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USS McMorris (DE1036) Website Edition (Winter 2006) |
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In This Issue: · San Antonio Reunion Report · Dues · Contact Information |
Defender of Liberty! |
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San Antonio Reunion Report For Immediate Release to the USS McMorris Website (News Letter) From: Skip Reynolds We would like to thank the following people for attending the 5th Reunion of the USS McMorris DE-1036 in San Antonio, TX October 12th to the 15th, 2006: David Burrows 64-65 and his daughter Stephanie Burrows
Our stay at the Doubletree Hotel San Antonio Airport was pleasurable. The facilities were as we expect, with comfortable rooms, dining services, and banquet facilities. The weather cooperated and didn't put any damper on our outside activities. We want to thank John Peterson and his partner Sherry of Creative Training and Convention Management for all of their help in putting the activities together and supporting our reunion by handling all the little details. As a group, we appreciate their efforts and expect to utilize their services again. More on our next reunion later. A few of us came a day or two early and went to diner across the road from the hotel for a Texas Size Steak Dinner. I know you can get a steak anywhere in the country, but I can say these steaks were pretty good. Oh, yeah, make sure when you order a steak, you order by the ounce and not by the name. One party member caught a lot of flack over the next few days for ordering a "Cowgirl" size steak. I won't mention names. We started off our reunion with a "Mixer" gathering on Thursday evening in the hotel. We had light hors d'oeuvres with a Mexican flavor. Getting together for the first time in 2 years to meet up with old friends and many for the first time ever, left everyone with the feeling that this reunion would be great. And it was! Our "first timers" included Zeke DeLeon, Raymond Estrada, David Fentz, Mike Gonzalez, Jesse Pacheco, and David Walsh. Our 5th timers included Doc Coradetti, our resident comedian, Jules and Lorraine Galbreth, James Maxwell, Jack Shepard, and Vic and Carol Yanosy. After missing a few times, we saw the return of David Burrows, Kenney Hanshaw, Jerry and Chris Martin, Rob and Barb Moore and Ralph and Mary Spencer. It was good to see everyone, and we gave a warm standing ovation to Ralph Spencer who joined us despite having had some medical difficulties. What a true friend to all of us and a strong supporter of our efforts. God bless him! Friday was a beautiful day and our buses took us to Fredericksburg, TX and home to Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. We toured the War Memorial of the Pacific and walked about town, and had lunch. We discovered as well why our bus driver was recommending a certain restaurant for lunch so much; "He owns it!" After waiting a bit for chow, the food was actually pretty good and we got our "free" peach cobbler as well. Friday was a departure for us, as we went to downtown San Antonio for dinner at the RIO-RIO along the San Antonio River. After dinner, we boarded a barge for the "River Walk" tour of San Antonio. It was a festive time, with all the lights, all the people eating out in the open, and we greeted them all with cheers and hands waving to let them know we were the best and loudest boat on the river! It was a great evening. Back to the hotel we went and the late-night'ers gathered in the "hospitality" suite for more talk (war stories) and refreshments. Saturday began our tour of San Antonio and a trip to the Alamo. We also made a side trip to the San Antonio Shoe factory. It was a quaint outlet with a large selection of shoes in many sizes and styles. Also, the store offered nickel cokes and popcorn, along with a large selection of candies and gifts. More than one pair of shoes was purchased by the group. Very comfortable and fashionable shoes! Saturday evening kicked off with "cocktails" and then dinner. Vic Yanosy led us in the pledge of allegiance, and Jim Maxwell led us in prayer. We had a chance to dress up a little and gather together for good conversation and entertainment. "Doc Holiday" showed up to offer his brand of humor, gun slinging, and card magic. Everyone had fun with our guest entertainer. The food was great. We took the time as we did in Philly to introduce ourselves and our wives and guest, when we were aboard the McMorris, and what our time aboard the McMorris meant to us. No doubt many of us grew up serving aboard the McMorris, and in some special cases met our significant others and married them while serving on a hard steamer, the Greyhound of the Pacific. Thanks to Jerry Martin for sharing his special moment when he and Chris joined in their beautiful and enduring marriage. More war stories and refreshments met us in the hospitality suite after Saturday's event wore down. It was a time to continue sharing in the camaraderie that defined the crew of the Mighty Mac. For some of the first timers, it was a realization that this was a special group and vowed that they would not miss future reunions. That's what it's all about; Coming together for fun and renewal of new and old friendships. That's our mission and once again, we accomplished that goal. One person told me recently that other reunions they attended were not the same, and can't wait for the next one. One more second and I will tell you where that is at. Theresa and I had to catch a 6 AM flight out of San Antonio back to Philly via Houston, so we missed Sunday services, but I was told Jim Maxwell did his usual good stuff in leading the group in honor of our fallen shipmates; those who have passed on. Well, Saturday morning we met for our Business Meeting to discuss the state of the reunion. We agreed first to have John Peterson and his partner Sherry continue as our lead coordinators for the next reunion. We will offer some thoughts and ideas to insure we continue to have such successful reunions, and now that John and Sherry know us better, the next reunion is going to be awesome! In September of 2008, the McMorris Reunion Group will meet up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest city of Seattle, WA. We are excited about returning to the West Coast and particularly to a city many of us are familiar with. I can't guarantee any sunshine, but having lived in Seattle for 6 years, you make your own sunshine, and we will. All the details will follow and be posted in the "Reunion Information" section of our website. We will make a special effort to make sure everyone knows what is happening with our reunions, and Lorraine Galbreth will be helping to update the Master roster, which has some holes, and begin contacting people by mail. I also pledge to make sure we get the word out via the magazines that post reunions so we reach as many people as possible. The website is our primary way to let people know what is happening, and it remains a dynamic communications piece, so keep looking for details and if you haven't visited in a while, take a look around, there is a lot to see and read. Also don't be afraid to be a contributor with stories for the "living history" section or picture of your time aboard the Mac. Well enough for now. I will post a news letter in the Spring 2007. In the mean time, I am happy to continue bringing you the reunions and communicating with many of you. Please stay in touch with us, and have a safe and happy holiday season and new year 2006-2007. See you in Seattle, WA, September 2008! Regards, Skip Reynolds Dues Dues are used to defer costs and provide amenities at the reunion we otherwise could not handle from a cost perspective. Thank goodness we don't use mail anymore, or we would be in trouble. Thanks to the internet and email. I encourage you to consider this a one time per year donation. Payment can be made by check to USS McMorris Reunion. My address is listed on the website. Thank You! ($25.00 per year donation to support all reunion efforts
is suggested. Payment information can be found here
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Vision To bring a little joy and happiness to our crewmembers and family. To be ever mindful that our culture and heritage while diverse, is the foundation that makes the McMorris Reunion Group so special in the hearts and minds of everyone of us, and to respect each and every member of our group. Our Mission There is no agenda behind our efforts, nor is any intended, other than to keep our Reunion Group members well informed through the newsletter and our website. In addition, the purpose of our group is to find as many former crewmembers and family as we can, bring them together on a periodic basis at a reunion for fun and fellowship. |
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Contact Information: Reunion Coordinator: USS McMorris Reunion Assoc. Tel: (267)664-0536
Webmaster: Scott Vliek
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