Shipmates started arriving on Saturday afternoon in Myrtle Beach, SC, for the third Dennis J. Buckley DD/DDR 808 reunion. By Sunday evening thirty-five shipmates, spouses and guests had arrived for a total of sixty-six. A welcome reception was provided by the hotel with snacks and an open bar.
The Penthouse, which was located on the roof of the Sea Mist Resorts Tides Building, provided shipmates with a central meeting place with plenty of room to spread out memorabilia, enjoy snacks, beverages and a beautiful view of the ocean from a large outside patio.
The Monday morning business meeting was conducted by Co-Coordinators Karl Stroh MM2, 55-58 and John Rusinek, MM2, 54-57. Location for the next reunion was discussed with Branson Missouri as a possible site. Mike Wyatt MM3, 65-68, volunteered to coordinate the reunion as he is from Missouri and will check out what Branson has to offer. On Monday evening shipmates boarded the bus for a trip to Dixie Stampede where they enjoyed a dinner and show.
On Tuesday evening we held the DJB banquet. Pictures of shipmates were taken by Homer Evans, GM3, 54-58. Karl Stroh led the Pledge and introduced two plank owners Jim Cichra 45-46 and Albert Crisp 45-47. Eleven first time shipmates were recognized. George Estey, FTGSN, 60-62, gave the invocation. Meals of Prime Rib or Baked Flounder were served.
Karl Stroh presented awards to Homer Evans GM3, 54-58, for all his help with the reunions; Robert Zang, QM2, 49-53, for recasting the ships bell plaque; John Rusinek as Co-Coordinator and to Ray Sorrell, STG2, 62-63, Webmaster of the djbuckley.com web site who could not attend. Four hundred dollars from the sale of tickets for the drawing will be sent to Tin Can Sailors Museum Ships Fund. A final salute to all known departed shipmates was held as George Estey read each name on the list while the sound of taps played in the background.
Attending this 2006 Reunion: Pete Abbitt BT3, 54-57; Karryl Anderson ET2, 58-60; Jim Cichra FT3, 45-46; Bob Corbin FT3, 58-60; C.J. Costner FT3, 47-50; Albert Crisp BM3, 45-47; Ed Erbe MM2, 52-55; George Estey FTGSN, 60-62; Homer Evans GM3, 54-58; Harold Ferguson SH2, 68-72; Douglas Fowler SFP3, 60-62; Carlo Girolamo BMSN, 54-55; Henry Josey ET2, 66-67; George Judkins FN, 63-64; Henry Lish EM3, 64-66; Ron Makinster MMFN, 60-62; Delbert Maynard MMC, 60-65; Dennis Newgard BMSN, 56-59; William Payne S1, 45-46; Lewis Rozolis YN3, 45-46; John Rusinek MM2, 54-57; Adrian Sandberg BM3, 65-67; Michael Schiraldi FT3, 53-56; E.L.Selby BM2, 48-54; Ed Stinnett MM2, 52-55; Ken Stone ET3, 63-64; Karl Stroh MM2, 55-58; Jack Swanson FC3, 49-52; Martin Vannorman FT3, 49-52; Billy Way SF2, 61-64; Marshal Wilson SM3, 56-58; Jerry Winter FTSN, 57-59; Glenn Wright RDSN, 45-46; Mike Wyatt MM3, 65-68; Robert Zang QM2, 49-53. Along with wives and guests.
Thanks to all you shipmates and ladies for attending the reunion. A special thanks to my wife Carol and John’s wife Sylvia who took care of the registration desk. Thanks to the shipmates who saw the need and stepped in to help without being asked. Finally, thanks to those who overlooked the few mistakes that were made. You are the ones who make the reunions great.
Our next reunion will be in 2008. Make plans to attend wherever it will be. You won’t regret the good times and good feelings of meeting old shipmates from the DJB 808.
Karl Stroh MM2, 55-58 & John Rusinek MM2, 54-57
Note received from Tin Can Sailor