USS SPROSTON (DD/DDE-577)
REUNION GROUP REPORT
JANUARY 2003
New Years Greetings to all Sproston Shipmates, Families and Friends. We extend best wishes to you all for a pleasant and happy New Year, 2003 and we look forward to seeing many of you in Buffalo, New York, in September 2003.
REUNION 2003 BUFFALO ..SEPTEMBER 10-14
Buffalo is the place to be in 2003. Joe O'Neil, our 2003 Reunion Chairman is moving ahead full speed with plans for another great Sproston Reunion. Planning is well underway. The Holiday Inn Buffalo International Airport has been selected as our Reunion Headquarters. It is located at 4600 Genessee St., Cheektowaga , NY.Tentative plans include a trip to the Naval and Military Park. We hope to hold our Memorial Service on Board the destroyer, The Sullivans, and have lunch on the USS Little Rock. Other plans include visits to Niagara Falls and Old Buffalo. More information will be available in late April. Mark your calendars for September 10-14.
DENVER IN REVIEW
Thanks to the efforts of our 2002 Reunion Chairman, Buddy Moore and his family, the Sproston Denver Reunion was a huge success. There were 166 in attendance at the Dinner /Dance, which included 82 shipmates and 84 family members and friends. All eras of the ships service were well represented. There were 24 WWII shipmates, 34 Korean era shipmates and 24 Vietnam era shipmates in attendance. The reunion got underway on Wednesday with the opening of the hospitality room and registration. On Thursday morning we visited the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum located on the site of the former Lowery Air Force Base. Lowery was the first location of the Air Force Academy. Following lunch the group visited the famous Denver Museum of Nature and History. On Friday we had a scenic bus trip to Colorado Springs and The US Air Force Academy. The annual Sproston Memorial Service was held in the magnificent Academy Chapel. Dr. Charles Holland; President, Jim Marlatt, and an Air Force Chaplain conducted the service. The service concluded with the playing of taps by an Air Force bugler. Saturday, the crew toured historic sites in the Denver area and visited the casinos in the old mining town of Blackhawk. The traditional dinner/dance was held on Saturday evening in the Doubletree Hotel. The Reunion concluded with the Farewell Breakfast on Sunday morning. Thanks again to Buddy and Bert Moore and their daughter Lori Sorelle for a great reunion.
THANKS
Thanks to all those who assisted
in making the Reunion a success. We certainly missed John and
Betty Halase who were unable to attend. Thanks to John for
handling all the logistics related to the registration. We also
missed our bartender Ralph "Yogi Forsythe. Thanks to our new
bartending crew Buddy Moore, Elmer Everidge, Richard Taylor,
Patty Edgar and Joe Coker. A very special thanks to the Kellys
for the gift statuettes at each place on the tables at the
dinner/dance. Each Reunion is a team effort and that's part of
the fun. Shipmates, family and friends turn-to and help out with
tasks that need to be done. Particularly, thanks to The Fitzs,
Charles Holland, The Everidges, The Marlatts, Patricia Clark,
Lola Vega, Carmencita Kenney and Ruth Bliss and all of you who
lent a hand when needed..
The following gifts were donated: We apologize for any omissions.
DONOR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------GIFT
Orville Amos
-------------------------------------------------------------"The
Navy" a naval history
Jack and Ruth Brixey
---------------------------------------------------Mr. Roberts
video
Jean Ceonzo
----------------------------------------------------------------Sailor
Barbara Sue Coker (Joe's wife)
--------------------------------------Beaded American Flag
Barbara Coker (Andrew's wife)
--------------------------------------Home décor florals (2)
Coker/Pease
-----------------------------------------------------------------Patrotic
Bear door stop
Len Doran
------------------------------------------------------------------Handmade
wing bone turkey caller
Tony and Irene Filosa
---------------------------------------------------Handmade
Leather Money Clip
Al Fitz
------------------------------------------------------------------------Complete
set "Victory at Sea" Videos
Jack Geiger
-----------------------------------------------------------------DD
577 tie
Barry and Peggy Georges
---------------------------------------------Silver coin sets (2)
Henry Johnson
------------------------------------------------------------Scarves
(4) and excersise balls
Wayne and Darlene Kluth
---------------------------------------------Brass Candlestick
sets (2)
Donald and Lucile Kelly
-----------------------------------------------Maple syrup
Thomas and Barbara Mosher
----------------------------------------Case of Washington apples
James and Bonnie Poe
-------------------------------------------------Golf alarm
clock, Microwave plate
Samuel and Ruth Rankin
----------------------------------------------Bottle of Virginia
Wine
William Raupach
---------------------------------------------------------Maple
syrup
Aubrey Sumter
-----------------------------------------------------------Kansas
City saucer and basket
Richard and Mary Taylor
----------------------------------------------Stuffed bears (3)
Frank and Margaret Tenore
-------------------------------------------Handmade lighthouse
desk sets (3)
Roberto and Lola Vega
-------------------------------------------------Anchors aweigh
sailor
Sharon Vernon
-------------------------------------------------------------Bracelets
(3)
Ike Winner
------------------------------------------------------------------Two
Quilts
DONATIONS
Based on the recommendation of the crew the proceeds from the bar were donated to The Tin Can sailors. The proceeds plus a contribution from the Reunion Group totaled $300.
BUSINESS MEETING SUMMARY
At 1530, Saturday 22 September, The Annual Business Meeting of the USS Sproston Reunion Group was called to order by President, Jim Marlatt. The financial report, indicating a sound financial position, was prepared by Treasurer John Halase and was presented by Jim Marlatt and accepted unanimously. In accordance with The Group bylaws the annual election of officers was conducted. The following officers were nominated and elected: Jim Marlatt, President; Elmer Everidge, Treasurer; Al Fitz, Secretary/Webmaster. Thomas Donahoo was elected a Board Member to complete the remaining two years of Elmer Everidge's term and Orville Amos was elected to a three-year term replacing Ken Flatten. The group selected Buffalo, New York as the site for the 2003 Reunion. Joe O'Neil volunteered to serve as reunion chairman. The organization bylaws are currently being revised and will be distributed when complete.
Be sure and visit the Sproston website. We will continue to provide updated information concerning the Buffalo Reunion, as it becomes available. Secretary/Webmaster, Al Fitz will be adding pictures from our Denver Reunion.
SHIPS STORE
At the present time we are evaluating the best way to handle our ship's store. Our supply of hats and shirts has been depleted. We will advise you when the supply has been replenished. Anyone interested in volunteering as Sproston Storekeeper please contact Jim Marlatt. Storekeeper duties would involve maintaining the supply of Sproston items, receiving requests and money and mailing items to shipmates as requested.
TREASURER EMERITUS
In recognition of his many years of dedicated service to the USS Sproston Reunion Group, John Halase has been appointed Treasurer Emeritus. We look forward to seeing John and Betty at the Buffalo Reunion. We extend our best wishes to John and Betty for continuing good health.
RADIATION EXPOSURE
Enclosed for your information is a memorandum from shipmate Charles Holland concerning the outcome of a claim filed by the wife of former shipmate Bill Burns. It is hoped that this information might be useful to shipmates who are faced with similar circumstances.
"Fair Winds and Following Seas."
God Bless you and God Bless
America.
Jim Marlatt, President
Al Fitz, Secretary/Webmaster
Elmer Everidge, Treasurer