REUNION NEWS FROM THE MIGHTY MAC DE-1036

DECEMBER 1998 VOL 2.3

This is the last news letter for 1998. I hope everyone is looking forward to a great 1999, and on to the year 2000 and our next reunion in San Diego. It seems a long way off, but it will be here before you know it. In spite of that fact, Michele and I have been fortunate to be able to not just stay in touch with some of you, but also have been able to meet up with a few friends as well. Our trip to Washington DC was eventful in several ways. Our purpose was to attend the annual reunion for the USS Hamul AD-20 (my father's ship in WWII), and specifically to attend the memorial service for my father and others at the Naval Memorial in downtown Washington. The service was well done and was certainly a special moment for my family. The memorial is well run and the displays and movie theater add a special touch to the whole thing. An interesting feature is the ability for any veteran to log in their name and other information about their service years (for a fee), and the whole process is also on-line. You can find the information about the Navy Memorial and also log your name in at: www.lonesailor.org. Rob Moore called me to let me know he was going to be in DC for his reunion for the Lyman K Swenson, and we unfortunately missed each other by one full day. Congratulations to Rob and Barbara as they tied the knot and made it official. They were married this last year and are busy building a new log home out west with that good old timber growth from Pennsylvania. Wish them well! Michele and I and my mother had the good fortune of having lunch with Skip MacMichael at a great little restaurant on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. We were also joined by a former shipmate of Skip's from the Mac, Robert Forster and his wife Sharon. Also in attendance was Tom Merrell, who I served with during my time on the Mac. We swapped war stories and had a great lunch. We were well represented by the Academy, while I had to stay after and sweep the deck down fore and aft before I could leave. Just kidding! They said I could just empty the trash and then I could leave.

Somewhere in between that I know we spent time with Doc Corradetti at his wonderful home in the Pocono Mountains in Bushkill, PA. We always enjoy our time with Doc, he is such a great host, and makes a mean antipasti of greens and a dish of pasta with light homemade spaghetti sauce. His Vodka martinis are legendary, and this was all before we went out to dinner. While we were there, Jules and Lorraine Galbreth called to say hello.

I wish I could reproduce these pictures for the news letter (But I have a better idea...see website news), but one of my former shipmates, Dan Cabbett checked in with us and sent some old black and white photos from what I guess to be early to mid 1970. There are some great shots of the Mac berthed at Bravo piers Pearl Harbor. In several shots, the forward gun mount (MT31) is being lifted off the ship by the dockside crane. Also some activity is seen down on the side of the ship as welders seal up a large cut out section of the starboard side near the main deck break. Vic Yanosy tells me this was when they where doing something with the laundry equipment. Anyway, these are wonderful photos of the everyday type activity aboard the Mac while in-port.

Al and Harlene Roach also checked in with us and sent some stuff about San Diego. We also heard from Jim and Linda Pike. Congratulations to Linda for her efforts to complete her Nursing studies. It is of course all of our best wishes to each and everyone of you, and hope that everyone is doing well and is in good health! I will attempt to remain less contemplative and less lucid from the last time I wrote, but because this is the Holiday issue, it is time for some Merry Holiday Cheer.My apologies again to the person who sent me this stuff, but I can't remember who. Anyway, here is a recipe for the "Best Holiday Fruitcake Ever":
1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 4 large eggs, 1 cup dried fruit, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, lemon juice, nuts, and 1 or 2 quarts of Whisky. Before you start, sample the whisky to check for quality. Select a large mixing bowl, measuring cup, etc. Check the Whiskey again as it must be just right. To be sure the whiskey is of the highest quality, pour 1 level cup into a glass and drink it as fast as you can. Repeat. With and electric mixer, beat 1 cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add 1 tsp of thugar and beat again. Meanwhile, make sure that the whiskey is of the finest quality. Cry another cup. Open second quart if necessary. Add 2 arge leggs, cups fried druit and beat till high. If druit gets stuck in beaters, just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the whiskey again, checking for tonscisticily. Next sift 3 cups of salt or anything, it really doesn't matter. Sample the whiskey. Sift 1/2 pint lemon-juice. Fold in chopped butter...and strained nnnuts. Add 1 babblespoon of brown thugar, or whatever color you can find and wix mel. Grease oven and turn cake pan to 350 degrees. Now pour the whole mess into the boven and ake. Check the whiskey again and go to bed. (I hope you all got that, because I got woosy just typing it).

The holiday brings together our family and friends for good food and good times, Thanksgiving and Christmas are always special when we can share our joy and sorrow together. Many of you, my self included had the opportunity to spend these holiday's overseas. Maybe you know someone who is in the military now (I believe several of you may have sons or daughters serving with our armed forces right now), and they may not be home to share in the joy of the holidays. I suggest that we all take a moment as we sit to eat at Thanksgiving and Christmas to remember our children and friends in the military who may be on watch while we are watching football.

I recently completed reading "Destroyer Squadron 23 - Combat Exploits of Arleigh Burke's Gallant Force." I read it originally for pure entertainment, but found it to be full of great points about leadership (Which I have studied a lot of in my Organizational Management degree program recently), so what a bonus. But I was struck by this one piece towards the end of the book. I'll set it up. Upon their victory at Cape St. George in the Solomon Islands, Burke's Little Beaver Squadron had arrived in Purvis Bay to refuel and rearm. In a moment of reprieve from long hours of battle and fatigue, the Destroyers Charles Ausburne, Dyson, and Claxton were drawn together and lashed temporarily with their bows coming together. Men gathered on the fo'c'sle of each ship to sing hymns and hear the word of God from a young padre who spoke briefly about the those who have come out of great tribulation. The words of the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" most likely expressed the spirit of the gathering. "Both words and music rang out over the quiet harbor with the strength of conviction and the certitude of faith: When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design, Thy dross to consume, and they gold to refine. The promise of the hymn, given Christians centuries before by their God, summed up with startling aptness the mystique of the Gallant Squadron. Their pathway had, indeed, led through fiery trials. But their doctrine of faith had been their supply-faith in themselves, faith in their cause, and faith in their leadership. The flame had not hurt them. In the crucible of combat they had been drawn together; the dross of their uncertainty and hesitation had been consumed, and the gold of their true excellence refined."

I had promised not to get philosophical. I lied! I simply point out that the spirit of faith and conviction of our cause, will help us to feel special around the holidays knowing that our "Excellent" men and women serving in the armed forces, and who may not be at home for the holidays, will know that we support them and wish them all a hope for peace wherever they may be.

Help me to welcome aboard the following crew members:

RADM Robert J. Steele USN, ret. and the 6th Commanding Officer of the McMorris. He resides in Arlington, VA.

Frank Fabyan ENC, USN ret. and Plank Owner. We found Frank in Towanda, PA.

Charles W Hare RM2, is living in Leaf River, IL and was part of the Decommissioning crew.

Scott Vliek RD3 and Roxanne Vliek are living in Gary, In. (More about Scott in a moment)

We are searching right now for the following people as a result of recent tips:

Joseph Allaire - Plank Owner
Joseph Basehart - Plank Owner
Charles Brown - Plank Owner
Neilson Eney - Plank Owner
Ruben Gutierrez - Plank Owner
James Regan - Plank Owner
Ronald Snyder - Officer 72-74
Graydon Barz - Officer 65-67
John Gregg - Officer 65-67
Lee Mairs - Officer 65-67

Obviously we are always on the lookout for old shipmates. The search is endless. A special thanks to those of you who have taken an active role to help in this effort, especially Paul Parmenter, and Scott Vliek. I have learned that the Internet has become essential in this search. The early days when we first started dialing around the country is out. There are a few other avenues but it can be expensive.

EMAIL/WEBSITE

I am absolutely excited to welcome Scott Vliek to our roster, not only as a crew member who will attend reunions, but he is now the "Official" Webmeister. Scott has been promoted to the position of building and maintaining the McMorris webpage. There are two pages on the Web. We will maintain the site at www.reunited.com/military/M-mc1036.htm . This site will contain brief information about the upcoming reunion and how to get in touch with me. On many search engines this site will show up. I will make a change to include our new webpage and the page that Scott is responsible for. This site can be found at: www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lagoon/1240/mcmorris.html. I am telling you this is an exciting page and will continue to grow. Lot's of information, pictures, and reunion information is and will be included.

One new item that is still developing is a location for Plank Owners. What I would ask everyone to do is to send a brief sentence or two describing a special moment of yours (if you want) that we can include as part of a "Living History" page. Examples might be something along the order of: "I remember when my buddy Joe Smith carried a bucket around because he was always seasick." Or, some other significant event that you're shipmates would remember. I know from talking to many of you that very vivid memories remain in your mind. We want to capture them for all time.

I encourage all who have internet service to look up Scott's great work, and sign the guest book. We will be listing the current reunion roster, without addresses and phone numbers for all to see. Also, the Current Newsletter will be posted. If you do not have internet service, and you know someone who does, I encourage you to try and see our page. I think we have the best page going. More to come! By the way, this finishes my weak attempt to learn how to build a webpage. Scott, there is a God!

REUNION NEWS

If I haven't said it before, I will say it now. The help we received in putting the first reunion together in Charleston, was invaluable and essential to the success of that great gathering. This credit must go to a woman named Ruby Otto of Reunion Services in Nashville, TN. Ruby was the glue that held this all together. Unfortunately, Ruby sold her business and retired. I am not comfortable with the new owners, but fortunately, I have met with and feel confident that Raymond and Dixie Casey of National Reunion Planners Odenton, MD will pick up the ball and help us to bring a great reunion in San Diego. My meeting with them and subsequent communication makes me believe that their background and history of success will be the best for our group at this time. The proof is in the pudding as they say, but they put the Hamul reunion together which I attended and I was impressed with how things worked out (From a logistics standpoint of view). I met with Ralph Kennedy of the Hamul and his feed back was also invaluable. Keep in mind this is our reunion, and they will do whatever we ask. It is still up to us to determine what we want to do as a group for our reunion. That is why your input is critical. I want to hear from all of you.

Special thanks at this time to Harlene Roach for sending me clippings from San Diego. There is so much to do in San Diego. What I am most interested in hearing from all of you is do you want a repeat of a dinner cruise? I also want to know about "themes" like Halloween as an example or some form of celebration theme? Let's see who has the creative juices that can help us to make this another special reunion!?!?

DUES ARE DUE!
Literally as I was sitting here typing this news letter, Doc Corradetti and I spoke on the phone. He reminded me that it has been 14 months since our reunion. Time flies when you are having fun. This is a reminder that 1999 dues are coming up. Some have sent theirs in already and I hadn't even thought about it. Thank you to those who are current for the coming year. Yearly dues are $25.00 per shipmate. This is helpful in covering administrative costs and to have some flexibility in bringing about the best possible reunions we can provide for you. Your donation is appreciated.

The ship's store is always open. As most know, we have hats and clothing available. (Not stocked). Also the 1997 Mug from Charleston is still available. I will not post the store offerings here this time, but the store is posted on the new website. New items are always being sought. Your ideas or possible new sources are always appreciated.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It is my joy in life to find
At every turning of the road
The strong arm of a comrade kind,
to help me onward with my load.

And since I have no gold to give,
and love alone must make amends,
my only prayer is, while I live
- God make me worthy of my friends.

FRANK DEMPSTER SHERMAN

Thank you for staying in touch, many of us appreciate
it more than can be imagined.

To all of our friends of the Grey Warrior -
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year 1999!

Skip Reynolds
November 1998