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

Newsletter

#16    May 2004

4th USS Perry Reunion
Charleston, SC
September 29 - Oct 3, 2004
www.ussperry.com

Ahoy, friends and family members of the USS Perry Association

      

Be on the lookout for your Charleston Reunion Registration Kit.
September 29 - October 3, 2004

The mailing of our registration kit is scheduled for the week of May 15. If my math is correct, from today, we have approximately 140 days before we ship out to Charleston for another exciting reunion. I am truly excited about meeting the shipmates who will be attending our reunion for the first time and to once again enjoy the camaraderie of everyone that has had the opportunity to be with us at our previous events. So ship over for an extended tour of duty and plan to take this cruise down memory lane. This is truly the time to share your wonderful sea stories of yester-year with the wonderful crew of the USS Perry who are anxiously awaiting to hear those sea stories.

Having had so wonderful a reunion in Branson, its no surprise excitement for this reunion is very high. During the past months we have had numerous inquires about our reunion registration. One of our association members is actually registered and paid up. He and his family will be traveling and didn't want to risk missing out on receiving our registration kit. If you are also anxious about our reunion registration, our reunion registration forms and itinerary etc. can be viewed by going to our website www.ussperry.com and then clicking the reunion program and events button and then clicking the Charleston button.

Please remember to bring your scrapbooks, pictures and memorabilia for everyone to enjoy. Special Memorabilia Tables will be setup to display your treasured pictures, scrapbooks and other artifacts. The Hospitality Room will be open upon your arrival to receive your displays for the rest of us to enjoy.

As always, we will have our SHOW 'N TELL at our hospitality room. Everyone is encouraged to share a story that may make us laugh or maybe sad.


Any questions or suggestion should be directed to "Steve Silk"

973-696-2268,     steve@ussperry.com

Registrations
We presently have blocked out 60 rooms at the Clarion Hotel for this reunion. If reservations are made early and we find we need more rooms we should be able to reserve additional rooms. We should also be able make adjustments for our bus tours given ample time. So please register as early as possible so we may be able to accommodate everyone.



Mailing Address
If you have not already done so please email your complete US Postal Address to:
steve@ussperry.com

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.


God Bless
 

A Bit of Humor

USS Lincoln

Transcript of the actual radio conversation of a us naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland:
Canadian: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision. Americans: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision. Canadians: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision. Americans: This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert your course. Canadians: No. I say again, you must divert your course. Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers, and numerous support vessels. I demand that you change your course 15 degrees north, I say again, that's one five degrees north, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.

Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call!

  A bit of Prayer and Humor go hand in hand in these troubled times.

Our Memories

Often times when we look back and reflect upon the things we did we wish we had a photo to share that special time with friends and family. In this regard, Jill Norman of www.Plantation Photography.com would like to help us capture some special moments at our Luau party and Patriots Point Memorial Service. Should you have an interest in this service please indicate your interest with an email reply to Jill@PlantationPhotography.com

To: steve@ussperry.com
From: Jill Norman
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 9:28 AM
Subject: Memory Book Promo

Jill and Curt Norman will be photographing the USS Perry reunion with the goal of creating a keepsake Reunion Memory Book. This full-color 12-page book will include photos of Wednesday September 29th’s “Get Acquainted Dinner Party. Exotic Hawaiian Luau and Hula Dancer Show” and Thursday September 30th’s Patriots Point Tour. Scenic photographs of Charleston and ship memorabilia will be also be included. The Memory Book will feature portraits of attending shipmates/couples, children of members, and guests. Memory book portraits will be taken September 29th just before the Luau at 6 P.M. Please be prompt because we want everyone’s portrait to be included in the memory book. Having your portrait taken does not obligate you to purchase anything. Orders for the memory book and portraits may be placed at the LUAU. Payments will be collected by the photographers at the LUAU, and orders will be shipped directly to customers. Please note that a total of 30 Memory Books must be ordered in order for the books to be produced. The cost per Memory Books is $30. Portraits sell for $10 per 5x7; $20 per 8x10.

A group photo is scheduled for 9:45 AM September 30th prior to the Memorial Service at Patriots Point. The photo will be taken on the main flight deck. Orders for Group photos must be placed prior to the Patriots Point tour. Group photo order forms will be mailed out prior to the reunion. Group photos will be delivered before your departure from Charleston.

Photographers Jill and Curt Norman come highly recommended. (See the email below)

From: Ray and Carmen Miehe - To: Jill Norman Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: Reunion Photos

Thank you so much for the great photos from the USS Kitkun Bay Reunion, we received them yesterday afternoon. The group photo of the members at poolside was excellent, as were all the others!

If you ever need recommendation, etc. for your photography, feel free to use our reunion experience with you, we'll recommend you any time and vouch for your expert photography!

Our best to you and family, Ray and Carmen Miehe , Charleston SC

Gone but not forgtten

James C. Kirby 63, supervisor for a meter manufacturing co..Died Saturday Dec. 27 2003. A native of Carrollton, Ohio,he came here from Uniontown, Ohio in 1972 .Mr. Kirby served in the U S NAVY aboard the USS PERRY DD 844 during the Vietnam war and the bay of pigs invasion. He was an avid fisherman.
Survivors include his wife,Ester M. Kirby,Anthony;mother,Beulah Hutchinson,Ocala;son,Greg Kirby, Canton, Ohio; daughters, Lori Kirby,Canton,Ohio,Vicki Coffee,Anthony,and Cindy Schrock,Houston;and sister,Suellen Hoppell,Houston.
Mr. Kirby is buried at the veteran memorial park,Highland of Ocala Fl. Memorial contributions may be made to, Gallican Children's Home, P. O. Box 880, Liberty,KY. 42539

reported by Lloyd Granaas MM2

 

Please extend this reunion invitation to your family members and friends. The more the merrier! This may be a perfect opportunity to rendezvous with the friends and family you may not see on a regular basis. Charleston is a beautiful and charming city with a great Naval tradition.

Stay well and God bless you all.
See you in Charleston for a cruise down memory lane.

Steve Silk
steve@ussperry.com