2007 Reunion      October 21-24

Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort     http://www.vabch-onocean.sunspreeresorts.com/
3900 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451  Phone:  757-428-1711
 

               Harry Biela was once again host and arrangements coordinator. Bob Johnson was the reunion coordinator.

click on the above pictures to enlarge     As I am still working on them they will fill the state of Nevada

Sub picture courtesy of Dave Link

Embarrassing Reunion Humor

True Story NS

 He closed the hospitality room with three screwdrivers which he made himself. As his eyesight was failing it was difficult to see exactly where the level of vodka was in his glass. Perhaps the mix was incorrect. The main desire was for OJ as he missed his at breakfast.

 He made it to the stateroom with little difficulty and relieved himself, the first of several trips to the head. Age and failing plumbing had taken its toll of this long ago engineman. The second trip was uneventful and made without error. Trip number three went astray and he went through the wrong door. He immediately realized the error of his ways when the door slammed and locked behind him. Panic!

 He started banging on the door to wake his wife. As it was near three PM she was sleeping soundly with ear plugs inserted. No response! More Panic! Hurt Knuckles!

 Turning around he realized he was standing in front of floor to ceiling windows and exposed for the entire world to see wearing only briefs several sizes too small.

 The original reason for getting out of bed was becoming more apparent. He searched for a head.  Traveling through the hallways he could find no relief. He had noticed one door slightly ajar and wondered how the occupants might feel about sharing their facilities. He decided to keep looking. Luck and time was running out. He quickly returned to the open door and took his chances. When opened the small room exposed the maid’s closet. Fortunately it was without the maid and with a deep sink. Problem one solved very much to his relief. He was now awake enough to remember to rinse the sink but not enough to realize his exposure could have been solved with a sheet or towel.

 Still fully exposed by the wall to wall to ceiling glass he headed for the elevator to beg assistance at the reception desk four floors below. Trying to fathom what he might say should the elevator door open on the way down to anyone weird enough to join him he progressed thinking how lucky that it was in the early hours.

 On the first floor he still had to cope with full windows. As he turned the corner he noted the reception desk was unmanned. He was not sure if this was a good or bad thing. He stepped close to the desk so as not to reveal more of himself than necessary and rang the bell. Two surprised young ladies came forth and he gave some half ass explanation. He of course had no identification (except for the birthmark on his right butt).  Expecting the worst and the police at any second he was instead promptly given a key. Rollicking laughter could be heard as he turned the corner and reentered the elevator.

 

 

Program overview for USS Diablo

Tour #1 MacArthur Memorial/Harbor Cruise, Etc.

Monday, October 22, 2007

MACARTHUR MEMORIAL

We boarded the motor coach  to visit downtown Norfolk, where we toured the MacArthur Memorial. We viewed the outstanding collection of artifacts, documents, photographs and memorabilia housed in Norfolk's historic city hall which traced the life and times of Five-Star General Douglas MacArthur.  The General and Mrs. MacArthur are entombed in the rotunda of the memorial. Nine separate galleries arranged in two levels circle the rotunda and tell the story of General Mac Arthur and the millions of American men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces from the Civil War through the Korean War.

SPIRIT OF NORFOLK HARBOR CRUISE

We cruised through the Hampton Roads Harbor, viewed mighty aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines at the Norfolk Naval Base, Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin and Old Fort Norfolk.

PORTSMOUTH TOUR

+Following the harbor cruise, we  enjoy a narrated riding tour of Olde Towne Portsmouth, which encompassed in a single square mile, one of the largest collections of historic homes found anywhere in Virginia. Architectural styles include Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, Georgian and Victorian. The homes help to tell the story which traces the roots of Olde Towne back to 1752 when the 65 acre plot was laid out to imitate Portsmouth, England.

+Enjoyed a brief shopping stop on High Street, home of numerous antique shops, art galleries, gift shops and more.

Tour #2—Naval Air Station Oceana, Etc.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

We first stopped at the historic lighthouses and the First Landing Cross at Cape Henry where the English colonist first came ashore in 1607. We then walked out to the overlook to see where the bay and the ocean meet and where the famous Battle of the Capes took place during the Revolutionary War.

We then boarded the motor coach to visit the Oceana Naval Air Station, the East Coast’s only Master Jet Base. Oceana is the home station for the Navy’s fighter/attack squadron—the screaming F-14 Tomcats and the F/A-18 Hornets. Squadrons rotate in and out of the base to aircraft carriers operating on lengthy deployments. Pilots stationed here fly approximately 219, 000 training operations annually. We enjoyed a tour of the base and then visited the Aviation Historical Park to see 12 displayed aircraft.

+Lunch was served at the Officer’s Club

NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN

+Following lunch we visited the Norfolk Botanical Garden, which dates back to 1938 and is considered a premiere example of horticultural excellence. The garden represents 155 acres of colorful landscapes, unusual flowers, mature forests and seasonal plantings and features one of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, roses and rhododendrons on the east coast. We enjoyed a relaxing trackless train ride and spend time browsing in the Garden Gift Shop.

 

The following is a list of those who attended the 2007 reunion

Robert & Faye Johnson                           

James & Sandy Sturdivant                        

Robert & Gail Goudreau                            

Stephen & Pauline Springer                                                                                     

Tom Hopely & Sara Lee Fink                    

Ken & Rayleen Scott                                   

Charles & Patricia Hilgendorf                   

Nolan & Sandy Hadix                                                                  

John & Larayne Cunningham                    

Kathy Hessmer (Larayne sister)               

Richard Underwood                                                                                                    

Vernon & Jean Markle                                 

William Meyer                                               

Alan and Twyla Kvello                                 

  (David & Joyce Kvello

    and Marlene Kaharu)

Joe Simeone & Kathryn Johnson              

Robert & Rosemarie Belluzzi                       

Roy & Lou Large                                           

William Mullaly                                              

Glenn Minteer                                                

DeVere Peer & Laurie Rietkerk                    

James Cockrell & Sandy                              

   and Evelyn

David & Jackie Link                                      

   David (son) & Valerie Link            

Richard & Phyllis Huntinghouse                   

Joseph Roche                                                 

Donald & Caroline Buckley                                                           

Tim & Carol Calvert                                        

Anthony & Juanita Jaworski                           

Richard & Sarah Robinson                                                                                             

Jack Harlan                                                        

Walt Burkett                                                      

Ronald & Judy Apgar                                                                                                       

Robert & Marion Wilton                                    

Donald & Jeanne Combs                                 

George Cataldo                                                                                                                 

William & Judy Davy                                        

John Collins                                                     

Dick & Rayalda France                                     

Kenneth & Joan Weit                                                                                                        

Joseph & Scottie Paschall                                

Thomas & Susan Roan                                                                                                      

John & Vera Grohowski                                                                                                    

Dave Matthes                                                                                                                   

Jack and Audrey Gill                                          

Ray and Fran Shamburger                                                                                                 

Harry and Kolla Biela                                          

Richard Atwater                                                                                                                   

   And Christine Casey

Lawrence and Nita Moore                                                                                         

Alice Staats and

   Son Ronald Staats