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We met at the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore Hotel for the 9th annual
reunion. The reunion was hosted by Bill and Carol Vernooy. Greg (a former
shipmate) and Rosanne Wells, residents of the area, contacted Bill to offer
their help with the reunion. Thanks so much for great reunion memories.
It takes a lot of work to pull these together and we appreciate your time
and all your efforts.
We missed the Broussards, the Grieves, the Kolsruds, Ed Crowley,
the Capriottis, the Collettes, - see you next year! (Chief Kolsrud fell from
his roof - you might want to drop a note and remind him not to do that
again!)
General Business Meeting
Ed Crowley, our grrreat website master, will be posting the business minutes,
but for those of you who aren't online, here are some of the most important
issues.
Bill Vernooy made the recommendation that we attempt to get a plaque
for the Cecil at the Naval Heritage Center on The Memorial Commemorative Wall
(a program of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation). A donation of $2,500 is
needed for the plaque, which includes a dedication ceremony, and a group rate
on Navy Log enrollments. The money donated supports U.S. Navy Memorial
Foundation programs. Warren Brandt made a motion that all auction money
raised be used toward the plaque. Jim O'Neill seconded the motion. Rich Sayers presented the treasurer's report, a balance of $10,200
is in the account at this time. Rich spoke about expenditures and host
time and announced that beer, wine and soda will be provided for the hospitality
room, at NO charge for the next reunion (Baton Rouge). His hopes are that
this will continue for all future reunions and he will try his best to plan the
budget for this.
George Krejcar's term of office as vice president has expired. The
Board recommended Ira Riley as new vice president and that George Krejcar
move to the empty seat on the Board left by Ira. No other nominations were
made, so a motion made by George Motzer to accept the Board's recommendation and was
seconded from the floor. After a lengthy discussion and votes, PENSACOLA was chosen for the
2005 reunion. Joe Baker, Rich Sayers and Jerry Berard will co-host.
The Auction
The total amount raised at this year's
auction was $1,163 (remember
this is going toward the Cecil plaque to be placed on the wall at the Naval
Heritage Center!! Bob Rosenberg, highest bidder at the auction, paid $100
for the Cecil builder's plate (mount 3). A Cecil Zippo lighter went for $52
(thank you Joe & Sharon Baker)! Bob Rosenberg discovered from a merchant
that the lighter was probably worth between $300-$1000. The coffee pot used
in the hospitality room brought in $25 (thanks Joan Brandt). There were some
very unusual items this year - A "piddle cane" was auctioned off at $38
(for $1 donations from anyone in the room who felt Jules should have this
for safe keeping and as a remembrance of this year's auction). A set of
black lace ladies skivvies+ was handled very delicately by Warren and sold
quickly for $7.50! Bob Rosenberg also had the winning bid on a sterling
silver anchor necklace, which he then presented to the beautiful Blair Roberts
(who rewarded him with a huge hug). This event is just packed full of fun and
is a great way for us to be together. Thanks everyone for all the donations
and for the purchasing you do.
The Banquet
THANKS BOB ROSENBERG
A donation of $1,000 was made by Bob Rosenberg to be used toward the
plaque for the Cecil at the Naval Heritage Center. Since that
donation brought us to $2,163 of the $2,500 needed, a suggestion
was made to take up a collection at the banquet to see if we could
raise the remainder. A total of $571 was collected!
Dave Aldworth was our speaker this year. Mr. Aldworth is a computer consultant
and a member of the Project Liberty Ship (since 1988), joining after seeing the
SS JOHN W BROWN in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. The SS BROWN is a fully
operational WWII Memorial and Museum Ship, the only surviving Liberty ship
on the east coast. The website about Project Liberty Ship is www.liberty-ship.com.
There were 2700 Liberty ships produced, the first launched at the Bethlehem
Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore in September, 1941. Mr. Aldworth has every
right to be as enthusiastic about the SS JOHN W BROWN as he is - these Liberty
ships helped to preserve this great nation of ours.
The Memorial Service
The Memorial Service was held aboard the USS Constellation (the last
decommissioned sailing war ship) on Friday, October 17. Our Chaplain, Warren
Brandt, did his usual fine job and Captain Charles P. Rozier spoke.
A self-tour of the ship followed the service.
PROCLAMATION
A PROCLAMATION by Mayor Martin O'Malley DESIGNATING OCTOBER 17, 2003
as "U.S.S. CHARLES P. CECIL DD/DDR-835 DAY" IN BALTIMORE was presented to the
shipmates on board the USS Constellation at the Memorial Service. Copies of
the Proclamation were also available to everyone, the original given to
Christine Anderson, Honorary Member of the Association and the Cecil Historian.
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