Reunion 1995

We had 141 shipmates at the Norfolk Reunion, which was the largest number we have had to date. This goes to show that great love the shipmates had for the U.S.S. Nassau and all those who ever served aboard such a great ship. There were three tours for the Nassau Norfolk Reunion. On September 14th, we went to Willirnsburg and Jamestown, which were the first towns settled in early American history.

On September 15th, we took a harbor cruise with lunch being served onboard, as well as seeing the MacArthur Memorial.

On September 16th, we were scheduled to go aboard the new U.S.S. Nassau (LHA-4), but they were changing the nuclear rods and visitors were not allowed. So, instead, we toured the Norfolk Navy Base.

In lieu of our disappointment for not being able to board the new Nassau, the bakers provided the banquet with two huge cakes.

The shipmates who went on the Special Cruise for the new Nassau, from Norfolk to New York City, for Fleet Week activities. May 24-31, 1995, gave their report at the banquet, and told how they were given "the royal treatment." They explained that the logo of the new Nassau contains five stars which represent the Five Battle Stars that the U.S.S. Nassau (CVE-16) received in World War II.

The Commanding Officer of the new Nassau (LHA-4), Captain M.T. Vanderberg was our Special Speaker at the banquet. And, of course, being in a Navy town we were blessed with a Navy band and a Navy Color Guard. Not only did the band play "The Stars Spangled Banner," but also, "Anchors Aweigh." We were not too far away from the spot where Frances Scott Key wrote the words for Our National Anthem.

Shipmates in attendance at this reunion were J. Adams. W. Alerich, J. Baldus, F. Bahl, J. Bahm, H. Barber, P. Begley, K. Berger, J.P. Binion, E. Bishop, C. Blaich, J. Booher, J. Bowe, J. Brito, E. Brown, G. Cain, A. Calleo, D. Christensen, J. Coe, 0. Cotton, R. Cowdery, F. Crown, J. Duncan, M. Diefendorf, S. Ferguson, D. Fortier, W. Fry, T. Grassi, J. Graves, M. Gunn, L. Guptill, F. Hanson, J. Hartzheim, J. Helps, T. Hennessy, J. Holmes, H. Huffman, B. Ingraham, K. James, A. Jayich, R. Kleinspehn, 0. Kollar, E. Koszut, J. Kulian, D. Lacy, E. Lamb, H. Lewis, P. Liebert, V. Livingston, N. McGuire, F. McLain, J. McClain, J. Marino, J. Merrell, S. Moore, E. Morris, G. Oberst, M. O'Brien, G. O'Keefe, P. Oliver, K. Parker, D. Ragon, A. Pedrotti, W. Price, C. Ramsey, J. Rappenecker, C. Rauh, R. Rose, C. Ross, H. Schmid, E. Schneider, R. Searey, R. Sieveking, E. Simon, B. Smith, C. Sfauffacher, L. Svoboda, D. Troutman, R. Van Blooys, P. Walker, R. Wilson, 0. Ward, S. Zabinski, W. Zink, along with their wives and my daughter, Kathy.

Remembered in the Invocation given by the Nassau Chaplain, Wilbur Zink, at our Ninth reunion were those who had passed on since our last reunion. They were M.J. Auger, Leo Beardon, John Corcoran, Jim Creedon, Charlie Gunn, Howard Hadden, Jack Head, Tony King, Evans Lawless, George Meeks, C.L. Morrow, Roy Norris, James Pate, Elmer Sann, Orel Schadel, Vernon Stroberg, J.C. Trawick, James Wadleigh, Anthony Waderski, James Ward, James Whittier, Lawrence Wickersham and Jim Vassar.