The SixGun
Vol.
XVIII Issue 25 Official Newsletter of
the USS Charles S. Sperry DD 697 July 2009
Hello from the President:
Thank you to everyone at the reunion. Each year it gets better. We were excited to have six new members
attend. First timers were Menzo Sullivan, Dick Burr, Robert Davis,
Ronald Smith, Charlie Winter and Barry Barker.
We were blessed to have two captains join us
this year, Capt. John Holmes and Capt. Murland Searight.
Before you know it we will be celebrating the
20th Anniversary Reunion of the USS Charles S. Sperry DD 697 Association.
Mark your calendars for April 22-25, 2010.
Have a blessed and healthy year.
Calvin
Dyk
President
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I N
S I D E Hello From the President 1 Special Notice 4 Memories of We Remember 3
Special Thanks 5 Treasurers Report 3 Officers 6 Crews News 4 Picture Is Worth 1000 Words 7 Shop Till You Drop 4 Picture is Worth 1000 Words 8 |
Memories of
Many
shipmates arrived
early
to take advantage of the
beautiful
weather and sites.
John and Edie Loewen were on
hand
to greet many of the attendees
as
they checked in. Everyone
pitched
in to help get the
Hospitality Room up and running.
Thursday found everyone
relaxing and catching up on the past year.
It was wonderful having six first time attendees. They shared what a good time they had and
look forward to next year’s reunion.
On Friday, attendees
toured the Air Force Academy Chapel and Garden of the Gods. Those on the tour raved about the wonderful
luncheon that was served.
Saturday
found everyone wondering where the time had gone. It was the last day filled with laughter and
the general business meeting, election of new officers, and the choosing of the
2010 reunion site. The banquet on
Saturday night was outstanding.
Officers
elected to serve for the coming year are President,
Calvin Dyk, Vice President, B. W. Jennings, Treasurer, Blair Rougeux, and Secretary, Barbara Jennings. Officers
were
installed at the banquet by Capt.
Murland Searight. At the Executive
Board Meeting, Barbara was appointed as 2011 Reunion Coordinator. A huge thank you to Rose Quehl, Vera Quehl, and
Linda Friedrick for doing an outstanding job of getting the deli trays set
up for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday lunches in the Hospitality Room.
Special thanks to Ely Wolf, Kenny and Margie Edwards grandson. Ely
did an outstanding job of drawing door prize tickets Saturday night after the
banquet. Thank you Ely, and we hope you join us next April.
WE REMEMBER
Bernard Wilt
Robert Deisner
Shipmates
Wilt and Deisner sailed through
life’s cruises meeting their share of calms, storms, adverse tides and favoring
winds. Their ship of life has now come to
its final anchorage in a harbor unknown to mortal man.
We who remain do
not know the course to steer and we believe our shipmates, setting their course
by those beacons that were given to them, have found their harbor safely.
To those loved ones
who our departed shipmates have left behind awaiting their own day of departure
and voyage to that same harbor of eternal mercy, we can only offer our sincere
condolences in this time of separation and loneliness.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Blair Rougeux reported
that as of June 8, 2008 the account balance for the USS Charles S. Sperry DD
697 Association is $7,088.25.
An audit of the association
finances will be done in the near future and a report will be mailed to all
members.
Crews News:
Ernest and
Billie Psenick reported they are
doing well. Ernest is on oxygen 24 hours
a day. They send their best wishes to
everyone.
Lee Barnes and Dot are doing
well. They hope to make the next reunion
and said to tell everyone hello.
Gert Deisner is doing well at this time.
She misses Bob very
much. She said to tell everyone she has
such fond memories of the reunions she and Bob
attended.
New member Barry Barker was able to attend the
Walt Beattie advised us that he hopes the next reunion would be on the East Coast,
and guess what – it will be.
Dick Biondo informed us that he could not attend the 2009 reunion but hopes to
make the next one. Also we received a
note from Roy (Leroy) Bowman with
the same message.
New member Casey Case was all set to attend the
Tom & Dot Hill advised that they could not attend the 2009 reunion
because it coincided with a family reunion in
George Olson sent greetings from his home across the pond in
Charlie & Judy Winter was able to attend this year’s reunion since it is
much closer to their home in
Jess & Loretta Mayberry is doing well. Jess will be having tests on his shoulder
June 30. They will be spending the
Fourth of July with Roy and Audrey Wilhite.
Please visit the ship’s
store on the website to order the following items:
Caps, jackets (lined or
unlined in sizes L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL), Sperry license plate covers, Sperry
cookbooks, and pad folio with calculators.
SPECIAL
NOTICE!
Plans have been made to
publish a new history book of the USS
CHARLES S. SPERRY (DD-697) in
the fall of 2009. This new book will
contain information from the first history book plus additional information we
have received since the publication of the previous book. WE
HAVE SET A DEADLINE OF AUGUST 1, 2009 FOR RECEIPT OF NEW MATERIAL. PLEASE SEND US YOUR STORIES, PHOTOS,
CARTOONS AND ANECDOTES SO THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW BOOK. Mail your contribution to B. W. Jennings,
2018
Standing Rat Watch
Submitted by: Fred Hilberer
by Dennis Hammer, CR Division 1968-70
A new man reported on board just fresh out of boot camp to one of the deck
divisions. I was told it was First Division.
A First Class Boatswain's Mate put him on rat guard
watch. He had him on the Quarterdeck standing at parade rest with a 2X4 when
Captain Fischer came on board.
The sailor on rat guard watch came to attention or port arms
with the 2X4. Captain Fischer walked over to him and asked, "What are you
doing sailor?"
"I am standing a rat guard watch, sir" came the reply.
"Well, what are your duties on the rat guard
watch?" Captain Fischer inquired.
"If any rats attempt to come up the forward brow I am to pursue and try to
kill them, sir."
"Who put you on this watch?" the captain asked.
"A First Class Boatswain Mate in my
division" he replied.
Then Captain Fischer said, "I want you to go down and tell the boatswain I
want to see him."
"I can't leave my post until properly relieved, sir."
Captain Fischer took the 2X4 from him and said, "You are properly
relieved, now go get im."
A short time later the boatswain arrived on the Quarterdeck and finds Captain
Fischer with the 2X4 standing at parade rest. The captain then comes to port
arms, and hands the 2X4 to the boatswain and says, "You have the next
watch!"
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If you have paid your dues and have not received your
membership card I apologize. Please
contact me HERE
or 281-479-4844. I’ll mail immediately. Barbara |
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President Vice President Calvin Dyk
B. W. Jennings 616-669-9785 281-479-4844 Secretary Treasurer Barbara 2018 281.479.4844 817.281.8765 |
Gary
Chesser, Webmaster: A special thanks for the few that
brought pictures of their times aboard the Sperry. I am still working on developing the pages
for the photos. Merdick Burr’s well preserved
book of the 1961
Appointed Position: Webmaster for
http://usscharlesssperrydd697com Gary Chesser Email: HERE