USS DIABLO (SS479)  2009 REUNION

Jacksonville, FL

November 4-7

Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel

1201 Riverplace Blvd 32207

www.cpjacksonville.com

On Thursday the 5^th  we enjoyed a lunch at Ocean Breeze Officers Club and an Anheuser- Busch tour (a taste of beer).

On Friday the 6th we went to Kings Bay for the WW2 Memorial and a SSBN tour of the USS Wyoming.

The banquet was held on Saturday the 7^th.

  Bob (Johnny) Johnson was host for the reunion

What a great reunion. For sure all did not go as planned but a great time was had by all. Day one the would be tour was dumped as we were verboten from having our base tour. Instead we were given the tree tour. After a block on the bus the flustered tour guide asked if we wanted to get out and look at a tree. The poor man dug deep for things to fill our time including a visit to City hall (converted from an old store). It was actually more interesting than one would suspect. Eventually we went to the commissary where things were priced higher than any Wal-Mart. The highlight was a tour of the brewery. It was for sure the highlight of the day and somewhat intoxicating.

Day two was a get up early affair going to visit the USS Wyoming. After a few hours of backing up the bus and getting all our body cavities searched we made it to the dock where we were once again searched for metal in our molars. If I ever thought we had it rough I changed my mind. Duty on this pig had to be the all time pits. No sun, no fun and no liberty for months on end. Well God bless our boys and also now girls in weird camouflage blue. Without close looks no way to distinguish the captain from the mess cook.

Day three was a freebee “do as you please”. It was a welcome relief from riding the bus. Jacksonville is a beautiful city. The upscale restaurants impoverished some of us but all enjoyed the fleecing. Many went to see the blue Angels do their thing at Jacksonville Beach and those that did not were treated to a fly by over the hotel.

I am not sure that any of the foregoing mattered in the least as the company of shipmates not seen for some time overcame all other thoughts. I was overjoyed to see my old boss Frank Rapagna and shipmate Dick Wood who were at a reunion for the first time.

John Cunningham gave an excellent presentation about serving on a captured U boat as well as doing a presentation proving we are all cousins at the banquet.  Our host Bob Johnson once again proved to be a man of stature and substance. Bob (Johnny) and his wife Fay did an incredible job putting this reunion together.

Next year Harry Biela will once again (the third time) be conducting the reunion in Virginia Beach. For those who don’t know Harry is expected to replace Jay Leno. One thing for sure any reunion conducted by Harry is sure to draw a crowd.

One thing I find amazing at reunions is the camaraderie we share. Even though we served in different years all come together as long lost brothers and share in the joy of each other’s company. I really look forward to seeing all my shipmates and really take joy in sharing with them. My only regret is I did not get a chance to talk with all. That brings a sadness I hope to cure at the next reunion.

The last four pictures contributed by Dave Link