2016

Our Association membership is not as great as it was in the past so the reunion turnout was lower than usual. We have to remember that our 1st and 2nd generation crew members are getting old and a number of them that are still with us are finding it a little difficult to get around. What we really need is more of our 3rd generation crew members to become Association members and to attend our reunions. I believe we had the best 3rd generation member and non-member turnout ever for this reunion. Keep it up guys, we need you as members to keep this Association alive.
Because of the low turnout all but two tours were canceled.

Due to the temperature and humidity, our Memorial Service was held inside Nauticus. If it had been cooler it would have been held on the Wisconsin fantail.It’s always nice seeing family members at this service and for them to place the flower on the memorial wreath in memory of their loved one. At the conclusion of the Memorial Service, a procession was formed by the memorial attendees to follow the memorial wreath being carried aboard the ship to the fantail, where Chaplain Rott said a short prayer to our departed shipmates. Mike Hodgis played taps, and then the wreath was laid to rest in the Elizabeth River.

Nauticus launched a new exhibit in the officer’s wardroom on July 21, 2016, titled: Alan Dean: Rising Above Bias” Alan was the first African American Officer to serve on the Battleship Wisconsin. Alan was a LTJG in EX Division, from 1951-1953. He was the Educational and Photographic Officer. Alan’s wife, Christina, and Daughter, Michaela Huelbig were at the opening of this exhibit. If you visit the ship, you must see this interesting exhibit.

Our business meeting was quick and to the point. Voting went as follows: Re-elected as President, Ranzy Weston (1988-1990) Vice President, Darnea (Mike) Olson (1987-1990)Re-elected as Treasurer, John Fox (1952-1955) Recording Secretary / Badger Editor, Paul Zentmyer (1988-1990). The reunion site for 2018 will be, Norfolk, VA.

Once again The Strolling Silver Strings entertained us with beautiful music at the cocktail hour of the banquet. They are a very talented group of students. We thank you for your outstanding performance. Banquet food was splendid according to my family of eight, me and Howard Lynn who was also at our table. My family and I agreed that this was the best banquet food we ever had. We all ate everything on our plates. Complements to the chef.

For this reunion, we contracted our good friends, Molly and Ted Dey of Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. (AFRI) of Norfolk, VA. We have used their services for a number of our earlier reunions, the first one being in 1990. This reunion went smoothly with the always smiling, Molly’s daily guidance. From beginning to end, Molly was there!