Editors Note

---

The vision of the USS McMorris DE-1036 continues to shine. That vision is always to bring a little joy and happiness to all of our good shipmates and friends in whatever way possible. It is without question a goal that we have attempted to support for some years now, and while we may stray off course occasionally, the compass is always pointing to that end.

It has been over a year since this newsletter has been posted to the website. I notice the guestbook log continues to be signed by interested readers. It is good to know that we still draw attention to those who served on the Mighty Mac, and others who enjoy all of the richness and flavor of our times aboard USS McMorris.

These holiday times are always a time to reflect on where we have been and where we want to go. Without a sense of what has been, and what our goals are, it is not likely we will achieve the results we want. Having a clear vision for the future is important for all of us if we expect to achieve our life's successes. Be certain the McMorris reunion group is still focused, even though it is going through evolutionary changes.

The success of the USS McMorris reunion group has proven itself over time to have brought together a diverse and wonderful group of people, dedicated to the joy of sharing our lives and times aboard ship, and to renew or build friendships. The roster of shipmates has grown dramatically in our 10 year history of reunion planning, and with the advent of the internet, this has been our biggest opportunity to bring all of you together at the touch of a finger. The website has become a common link to all of us and allows us the ability to bring information and history to you in an instant.

More importantly, the real common link has been each and every one of you who has attended our reunions, posted messages, offered your stories and experiences, and not least of all, your willingness to stay connected across the world. Without each and every one of you, none of this is possible. The reunions have been the culmination of your desire to meet up and embrace your friendships and heritage of serving on one of the finest ships the U.S. Navy ever commissioned. Many of you tell us that of all the ships you served on, the Mighty Mac was the best. It can only be because of the people you are; proud warriors, dedicated, and passionate about your duty, and loyalty to your fellow shipmates. Even more so, I think it is the compassion and love for everyone. No matter what rank or walk of life, each of you is there to offer yourself in whatever way you can. Thank you, each and every one, for the special people that you are!

The question at hand is what does our reunion future look like? I hope to have that resolved over the next month so we can once again enjoy the fruits of our passionate vision. Many of you have been asking me about what is on the horizon for the next reunion. Read on in the reunion information section of this news letter to discover our plans.

Let me update you on other happenings. I know of three important events that occurred this year. RMC James Maxwell tied the knot on August 8th, 2005 and is now residing in Texas. We want to wish Jim and his new bride all the best for their life together. This couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Our Webmaster, Scott Vliek (RD3), was married on November 7, 2005 to Sally Bagnall. Those of you at the Philadelphia reunion got a chance to meet Scott and Sally.

I also tied the knot on December 3rd, 2005 to Theresa Kazmierczak. We actually were seeing each other back during the last reunion in Philadelphia, but she was unable to attend. We were new to each other as well, but quickly knew we were meant to be together. Theresa is a wonderful person and has quickly taken to my family, as have they. My wish is for you to meet her and welcome her to my other family.

I get cards and letters, emails, etc from many of you. To my knowledge most everyone is doing pretty well. I do want to mention some good friends of ours who could use our thoughts and best wishes

I have heard from Mary Spencer. Ralph appears to be doing well and his last check up was good. Ralph is still unable to speak as a result of his stroke, but otherwise, I understand he is moving about. Our hope is that Ralph and Mary will attend a future reunion. I can speak from my heart and first hand experience, that Ralph Spencer is a person of great compassion and love. He was there for me personally when I needed it the most, and he is also one of the biggest, if not THE biggest supporter of our reunion process. Without him, much of the reunion stuff could not have happened.

I heard from Shirley Newman a little while back. Those of you who remember, she and her husband Frank attended our first reunion back in 1997 in Charleston, SC. Frank is not all that well these days. Our hearts and best wishes go out to him and his family.

David Burrows has told me his wife Mitzi, who we remember from the Las Vegas convention, passed away this last year as a result of an auto accident. Please remember David and his family as they mourn their loss.

Jules and Lorraine Galbreth, our long time friends, have settled in Texas after losing everything in the Katrina hurricane that devastated New Orleans. When I last spoke to Jules, despite their loss, he and Lorraine's spirits were high. Our best to them.

Many of you continue to have active lives, and some have moved around the country. New jobs, retirement, travel has taken up much of your time. We want to hear from you so that we can be supportive of your life's journey. There are a lot of ways to stay in touch. I suggest that to help us do that, look at the ship's company roster and make sure that we have current contact information for you, especially your email address. I am attempting to update the master roster that we keep. I know much information is missing. If you are reading this and you want to have complete contact information posted to this master (this is not on-line, but is kept as a hard copy in an excel spreadsheet), please send that information to me at my new email address: srey51@gmail.com.

My heartfelt wishes go out to all of you and your families during these turbulent days. May our thoughts also go to those young men and women who are serving our country where ever they are, and hope that they return home to their loved ones safe and sound.

May all of you have a safe and happy new year 2006.

Best Wishes!

Skip Reynolds
Reunion Coordinator
USS McMorris DE-1036
First Division 1970-1972

---

---

The plan at this point is to look at San Antonio, TX as the next reunion location. The target dates are not set as yet, but look for them to be in early October of 2006.

Good fortune befalls those who seek it. One of our shipmates, Capt. Skip MacMichael, USN, ret. and a former CO of the Thomas C. Hart, has introduced me to people who are doing reunion planning full time. These people come to us with high regard for their work, and it is my pleasure to introduce John W. Peterson of Creative Training & Conference Management, LLP.

John and I have spoken, and I have every confidence that John and his partner will be able to serve our needs at a high level of professionalism and quality. Something I am not in a position to do any more. I am grateful to Captain MacMichael for this information and support of John's company.

John will be working hard to bring the next reunion to you with all the things you enjoy and appreciate. He will coordinate this through me so that we can tailor the next reunion to the satisfaction of everyone.

In the coming months please look to the reunion section of the website to see just what is on tap and all of the "how to information." We intend to keep the registrations on-line, but John and his company will handle all of the details and coordinate the packages. Of course travel arrangements, and final payment for lodging remain in your individual hands, but we intend to keep this a seamless process as much as possible.

A quick heads up to me by email to say; "I am planning on attending," or "no I am unable to attend at this time," would be helpful for planning purposes. I look forward to hearing from you.

---

---

You know the drill. Very few dollars have been sent to support our efforts in recent times. $25.00 is all we ask of you for the year, payable in the beginning of the new year. We won't twist your arm. If you would like, we appreciate your donations, even if you do not attend reunions. The till is virtually empty.

With certain monies, we could stock some hats or clothing. We can also bring other items like the mugs we used to get, or to bring extra things to the reunion, like the raffle's that we did in the past, or to pay down hotel extra charges that crop up. We took a financial hit in Philadelphia. We are not a for-profit organization, but we lost money on the last reunion because we missed minimum commitments to our tour guides. Ouch!

$25.00 per year donation to support all reunion efforts. Payment information can be found here

(FYI: The website is not supported out of McMorris funds)

---

---

This has been evolving into a fun piece for your reading enjoyment. If you have interesting tid-bits about the Navy from present time to the past, send it along. I would love to include this into the Log. Here are some examples.

I have a personal interest in the Navy from around the teens up through WWII. It was a different Navy in those days, and yet we are familiar with many of the ways of seafaring men who built a tradition of honor and pride.

From the National Geographic Magazine April, 1918, in an article called; "The Gem of the Ocean: Our American Navy" by the Hon. Josephus Daniels.

He starts: "In popular acceptance the navy is a fighting organization. Unless it is ready to fight and win victories, it fails of the main purpose of its existence. Its chief aim and object is national defense. In time of peace it studies and learns, and in time of war it practices the art of naval warfare."

He speaks of the great moments in naval history such as; John Paul Jones, who said: "I have not yet begun to fight." Or, Lawrence who won immortal fame when he said" "Don't give up the ship." Or, Perry, when he said: "We have met the enemy and they are ours." He mentions many others, but to his point, he states that naval battles are always short, sharp, and decisive. It is because, according to Daniels, that; "the tactics and the strategy call for quickness and the battle is won or lost in a few minutes that there is a glamour and a fascination and a glory in encounters at sea that appeal to the imagination more strongly than the larger and more sanguinary conflicts on land."

Daniels tells us that: "there have been, on average, one war in every 29 years of our national life, and in most wars the naval engagements can be counted in minutes. Men, therefore, spend most of their careers getting ready for the supreme moment. It may never come, but woe to that officer who lacks initiative and coolness and courage in the one moment when all he has learned and practiced is worthless unless he can summon it to his command upon the instant of decision."

It is a long article with 36 illustrations. I found this one caption of interest. In a picture of men standing around some engineering equipment, it says: "The navy as a training school in peace times is a great institution. It brings discipline to the untrained and world views to the untraveled. It drives home the lesson of good citizenship, creates respect for constituted authority, and fosters the improvement of head, hand, and heart. A little world within itself, often for weeks with only sea and sky around and above, the personnel of a modern battleship's crew develops an esprit de corps seldom unequaled on land."

In a picture by Burnell Poole of the USS Arizona at Sea, the caption tells it all. "The business end of this great American battleship, coming head on, is a formidable sight; broad of beam, bristling with guns, and manned by a thousand of the bravest of the brave, and every mother's son of them trained for his work." (The irony is that the USS Arizona never fired her big guns in anger against an enemy, and was put to the bottom of Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941 by the Japanese attack that morning. Over 1,000 mother's sons went to their death aboard that ship, still resting there today.)

An interesting term: Skyshooting through the brine = a term for being underway in which the ship develops a "foul bottom."

In a photograph by U.S. Navy Department of the target range, Naval Training Station, Newport, RI. The caption says: "Put your trust in God, my boys, and keep your powder dry," was Cromwells famous admonition. The American officer adds, "and learn to shoot straight:" for with the modern high-power rifle, having an effective range of two and four-fifths miles, the sharpshooter is a foe of enormous potentiality.

What were people buying in 1918? Some ads were:

Marmon 34 - Advanced Engineering. The new 4 door sedan is a practical family car for all seasons.

Beeman's original pepsin chewing gum. Dr. E.E. Beeman recommends it for dyspepsia.

"White House" coffee. "In every state and territory of the union, "White House" coffee has found thousands of enthusiastic friends."

And of course…"After the day's romp there is nothing more likely to promote sound refreshing sleep than a warm footbath with the velvety, copious lather of Ivory soap. (It's 99-44/100% Pure. It floats.)

Next newsletter, we'll take a look at the U.S. Navy 1940 style when Life magazines October 28, 1940 issue goes into action with the U.S. Fleet.

Skip Reynolds

Reunion Coordinator