USS Perry
Reunion Association
"long after the ships are gone, their crews remember"

Newsletter

#12    March 2003

3rd USS Perry Reunion
www.ussperry.com
The best web site for the best Ship in the USN Fleet

At the helm:   Steve Silk - Will Pruett - Martin Deeney - Joe Malmendier - Sid Brown -
Bill Janulin - Dick Pittenger

         Ahoy, friends and family members of the USS Perry Association

Before talking about our upcoming Reunion you should know, our adopted son, RDML David Pruett encountered a serious accident. Briefly, a 2-ton machine fell on him. While he sustained many broken bones and cuts, we thank God his life was spared by falling into a large snow bank that prevented the machine from crushing him. While I'm pleased to say he is doing as well as possible, a prayer or two from his Perry shipmates would be most helpful.

With our Branson reunion date fast approaching, reservations should be made as early as possible. I understand the difficult times we are once again experiencing. However, let me remind you that our Jacksonville, FL Reunion was held in the wake of 911 and proved to be an outstanding event. As we have done in the past, let's stand strong and united in the face of the enemy.

Please contact Pam Brown at Gatherings Plus to make your reservations.

pamb@inter-linc.net       Fax 417-338-5171       Phone 417-338-4048

To view the current attendee list.
http://www.reunionproregistration.com/ussperry.htm

Click here to check out our reunion itinerary

See Branson, Mo http://www.branson.com

View Guest House Inn and Suites


A special message from our 3rd Reunion Chairman, Will Pruett, SK3 1946-47
Any questions or suggestion should be directed to "Will"

1-479-582-3665, FAX 1-479-582-5666,     eMail willandbjpruett@aol.com

Registrations
With two months and 2 weeks to reunion time, we should exceed even our goal of 75 shipmates and 125 in total. Our total may exceed 125 because so many wives are registering. We have blocked out 60 rooms at a special rate and will work with Pam Brown at Gatherings Plus to acquire additional rooms at the same rate if that becomes necessary. The same applies to all the events.



Scrapbooks

Please bring your scrapbooks, pictures and memorabilia for everyone to enjoy. Special Memorabilia Tables will be setup for both the DMS-17 and DD-844 to display your treasured pictures, scrapbooks and other artifacts.

The Hospitality Room will be open Wednesday Noon to receive your displays for the rest of us to enjoy. BE ASSURED THAT HOSPITALITY ROOM WILL BE SECURE AND LOCKED EACH NIGHT AT 10:00PM.

looking forward to share SEA STOTIES with new shipmates and past acquaintances.

DMS17 SHOW 'N TELL

At no extra cost to you, we have added another event--DMS17 SHOW 'N TELL at 1:00 - 3:00PM (or more if needed) on Friday, May 16th in the Hospitality Room. We will hear firsthand from shipmates aboard the USS Perry DMS-17 who had their ship struck at Pearl Harbor and later struck again and sunk on September 13, 1944. Our sister ship earned six Battle Stars during World War II. We will also hear about it's discovery on May 1, 2000 in 40 fathoms of water near Palau Island from Larry Tunks, a survivor, who was there to witness the discovery. We will see pictures, scrapbooks and video of that discovery.
                  www.ussperry.com/dms-17/story.htm

Musical Instruments

For those of you gifted to play a musical instrument please let me know and if you would be willing to play for extemporaneous sing-alongs in the Hospitality Room from time to time.

Also, we need someone to play TAPS at our Memorial Ceremony. Please let me know if you can help.

Gone But Not Forgotten

I would greatly appreciate any names of shipmates that have passed away since June 1, 2001 (or about) that are not shown on our websit roster. We will list their names in the Memorial Program and pay tribute to them at our Special Memorial Ceremony to be held on ARMED FORCES DAY, May 17, 2003.

Have a safe trip and come prepared to share your joys and laughter.
Sincerely, Will Pruett, SK3, 1946-47, 3rd Reunion Chairman.
"Long after they are gone, their crews remember"

Mailing Address
If you have not already done so please

email your complete US Postal Address to

medeene@comcast.net

A Prayer

Something for you and your family
from Fred and June Kragler

I said a prayer for you today and I know God must have heard, I heard the answer in my heart although he spoke no word. I didn't ask for wealth or fame. I knew you wouldn't mind, I asked him to send treasure of a far more lasting kind. I ask that he be near you at the start of each new day. To grant you health and blessings and friends to share the way. I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small. But it was for his loving care I prayed for most of all.

I don't know who the author is but I find it most fitting in these troubled times.
God Bless

 

A Bit of Humor

A Chief about to rejoin the ranks of civilian life walks into a saloon with a shotgun in one hand and a bucket of buffalo manure in the other. He says to the waiter, "How about a coffee."

The waiter says, "Sure chief, coming right up." He gets the Chief a tall mug of coffee and the Chief drinks it down in one gulp. He then picks up the bucket of manure, throws it into the air, blasts it with the shotgun and walks out.

The next morning the Chief returns. He has his shotgun in one hand and a bucket of manure in the other. He walks up to the counter and says to the waiter, "How about a coffee." The waiter says, "hold on Chief, we're still cleaning up your mess from the last time you were here. What the heck was all that about, anyway"?

The Chief says, "Simple, I'm training for a Executive Management job for when I return to Civilian life. I understand most executives start the day with a coffee, then shoot the shit, and finally disappear for rest of the day."

Our Newest Destroyer

Our Secretary of the Navy Gordon England has selected the name Bainbridge for its newest destroyer,
DDG 96. Bainbridge brings back many fond memories for me. I wonder how many of us did our boot camp training there.

Check out the DD96

Tin Can Sailor

The NJ 2003 Bull Session date April 5, 2003. The Perry always has a good representation. I hope to see you there. If you are not a member of TCS please join this most worthy organization. Don't forget to mention the DD-844 when you sign up.

http://www.destroyers.org/


Stay well and God Bless you all.

See you in Branson for a cruise down memory lane.

Steve Silk
steve@ussperry.com