10th Biennial Reunion
Francis Marion Hotel
Charleston, SC

2006

September 5th - September 10th

After two years of preparation, several on-site visits, back-and-forth emails, and phone calls, then before you knew it, the reunion was here and gone.


This one was not as smooth to set up as the 2004 reunion. Our original hotel, Charleston Riverview, was under construction with a promise of completion before our reunion was to start. As fate would have it, construction scheduling negated that promise. The Riverview did a good job getting us set up in the Francis Marion Hotel with an overflow at the Hampton Inn Charleston. We would like to thank the Riverview Hotel management for their help in making this transition as smooth as possible.

Patch designed by Dom Menta, PH3  EX Div.  1952-1956

Our reunion committee worked hard on this one and deserves a well done, especially to our Vice President, Tom Bradshaw. He was constantly on top of all the problems and made sure they were resolved. Thanks, Tom, you can now relax and smoke your cigar, you earned it.


The staff at the Francis Marion, knowing the problem we had, were very accommodating in making our stay as comfortable as possible. We thank them for all their help and understanding.
All in all, you guessed it, it was another great reunion. We had some interesting tours to, Patriot’s Point, The Warren Lasche Center-USS Hunley, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston City Tour, Boone Hall Plantation, Spirit of Charleston Dinner Cruise, Tour of Parris Island, Fort Sumter, and South Carolina Aquarium. Our sea stories room was always open and well stocked with cheese, picks, beer, soda, water, and oh yes, crewmembers telling their fabulous sea stories, family and friends.


Our Saturday morning business meeting went well. Voted into office were: Tom Bradshaw, (1987-1990) President, Ed Gavin, (1956-1957) Vice President, Re-elected was John Fox, (1952-1955) as Treasurer. Bill Ridings, (1988-1990) was appointed 2nd Vice President.


The following sites were presented for our 2008 reunion: Pittsburgh, PA., Roanoke, VA., Rochester, N.Y., Jacksonville, FL., and Norfolk, VA. Norfolk won the vote as our next reunion site.
Our Memorial service was held right after our business meeting. A large turnout was present, consisting of former shipmates, friends, and families of some of our departed shipmates.