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 |
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.
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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
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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/
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Stay well and God Bless you all. See you
in Branson for a cruise down memory lane.
Steve Silk
steve@ussperry.com
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