Please let me share an
interesting coincidence with you. While in Philadelphia the other day and
having lunch, two couples came into the restaurant and took the table adjacent mine.
Because both men were wearing DD-563 caps I took the liberty to introduce
myself and say hello to fellow Tin Can Sailors. The guy next to me then
replies, “well I never expected to meet you this way’. It turns out, he was Bob
McKee from Upper Darby, PA and was attending a reunion with the USS Ross. We
had spoken many times via email but never had the pleasure of meeting each
other since he had not attended any of our reunions. We were having so good a
time with our ‘sea stories’, it was really difficult to breakaway and head home
to NJ. I finally said so long and managed to get a promise from Bob to be at
our next reunion. Look for Bob at our next reunion, he has a bunch of
interesting and funny stories that I’m sure he will gladly share with you, especially
a happening in Spain.
During the season when
the Perry Association puts out a call for dues, we generally get a variety of
comments along with the dues. In this regard I want to share a note I received
from Tom Shuda who mentioned he most likely will not be able to join us in
Charleston because of advanced problems with his colon.
We all know the power
of prayer. Please take a moment to talk to your higher power on Tom’s behalf. I
know he would be most pleased to receive a Get Well card or a phone call.
Thomas Shuda
MM1 60-62 904-246-2841
6 Forrestal Cir. N.
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
“Hall of Fame Supporters”. These shipmates have made contribution to our Association above and beyond the call of duty. In recognition, we pay tribute to these Shipmates as Gold, Silver and Bronze ‘Hall of Fame Supporters’. Click the PHOTO Button and view the index to review our Hall of Fame Supporters.
We continually add new information to our website for your enjoyment. Most recently, we have added new Letters, Sea Stories, Skippers, Photos, Navy Links and Financial data.
Our shipmate Walt Procanyn and his wife Terry are hosting an Alaskan cruise aboard the Celebrity Summit on July 6, 2004. Having heard only wonderful things about this last frontier of ours, Cathy and I will be joining Walt and Terry on this exciting and adventurous get-a-way while we’re still able-bodied-seaman and have our sea legs.
If you have an interest in taking this shakedown cruise before our Charleston Reunion, you can get detail information by clicking this link Walt’s Alaska Cruise. Click the following links for some personal stuff about Walt; Walt’s Big Band Days & Walt’s USS Perry Days
If you need any of these items you can order them from Norm Simonelli at very reasonable prices. Just click our Ship’s Store button for details.
Don’t forget to mark your
calendar with our Charleston Reunion dates of September 29, - October 3, 2004
If you have a story or
special event you want to share with your Perry Shipmates please don’t hesitate
to let me know.
Stay well and smooth sailing,
Steve Silk