2013 Washington DC Reunion Recap
Washington DC was the location for the 2013 USS Yancey reunion. Fourteen former shipmates from the Yancey and 6 of their guests were in attendance as well as the widow and grandson of Richard Cheaney who served aboard in the early 60's. Everyone enjoyed the four day/three night event on October 3-6 at the Crown Plaza Reagan National Airport. Everyone began arriving on Thursday, October 3 and the first thing most of them did after registration was go into the hospitality room to see who else had arrived. At 5:00 PM everyone gathered in the hospitality room for an informal start of the reunion. Kathy Cheaney and her grandson Kris Russell USMC were quickly welcomed into the group. Dick Balt was in attendance for the first time since the 2001 reunion. It was great to see Dick again since he was the person responsible for starting the Yancey reunion back in 1995. Some time was spent discussing our Friday tour options since the Government was shutdown and many of our planned destinations other than the Navy Memorial were closed. We agreed that we would leave it up to the tour guide to take us where he could. The remainder of the evening was spent reminiscing and catching up on what happened since the last reunion.
Friday morning provided perfect weather for our tour of DC and the USS Yancey Plaque Dedication Ceremony at the Navy Memorial. At 9:00 the group departed the hotel and our first stop was the Air Force Memorial located next to Arlington Cemetery, which provided a spectacular view of the Pentagon and the city. After departing the Air Force Memorial we drove by the Marine Memorial. We were able to view the Iwo Jima statue but unable to enter the park. We then headed over to the World War II Memorial which had been on the news daily since the Government shutdown. There was a lot of activity and we did get off the bus and were able to walk around the outside. I understand that some were able to enter when the Park Rangers basically looked the other way. Next stop was the US Navy Memorial for the Plaque Dedication. After leaving the bus we were joined by a man wearing a Yancey baseball cap who said he served aboard the Yancey in the late 40's. His name is Lindy Leo and he lives in nearby Silver Springs Maryland. Learning of the reunion on the internet he decided to attend the dedication. (See separate article by Ed McLaughlin). There was a professional photographer outside to take a group picture by the statue of the Lone Sailor before proceeding inside to the Areligh Burke Theater where we viewed the IMAX movie followed by the Plaque Dedication Ceremony. After the ceremony we exited the theater and viewed the USS Yancey plaque on the Commemorative Plaque Wall. Everyone then had the opportunity to view other exhibits at the Memorial and visit the Ships Store. After stopping at Union Station, for lunch and shopping, we headed up North Capital Street to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This church is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America. After spending some time in the church we headed back through Washington DC, passing the Capital Building and many other monuments, on our way back to the hotel for our business meeting and some relaxation.
At 6:00 PM the social hour began followed by dinner. After dinner George Clifton officially greeted everyone and started the round of introductions. Although most of the group knows one another we did have several new attendees. Robert Redlow and his wife Barbara came in from Pennsylvania for the Plaque Dedication and Friday functions. Robert served aboard from 1967-1970. This was also the first year for Kathy Cheaney from Virginia Beach. Group photos were taken at this time since several attendees would not be at the Saturday banquet. It was an early evening for most due to the early start for our Saturday tour so after the group photos everyone headed back to their rooms.
Again the weather was great on Saturday for our trip to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. We all gathered in the lobby for our short trip to Pier 4 in Washington where we boarded the Spirit of Mount Vernon for a 1 1/2 hour narrated trip up the Potomac River to Mount Vernon. After docking everyone was on their own to visit as many exhibits as possible in the three hours before our return trip back to Washington DC. Of course the mansion itself is a must see and admission tickets were provided to all upon arrival. Besides the mansion, Mount Vernon had plenty to see including gardens, Washington's tomb, slave quarters, museum and education center. I'm not sure anyone saw everything in the time we were there but most had seen enough and were ready to get back aboard and relax on the return trip.
At 6:00 it was time to have individuals and couples pictures taken for the memory book and enjoy some cocktails followed by a Filet Mignon dinner. Following dinner the Memorial Service was held to remember all veterans who served in the Armed Forces. Along with the Bell Ceremony to honor and remember Yancey sailors that are deceased, especially those who died or whose deaths we learned of since the last reunion. As the names from the Honor Roll were read, a bell was tolled in their memory followed by Taps and a hand salute concluding the Memorial Service. Time was left for some anyone who wished to share stories with the rest of the group. Since there was no scheduled breakfast on Sunday, and some would be leaving early, many said their goodbyes after the banquet.
Sunday morning brought the official end to the reunion with more goodbyes, handshakes and hugs among those having breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Everyone agreed a good time was had as usual and all plan on attending next year whatever the location.
Washington DC was the location for the 2013 USS Yancey reunion. Fourteen former shipmates from the Yancey and 6 of their guests were in attendance as well as the widow and grandson of Richard Cheaney who served aboard in the early 60's. Everyone enjoyed the four day/three night event on October 3-6 at the Crown Plaza Reagan National Airport. Everyone began arriving on Thursday, October 3 and the first thing most of them did after registration was go into the hospitality room to see who else had arrived. At 5:00 PM everyone gathered in the hospitality room for an informal start of the reunion. Kathy Cheaney and her grandson Kris Russell USMC were quickly welcomed into the group. Dick Balt was in attendance for the first time since the 2001 reunion. It was great to see Dick again since he was the person responsible for starting the Yancey reunion back in 1995. Some time was spent discussing our Friday tour options since the Government was shutdown and many of our planned destinations other than the Navy Memorial were closed. We agreed that we would leave it up to the tour guide to take us where he could. The remainder of the evening was spent reminiscing and catching up on what happened since the last reunion.
Friday morning provided perfect weather for our tour of DC and the USS Yancey Plaque Dedication Ceremony at the Navy Memorial. At 9:00 the group departed the hotel and our first stop was the Air Force Memorial located next to Arlington Cemetery, which provided a spectacular view of the Pentagon and the city. After departing the Air Force Memorial we drove by the Marine Memorial. We were able to view the Iwo Jima statue but unable to enter the park. We then headed over to the World War II Memorial which had been on the news daily since the Government shutdown. There was a lot of activity and we did get off the bus and were able to walk around the outside. I understand that some were able to enter when the Park Rangers basically looked the other way. Next stop was the US Navy Memorial for the Plaque Dedication. After leaving the bus we were joined by a man wearing a Yancey baseball cap who said he served aboard the Yancey in the late 40's. His name is Lindy Leo and he lives in nearby Silver Springs Maryland. Learning of the reunion on the internet he decided to attend the dedication. (See separate article by Ed McLaughlin). There was a professional photographer outside to take a group picture by the statue of the Lone Sailor before proceeding inside to the Areligh Burke Theater where we viewed the IMAX movie followed by the Plaque Dedication Ceremony. After the ceremony we exited the theater and viewed the USS Yancey plaque on the Commemorative Plaque Wall. Everyone then had the opportunity to view other exhibits at the Memorial and visit the Ships Store. After stopping at Union Station, for lunch and shopping, we headed up North Capital Street to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This church is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America. After spending some time in the church we headed back through Washington DC, passing the Capital Building and many other monuments, on our way back to the hotel for our business meeting and some relaxation.
At 6:00 PM the social hour began followed by dinner. After dinner George Clifton officially greeted everyone and started the round of introductions. Although most of the group knows one another we did have several new attendees. Robert Redlow and his wife Barbara came in from Pennsylvania for the Plaque Dedication and Friday functions. Robert served aboard from 1967-1970. This was also the first year for Kathy Cheaney from Virginia Beach. Group photos were taken at this time since several attendees would not be at the Saturday banquet. It was an early evening for most due to the early start for our Saturday tour so after the group photos everyone headed back to their rooms.
Again the weather was great on Saturday for our trip to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. We all gathered in the lobby for our short trip to Pier 4 in Washington where we boarded the Spirit of Mount Vernon for a 1 1/2 hour narrated trip up the Potomac River to Mount Vernon. After docking everyone was on their own to visit as many exhibits as possible in the three hours before our return trip back to Washington DC. Of course the mansion itself is a must see and admission tickets were provided to all upon arrival. Besides the mansion, Mount Vernon had plenty to see including gardens, Washington's tomb, slave quarters, museum and education center. I'm not sure anyone saw everything in the time we were there but most had seen enough and were ready to get back aboard and relax on the return trip.
At 6:00 it was time to have individuals and couples pictures taken for the memory book and enjoy some cocktails followed by a Filet Mignon dinner. Following dinner the Memorial Service was held to remember all veterans who served in the Armed Forces. Along with the Bell Ceremony to honor and remember Yancey sailors that are deceased, especially those who died or whose deaths we learned of since the last reunion. As the names from the Honor Roll were read, a bell was tolled in their memory followed by Taps and a hand salute concluding the Memorial Service. Time was left for some anyone who wished to share stories with the rest of the group. Since there was no scheduled breakfast on Sunday, and some would be leaving early, many said their goodbyes after the banquet.
Sunday morning brought the official end to the reunion with more goodbyes, handshakes and hugs among those having breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Everyone agreed a good time was had as usual and all plan on attending next year whatever the location.
Standing: Dick Balt, Phil Messer, Norm Boyd, Paul Dunn, Robert Redlow, Gene Foss, Duane Malme, Doyle Meadows, Walt Gillespie, Lindy Leo, Paul Smith, Bill Welfare, John Karlis,& George Clifton. Kneeling: Ed McLaughlin & Kris Russell representing Richard Cheaney.
Ed McLaughlin, Dick Balt, Phil Messer, Charlotte Messer, Robert Redlow, Paul Dunn, Norm Boyd, Gene Foss, Betty Malme, Duane Malme, Lydia Meadows, Doyle Meadows, Toby Gillespie, Walt Gillespie, Kris Russell, Paul Smith, Kathy Cheaney, Barbara Redlow, Bill Walfare, Lindy Leo, John Karlis, George Clifton & Connie Boyd.
Friday Tour & Plaque Dedication
Friday Evening Dinner
Saturday mount vernon tour
Saturday night banquet & memorial service
