2012 SAN DIEGO REUNION RECAP
San Diego California was the location of the 2012 USS Yancey reunion. 16 former shipmates and 10 guests enjoyed the four day\three night event October 4-7 at the Handlery Hotel. After registering most went to the hospitality room to relax and catch up before the welcome reception. At 5:00 the welcome reception began with light hors d’oeuvres and since not everyone was present for the reception the formal introductions were deferred until the Friday night dinner.
Friday morning provided great San Diego weather for our first tour of the weekend. After everyone enjoyed breakfast we boarded the bus to begin a full day of activities starting with a narrated San Diego city tour including a visit to Coronado Island. The bus stopped at the beach on Coronado Island and unloaded to give everyone a chance to take pictures, walk on the sand and some even dipped their toe in the Pacific. Next stop was a 2 hour visit to the museum ship USS Midway. You can spend the day exploring more than 60 exhibits with a collection of 25 restored aircraft. The self-guided audio tour, narrated by Midway sailors, brings the carrier's history to life. Since we only had 2 hours the group spread out and visited the area of the ship they found most interesting. I found the tour of the bridge and flight operations very interesting. Retired sailors were available as guides and provided much information about the ships history and operations. Upon departing the USS Midway we made our way to the next pier for a two hour harbor cruise were we enjoyed a boxed lunch while enjoying the narrated tour of both the north and south harbor. First we toured the north harbor and saw the Naval Air Station on Coronado Island and a submarine returning to the submarine base. We then headed south sailing under to Coronado Bridge and past the San Diego Naval Base. We viewed various types of US Navy ships including the USS Boxer LHD-4 and the USS Essex LHD-2. While heading back to the pier we saw the USS Higgins DDG-76 returning to port. The USS Higgins is the ship we would visit on our Saturday tour. After disembarking our harbor cruise boat the next stop was the San Diego Maritime Museum. The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels. The museum has one of the world's finest collections of historic ships, including the world's oldest active ship Star of India as well as both a US and Russian submarine. They also have a replica British sailing ship the USS Surprise, which has been in several movies including "Masters and Commanders" with Russell Crowe. Since we only had one hour the group again split up and visited the ships most interesting to them before boarding the bus for the return trip to the hotel.
After a full day of tours it was time for the Friday evening dinner. After dinner George Clifton officially welcomed everyone to the reunion. Since we had several new people in attendance it was a perfect time to have everyone stand and introduce themselves. Because of the long day many returned to their rooms after the introductions while some went back to the hospitality room.
Saturday morning at 9:00 we boarded the bus for a trip to the 32nd Street Navy Base and a visit on the active duty ship USS Higgins DDG-76. We broke up in groups of 8 and were given a guided tour of the ship. Being aboard an active US ship was a highlight of the weekend. Unfortunately picture taking was not allowed however we were able to visit the bridge, the control centers and even the mess decks. The sailors we met on board were very knowledgeable and answered all questions about the ships mission and operations. After leaving the ship we returned to the hotel to relax until the business meeting at 3:30.
George Clifton called the business meeting to order at 3;30 in the hospitality room with the first order of business being a vote for the location of the 2013 reunion. The choice was between Norfolk, VA and Washington DC with Washington DC winning overwhelmingly with 14 votes. Next we discussed the selection of two cities for our 2014 reunion. The five cities nominated were Charleston South Carolina, Savannah Georgia, Branson Missouri, San Antonio Texas and Mayport Florida. Several votes were taken for a process of elimination and the two cities selected to vote on next year are Charleston and San Antonio. The final order of business was a lengthy discussion regarding future reunions and the possibility of partnering with another ship of ships. We discussed the declining number of attendees and the resulting consequences. We are a small group which is only marginally attractive to hotels. Therefore we are not able to get a separate room for our breakfast (many hotels have a minimum number 50 or so). Most tours have a minimum number 20 to 30, so that we are usually very close to not being able to go on tours which are a major event of the reunion. Banquets have the same issue, so we do not have a bar inside the room, etc. While we usually have a few new attendees each year, we also have some that cannot make it. The demographics of our group (ship decommissioned in the early 1970s with obviously no new shipmates) point to continued low attendance. One major advantage of a joint reunion would be the increased number of attendees. The Yancey can no longer be confident that a large enough number will sign up thus putting each reunion in doubt until the final hour. A joint reunion will provide that stability. Additionally a larger number of attendees assures better service at the reunion hotel including buffet meals which we have been missing at our more recent reunions. Of course everything also has a down side and one of the disadvantages of a joint reunion is not having total control over everything including reunion location and dates. George Clifton explained that he has been in communication with the USS Rankin AKA-103 regarding a joint reunion. The Rankin is a good fit as it was an AKA based in Norfolk, they have their reunion in the fall, September or October, and are looking at the East Coast for their 2013 reunion. The Rankin has a yearly reunion with an attendance of between 80 and 100. Understandably if we partner with the Rankin they would have more influence on location and date. Since the Yancey only meets once a year at the reunion a motion was made and seconded to allow George Clifton the authority to make changes regarding the 2013 reunion including the dates and/or location. This was voted on and passed unanimously. An attempt will be made to conclude any discussions with the USS Rankin as soon as possible so any changes made can be communicated to all crew members as soon as possible.
At 6:00 everyone began gathering for the Reunion Banquet and photo session. Duane Malme was kind enough to bring his guitar and provided pre dinner entertainment which we all appreciated and enjoyed. Once all the photos were taken we sat down for a Prime Rib dinner. Following the dinner we held the memorial service to pay tribute to the deceased shipmates. Ed MacLaughlin, Paul Smith, John Karlis and Bill Welfare were kind enough to conduct the service. As the names of from the Honor Roll were read a bell tolled in their memory followed by Taps and a hand salute. George Clifton concluded the evening by thanking everyone for attending and encouraging all to attend the next reunion in Washington DC.
San Diego California was the location of the 2012 USS Yancey reunion. 16 former shipmates and 10 guests enjoyed the four day\three night event October 4-7 at the Handlery Hotel. After registering most went to the hospitality room to relax and catch up before the welcome reception. At 5:00 the welcome reception began with light hors d’oeuvres and since not everyone was present for the reception the formal introductions were deferred until the Friday night dinner.
Friday morning provided great San Diego weather for our first tour of the weekend. After everyone enjoyed breakfast we boarded the bus to begin a full day of activities starting with a narrated San Diego city tour including a visit to Coronado Island. The bus stopped at the beach on Coronado Island and unloaded to give everyone a chance to take pictures, walk on the sand and some even dipped their toe in the Pacific. Next stop was a 2 hour visit to the museum ship USS Midway. You can spend the day exploring more than 60 exhibits with a collection of 25 restored aircraft. The self-guided audio tour, narrated by Midway sailors, brings the carrier's history to life. Since we only had 2 hours the group spread out and visited the area of the ship they found most interesting. I found the tour of the bridge and flight operations very interesting. Retired sailors were available as guides and provided much information about the ships history and operations. Upon departing the USS Midway we made our way to the next pier for a two hour harbor cruise were we enjoyed a boxed lunch while enjoying the narrated tour of both the north and south harbor. First we toured the north harbor and saw the Naval Air Station on Coronado Island and a submarine returning to the submarine base. We then headed south sailing under to Coronado Bridge and past the San Diego Naval Base. We viewed various types of US Navy ships including the USS Boxer LHD-4 and the USS Essex LHD-2. While heading back to the pier we saw the USS Higgins DDG-76 returning to port. The USS Higgins is the ship we would visit on our Saturday tour. After disembarking our harbor cruise boat the next stop was the San Diego Maritime Museum. The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels. The museum has one of the world's finest collections of historic ships, including the world's oldest active ship Star of India as well as both a US and Russian submarine. They also have a replica British sailing ship the USS Surprise, which has been in several movies including "Masters and Commanders" with Russell Crowe. Since we only had one hour the group again split up and visited the ships most interesting to them before boarding the bus for the return trip to the hotel.
After a full day of tours it was time for the Friday evening dinner. After dinner George Clifton officially welcomed everyone to the reunion. Since we had several new people in attendance it was a perfect time to have everyone stand and introduce themselves. Because of the long day many returned to their rooms after the introductions while some went back to the hospitality room.
Saturday morning at 9:00 we boarded the bus for a trip to the 32nd Street Navy Base and a visit on the active duty ship USS Higgins DDG-76. We broke up in groups of 8 and were given a guided tour of the ship. Being aboard an active US ship was a highlight of the weekend. Unfortunately picture taking was not allowed however we were able to visit the bridge, the control centers and even the mess decks. The sailors we met on board were very knowledgeable and answered all questions about the ships mission and operations. After leaving the ship we returned to the hotel to relax until the business meeting at 3:30.
George Clifton called the business meeting to order at 3;30 in the hospitality room with the first order of business being a vote for the location of the 2013 reunion. The choice was between Norfolk, VA and Washington DC with Washington DC winning overwhelmingly with 14 votes. Next we discussed the selection of two cities for our 2014 reunion. The five cities nominated were Charleston South Carolina, Savannah Georgia, Branson Missouri, San Antonio Texas and Mayport Florida. Several votes were taken for a process of elimination and the two cities selected to vote on next year are Charleston and San Antonio. The final order of business was a lengthy discussion regarding future reunions and the possibility of partnering with another ship of ships. We discussed the declining number of attendees and the resulting consequences. We are a small group which is only marginally attractive to hotels. Therefore we are not able to get a separate room for our breakfast (many hotels have a minimum number 50 or so). Most tours have a minimum number 20 to 30, so that we are usually very close to not being able to go on tours which are a major event of the reunion. Banquets have the same issue, so we do not have a bar inside the room, etc. While we usually have a few new attendees each year, we also have some that cannot make it. The demographics of our group (ship decommissioned in the early 1970s with obviously no new shipmates) point to continued low attendance. One major advantage of a joint reunion would be the increased number of attendees. The Yancey can no longer be confident that a large enough number will sign up thus putting each reunion in doubt until the final hour. A joint reunion will provide that stability. Additionally a larger number of attendees assures better service at the reunion hotel including buffet meals which we have been missing at our more recent reunions. Of course everything also has a down side and one of the disadvantages of a joint reunion is not having total control over everything including reunion location and dates. George Clifton explained that he has been in communication with the USS Rankin AKA-103 regarding a joint reunion. The Rankin is a good fit as it was an AKA based in Norfolk, they have their reunion in the fall, September or October, and are looking at the East Coast for their 2013 reunion. The Rankin has a yearly reunion with an attendance of between 80 and 100. Understandably if we partner with the Rankin they would have more influence on location and date. Since the Yancey only meets once a year at the reunion a motion was made and seconded to allow George Clifton the authority to make changes regarding the 2013 reunion including the dates and/or location. This was voted on and passed unanimously. An attempt will be made to conclude any discussions with the USS Rankin as soon as possible so any changes made can be communicated to all crew members as soon as possible.
At 6:00 everyone began gathering for the Reunion Banquet and photo session. Duane Malme was kind enough to bring his guitar and provided pre dinner entertainment which we all appreciated and enjoyed. Once all the photos were taken we sat down for a Prime Rib dinner. Following the dinner we held the memorial service to pay tribute to the deceased shipmates. Ed MacLaughlin, Paul Smith, John Karlis and Bill Welfare were kind enough to conduct the service. As the names of from the Honor Roll were read a bell tolled in their memory followed by Taps and a hand salute. George Clifton concluded the evening by thanking everyone for attending and encouraging all to attend the next reunion in Washington DC.
