USS SPROSTON (DD/DDE-577)

Reunion Group Report

March 2011

 

THE SAN DIEGO REUNION IN REVIEW

Reunion chairman Jim Marlatt selected the Hilton San Diego Harbor Island Hotel as our headquarters. This was the same hotel where we held our 2004 reunion and again proved to be an excellent facility with an attractive room rate and very attentive staff. By Saturday night I finally figured out which way to turn after getting off the elevator to get to my room. Our banquet was attended by 81 registrants. We appreciate the generosity of the San Diego Anheuser-Busch distributor for his donation of ten cases of Budweiser beer.

 

Thursday Jim Marlatt led the memorial service at the Old NTC Chapel. We then toured the NTC museum and took photographs next to the USS Recruit. Everyone was impressed at the “civilian” transformation of NTC where most of us attended boot camp. We then toured the active-duty USS New Orleans (LPD-18). A hearty “Well Done” to the crew for their enthusiasm in showing us around and answering questions. These motivated men and women are clearly very proud of their ship and its mission. After leaving the Naval Station we had lunch at the Bali Hai Restaurant.

 

Friday morning we toured the museum ship USS Midway (CV-41) and in the afternoon we got under­way for a narrated two-hour excursion of San Diego Harbor which included a box lunch on board.

 

The highlight of our reunion was the Saturday evening buffet, raffle, and dance. That night, Jim Marlatt was designated President Emeritus and presented with the Traveling Sailor mounted on a wooden base. Jim has worked tirelessly for many years, both in and out of office, to ensure the success of the Sproston Reunion Group. A new, more portable Traveling Sailor was won by Paul Christian of Tucson.

 

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE REUNION CHAIRMAN: It was a pleasure to have so many shipmates, family members and friends with us once again in San Diego. Successful reunions are really the result of team effort. Thanks to all of you who assisted when help was needed. Special thanks to Orville and Ruth Amos, Michael Bereskin, and Mary and Len Doran. Indeed, it was a very special reunion for me. The Traveling Sailor received orders to report to his final Duty Station at my home in Pasadena. He now stands proudly on the hearth in our living room. Over the years (25+), he has spent time at the homes of many Sproston shipmates. If only he could talk!! I promise to take good care of him and he'll always have his shoes shined and be ready for inspection. Thank you very much. -- Jim

 

RAFFLE DONATIONS

We thank the following people for their generous raffle gift contributions and apologize for any donations omitted:

 

Orville and Ruth Amos                  Dan and Katie Suchy                   Paul Christian

Tony and Irene Filosa                   Dave and Arlene Barraza            Wayne and Darlene Kluth

Len and Mary Doran                     Geno Milinowski                           Robert and Patricia Medeiros

Bobby Nazarenus                          Duane and Connie Buck             Mike Holmes

Tin Can Sailors                              Ernie Sanchez and Dorothy Martinez

 

BUSINESS MEETING

The business meeting was called to order Saturday at 1500 by Orville Amos, President RF Johnson being absent. 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. Richard Bacci was elected director to serve a three-year term. It was decided to hold our 2012 reunion in Kansas City, MO chaired by Orville Amos. As has been our custom, treasury money was added to the bar proceeds to total a donation of $500. This year that amount was sent to The Tin Can Sailors Destroyer Grant Program. Leftover liquor was sold off. A motion was voted on and approved to eliminate the duplicate invitation mailing, so beginning this year you will receive only one registration form. The Pittsburgh business meeting will begin Saturday morning to free up the remainder of the day. Business meeting adjourned at 1535.

 

Sunday morning we said good-bye at our farewell buffet breakfast. Thanks to all the photographers for sharing their images.

 

2011 PITTSBURGH REUNION

Plans for our 14-18 September 2011 Pittsburgh reunion are well underway. Reunion co-chairs Dan and Katie Suchy secured the Sheraton Station Square Hotel; daily room rate will be $109. This is a non-smoking facility. Super Shuttle is available from the PIT Airport; taxi service is also an option. Auto parking is available adjacent to the hotel for $18/day. The train depot is downtown close to the hotel. Room rate is good for 3 days before/after the reunion. Registration cutoff date is 25 August firm! Please call the hotel directly and register early so we can better serve you and your guests. If we don't occupy all the hotel rooms contracted for we eat the cost. They’re ready to accept your phone reservation now!

                                    Sheraton Station Square Hotel

                                    300 West Station Square Drive

                                    Pittsburgh, PA 15219

                                    Reservations:  800.325.3535

                                    412.261.2000

                                    http://www.sheratonstationsquare.com


Our Pittsburgh itinerary will include a guided city tour, visits to the Soldiers and Sailors Hall, Ft. Pitt, Phipps Conservatory of Flowers, and the Heinz History Center where you may be lucky enough to pick up a couple of souvenir packets of ketchup. There are numerous attractions and restaurants in the Station Square area; the hotel provides a free shuttle within a three-mile radius. More detailed information and the registration form will follow in my next mailing which you should receive in early June.

 

TAPS

Since our reunion we have been notified of the passing of the following shipmates:

 

RICHARD A. TIGHE            SN       COLD WAR    NOVEMBER 2010

CLAYTON J.H. DOLL         TM3/c        WWII           DECEMBER 2010

May they rest in peace. Our sincere condolences to their families. They will be remembered at our memorial service in Pittsburgh.

 

SHIP’S STORE

Len Doran, manager of the Ship’s Store, has many items for sale. Especially attractive are the 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, 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. He will be selling items in Pittsburgh.

 

WWW.SPROSTON.COM

Our Sproston website 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.

 

I expect that this reunion will be a great opportunity for fellowship, to catch up on shipmates’ lives, share memories, retell sea stories, and visit a new city. I hope to share good times with all who can possibly travel to Pittsburgh and hoist a few with my (very) old shipmates.  –- Michael Bereskin

 

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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