ISSUE #94                              web site: www.uss-sierra-vets.org                                                 October 2011
 

Bob Morales and I would like to thank all our shipmates and guests who attended our 24^th SIERRA reunion which was another success. The Crowne Plaza Hotel’s facilities, breakfasts and banquet, etc. were top notch.

    In attendance were 37 shipmates and 33 guests. This is ten more than last year. Let’s hope the trend continues. In memory of her recently departed former treasurer, Frank Savino (53-57), Gail Savino donated a number of white SIERRA caps to be given out to shipmates attending the reunion, with the balance going to  Ship's Store. Also she donated various other items to go to the ship's stores.
For this we thank you Gail.

    Those  attending were Lewis Adams, Nancy Bennington, Harold and Mary Jane Buehler, Joan Burlew, Edgar and Nancy Burris, Kenneth Carver, Dennis Cichowicz, Arnold and Jan Court, Cecil and Helen Cox, Donn and Nancy Cranor, Bill and Carol Davis, David and Alice Del Pizzo, John and Carol Eberhardt, Chester Ellis, Thomas and Jennifer Elsroth, Richard Erbe, Bob and Deanne Gancarz, James and Blanche Hagan, Hank and Joan Harden, Robert Hardy, Stanley and Don Hopper, Floyd and Carmen Jennings, Malcolm and Brenda Jones, James and Kathy Kane, David and Janet McAhern, Fred McLeaf, Marilyn Manning, Donald Maxon, Allen and Helen Miller, Bob and Valerie Morales, Jean Newall, Paul Perez, Herb and Anne Price, Jeremiah and Carol Rapoza, Dan and Janice Romando, Fred and Brian Ross, Bill and Judy Skillin, Carol and Douglas Skinner, Harry and Sandy Smith, Mary Louise Spain, Joe and Jana Strecker, and Alfred and Norma Zinter.

     TOURS: except for one day the weather was fine for the two tours. We had an excellent and informative tour guide and two very capable drivers. The tours consisted of a visit to the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and the Air Force Memorial. We had a wonderful visit to Ford's Theatre and museum (we could not go into the Peterson House across the street, where Lincoln died, due to renovations). We had a chance, on numerous occasions, to see the engineers repelling down the sides of the Washington Monument looking for damage as a result of the recent earthquake. There were drive bys of the Martin Luther King Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and various government building such as the Pentagon. We did visit the US Navy Memorial where SIERRA's plaque was dedicated. The ships plaque is something to see. We had a ceremony in the Navy Memorial Auditorium in which Pres. Harold Buehler, Treasurer Malcolm Jones and Governor Bob Morales related stories about their experiences aboard the ship. Secretary Dan Romando read off the list of departed shipmates reported this year, with former Governor Paul Perez tolling a bell after each name was read. We all enjoyed a wonderful hot buffet meal. If anyone wishes to obtain a plaque replica of the SIERRA please contact Mr. Paul T. Haley, Director of Planned Giving, U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 PA Avenue, NW #123, Washington, DC 02004, telephone: 202-380-0760, email, paulhaley@navymemorial.org . The cost is $150 post paid. We had a stop at the White House where some protests were going on and a stop at the Capitol building. Lastly, we visited the National Gallery of Art viewing the only Leonardo da Vinci's painting exhibited in the Western Hemisphere, it is of a young girl, “Ginevra de’ Benci”, c. 1474/1478.

     GENERAL MEETING: President Harold Buehler welcomed us all to Washington, DC. He stated he would remain as president but would have vice President Herb Price step in as necessary. Secretary Dan Romando gave his report noting that $1,086.40 was expended to date, about the same as last year. By using the Staples rewards program we got a good buy on a new printer. It was further reported that we had seven new members and six shipmates reported to be deceased.
Treasurer Malcolm Jones stated that the Association's bank balance, after reunion expenses, should be $11,113.22.
Harold reported receiving resignation letters from Secretary Dan Romando and Governor Bob Morales. Joe Strecker, our Nominating Chairman,  proposed we continue with the present slate of officers and governors except nominating John Eberhardt (67-69) as Secretary and Edgar Burris (75-82) as Governor. There were no nominations from the floor and the slate was elected.
Malcolm Jones is our next reunion chairman who has contacted the San Antonio, Texas airport Holiday Inn for our next reunion site, October 9 - 13, 2012. The room rate should run about $107.00, which includes taxes. There will be buffet breakfast. To his proposed include the column all, Riverwalk, Chuck Wagon Texas BBQ, etc. More details will be forthcoming in the next newsletter.
Reunion sites for 2013 were then discussed. Cities mentioned were Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, Kansas City, KS, Tampa, FL, and San Pedro, CA. Governor Bill Skillin is to check on Charleston and Tampa. As in previous years the membership approved of a $400.00 donation to Tin Can Sailors.

    Banquet: Harold Buehler again welcomed all shipmates and guests. Paul Perez gave the Invocation, and later followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. We had our usual and popular gift exchange (that is bringing a small gift from your state to be exchanged with another gift from another state). Paul Perez also passed around a jar for contributions to preserve the USS OLYMPIA presently moored Philadelphia, PA. The OLYMPIA is the only surviving United States vessel from the Spanish American War. A SIERRA Navy Memorial plaque was raffled off and won by Governor Dennis Cichowicz. (A word about Dennis who for the past years has been our Hospitality Room Chairman. From the opening up of the hospitality room to its closing, Dennis is there. He's one of who secures all the goodies we have in the hospitality room and secures the beer, wine and soft drinks for all to have. Good job, Dennis, keep it up.)
Our traditional SIERRA cake was cut by the oldest member present, Stan Hopper (44-45), youngest, Carmen Jennings (90-92) and our first president, Fred McLeaf (44-45).

     Our thanks to all of the hotel staff, especially, Melissa Geter, Senior Sales Manager, Jay Bhalla, Director of Catering and Oscar Borda, Banquet Manager. All were so helpful in making this reunion a success. This is especially true in putting up and the taking down (by Ms. Geter) of our SIERRA banner prominently displayed in the hotel lobby. This banner was formally affixed to the Officer’s gangway when the ship was in commission. It was sent to us by Vito Tomaselli (43-46). Is over 20 feet long. We hope to have it at every reunion.

A LITTLE LIGHT HUMOR ?

A 6 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom. The six-year-old asks, “You know what? I think it's about time we started cussing." The 4 year old nods his head in approval. The 6 year old continues, "When we go downstairs for breakfast, I am going to say something with ‘hell’ and you say something with ‘ass’, okay?"
         The four-year-old agrees with and enthusiasm.
         When the mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 6 year old what he wants for breakfast, he replies, "Aw, hell, Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios."
      WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and runs upstairs crying his eyes out, with his mother in hot pursuit, slapping his rear with every step. His mom locks him in his room and shouts, "You can stay there until I let you out!"
       She then comes back downstairs, looks at the 4 year old and asked with a stern voice, "And what do you want for breakfast, young man?"
       "I don't know," he blubbers, "but you can bet your ass it won't be Cheerios!"

      Some of Will Rogers’ sayings:
      Never squat while wearing your spurs.
      Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco.
      Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
      There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.
      Never miss a chance to shut up.
      Always drink upstream from the heard.
      If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
      The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.
      There are three kinds of men- The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence
      and find out for themselves.
      Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
      If you’re riding’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.
      Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n putting’ it back.
      After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
     The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

CREW'S NEWS

      This from Richard “Rick” Daigneault (88-91), “Here is a check for $20 to cover my dues. If I am not up to date, please let me know."

      Harold Buehler received this from is Allen Reed, Sr. (67-68), "I regret not being able to attend the reunion this year. I know you will have a wonderful time. Thank you for sending me the cap also the Life Member Certificate. I really appreciate it. Enclosed is a donation of $20 to help support the association."(DPR: Shipmates and if you are, or will be soon, 80 years old, Please contact Harold Buehler or any of the officers or governors.)
      Malcolm received this from Ken and Beverly Carlson (53-55), "We recently saw on the Sierra website that a special shipmate and friend, Frank Savino, passed away. His wife Gail hadn't suggested memorials, but I think she would be OK with us choosing this organization which she and Frank
so proudly served. Enclosed is a $50 check in memory of Frank Savino." (DPR: Ken and Beverly I'm sure Gail appreciates your kind gesture.)

      We also received this from Ken and Beverly Carlson, "the Board has planned a wonderful reunion in Washington, DC. I wish we could be part of it,
but Ken's health won't allow us to travel hardly at all anymore. I have special memories of all the other reunions we have attended and the one we
planned here in Colorado Springs, September 2006. Wow!! Five years already! Unfortunately Ken's not remembering much these days without the
prompting of photos and not many of those triggered responses now either. If you can say a prayer, we could use LOTS of them. I’ll keep paying Ken's dues and add a little extra for the “kitty’ each time too. Special blessings to Gail on losing her beloved Frank. Ken and I have made a memorial gift to the USS SIERRA Association in his memory. Gail and I have been in touch recently. Well, have a grand time in DC. Hope there won't be any more shakin’ and quakin’ while you are there. Take a night bus tour if you can. Memorials are especially gorgeous when lit."
(DPR: Beverly let's hope medical science can come up with a cure; stay strong.)

      Rick Keough, our webmaster, passed this on from Andrew Herberger of Eastlake, Ohio, "for the information to other crew members; my father Joseph a. Herberger proudly served on the Sierra during WWII. He is currently in hospice at his home in Buffalo (East Amherst), New York in the final stages of dementia at 90 years of age. Thank you for passing this on to others who served on this vessel."

     This from John Tearney (48-52), "I am a little late with my dues. Sorry. I was 80 years old this January. 58 years since I left the Sierra. Hard to believe.”

      Jerry Raposa (56-58) writes, "See you at the reunion. Keep cool. I have been reading about the very HOT weather down in Texas."

      Malcolm received this Harry Runyan (71-76), "I'm not going to make the reunion this year. Hope to make it next year. I am enclosing $40 for dues."

      Bob Matoka (59-60), "Sorry I can't make this year, see you next year, GOD willing."

      Also from Del Schanno (51-52), "Sorry we will be unable to attend this year; maybe next year. I will be 80 on September 4." (DPR: Harold please note.)

      Malcolm also received this from Robert Hardy (68-70), "Good to hear from you. Thanks for the card. Here's a check for $15. On the Weather Channel it looks pretty hot in Texas. It's been hot here, too (Fairfax, VA), but we are finally getting some rain."
 

TAPS

Respectively Submitted
Daniel P. Romando
 

DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS * DUES $20 * NEWS

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