March, 2018

Volume 10, Issue 1

Inside this issue

2018 Norfolk, VA Reunion ...... 2

John’s Joint ............................. 3

A Bugler’s Thoughts ................ 4

Taps—Welcome Aboard .......... 7

Statement of Publication ......... 8

Official Newsletter

of the

USS Ernest G. Small

Association

Small Talk

GALVESTON, 2017 — ANOTHER GREAT REUNION!

Our 2017 Reunion was the reunion that almost never happened. In August, 2017, Houston and Galveston were nearly devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Despite the damage, FEMA and the citizens of coastal Texas had the areas re-stored to full functionality in short order. Finally, on September 7th, I was able to confirm that the reunion would proceed.

This reunion, it was my pleasure to meet quite a few first-timers and their love-ly wives and, as always, it was a pleasure reuniting with our established Ernest. G. Small family. The Galveston Hilton was located on a long strand of beach looking out on the Gulf of Mexico. The rooms and facilities were in great con-dition and the Hilton staff performed at a high level, making our stay relaxing and comfortable.

Our tour of Space Center Houston was impressive and enjoyable. We got to see the latest technical innovations at this large aerospace facility and enjoyed a bus & walking tour of the center .

I would like to offer special recognition to Reunion Coordinator, John Lewis

Our crew visited the Houston NASA Center

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for his excellent negotiation and coordination of our reunion. Much appreciation for shipmates Ron Hoffart and John Reed who kept the Hospitality Room well stocked and the party going after hours! And, as always, my appreciation of Robert Nunes’ great photographic efforts and results.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time in Galveston and hope to see more of our shipmates next year in Norfolk, VA next year.

Upon our return from Galveston, my time was filled with accounting for the reunion financials while Rob worked his magic in the layout and publishing of the 2017 Reunion Book, which was completed for December delivery. We had a week’s downtime for some remodeling to my office and the installa-tion of new carpet and flooring in the house. Shortly after Thanksgiving, I came down with a chest cold that lingered into the New Year. Since New Years I have been in a catch up and recovery mode, and with the completion of this newsletter, should finally be current.

Wishing you all a great year in 2018!

Dennis Vinson - ST1, 1962-1966

GALVESTON, 2017 continued.

NORFOLK REUNION ………. 04 OCT. 2018 thru 07OCT. 2018

Reservation Information:

Sheraton Norfolk Waterside

777 Waterside Drive

Norfolk, VA 23510

757-622-6664 Direct

800-325-3535 Sheraton Reservations

Identify yourself as:

USS Ernest G. Small Reunion

On-Line Reservations:

http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/book/egsmall18

Follow on-screen prompts to choose dates and rooms

Group Rate is $125, plus taxes and fees (good through 01OCT18), so

come early and stay late as there is so much to do in the Norfolk area!

Looking forward to seeing all the usual suspects and many, many

FIRST TIMERS!

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As Mark Twain once said, “The rumors of my death are greatly exaggerat-

ed.”, I paraphrase that quote — but you get the idea. The Small Talk staff

has not died, nor is the publication lost in space. We have been under the

weather and swamped with all the minutia that the world can throw at

you. So, fear not. Small Talk is up and running.

Now, a quick review of the 2017 Reunion in Galveston. It was a shining

success! The weather was tolerable, the food was VERY good, the hotel

was comfortable and the company was off the chart. We had 37 shipmates

and 32 guests in attendance; four first timers and three special guests

(Arnold Dyre’s sister, Sarah Stukey and her husband Terry) and a return of

shipmate Robert Stockton, a retired Radarman CPO. Bob has authored

and published several books, beginning with his autobiography “ Listening

JOHN’S JOINT

To Ghosts” (2010) and five other biographical books from 2011 to present. You can see an overview of all his

books if you “Google” his name for a listing.

Our Hospitality Room set up was a little different this year and it worked out very well. We

had two large suites with kitchens and tv’s, a large table with comfortable chairs and sofas.

Joh Reed and Ron Hoffart did a great job of keeping the room stocked with refreshments. It

was a relaxing environment, highlighted with an old-fashioned sing-along led by Mike Flana-

gan and Terry Seagrave.

Our group trip was to the Houston Space Center. There was so much to see an do that we all

wished we had more time. The Mission Control Room and Space Shuttle exhibits were the highlights. The tour

buses were probably the most thrilling ride. They left a little to be desired….we all made it there and back again.

The Memorial Dinner, as always, was very emotional. Perhaps a little more than usual due to the loss in 2017 of

Arnold and the attendance of his sister, Sarah. And a special thanks to Bill Britton, Mike Flanagan, Bobby Sow-

ers and Walter Smith for their presentation of the service.

Looking forward to our 2018 Reunion in Norfolk, VA, it promises to be a very special and unique gathering. It

will be an opportunity for many of our shipmates that live on the east coast to attend, especially those in the

Middle-Atlantic states. There are several shipmates that I served with and were members of the final crew that

live within a few days drive. We have reserved a great hotel in downtown Norfolk, right on the waterfront and

within easy walking distance to shopping, dining and all the tourist attractions. If you think you will come, you

should make your reservations as soon as is possible to guarantee the group rate.

The reunion will be held on our regular Thursday through Sunday schedule and we will have one group outing,

which is still being determined at this time. We will have a reception buffet on Thursday and our Memorial Din-

ner will be on Saturday evening. The cost will be very similar to our recent reunions; the room rates are only

slightly higher than Galveston. Meal pricing is being negotiated, but should be within our usual group rates.

There will be an $8.00 parking fee. We have a guarantee of 30 rooms at the group rate, first come basis. The

hotel will offer the rate past the initial block of 30 as long as rooms are available.

More information on group activity, transportation suggestions, etc. as we get closer to our dates of 04 October

18 through 07 October 18.

Bob Stockton

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HOWARD PEET—A BUGLER’S THOUGHTS

Grey clouds blanketed the sky. I could almost feel the invisible drops that were Silently waiting to

gently fall to the ground. It seemed as if Mother Nature was once again creating a somber mood for a

somber day. And since coming back to the farm where I had spent my childhood I expected this tradi-

tion of nature to remind all of what day this was. It was Decoration Day.

It was the last Monday in May. A date that really had neither a beginning or a special place. It was a

people’s day and especially dear to the wives, mothers, and sisters of those who had given their lives for

what they thought America should be. These Americans needed to be remembered and honored for their

ultimate sacrifice.

General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, agreed. In 1868 he desig-

nated May 30th as a day to “strew flowers or other decorations” on the graves throughout the cities,

towns, and communities of America—our America.

Over the years, as the wounds of our Civil War began to heal, Decoration Day became a national holiday.

It was believed to have started in the South, quickly spreading north, honoring all those courageous

boys, both gray and blue, who had bravely given their lives for what they believed.

It wasn’t long before more courageous ladies and lads were added to those grave sites as WWI, WWII,

and the Korean War came and went. Soon additional offerings, such as wreaths laid on the graves, pray-

ers made, poems read, military services performed, and taps being played were woven into the ceremo-

ny’s tapestry providing it with a national flavor. Even the name, Declaration Day, evolved into Memorial

Day in an effort to embrace all customs of honor.

Opening the door I gazed skyward catching a drop in my eye. I was reminded and my memory suddenly

carried me into the past of long ago when as a teenager I first felt the honor of being asked to render taps

in my hometown of Barnesville. To be asked was frightening. To be part of the ceremony was thrilling.

To play Taps was sacred.

I was also reminded of playing Taps in Fort Snelling cemetery in the Twin Cities. Several years had

passed. I had spent two tours of duty in the U.S. Navy. The first tour of duty as a Truman Trooper serv-

ing as a bugler before going on to Fire Control School. The second tour was when I was called up to serve

aboard the USS E.G. Small, DDR-838 as a Fire Control Tech. Jackie and I were married just prior to my

ship’s departure for Korea. When the war ended the Small came back to the States, I was discharged and Jackie and I returned to St. Paul where I reenrolled in college. I soon joined a cadre of buglers at Fort

Snelling that could be called upon when needed. My life changed a great deal in a short time. However,

emotions encompassing Memorial Day remained the same as notes from my bugle trailed across that

sacred ground honoring each grave site before fading into the quite beyond.

I stepped back into the house to get my jacket. Reaching into the closet to get it I heard a wee voice,

“Daddy! Daddy!” It was Terry, our little boy. He stood there with his coat on. He was standing next to

my trumpet case.

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I had been asked by the Wolverton chapter of the American Legion to play taps for them this Me-

morial Day. The Chapter Commander, Harold Gruenburg, had made the request and I had

agreed. We were scheduled to go to five cemeteries where we would go through the military hon-

ors, I would play taps, and then we would go on. The schedule called for us to wind up on the

south side of Wolverton around eleven a.m., march down the town’s main street, and then west

to the cemetery. There, military honors would be sounded, a speaker would deliver his message

for the day, riflemen would fire a salute, and I would play taps. A moment of silence was ex-

pected before we would all retire to the Community Hall for a potluck dinner. It would be a deli-

cious feast to fill the physical needs while at the same time feasting on the comraderie of visiting

with neighbors and basking in the patriotic pride of being Americans.

I looked at Jackie, she looked at me, and Terry anxiously stared at both of us.

“Oh, take him along. He will love it.”

“But you know there will be a lot of walking and then that march at the end. Do you think he can

do it?”

“I can, Daddy. I can.”

I thought I caught Terry snoozing a couple of times as we drove between cemeteries. But, at each

and every cemetery, he was right beside me as we took our places off to the far side. He was a

regular little trooper standing at attention as we prepared for the final march of the day. Alt-

hough Jackie was on the sidewalk ready to take him, Terry steadily marched beside me all the

way through town and out to the cemetery.

Terry and I took our place at the north edge of the cemetery. We stood silently while we awaited

the speaker to finish his remarks. I was sure Terry would be asleep on the grass before long.

The speaker finished. The riflemen fired their salute. I started to play Taps. As I did, I looked

down. There was my boy rigidly standing at attention. I couldn’t have been more proud. Ameri-

ca’s future was in good hands. Playing Taps, thoughts rushed through my head that eventually

wound up in the following poem:

HOWARD PEET—A BUGLER’S THOUGHTS, CONT.

The trailing notes of the bugler’s horn,

Settling on this Memorial Morn,

Honoring heroes staunch and true,

The ones who died protecting you,

TAPS, when played this special day,

Bring silent respect in every way,

Respect for those who fought and died,

Heroes all, they give with pride.

You and I, to them we owe,

Our freedom all and a chance to grow,

Making America better still,

It’s up to us and our own free will.

So honoring those who gave us the chance, America’s greatness to now enhance, An-

swering the call of the bugler’s horn, Per-

meating all this memorial Morn.

Taps—H.D. Peet 2017

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VIETNAM WESTPAC TOUR 1964-1966

7

TAPS

Small Talk was notified of the death of the following ship-mates. The entire crew extends our sympathy to family and friends.

Name Rank Served Deceased

Deldon Smith GM 1945-1956 03/03/2013

Glenn Kittle SN 1953-1954 12/29/2017

The Ernest G. Small Association welcomes:

Raleigh Devine MM2 1967-1970 488 Lemon Grove Rd. St. George , SC 29477 raleighdevine45@gmail.com John Dowell GM2 1952-1955 jddowell36@comcast.net Bill Flansburg ETR3 1961-1963 bill@actionusa.org Ernest R. Goodhart RD3 1969-1970 jetgo8@cox.net Roger Meade ENS 1966-1967 10436 Owen Brown Rd. Columbia, MD 21044 rogermeadejd@comcast.net Mike Utter SMSN 1968-1970 blindmike838@gmail.com

Psalm 136:1

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

Oftentimes the good and bad in war can be misconstrued. The in-tentions of a soldier in combat can be forgot-ten because of the ac-tions that take place during war. It’s im-

portant to remember the sacrifice that man has offered when we share prayers for vet-erans. The Lord will never forget the ac-tions and intentions

behind war – instead our Savior identifies

the selfless act and the person that embodies those actions. Jesus Christ sacrificed Him-self for His children – so that all sins would forever be forgiven.

When uttering prayers remember that. Re-

member that our Sav-ior is on our veteran’s side because He, too, was on the battlefield fighting for their alle-giance and providing unconditional mercy.

WELCOME ABOARD

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Statement of Publication

The SMALL TALK is the official publication of the USS ERNEST G. SMALL ASSOCIATION. It will be

published quarterly. SMALL TALK is funded by voluntary contributions from our membership. There

are no dues. All members are encouraged to support the voice of the Ernest G. Small. A financial

statement appears in each issue of the newsletter.

SMALL TALK is a medium for members to share their experiences, express opinions and offer

suggestions or creative criticism.

Unless otherwise stated, all views and opinions are those of the contributing writer, and do not

represent the opinion of the Association leadership or the Editor.

All letters and stories submitted will be considered for publication, except letters that are unsigned.

Letters requesting writer’s name be withheld will be honored, but published on a space available

basis. Signed letters with no restrictions will be given priority.

Letters demeaning to another shipmate and letters promoting a political position will not be printed.

SMALL TALK editors are not responsible for the accuracy of articles submitted for publication.

Articles of historical merit should be researched and verified by the author for their accuracy.

Dennis Vinson Director/Webmaster

dvinson@ussernestgsmall.org

John Lewis Reunion Coordinator

j_lewis@ussernestgsmall.org

Robert Nunes Web Support/Photography

Charles James Small Talk Editor

cjames@ussernestgsmall.org

Richard Glogowski Librarian

skiglo@pacbell.net

USS ERNEST G. SMALL ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 3485 HAYWARD, CA 94540

Phone: (510) 453-8981

Web Site: www.ussernestgsmall.org

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Dec. 31, 2017

Cash Balance on 05/31/17 $3,991.92

Event Sales/Donations:

06/01/17—12/31/17 $19,262.28

Total $23,254.20

Exp. Paid through 12/31/17 $18,554.26

Cash Balance $4,699.94

Thank You! Your contributions to the Association are the lifeblood of the services that we provide to all members. Our USS Ernest G. Small website and the quarterly Small Talk Newsletter depend on your generous support. An annu-al gift of $20.00 will help keep this ship afloat.

Send Contributions to:

USS Ernest G. Small Association

P.O. Box 3485

Hayward, CA 94540

Lee Halford, Jr. Ens. 1970-1970

John Swens, SOG2 1961-1964

William Holmes RD2 1963-1966

Jimmy Vess MM3 1967-1969

Howard Brenz RD2 1949-1952

J.E. Statham SN 1950-1951

Reyez Carrizales RD3 1964-1966

Joseph Mullen RD2 1950-1952

Ron Hoffart ST2 1965-1967

William Britton PN2 1969-1970

Larry Coombs STG3 1965-1967

William Larue EN2 1968-1970

Ervin Lenington GMG3 1967-1970

Gary Thompson RD2 1968-1970

Donald Smith EM3 1964-1966

Arnold Pearson MM3 1965-1969

Robert Collins RD1 1945-1946

Robert Stockton SN 1958-1959

Richard Donahoo SN 1959-1960

Bobby Sowers FN 1969-1970

Kent Lee BT2 1953-1955

Larry Highfill BT2 1960-1963

Joseph McGuire GMG3 1966-1969

John Reed SM3 1967-1969

John Lewis QM3 1968-1970

Mark Heintz STG2 1967-1970

David Benites STG3 1966-1970

Mike Flanagan PC3 1968-1970

Don Harris BT3 1965-1968

Ad Fiore CDR 1968-1970

OUR CONTRIBUTORS