national association of uss lcs (l) 1-130 …mightymidgets.org/june nl 42012 pub.pdf · national...

12
1 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF USS LCS (L) 1-130 NEWSLETTER Est. 1986 Volume 26 Number 2 Regina Wage, #38, Editor June 2012 THE SHIPS THAT COULD: “THE MIGHTY MIDGETS ” Executive Committee Skipper John Rooney 2 Emery Lane Phoenixville, PA 19460 610-935-0902 [email protected] Executive Officer Olin Hammer, #15 4710 Lake Village Drive Fulshear, TX 77441 281-346-2949/home 713-410-2596/cell [email protected] Secretary Dennis Steenbergen, #49 7345 W. Lakeside Drive Littleton, CO 80125 303-470-1187 [email protected] Treasurer Bob Wage 4505 Arden Forest Road Holly Springs, N.C. [email protected] 919- 567-0829/ home 919-602-7549/ cell Shipmates and Friends, At a reunion Board meeting our redoubtable Chris Lehman voiced the term “morphing” in a discussion of changes to the Association that have become necessary due to the rapidly declining number of our old regulars, and the need to evolve our organization into something more perma- nent and public. The USS Landing Craft Support Museum, an IRS category 501 C (3) Non- Profit corporation, a Charity, was created. We passed a resolution outlining what will be known as The Museum. A draft of the new bylaws was drawn up by Bill Mason, defining a structure and function similar to our existing LCS bylaws, but with the additional task of managing the operation and maintenance of the U.S.S. LCS(L)(3) 102/HTMS.NAKHA as a static or mobile mu- seum and a memorial to our service. Ownership of our last mighty midget will be officially transferred to The Museum, where our first concerns will continue to be securing a berth for the ship that provides strong public exposure, good security and perpetual care, not the easiest proposition in these leaner economic times. Membership qualifications and electability have been expanded in The Museum to no longer require LCS service or family connection, and any questions and concerns will be addressed at the Nashville reunion members meeting this fall. We’ve received official recognition from the IRS for the changeover, and we’ll elect a management team for the new California-based corporation at the reunion and membership meeting in 2013. We’ll have had 26 great years as LCSers, enjoying the special camaraderie of old shipmates and the friendship and vital support of our families, and although the organi- zation’s name will change, the mission remains the same: supporting our aims to pro- mote the recognition and legacy of the Little Ships, as members of The Museum. Wishing you a fair wind’s song and a snug berth. John Rooney, Skipper

Upload: duongtu

Post on 16-Mar-2018

222 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

1

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF USS LCS (L) 1-130

NEWSLETTER

Est. 1986

Volume 26 Number 2 Regina Wage, #38, Editor June 2012

THE SHIPS THAT COULD: “THE MIGHTY MIDGETS ”

Executive Committee

Skipper

John Rooney

2 Emery Lane

Phoenixville, PA 19460

610-935-0902 [email protected]

Executive Officer

Olin Hammer, #15

4710 Lake Village Drive

Fulshear, TX 77441

281-346-2949/home

713-410-2596/cell

[email protected]

Secretary

Dennis Steenbergen, #49

7345 W. Lakeside Drive

Littleton, CO 80125

303-470-1187

[email protected]

Treasurer

Bob Wage

4505 Arden Forest Road

Holly Springs, N.C.

[email protected]

919- 567-0829/ home

919-602-7549/ cell

Shipmates and Friends,

At a reunion Board meeting our redoubtable Chris Lehman voiced the term “morphing” in a

discussion of changes to the Association that have become necessary due to the rapidly declining

number of our old regulars, and the need to evolve our organization into something more perma-

nent and public. The USS Landing Craft Support Museum, an IRS category 501 C (3) Non-

Profit corporation, a Charity, was created.

We passed a resolution outlining what will be known as The Museum. A draft of the

new bylaws was drawn up by Bill Mason, defining a structure and function similar to

our existing LCS bylaws, but with the additional task of managing the operation and

maintenance of the U.S.S. LCS(L)(3) 102/HTMS.NAKHA as a static or mobile mu-

seum and a memorial to our service.

Ownership of our last mighty midget will be officially transferred to The Museum,

where our first concerns will continue to be securing a berth for the ship that provides

strong public exposure, good security and perpetual care, not the easiest proposition in

these leaner economic times.

Membership qualifications and electability have been expanded in The Museum to

no longer require LCS service or family connection, and any questions and concerns

will be addressed at the Nashville reunion members meeting this fall. We’ve received

official recognition from the IRS for the changeover, and we’ll elect a management

team for the new California-based corporation at the reunion and membership meeting

in 2013.

We’ll have had 26 great years as LCSers, enjoying the special camaraderie of old

shipmates and the friendship and vital support of our families, and although the organi-

zation’s name will change, the mission remains the same: supporting our aims to pro-

mote the recognition and legacy of the Little Ships, as members of The Museum.

Wishing you a fair wind’s song and a snug berth.

John Rooney, Skipper

2

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION USS LCS(L) 1-130

ADDRESS/PHONE/E-MAIL LIST 2011-2012

John Rooney, #82-Skipper (Ginny)

2 Emery Lane

Phoenixville, PA 19460

610-935-0902

[email protected]

Olin Hammer, #15-Exec. Officer (Carol)

4710 Lake Village Drive

Fulshear, TX 77441

281-346-2949 (h) / 410-2596 (cell)

[email protected]

Dennis Steenbergen, #49-Secretary (Bonnie)

7345 W. Lakeside Drive

Littleton, CO 80125

303-470-1187 (h) / 303-349-3503 (cell)

[email protected]

Bob Wage, #38-Treasurer (Gina)

4505 Arden Forest Rd.

Holly Springs, NC 27540

919-567-0829

[email protected]

John Hughes, #100-Past Skipper (Claire)

105 Vermont St.

Long Beach, NY 11561

516-442-1418

[email protected]

David Edstrom, #47 & 28– Legal Counsel

19600 S.E.32nd Street

Camas, WA 98607

360-834-2122 (home & fax) / 503-432-3969 (cell)

[email protected]

Walter Longhurst, #61-Chaplain (Claire)

12 Harrison Avenue

Aston, PA 19014

[email protected]

Bill Mason, #86-Chair,102 Committee (Janice)

2960 20th Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94132

415-661-9279 (h) / 415-359-4510 (cell)

[email protected]

Gil Nadeau, #45-Director-at Large (Flo)

2021 Via Veneto

Escondido, CA 92027

760-746-5368

[email protected]

Robin L. Rielly,#61-Historian/Archivist (Lucille)

20 Chalfront Lane

Manchester, NJ 08759

732-657-4908

[email protected]

Gina Wage,#38-Director-at-large, Newsletter Editor &

Publisher (Bob)

4505 Arden Forest Rd.

Holly Springs, NC 27540

919-567-0829 (h) 919-602-7551 (cell)

[email protected]

John Wisner, #37-Webmaster (Janie)

626 Bentwood Dr.

El Cajon, CA 92021

[email protected]

Ginny Rooney, #82 -Director-at-Large & Reunion

Coordinator (John)

2 Emery Lane

Phoenixville, PA 19460

(H) 610-935-0902 610-256-9223 (cell)

[email protected]

*********************************************** The Association thanks Art Martin for his service and sent him a

plaque:

THE U.S.S. LCS ASSOCIATION

PROUDLY RECOGNIZES AND THANKS

PAST SKIPPER ART MARTIN OF LCS 88

AND HIS SPOUSE MYRT

FOR THEIR DEVOTION AND TIME-CONSUMING

PUBLISHING WORK OF 20 YEARS

PRINTING AND MAILING OUR NEWSLETTER

TO MANY HUNDREDS OF OUR MEMBERS.

YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS

John Rooney, Skipper

LCS Association

Spring 2012

3

FROM THE SECRETARY June 2012

Farewell shipmates, rest in peace

John R. Adelman, LCS 9

Glen O. Davis, LCS 11

Earl H. Cavanaugh, LCS 14

Donald M. Anderson, LCS 18

Dean Bell, LCS 26, charter member

Garth D. Bohlin, LCS 26

James F. Bonnell, LCS 26

Carl S. Lightsey Jr.LCS 26

Jack N. Gardner, LCS 29

Joseph Cise, LCS 33

Francis T. Buckley Jr., LCS 51

Marvin E. Cairns, LCS 58

John W. Thacker, LCS 70

Paul W. Boblette, LCS 83

Homer L. Fertig, LCS 83

Dudley G. Roberts Jr., LCS 2

Donald L. Ball, LCS 85, former historian

for the Association

Ray D. Hart, LCS 89

Lester M. Guisewite , LCS90

Rev. Edward Graham, LCS 102, former

Chaplain for the association

Richard Von Kloster Bruns, LCS 112 &

122

*************************************

Associate Member, gone but not forgotten

Patricia Ann DeCoursey, wife of Ed

DeCoursey, LCS 61

**************************************************

WELCOME ABOARD NEW LCS MEMBER

Louis A. Silva, LCS 125

WELCOME ABOARD NEW ASSOCIATE

MEMBERS!

Janet E. Eggers, Wife of John P. Eggers, LCS 82

John E. Hughes, Son of John F. Hughes, LCS 100

Carol L. Hughes, Daughter in Law of John F. Hughes

LCS 100

4

Mr. Thomas M. Lee, LCS 31 has been very busy encourag-

ing his family to join the association and they are as follows:

Daughters:

Barbara Cameron , LCS 31

Teresa E. Cosens , LCS 31

Virginia M. Dembinski , LCS 31

Sharon Durham , LCS 31

Joan A. Ehmcke , LCS 31

Carolyn Galantine, LCS 31

Susan (Marti) Tucherer

Sons:

Drew M. Lee ,LCS 31

Paul M. Lee*, LCS 31

Thomas G. Lee , LCS 31

Tony R. Lee , LCS 31

Ronald D. Tipping, Nephew of

Henry A. Averell, KIA LCS 7

* Memorial Membership

As always we encourage the memberships of LCS’ers and

associate memberships of family members of those who

served on the LCS ships !!!

WELCOME NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS CON’T

“DID YOU KNOW’

Submitted by Mike DeSerio

The last battle of World War II was at Balikpapan, Borneo.

On Sunday July 12, 1945, Australian troops under the per-

sonal command of General Douglas MacArthur assaulted the

beaches, with MacArthur coming ashore four hours later.

The only U.S. Units involved were USS LCS (L) gunboats.

The #43 the one I was on was one of them. We were there I

believe two weeks prior to the invasion giving the beaches a

going over, working with the U.D.T. Units (they call them

Seals now). We lost a few of them. (After Aussie bombers

dumped their loads right on them ). We on the #43 were

given the honor of providing security for MacArthur (at the

time we really didn’t think it was an honor, he came after the

stuff hit the fan).

The #43 was involved in a lot of close stuff, mainly in the

Philippines. We received four battle stars in that area, the

Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star and Philippine

Presidential Citation. We were at Okinawa for a bit prior to

going to Borneo. We were getting ready for the invasion of

Japan, on some exercises with the Army when President Tru-

man ordered the bombs to hit the Japan mainland. I know for

a fact that he sure as hell saved out butts, and a lot of others

also. We were given a target in Japan along with the Army

units and projected casualties were a very high figure. Thank

God for Harry Truman …..

Fun Trivia to pass along by Mr. De Serio:

“Yogi Berra”- He was a gunner on LCS(S) a small rocket

ship called the USS Bayfield. Saw duty during the invasion

of Normandy, France.

John Wayne- (real name Marion Morrison)- appeared in 14

movies set in WWII. He was 4F and never served in the ser-

vice. Like Frank Sinatra, Richard Widmark, all 4F due to

perforated eardrums.

Dean Martin , also 4F due to hernia, Marlin Brando and

Sunny Tufts both 4F with trick knees. Jackie Gleason 4F

was too fat. Errol Flynn and John Garfield-Heart trouble,

Montgomery Clift-chronic diarrhea, Phil Silvers and David

Wayne– poor eyesight. Gary Cooper-bad hip, Dick Haymes-

Hypertension and claimed he was not a US Citizen.

Red Skelton– Was in Army entertaining troops..said he was

the only celebrity who went in as a private and came out as

one!

Despite the having the class of 4F these stars did make con-

tributions as well as all Americans to the war effort.

5

DELPHIN ENGEL An article from the Alexandria ,MN. paper asking veterans

to write a little about their time in the service.

Delphin Engel of Garfield was born in March 1922 and

raised in Southern Minnesota.

Following is his story in his own words:

As a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor

in 1941, many young men gave up their

schooling and signed up for the draft. With

encouragement of my dad, I decided it

would be better to join the Navy so I

enlisted in July of 1942.

In October of 1942 I went to Great Lakes

Training Base to start up my “boot training.” We were is-

sued all our uniforms, underclothes, seabag and whatever

else needed. We were now “sailors.”

I started my training as a Seaman First Class on the USS

Wyoming. September 1943 orders came for duty on the

USS Extricate with stops in Casablanca, Gibraltar and then

transferred for duty at the Advanced Amphibious Training

base in Bizerte, Tunisia.

Bizerte was a large amphibious base where LST ships

came to load for the next invasion. We had to always be

alert for air raids. We were getting ready for the invasion of

Anzio, Italy. Here I stayed until December 1944.

After a brief visit home, I had to report back to Norfolk,

Virginia. By April I was transferred to the oil tanker, the

USS Enoria, headed to Okinawa. We had always be on the

lookout for Jap planes and submarines.

Finally I was transferred to the USS LCS(L) 121 for duty

and assigned to the deck force and damage control. LCS’s

were usually on a picket station. Picket stations were all

around Okinawa protecting the main island.

We lost two men and five were wounded by a bomb that

exploded off the starboard bow. We were credited for

shooting down two planes. When Okinawa was pretty well

secured, our flotilla of ships went to Leyte, Philippines,

where we had a well-deserved rest and recuperation.

In November of 1945 I was assigned briefly to the LCS(L)

65 before having enough points to the states for discharge. I

was honorably discharged on December 31, 1945. I am

proud of the contribution I have made. It was my duty and

truly and honor to serve my country.

Note to our secretary from Mr. Engel. (Edited)

Dear Dennis,

Just wanted to write a little about what I am sending you .

This lady that works for the Alexandria paper wanted Veter-

ans to write a little about their time in the service, and she

would put it in the paper for Veteran’s Day which was last

November. I had so many good comments about it. I could-

n’t believe it. So I wanted to share it with you.

So here I am going to be 90 in March and I’m still sending

my dues. I asked myself, why. Am I a dedicated LCSer or

what. I feel good but how long will that last. Guess I just

like to receive the newsletter. Del

***********************************************

Everyone has a story to tell ! Please send one to us

for placement in the newsletter, we like to hear of per-

sonal events and experiences from being on the USS

LCS !

SEND COPY BY EMAIL OR POSTAL MAIL!

Regina Wage , Newsletter Editor

4505 Arden Forest Rd.

Holly Springs, NC 27540

Or email: [email protected]

*******************************************

When they were young !!!!!!

Delphin Engel, BM 2/c LCS

121 & 65

Jack Haisten SC3/c LCS 46

6

HONORING WWII

VETERANS By Bill Mason, LCS 86

The USS HORNET (CVA-12)

played tribute to all the men and women

who courageously served our nation dur-

ing World War II. This Father’s Day,

they were honored to host 34 WWII vet-

erans who had each made personal sacri-

fices and had overcome many obstacles

in order to preserve our individual liber-

ties and freedoms. It was to each of them

and all the members of the Greatest Gen-

eration that they showed their appreci-

ate. Your LCSer, Bill Mason, was one of

the honorees representing the Landing

Craft Support sailors. They featured two

keynote speakers who shared their

“Stories of Glory.”

One of the speakers was Doug

Aitkin, a retired captain of the U. S.

Navy, who was then the combat infor-

mation officer (CIC) on the USS

HADLEY (DD-774).

On May 11, 1945, the HADLEY

(DD-774), EVANS (DD-552), LCS

82, LCS 83, LCS 84 and LSM 193

were patrolling on radar picket station

15 off Okinawa. That day the station

was attacked by more than 100 kami-

kaze aircraft, many of which crashed

into the destroyers, disabling them and

leaving them afire and sinking. The

LCS 82 tied up alongside the EVANS’

starboard fantail when she went dead

in the water, to fight her fires and flood-

ing and treat her wounded. LCS 84

tied up to EVANS’ port side. A Japanese

Val dive bomber suddenly dropped

out of the clouds in a bow-on suicide

run on EVANS, and was shot down by

82’s after twin 40MM. When the attack

subsided, the 82 had splashed

three planes and assisted on two.

Meantime, the HADLEY, which

was being kept afloat by LCS 83 and

LSM 193, had shot down and taken

aboard about 25 kamikazes, a record.

Wrecked, she was also towed into

Kerama Retto by a fleet tug. Between

HADLEY and EVANS they had ac-

counted for about 45 kamikazes de-

stroyed that morning. For assisting the

EVANS, the LCS 82 was awarded the

Navy Unit Commendation, her Captain

The bronze star.

Captain Aitken gave a detailed

presentation of what happened that

day at Okinawa on radar picket sta-

tion 15. Needless to say, he gave a

deeply felt tribute to the LCSs for

their contribution in saving not only

many lives but also the EVANS and

HADLEY.

Captain Aitken will be visiting the

LCS 102 at the former Mare Island

Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, Califor-

nia, in the next few days to pay his

personal respects to the men who

served so valiantly aboard the LCSs.

Our skipper, John A. Rooney,

was a radioman on the USS LCS (L)

(3) 82 this day.

SAN FRANCISCO

FLEET WEEK The big announcement is, “The

goal of the volunteers on the USS

LCS (L) (3) 102 is to have the ship

ready to participate in the San Fran-

cisco Fleet Week in October 2012”

The plan is to drive the ship from

Vallejo, California, to San Francisco

under its own power.

Now comes the real important

news! We will need some additional

funds to purchase several thousand

dollars of diesel fuel and some addi-

tional navigational equipment. Please

make your check payable to the

Landing Craft Support Museum and

send your donation to :

Landing Craft Support Museum

Dennis Steenbergen,

7346 W. Lakeside Drive,

Littleton, CO 80125

THE 102 UPDATE By Bill Mason, LCS 102

Work continues on the restoration

of the 102. A frequent comment made

when visitors come aboard the 102 is,

“Wow! What a small ship!” My reply is,

“Try painting it.”

Well, it seems that the job is a never

ending process. You can’t believe how

many places there are to paint on board

that ship.

Anyway, we are proceeding with

not only the cleanup but also the restora-

tion of the ship. Our latest achievement

is the steering gear. I’ve already reported

that the deck under the steering cable

running along the port side has been

welded with new plates to repair the

rusted deck plates. The piping and the

cable inside the pipe have been replaced

and attached to the runner equipment in

the aft steering. All the mechanisms and

motors are operating effectively now.

The alignment of the pilot house steering

with the aft steering are in the same cali-

bration.

Our mechanics are continuing

working on the main engines and the

generators. They are all running, but

we are in the process of replacing some

of the pipes and hoses in both spaces.

One of our main tasks is to find and re-

place the governors for the two genera-

tors. We are going to the Reserve Fleet

this week in search of the governors.

The diesel fuel tanks, piping, and

pumps are ready for full operation.

Our electronic technician just completed

getting the communication operational

among the pilot house, engineering

spaces, and after steering. He is now

working on the intercommunication

system.

More good news in the next newslet-

ter.

7

2011 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF U.S.S. LCS (L) 1-130, INC.

Name________________________________________________________

First Middle In. Last

Ship#_______ Membership Renewal______ New Member______

Address____________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip

E-mail Address____________________ Telephone H(_____)_______________ Cell (___)___________________

Military Service ____Yes ____No Navy___ Army___ Marines___ Air Force___ Coast Guard ___

Annual Dues are $20

Donations to continue the work of the Association are greatly appreciated. Additional amount donated $______________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

“IT’S ABOUT BEING REMEMBERED”

YOUR GIFT to the National Association of U.S.S. LSC(L) 1-130 or The Landing Craft Museum Monies donated are used directly for the operation and maintenance of the USS LCS (L) (3) 102 Museum at the former Mare Island Naval

Shipyard in Vallejo, California. This ship's museum is dedicated to the officers and men who served so gallantly and bravely on a LCS (L) dur-

ing World War II. Help keep the memories alive with your donation. Your gift qualifies as a charitable contribution for tax purposes.

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip code

Ship# _______ Phone H(____)_____________ Cell(___)_____________ E-mail______________________________

Send completed form with your check payable to:

National Association of U.S.S. LCS (L) 1-130

Dennis A. Steenbergen, Secretary

7345 W. Lakeside Drive

Littleton, CO 80125

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LANDING CRAFT SUPPORT MUSEUM

Membership Application

Name:_____________________________________________________Reason for joining____________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip

Telephone : H(___)___________________ C(___)____________________E -Mail_________________________________

Membership dues are $20 per year. Amount enclosed $ ___________Donations are tax deductable. Amount enclosed $ _____________

Donations are used directly for the operation and maintenance of the former USS LCS (L) (3) 102. The museum is dedicated to the

officers and men who served so gallantly and bravely on an LCS (L) during World War II.

Make checks payable to Landing Craft Support Museum and send to : Dennis A. Steenbergen, Secretary, Landing Craft Support

Museum, 7345 W. Lakeside Drive, Littleton, CO 80125 Telephone : 303-470-1187

8

Welcome to Nashville

Travel & Leisure Magazine recently named Nashville America’s Friendliest City! Not only is Music

City friendly, it has also been named the 4th Best American City for Holiday Travel. The USS LCS

Reunion excursions will give you a chance to experience some of the top attractions in Nashville.

Outings include the famous Grand Ole Opry, and the Best of Nashville City Tour. The city tour will

highlight some of Nashville’s most popular attractions, including a back stage tour of the Opry and the

chance to visit some of the city’s honky tonks. Don’t miss the tour to the Country Music Hall of Fame

and the lunch cruise on board the General Jackson. Your reunion program hits all of Nashville’s most

famous attractions, while allowing plenty of time to relax and catch up with your friends.

Hotel Information

The reunion dates are from Thursday, September 27th through Monday, October 1st. You will be

staying at the Holiday Inn Select Opryland/Airport which is located at 2200 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN

37214. The room rate is just $99.00 plus tax per night based on single or double occupancy. Rate includes

complimentary breakfast buffet daily. Please make your hotel reservations NOW by calling (866) 871-

1171 between 9-4 pm EST and ask for in-house reservations. For those of you who would like to arrive

early, the same room rate is available 3 days prior to the start of the reunion, and 3 days after the

reunion. You may cancel up until 48 hours before arrival at no penalty. Be sure to ask for the USS LCS

rate to assure you are associated with your group. You may request specific room types when you call

to make your reservations (handicap accessible room, etc.). These are on a first come basis. The hotel

check-in time is 3:00pm. Please, don’t expect to get into your room before then. They will ask you for

a deposit or credit card number to guarantee your room reservation. The hotel is holding rooms until they sell out or August 17th, 2012, whichever comes first.

Transportation & Directions

The closest airport is Nashville International (BNA). The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service

from the Nashville International Airport. Upon arrival, use the courtesy phone located in the baggage

claim. For those of you driving to the reunion, the hotel offers plenty of free parking. The hotel is

conveniently located off Interstate 40, at the Broadway exit. Ask hotel for detailed directions when

making your reservations.

Travel safely and we will ….

See you in Nashville!

USS LCS 1-130 ~ 2012 REUNION Nashville, TN September 27th – October 1st, 2012

9

USS LCS 1-130 ~ REUNION EVENTS

EVENT A: EARLY BIRD: JACK DANIELS DISTILLERY & LYNCHBURG TOUR

Wednesday, September 26th (9:00am-4:00pm)

Located in the heart of Tennessee is lovely Lynchburg, home to the world famous Jack Daniel’s

Distillery. Board your coach for the scenic drive through the rolling hills, pastoral farmlands, and historic

hamlets as you make your way to the one and only distillery for Jack Daniels. Your day begins with the

Jack Daniels Distillery Tour; learn the complete story of this famous whiskey, hear the anecdotes, and

view the whiskey making process. Following your tour a very short ride will take you to the heart of

Lynchburg. Take a step back in time visiting the charming shops of Lynchburg. There are many options

for lunch on your own in Lynchburg. This is going to be a great Tennessee day, don’t miss it.

ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION

Thursday, September 27th

No tours are scheduled for Thursday. Registration will be open at 10:00am, hotel check in is at3:00pm.

Spend the afternoon in the Hospitality Room catching up with your friends.

WELCOME BUFFET DINNER

Thursday, September 27th (6:00pm at the Hotel)

Join your friends for a casual Welcome Dinner, at the Hotel, featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see who is here this year, and your first chance to re-connect with your

friends.

EVENT B: BEST OF NASHVILLE

Friday, September 28th (9:00am-3:00pm)

This is not your typical, routine city tour, but an entertaining look at all the sights that make up Nashville.

The morning will be spent touring some of the city’s most famous landmarks including Historic Downtown,

Fort Nash borough, the State Capitol, the Parthenon and Music Row. Your tour includes an inside look at

the

Grand Ole Opry. Enjoy a special backstage tour, taking you behind the scenes of one of the most

recognized symbols of country music in the United States. Following the tour, there will be time for lunch

and shopping on your own downtown.

PRE OPRY DINNER

Friday, September 28th (4:30pm at the Hotel)

Gather for a light deli supper at the Hotel prior to departing for the Grand Ole Opry Show. Buses for

the show will depart at 6:00pm; the show begins at 7:00pm. Upon returning to the hotel, gather in the

hospitality room for coffee, tea, and cobbler.

EVENT C: GRAND OLE OPRY

Friday, September 28th (6:00pm-10:00pm)

This is the show that made Nashville famous! The one, the only, the Opry. You never know which

celebrities will turn up and perform, but one thing is for certain, it’s always a great show, with something for

everyone. Music, dancing, and lots of laughs make this variety show a Nashville tradition and a crowd

favorite. You’ll have great seats, so come see what all the fuss is about!

Please note: You will be required to walk down 6 steps to your seat for the show. All Opry seats are

benches with backs, similar to church pews.

10

EVENT D: GENERAL JACKSON LUNCH CRUISE

Saturday, September 29th (11:00am-3:00pm)

Come onboard this huge, authentic paddle-wheeler for the most popular variety show in Nashville. The

music, comedy and dancing are terrific, not to mention the bountiful buffet! You’ll also enjoy the views as

you cruise on down the river. Come and immerse yourself in the proud tradition of the great showboats of

yesteryear and delight in the panoramic sights of the scenic Cumberland River. This continues to be one

of the most popular attractions in Nashville and lots of fun for everyone.

EVENT E: COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME, MEMORIAL SERVICE & LUNCH

Sunday, September 30th (10:00am-3:00pm)

Spend the day at the Country Music Hall of Fame, located in downtown Nashville. Begin with a

Memorial Service in the Fords theatre located inside the Hall of Fame. This is a wonderful setting for the

annual service. Lunch will be provided in the Hall of Fame for you to enjoy at your leisure. Then spend

the afternoon enjoying the Hall of Fame at your own pace. You will have plenty of time to browse the Hall

of Fame and its vast collection of memorabilia which illustrates country music’s story as told through the

turns of two centuries. The Museum & Hall of Fame offers an insight into an important part of American

culture and history.

FAREWELL BANQUET

Sunday, September 30th (7:00pm at Hotel)

Join your friends for the Farewell Banquet at the Hotel. Cocktails will be available from the cash bar at

6:00pm; dinner will be served at 7:00pm. Entrée choices are a 6oz. serving of House Smoked Slow cooked

Prime Rib or a 6oz. Marinated and Grilled Chicken Breast topped with a Hunters Sauce. Please make your

entrée selection on the reservation form.

TOUR CANCELLATION INSURANCE Protect yourself from unforeseen expenses caused by sickness, injury or any other causes that impact

your travel plans. This insurance enables a refund of Tour & Banquet expenses. Please note Cancellation

Insurance expires at 11:59 PM the day before the reunion starts. No refunds are given after midnight

even if Cancellation Insurance was purchased. If you need to cancel – please contact our office

immediately (817-251-3551) or email: [email protected] for confirmation of your

cancellation. If you have not purchased cancellation insurance, all tour and meal money is non-refundable

6 weeks prior to the reunion.

Important Reunion Notes:

~ Tours may be cancelled if a minimum of 30 people per bus is not met. In this case, full refunds will be

given.

~ Please understand that a certain amount of walking is necessary from the bus to attractions and in some

instances, to also see the attractions. Please consider your abilities before purchasing tours.

~ Be sure to bring photo identification (like a driver’s license) on all events.

~ All tour times are subject to change. A final itinerary is available at registration.

Reservations are due by August 17th, 2012. Late reservations accepted on a space available basis with a

non refundable $10 per person late fee. You should make a copy of this form for your records. For information call

weekdays: 817-251-3551 or Email: [email protected]. Requests for refunds must be made in

writing and postmarked before due date above. No refunds will be made after this date, unless you have

purchased Tour Cancellation Insurance. Sorry, no refunds will be given for any reason starting at midnight the

day before the reunion starts. There is a $10 per person refund processing fee. Your cancelled check is your

receipt and proof of purchase. There is a $25 return check fee for NSF. For a written confirmation please enclose

a self-addressed, stamped envelope. MRP will not be held liable for failure of vendors to provide contracted

services or any injuries/accidents that may occur during the reunion. Tours require a minimum of 30 people in

order to operate. Full refunds will be given for any event cancelled by MRP.

11

12

National Association of USS LCS(L)

4505 Arden Forest Rd.

Holly Springs, NC 27540