On October 10, I received a note from Blair stating that the reunion information would go out soon. As a reminder, the 2010 USS Charles S. Sperry DD-697 Reunion is being held at the Sheraton Charleston Airport Hotel in Charleston, SC. Reunion dates are April 22-April 25, 2010.

At this time, this is all the information available. Please contact Blair Rougeux at 817-281-8765 or at 7832 Standley St., N. Richland Hills, TX 76180 for additional information. See you in Charleston for another exciting reunion.

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The SixGun

Vol. XIX Issue 26 Official Newsletter of the USS Charles S. Sperry DD 697 Association October 2009

President's Message:

Fran and I had 2 wonderful weeks traveling in Italy this summer. It has been a great summer. We hope each of you have had an enjoyable one as well.

As you know, I appointed Secretary Barbara Jennings as our 2010 and 2011 Reunion Coordinator. Barbara presented 3 great places for our 2010 reunion. However, after additional investigation, it was determined that the Hospitality Room at the hotel chosen in Fall River, MA. was not adequate. I immediately charged Barbara with finding a new hotel. She began at once looking for a hotel in the same general area as Fall River, MA and Charleston.

Blair Rougeux, with my approval, began seeking a location also and secured a contract with The Sheraton Charleston Airport Hotel. I informed Barbara that we were going to go to Charleston. After a great deal of thought Barbara graciously bowed out of the 2010 Reunion since Blair had negotiated the contract with the Sheraton. All reunion inquiries should be directed to Blair Rougeux at 817-281-8765. Blair will handle all aspects of the 2010 Reunion.

Barbara will be responsible for the 2011 Reunion and is currently seeking the accommodations necessary to meet the Association's criteria.

Calvin Dyk, President

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

CDR Hollis Eugene Robertson

Roy Wilhite

Shipmates Robertson and Wilhite 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 offer our sincere condolences in this time of separation and loneliness.

Officers

President Treasurer Appointed Web Master

Cal Dyk Blair Rougeux Gary Chesser

2697 Hope St. 7832 Standley St. 1407 Old Hwy. 12

Hudson, MI 49426 N. Richland Hills, TX 76180 Starkville, MS 39759

Vice President Secretary Appointed Chaplin

B. W. Jennings Barbara Jennings Roy Welch

2018 Concord 2018 Concord 44 Triple Lane

Deer Park, TXD 77536 Deer Park, TX 77536 Crossville, TN 38571

WEBSITE ADDRESS: http//usscharlessperrydd697.com

Crew's News:

BREAKING NEWS! Word from Sugar Creek Golf Course in St. Louis is that Tiger Woods is running scared ever since he found out Jess Mayberry got a "HOLE IN ONE." Jess used an 8-iron on the 160 yard No. 5 hole to sink the ball. While some believe Tiger has nothing to fear, Jess continues to polish his skills.

Nick Kroeper ('44-12/45) sent his regrets for not being able to attend the 2009 reunion due to a conflict of interest (which he said was not because he was getting married.) He hopes to attend the 2010 reunion.

Roger Lawrence (10/57-10/59) sent us a copy of a "SPERRY-GRAM" which outlined some of the events aboard the Sperry during the Viet Nam era. As stated in the commendation the ship and her crew received for service as the Da Nang Harbor Defense and Naval Gunfire Support Ship, "did an outstanding all around job of patrolling and delivering accurate and timely gunfire support when and where it was needed. Roger was told that the crew was awarded between 8 and 12 medals, and 3 bronze stars for the major battles, and he requests that anyone who knows which ribbons and medals were awarded to the crew to please contact him at: rlawrence7@comcast.net. Phone is 508-994-7941. His mailing address is 53 Wilding St., Fairhaven, MA 02719-4414.

Bob Irwin (6/50-4/53) submitted several pages from his local newspaper "The Virginian Pilot" which included photos and descriptions of the new Navy uniforms. Look for the photos and descriptions elsewhere in this newsletter.

Who says the Navy is not F U N?

THE USS RONALD REAGAN LEFT THE PORT OF PHUKET, THAILAND SEPTEMBER 27, 2009 AFTER ITS CREW SPENT ABOUT 1.3 BILLION BAHT ON LIBERTY DURING ITS 4 DAY STAY.

SPECIAL OPS H/Q,
 OLE OLSON

Saluting Old Glory

Submitted by Calvin Dyk

Printed in his local newspaper

Today’s celebrations include plenty of American Flags - in the hands of children, passing in parades, raised at sporting events as the National Anthem is sung. A 2008 amendment to the U. S. Flag Code can make those expressions of patriotic sentiment all the more poignant for everyone.

The change, signed into law by President George W. Bush, allows any military veteran and active duty people who are not in uniform to salute. The honor of saluting the flag had previously been reserved for military personnel in uniform. As always, civilians are encouraged to remove their hats and place their hands over their hearts as the flag passes by or is raised.

The change in rules allows all members of the military, past and present, to honor the flag with a salute.

And it allows the rest of us to fully appreciate the number and diversity of those who have served their country in uniform – men and women of every culture, creed and color.

As they salute the flag, we salute their selfless service and sacrifice.

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Treasurer's Report: Unavailable

Audit Report: Unavailable

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To Whom It May Concern:

I am the niece of the late Charles W. Scupham who passed away in the year 2000.  He and James Leasure served together on the USS Charles S. Sperry (DD-697). Uncle Chuck, at the time was a QMC and was selected for Warrant Officer, Chief Leasure retired shortly after making  GMCS. (These were Uncle Chuck’s words on a letter that I have found).

Mrs. Scupham, my mother’s sister, is very ill and we have found something of importance with, ICO James Leasure’s name on it. I see on your list that this gentleman passed away in 1995. Do you have information on the families of these gentlemen? If so, could you give them my email address and phone number so they can get in touch with me.

Thank you very much,

Judy Nash

404-452-4483

12505 King Rd.

Roswell, Ga.   30075

Jcnash216@gmail.com

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America is protected by land, air, and sea.

Submitted by James Callahan

To assure proper handling, fill out the membership application completely. Return it along with your $10 membership fee to the secretary, Barbara Jennings at the address on the membership application. A membership card will be mailed upon receipt of the application and fee.

Grand View Memorial Park Welcomes Vietnam Wall Experience

Preamble of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

"In honor of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam War. The names of those who gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us."

Bob and I had an opportunity to visit the traveling Memorial Vietnam Wall on September 26 at Grand View Memorial Park . As always, it was a very emotional experience for me as two of my high school friends died in Viet Nam in 1969 while serving our country.

There was a memento vault that was donated by the owners of the cemetery and attendees were invited to place mementos into the vault. I placed copy of the Six Gun Newsletter in honor of those who served our country aboard the USS Charles S. Sperry DD 697. The vault was then sealed and buried in the veterans section of the cemetery. The photos of these ceremonies are shown. Additional photos of the ceremonies will be available at the 2010 reunion.

NAVAL UNIFORM HISTORY

(by Jack Green of Naval History and Heritage Command) (excerpted from article sent by Bob Irwin)

Traditionally, the Navy has been more conservative and more formal than other military branches, and stricter about not having personal wearing their workaday uniforms in public. Because ships had laundry facilities, Navy brass could demand a stricter standard than, say, Army officials leading soldiers in the field.

Two changes may be behind the switch to the less dressy working uniform. Society in general has become much more casual, and the Navy is now sending sailors to serve in combat zones alongside service members from other branches. Large numbers of Navy and Air Force personnel, who traditionally were behind the lines, are now finding themselves alongside the Army in potential combat situations. The Navy is coming around for those major reasons. The changes might not be popular in the ranks, but it isn't meant for those already in uniform.

What the new camouflage uniforms do is they appeal to the potential recruit. Camo is kind of chic now. The military is trying to recruit teenagers.

THE VIEW FROM NAVY UNIFORM HQ

(by Robert B. Carroll) (excerpted)

Mr. Carroll is head of the Navy's Uniform Matters Office, which is responsible for the design and production of uniforms. He served nearly 35 years in the Navy retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer. He said the Navy is a gentleman's service, in terms of dressing up and looking sharp, even at sea.

The public in general needs to understand that while the Navy may be considered as having a lot of uniforms they aren't switching between them all the time. Personnel may be assigned to a certain command for two to five years where a certain working or service uniform is worn. Also, certain uniforms are worn for only ceremonies. Not all uniforms are worn all the time. Sailors get acclimated very quickly to what they have to wear when.

The Navy sends sailors all over the world at all times of the year so they have to be prepared for any climate. Uniforms give sailors that versatility they need for these situations. Sailors also wanted a uniform that made them look more like they were in the military. The camouflage color scheme is a mix of practical -- black hides oil and dirt -- and traditional - Navy blue and two tones of gray that match the color of ships. One major concern when the switch to the new uniforms was made was whether the Navy would relax the rules for sailors wearing the Navy Working Uniform to allow them to stop at the grocery store on the way home from work.

NEW LOOK OF THE NAVY

Civilians who wish to update their look may go to the store and buy some new clothes. But for the Navy, it means buying for nearly 450,000 people at one time. After years of surveying, evaluating, focus grouping, conversing, proposing, R&D-ing, and wear testing, the Navy began the world wide program for its new Navy Working Uniform (NWU) this year. The new uniform is striking, in digital blue camouflage. It is considered superior in comfort and is wrinkle and stain resistant. It replaces several other working uniforms. However, it will take some time for the older uniforms in closets and sea bags to disappear.

Since it's the military, the new uniform comes with plenty of rules. The NWU replaces the "dungarees" (blue utilities), the tropical utilities, the tropical khakis, the winter working blues, and aviation working greens, and the wash khakis that chief petty officers and officers wear on ships. It will not replace the service khakis that chiefs and officers wear with their ribbons. Initially, sailors will be able to wear it only while commuting to and from work - except for emergencies. Stopping in stores not authorized, Current working uniforms allow for quick stops in stores or getting gas. Otherwise, sailors should be in civilian clothes. Navy officials say they may relax this rule once sailors demonstrate the can wear the new uniform properly.