Volume XXII, Issue 29 Official Newsletter of the USS
Charles S. Sperry DD 697 Association July 2010
President's Message:
I am looking forward to serving
as President for the year 2010-11.
One of the first things the
officers want to accomplish this year is to recruit new members. I have reviewed the roster which includes the
names of many former shipmates who are not active members of our association at
the present time. I also checked the
names of former Sperry crewmen that are shown on the Tin Can Sailors Shipmate
Registry, many of whom have not joined our association. I have asked Vice President Jess Mayberry to assist in developing a
program for recruiting those shipmates who are not members of the Sperry association. Contacts will be made by e-mail, regular
mail, telephone calls or personal contacts.
Our goal is 20 new members this year.
Each of the shipmates contacted
will be encouraged to join the association and become eligible to attend the
annual reunions where they will meet former Sperry shipmates, make new acquaintances, display souvenirs,
photos and other memorabilia. They will
also receive the SIX GUN newsletter and may submit stories, photos, and/or
cartoons for the newsletter. Along with
the newsletter, we will provide a notice for each shipmate to submit for
publication in the Public Service Announcement section of their local
newspaper.
Another step we need to take is
to stay in contact with members after they join the association. Too often, a shipmate puts his name on the
roster, then fails to stay active for various reasons, and we lose track. We want our members to keep in contact so
they don't feel they are forgotten.
We will keep members informed of
our progress in recruiting. Let us know if you have any suggestions.
Cordially,
Bob
Jennings
Past President's Message:
Dear Shipmates,
Fran and I were unable to attend the reunion in
After many
tests she was diagnosed with acid reflux which can have very similar symptoms
as a heart attack. With the proper medications the condition is under control. Fran and I thank all of you for your concerns
and prayers for her health.
As past president I want to take this opportunity
to thank all of you for your support and encouragement the past two years. I
ask that you continue to support the new board and I encourage you if you have
any ideas to make their job easier please share those ideas with them. The board needs our support now more than ever
to make the association stronger and run smoother. We have a great association
and with new ideas and cooperation we can make it better than ever.
May all of you experience good health
in the coming year.
Best regards,
Treasurer's Report:
We are in
the process of auditing the financial records. We will publish the
results when the audit is completed.
Attendees began arriving early for the fun and festivities. Everyone was excited to reconnect. Funny how fast a year can pass. It was great having six new members attend
this year. They were Robert Logan,
Robert Dykes, David Ripley, Ron LaPlaca, Michael Wallace, and Harry
Strobel. It was great meeting the first
timers.
All who took the tour of the USS Yorktown had a good time. It was unfortunate that the a tour of the USS
Laffey DD 724 was not possible. The ship
had been repaired and for security reasons no one was allowed aboard.
The General Business Meeting was held and officers were elected. The
banquet was outstanding as always.
Shipmates were presented with a memory book put together by Barbara
Jennings in honor of the 20th anniversary of the association. Widows Audrey Wilhite, Ruth Mueller and
Adaria Smith were presented with a red rose in memory of Roy Wilhite, Roger
Mueller and Adaria Smith by
The evening was capped off with shipmates visiting and remembering the
"good ole days" and making plans to meet in
SPECIAL NOTICE
At
the Executive Board Meeting in
Crew's News:
Tyson Bordelon (47-51) is under the weather and would
love to hear from you. Correspondence
can be mailed to him at 406 Chickasaw,
William Smaleck (48-50)
has
had knee surgery and is getting around slowly.
His wife Elaine
had heart valve and by-pass surgery on June 23. Bill reported Elaine was doing
great. His knees were not so great. They
would love to hear from you. Their
address is
Roy Pruitt
(44-46) is hanging in and
hopes to be at the reunion in
Frank D. Sullivan (54-56) called to say that while he was
aboard the Sperry he was a member of the fleet basketball team that played
against several military teams, including Navy, Marines, and Air Force all
along the East Coast. In 1955 the team
won the championship. He also stated
that a nice plaque was given to team members.
He would like to hear from Sperry crewmen who were aboard at the time if
they know about the plaque and its location.
His phone is 301-422-3508; address is
Gone But Not Forgotten
Ned Benham
Shipmate Benham sailed through life meeting his share of
calms, storms, adverse tides, and favoring winds. His 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 his 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.
REUNION 2011 Save the date April
28 - May 1, 2011
Welcome to
Whether you come for the history, the education, the water, or
the hospitality, there is always something to enjoy in
Host hotel is the DoubleTree
Hotel.
WE
HAD WINNERS
Ship
Clock was won by Mary Ann Barrows
50/50
- Won by first time attendee, David Ripley in the amount of $83.50
Surprise Package was won by Charlie Meyers
Metal Weather Vane was won by Bernie Donegan
The Surprise Package in the auction was won by
Bernie Donegan for $700
The Path to a Dream
(or the road to success)
The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices
and lined with determination.
And though it has many stumbling blocks
along the way
And many go in more than one direction,
it is marked with faith.
It is traveled by belief and courage,
persistence and hard work.
It is conquered with a willingness
to face challenges and take chances,
to fail and to try again and again.
Along the way, you may have to confront
doubts, setbacks, and unfairness.
But when the path comes to an end,
you will find that there is no greater joy
than making your dream come true.
---Barbara
Cage
OFFICERS
President
B. W. Jennings
2018
281-479-4844
Vice President
Jess Mayberry
636-332-3260
Treasurer
Gary Chesser
662-323-5059
Secretary
Barbara Jennings
2018
281-479-4844
Appointed Positions
Web Master
Gary Chesser
662-323-5059
Chaplain
Roy Welch
931-484-0375
No Email
WEBSITE
ADDRESS: http//usscharlessperrydd697.com
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