November 2007

 

THE SEATTLE REUNION IN REVIEW

The often unsettled weather in the Emerald City was cooperative for our reunion. Ken Landry did a great job selecting the Holiday Inn Hotel and an outstanding package of activities for us. This reunion was attended by 123 shipmates and spouses, 30% of whom were first-timers.

The hospitality suite was open for camaraderie and musical entertainment by our shipmate, Tom Donahoo.

Thursday we boarded busses for our memorial service at the Tahoma National Cemetery, presented by a Native American color guard at which time our deceased shipmates were remembered. We then reboarded the busses for the Boeing Museum of Flight where vintage planes and the history of the Boeing Corporation are on display. A fabulous buffet lunch catered by McCormick and Schmick’s was served in the Skyline Room overlooking Boeing Field.

Friday, we were treated to a harbor cruise and champagne salmon lunch aboard the Royal Argosy. The food, prepared aboard ship, could not have been better or served more graciously. Our afternoon continued with a bus tour of parts of Seattle, including downtown with its pleasing mix of older established businesses and modern, contemporary architecture, Safeco Baseball Field and Quest Football Field, Magnolia Bluff resplendent with well-manicured Queen Anne homes.

 

Saturday evening we enjoyed our banquet dinner, raffle and live musical entertainment by the Dave Mesler Group. Sunday morning we said our good-byes at the farewell breakfast buffet.

BUSINESS MEETING

The business meeting on Saturday was preceded by a meeting of the officers and directors, whereby, the constitution and by-laws would be changed as follows: The position of president-elect was created to work closely with the President, Jim Marlatt, for one year and then assume duties of President. This position was accepted by RF Johnson. He said he’s ready and looking forward to serving in that office. Two new Directors were appointed: Ken Landry for a term of three years and Bobby Nazarenus for a term of one year. Michael Bereskin was elected Secretary; Orville Amos remains our trusty Treasurer. Ken Landry was selected as the 2008 Reunion Chairman and Boston was selected as the location. The Treasurer’s report was read and verified by auditor, Tony Filosa. All other business affairs were deemed to be in order.

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 America’s Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides food assistance to over 25 million low income adults and children in the United States.

RAFFLE DONATIONS

We thank the following people for their generous raffle gift contributions:

Orville Amos

Two Navy figurines

Dan and Linda Bockelmann

Washington honey crisp apple

Len and Mary Doran

Four Old Wisconsin sausage sticks

Helen Doubleday

Two envelopes containing cash

Robert and Arlene Johnson

Victory at Sea CD

Henry Johnson and Nancy Roff

Music box

Wayne and Darlene Kluth

Mickey Mantle VCR tape

Ken Landry

Landry, Limited Edition screen prints

Jim and Norma Marlatt

Book, Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailor

Robert and Patricia Medeiros

Bag of Hawaiian items, Pearl Harbor book

Leon and Sally Muellner

Navy door mat

Bobby Nazerenus

Wooden knot Navy plaque

Jim and Bonnie Poe

Wine cooler

Bud and Marcia Watkins

Handcrafted candleholder

Marv Vogt won the "Traveling Sailor" which will return for the 2008 raffle.

THANK YOU!

We thank all of you who attended the reunion. It is our combined efforts that make each reunion a memorable affair. Extended thanks to the following:

Ken Landry, outstanding Reunion Chairman

Carol Landry, Webmaster and Chairman’s Assistant

Dan Bockelmann, Chairman’s Assistant
Orville Amos, Reunion Group Treasurer
Tony Filosa, Audit Committee Chairman
Len Doran, Manager, Ship’s Store
Tom Donahoo, Entertainment Provider

J.J. Goodwin, by-laws Chairman

Michael Bereskin, Duty Corpsman and Secretary
Robert (RF) Johnson, President-elect
Jim Marlatt, almost past-President
Norma Marlatt, assistant to the President
Robert (RF) Johnson, President-elect
Jim Marlatt, almost past-President
Norma Marlatt, assistant to the President

Thank you to all our shipmates, family and friends who attended 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. Especially attractive are the high quality embroidered items which are considerably more attractive 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 Idoran@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. By frequently visiting the Sproston website you will be kept up to date on the latest reunion news.

Also, we have been advised that a rogue dealer has been contacting shipmates by e-mail, selling “Sproston” merchandise. He is not representing your reunion group or our ship’s store. Only buy items from Len.

 

TAPS

Since publication of our last report we have been notified of the passing of our following shipmates:

Nathan Bain  BM3 Korea
Leslie Carrothers SN Korea
Ken Flatten SM3 Vietnam
Jerry Merryman RM2 Vietnam
Chester Potter MM1 WWII
Benjamin Thomas SOM2 WWII

May they rest in peace. Our sincere condolences to their family members.

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 to see ship’s store items. Please contact Carol Landry, webmaster, at cf9of12@comcast.net if your address or e-mail changes.

2008 BOSTON REUNION

As previously mentioned, the reunion next year will be in the Boston area, 17-21 Sept. Ken Landry is our reunion chairman and Paul Morsewich of Marlborough, MA is serving as co-chairman. Although the activity package hasn’t yet been firm we are considering tours of the USS Cassin Young (DD-793), Mayflower II and the USS Constitution. Details to be worked out include an afternoon of lunch on your own at the Boston Market Place with choice of several fine restaurants, a narrated bus tour of Historic Boston, harbor cruise, a visit to

Plimoth Plantation near the City of Plymouth, which is a walking tour through a 1627 Pilgrim and Wampanoag Indian theme park, hopefully including a “period” lunch of turkey with fixins and Indian pudding.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

“Fair Winds and Following Seas” Happy holidays to you and your families.

Jim Marlatt, President
jrmarlatt@earthlink.net
626-351-0362

RF Johnson, President-elect
sproston577@yahoo.com 

Michael Bereskin, Secretary
Sproston@sbcglobal.net

Orville Amos, Treasurer
816-483-2710

John F. Halase, Jr., Treasurer Emeritus
john.halasejr@gte.net

Carol Landry, Webmaster
cf9of12@comcast.net

Ken Landry,
2008 Reunion Chairman
Klandry341@comcast.net