor plumbing.... And you thought the heads on the Sproston were primitive! Following lunch, we were guests at the Citadel and observed a Full Dress Parade. The Corp Commander welcomed the USS Sproston Group. On Saturday we visited Fort Moultrie and Boone Hall Plantation. Saturday evening the crew enjoyed the annual Dinner/dance with fun, fellowship and food. The Reunion concluded on Sunday with Breakfast and farewells until we meet again in 2000 in Rapid City
As Reunion Co-Chairman, we had a chance to observe the group working together to make the Reunion a success. John Halase and I sincerely appreciate all of the assistance we received as well as the many gifts for the raffle.
We thank our (almost) world famous bartenders Ralph “Yogi” Forsythe and Andy Linos. It was a pleasure to see the dynamic duo back together again. They donated bar contributions of $370 to the Cancer Society in memory of Jean Linos. Thanks to our wives Betty Halase and Norma Marlatt and to Fay Everidge and Charles Murphy for assistance in registration. A special thanks to Petty Officer David Fitz for the Blue Angels lithographs. Thank–you to the transportation detail of Bill Clark and Richard Taylor in obtaining supplies. Our appreciation to Charles Holland for the invocation, Jim Poe for leading The Pledge of Allegiance and our lead singers Carmencita Kenny and Lola Vega for their rendition of God Bless America. Thanks to Chuck Horne and Larry Earnest for valuable input concerning the Charleston area. Thanks also to Admiral Horne for speaking and the contribution to the Reunion Group. Finally, to all of you who were there..THANKS, you are the ones who make it a success.
The following people donated gifts:
DONOR ----------------------GIFT
The Capozzis -----------------Three Lions Club Sproston Flag Pins
Ben Cox -----------------------Eight painted pictures with Reunion date
Patricia Edgar -----------------Sproston Shirt
The Everidges ---------------- Lighthouse painting
The Filosas ------------------- Apron and Mits for outdoor cooking
The Kelleys -------------------An afghan
The LaRoches ---------------- A pillow, Three tree top angels, two afghans all hand made
Jim McLaughlin --------------Forty-three hand made figurines
The McMahons --------------Twelve hand made candle holders
The Tenores ------------------ Birdhouse wind chime
Ike Winner ------------------- Two Quilts
Sproston Reunion Group -- Twenty-five cash prizes of $20
Tin Can Sailor Org. ---------Free memberships
US Navy Blue Angels ------Framed Lithograph of the Blue Angels
Thanks to all of you. If we omitted anyone, we apologize. Please let us know and we will include your name in the next Report.
BUSINESS MEETING SUMMARY
At 1500, Saturday 11 September, The Annual Business Meeting of the USS Sproston Reunion Group was called to order by President George Ress. The financial report, indicating a sound financial position, was presented by Treasurer John Halase and was accepted unanimously. In accordance with The Group bylaws the annual election of officers was conducted. The following officers were nominated and elected unanimously: George Ress, President; John Halase, Jr., Treasurer; Jim Marlatt, Secretary and Ken Flatten, Board Member. Al Fitz updated the group on the status of the new web site (additional information is included below). The next item on the agenda was site selection for Reunion 2000. Rapid City, South Dakota was selected and Burt and Betty Alexander volunteered to host the Reunion. At the suggestion of Bill Clark, first time attendees introduced themselves and were welcomed to the Reunion.
The new Sproston website, www.Sproston.com, has been launched. Webmaster, Al Fitz, has spent a significant amount of time and effort setting up the site. He is now in the process of outfitting the site. It is still a work in progress. This is the kind of project that is really never finished...it just keeps improving. The website is a great tool for communications regarding Sproston activities. We have received many emails and inquiries and located former shipmates through our Internet site. Thanks for your efforts Al. Any comments or suggestions concerning the website are welcome.
SHIPS STORE
We have a supply of shirts (large & x-large), hats and ship pins available for our shipmates. Hats are $6.00, shirts are $11.00 and pins are $6.00 (price includes mailing). Please send check or money order to John Halase Jr., 747 Oakridge Drive, Youngstown, OH, 44512 and your item will be mailed to you.
MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS
The search continues for former shipmates. Please advise us if you have information concerning the whereabouts of former Sproston crewmen.
Again, we ask any of you who have a change of address to please let us know via email, US Mail, phone call or carrier pigeon!
For your information, until our 2000 Reunion, we will maintain our current organization structure. John Halase Jr. and Jim Marlatt will share the President's responsibilities. We will elect a new President in Rapid City.
Best wishes to you and your families for a pleasant holiday season.
God Bless you and God Bless America.
George Ress, President
1924-1999