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First of all I would like to point out our web site and the new names in the heading of the newsletter. Secondly, the 2009 Branson, MO the union is over and all had a great time. Thanks to President Harold Buehler for hosting this reunion and to Ms. Pam Brown of Gatherings Plus for making the arrangements for a very successful and enjoyable time. I never thought there were so many accomplished entertainers in one town. At the reunion we had 34 shipmates and 33 guests. Twenty-two states were presented from as far north as Minnesota, self as Texas, East as Massachusetts and West as Washington. attendees are as follows: Paul Perez, Daniel & Janice Romando, Brian & Debbie Young, Alan &Helen Miller, Harold & Mary Jane Buehler, Roland & Marianne Proctor, Harry & Sandy Smith, Mary Louise Spain, Robert Morales, Joseph & Jacquelyn Bateman, Larry Appel, and Linda Musgrave and Barbara and Will Adams and Carolyn and Terry Builder, Arnold & Janet Court, Malcolm & Brenda Jones, Robert and Deanne Gancarz, Dell & Judy Skillin, David & Janet McAhern, William Holbert, Bobby & Janet Renfro, and John & Barbara Renfro, Charles Duff, Sr. & Charles Duff, Jr., Lyle Christenson and Anthony Hrynczyszyn and Caroline Christenson, Kenneth & Frances Carver and Donald & Kathy Maxon, John & Frances Shutt, Dennis Cichowicz, Jeremiah & Carol Raposa, Allen J. Schultz, Walter & Vivian Baker, Ken & Beverly Carlson, Fred Ross. God shows and the tour around Branson and those surrounding area were first rate. We especially enjoyed our own governor Joe Strecker being called up on the stage at the Hamner Barber Variety Show in which he took part as a "dummy" in a ventriloquist act. he was the tallest dummy we've ever seen. he was a good sport and God a good round of applause too. We did not have a wreath laying ceremony but had a memorial service prior to boarding the "Showboat Branson Belle." it was a very touching event in which Harold Buehler read off the following: Eulogy for a Veteran
MEMBERSHIP MEETING: President Harold Buehler called the meeting to order. He welcomed the membership to Branson and hoped they were having a good time. The secretary gave his report in which to date expenses amounted to $1241.51, in which the bulk was for newsletter expenses, $424.39 and office supplies, envelopes, etc., $177.06. The Secretary's report was accepted . Harold then gave the Treasurer's report since Frank Savino was ill and could not make the reunion. Balance of the account at the start of 2009 was $18,074.58 and as of 8/29/09 it stands at $14,841.49. The largest disbursement was $3000 for the memorial plaque, newsletter expenses and reunion banter made up the balance of expenses. The Treasurer's report was accepted. Governor's Report - is proposed that our contribution to Tin Can Sailors be increased to $350.00. The membership approved this increase. Secretary Dan Romando explained the need to change Article X in the By Laws. Emergency fund is no longer applicable. All dues and ship store sales, etc. are in one account, further since reading our A. non-profit Association weeding had to eliminate the wording pertaining to an interest bearing financial account. Article X now reads: ARTICLE X - GENERAL FUND Section 1 -General Fund
a. General funds which are accumulated from
donations, dues, ship stores, and other Association activities
b. Maintenance and Use of the Fund Account
c. Termination The membership approval the change. Nominations - Harold Buehler noted that Frank Savino has resigned as Treasurer (although he will keep the host until the end of the year). he stated we need new people and Malcolm Jones (81-84, A Div, MMC) agreed to take the job as treasurer. Nominations were called from the floor and William Skillin (70-73, R-2 Div, MR2) was nominated to be a governor . The new Officers and Governors unanimously voted in our President Harold Buehler, Vice President Herb Price, Secretary Daniel Romando, Treasurer Malcolm Jones, Governors, Dennis Cichowicz, Henry Harden, Robert Morales, Fred Ross, William Skillin and Joseph Strecker. read union decides were next brought up. Dan Romando will host, assisted by Bob Morales, the 2010 union in ocean city, NJ. Dan gave a recap of the hotel charges, description of the area and ways to reach Ocean City, etc. and Bob gave a description of the tours. Ideas were requested for 2011. Bob Morales will look into Washington DC as a site, or just outside DC with tours going into the city. Williamsburg and Portsmouth, VA were also suggested. if we can not find a suitable place to hold our 2011 reunion we may have to have a real union every other year as some tender associations do. Dan said it would be fine to have a ceremony in the Navy Memorial clear our ship's plaque is displayed here in Bob and Dan (Jersey Boys) will look into Washington, DC. a motion to proceed on this was approved. Harold got congratulations on this reunion in Branson. he gave credit to Pam Brown of Gatherings Plus. A question was raised as to whether one can view old SIERRA logs, records, etc. It was suggested to inquire from the Navy Historical Society. Dan left a folder for the members to see about our late member, Admiral Wayne E. Meyer. The admiral is the father of the Aegis anti missile system. he has a ship named after him, USS WAYNE E. MEYER, DDG108. we may have seen it being built when we had our reunion in Portland, ME. the ship is to be christened in Philadelphia on October 10, 2009. The meeting adjourned and we had group photos taken in the lobby of the hotel. BANQUET: Harold welcome all to the banquet. Paul Perez gave the Invocation. Next was the Pledge of Allegiance. Harold introduced the new group of officers and governors. we had a very nice dinner, after which we were entertained by a group of talented youngsters, The American Kids, who were exceptionally good. We had our traditional gift exchange, drawings (no money involved) for a beautiful SIERRA afghan (donated by the Bennington family), Tin Can Sailors gift membership and left over soda from the hospitality room. Speaking of the hospitality room, kudos again to Dennis Cichowicz who did a bang up job running this operation. Mary Louise Spain cut the SIERRA cake. Dan read off the names of our departed shipmates and relatives reported to us this year, especially noted was Gwen Ross, Fred Ross' wife who died at an early age. Paul Perez gave a nice talk about being a member of this association and why it was important for him to be here after the loss of his beloved Barbara last year. Important notice: Fred Ross, our Governor and Store Keeper, advises he received an order for two hats and two shirts. However, he misplaced is order with the buyer's name address, etc. so if you made this order please contact Fred so he can have it delivered to you. Fred can be reached at 630-420-2969 or write to him at 30 W 260 Allister Lane, Naperville, Ill 60563.
WELCOME ABOARD
SICK BAY
Vice President Herb Price (55-57) had an infected toe, which was so bad it
needed surgery. He will be out of commission for six weeks and had to miss
the reunion.
A LITTLE LIGHT HUMOR ? Probing Questions:
CREW'S NEWS
From Ken Carver (53-55), "Guess I now will become a life member. I will reach
the "Golden" 80 on Dec. 6. My wish is I can continue to pay dues and they be
used for the newsletters." Frank got this from Nancy Bennington, "I would like to pay the dues in memory of Ray (58-60) who passed in January 18, 2009."
Frank also received his problem Tony Molinar (48-51), "Not sure of the dues but
here they are. When are you going to have a reunion in in California?"
This from Jerry Hess (59-62), "I hope the reunion goes well. I won't be
attending but am looking forward to seeing what the next location will be. Have
there been any reunions at locations that have a restored 'tin can' such as Fall
River, MA? there is a restored 'can' somewhere just out of Washington DC also.
Is there an active website for the Sierra? Most of my contact with old shipmates
is by email and we do try and touch base a few times a year." Eileen O'Brien, Dan's (43-45) widow wrote to Frank, "It was good to talk to you. I am sending you the check for $20.00. Then I will go all over my files. I have a letter from Mike Simenic (44-46) dated 7/24/04. He asked me for any information day and might have in his journal about when the USS California was more to alongside the Sierra for a 5" gun mount replacement. I probably answered him but I will look in Dan's journal to see what is there. I have a large file of Sierra newsletters. as soon as I see what I have high will also mail you Mike's letter." Frank got this from Bobby G. Renfro (59-60), "Enclosed closed use my check for dues for 2009. Sorry it is late. Judy and I plan to attend the reunion in Branson this year. my brother John and his wife are coming with us. John was in the 24th Infantry Division and was involved in the 'Battle for Leyte.' The Sierra was in Leyte Gulf about this time. Thought that was interesting! looking forward to seeing all of you in Branson." Ken (53-55) and Beverly Carlson sent this in, "Please accept a closed check has a memorial gift in honor of our s friend George Cale. Ken and I have informed his wife Betty called the donation by enclosing a copy of this note in her sympathy card. No need for any big knowledge meant from you or the Sierra Association." (DPR: we think, and believe so does Betty, that this is a very nice thing you have done and appreciate yours and Ken's kindness.)
funny how all things seem to dovetail into one another. We received a copy
of a letter from E. David Zapf, Reunion Coordinator for the USS SHENANDOAH
(AD-26) to Terry Miller, Executive Director all the Tin Can Sailors, Inc. it is
as follows: "the reason for this letter is as you requested, to express my
thoughts on ship associations producing their own newsletters and also sharing
them with other ships if desired. This is already being done among many tenders,
sometimes with an interesting twist. I just heard from a plank owner in Evans,
GA who sent me an obituary on a Mr. George Cale. At the same time, my
counterpart for the USS SIERRA AD 18, Dan Romando back in my home state of New
Jersey forward their latest 'Sierran' newsletter to my office. it also mentioned
the passing of Mr. Cale and listed him as an BM2/c when he left their ship way
back in 1953. As Paul Harvey used to say, 'Now here's the rest of the story':
According to for obituary, Mr. Cale went: one for another 22 years,
or from 1945 until 1975 and retired as a CWO3. He practically got his start on
the Sierra and his old shipmates or all of them for that matter can be proud of
their shipping I have passed this little story back to Dan in the hope that he
will 'write it up' in their next newsletter because I would like to see more 'Hi
-Lining' between ships and their crew to bolster camaraderie and maintain
interest. so Terry, what can we do with this idea? Can we devote a little space
to an already busy newspaper toward communications with other ships and their
crew?"
(Bill was a Plank Owner, Governor, Treasurer and Life Member and an all around good guy. )
he May they and all our departed shipmates find safe harbor in heavenly waters. The
Officers and Governors once again wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving, Happy
Chanukah, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Respectively Submitted By DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS
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