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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
Secretary
Dennis Steenbergen, #49
7345 W. Lakeside Drive
Littleton, CO 80125
303-470-1187
Treasurer
Bob Wage
4505 Arden Forest Road
Holly Springs, N.C.
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
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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
Olin Hammer, #15-Exec. Officer (Carol)
4710 Lake Village Drive
Fulshear, TX 77441
281-346-2949 (h) / 410-2596 (cell)
Dennis Steenbergen, #49-Secretary (Bonnie)
7345 W. Lakeside Drive
Littleton, CO 80125
303-470-1187 (h) / 303-349-3503 (cell)
Bob Wage, #38-Treasurer (Gina)
4505 Arden Forest Rd.
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919-567-0829
John Hughes, #100-Past Skipper (Claire)
105 Vermont St.
Long Beach, NY 11561
516-442-1418
David Edstrom, #47 & 28– Legal Counsel
19600 S.E.32nd Street
Camas, WA 98607
360-834-2122 (home & fax) / 503-432-3969 (cell)
Walter Longhurst, #61-Chaplain (Claire)
12 Harrison Avenue
Aston, PA 19014
Bill Mason, #86-Chair,102 Committee (Janice)
2960 20th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
415-661-9279 (h) / 415-359-4510 (cell)
Gil Nadeau, #45-Director-at Large (Flo)
2021 Via Veneto
Escondido, CA 92027
760-746-5368
Robin L. Rielly,#61-Historian/Archivist (Lucille)
20 Chalfront Lane
Manchester, NJ 08759
732-657-4908
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)
John Wisner, #37-Webmaster (Janie)
626 Bentwood Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92021
Ginny Rooney, #82 -Director-at-Large & Reunion
Coordinator (John)
2 Emery Lane
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(H) 610-935-0902 610-256-9223 (cell)
*********************************************** 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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.