12th Biennial Reunion
Olympia Resort & Conference Center
Oconomowoc, WI
2010
September 7th - September 12th
Reunion number 12 is now in the books. All the preparation, hard work and time paid off as this was another good reunion. It was perhaps our smallest turnout but nonetheless, I believe a good time was had by all. In large or small groups, we know how to party. Without knowing it, we got our daily exercise at this resort without going to their exercise room. Just walking all those miles, well it seemed like miles, to and from our rooms a few times a day was enough exercise to last some of us for the rest of the year. The friendly staff and management of the Olympia Resort were great and couldn’t do enough for us. The food on the premises was good and portions were generous.
Pin designed by Tom Bradshaw BT1 ENG/B Division 1987-1990
Some of our group said they had very good dinners at the various in-town restaurants.
On Thursday night the three Navy League Councils of Wisconsin invited our association to snacks and drinks in our Sea Stories room. The Council, as a gift, presented the ship’s Quarterdeck Mat to our association. We also received a large limited edition framed photo painting, of the USS Wisconsin, set in the 1980’s-1990’s era. This is a painting by artist, William J. Koelpin and is number 345 of 600. The inscription below the painting reads as follows;
USS Wisconsin (BB-64)
Published in honor of her recommissioning in the United States Navy
Pascagoula, Mississippi 22, October 1988.
The artist's signature is on the lower left of the white border surrounding the painting and the signature of Captain Jerry Blesch is on the lower right.
We also received other interesting items for our memorabilia collection.
Also present were the Battleship Wisconsin Sea Cadets and 40 “A” school sailors from the Great Lakes USS Wisconsin Barracks.
A great time was had in conversing between the present-day sailors and our guys.
Our Saturday morning business meeting went well. Voted into office were:
Bill Ridings (1988-1990) President, Ranzy Weston (1988-1990) Vice President,
Re-elected was John Fox (1952-1955) as Treasurer and Don Falkenberg (1989-1991) Recording Secretary.
Memorial service was held right after our business meeting to honor our departed former shipmates and associate members. Flowers were placed in the wreathes by family members, friends, and association members.
Our reunion came to an end with fun, food, and good music at our Saturday night banquet.