2015 USS Yancey Reunion Recap
The USS Yancey and the USS Rankin held our second joint reunion at the Holiday Inn Opryland Airport Hotel in Nashville Tennessee. People began gathering in the hospitality room even before registration began and got a head start on catching up. The reunion began with a Welcome Buffet on the Jackson Veranda in the hotel and afterwards many returned to the hospitality room for refreshments and to continue getting reacquainted.
Friday morning was cloudy with rain forecast, however the buses were loaded for a Nashville City tour and the Country Music Hall of Fame or the home estate of President Andrew Jackson. I chose the Hall of Fame and found it very interesting. They had many exhibits including rhinestone costumes, Elvis’s Gold Cadillac, and many interactive exhibits with country music. The city tour consisted of driving past country stars homes and studios. Unfortunately it was raining so we were on the bus the entire tour.
Friday evenings rain didn’t deter us from boarding buses for the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater. After a southern buffet dinner we sat back to enjoy the show of country music and comedy. The main attraction was Tim “The Fiddle Man” Watson who was extremely entertaining both with his fiddle and comedy talent. His 19 year old son TJ was also part of the show and played a mean Harmonica. I believe everyone enjoyed the show as they were still talking about it the next day.
Saturday morning was a tour of the Belle Meade Plantation. The plantation was used for breeding thoroughbred race horses including the bloodlines of Seabiscuit and others. A costumed guide led us through a tour of the mansion built in 1845 followed by wine tasting in the Belle Meade Winery. We then toured the rest of the property and other buildings on our own before having lunch and heading back to the hotel.
Again undeterred by the rain we boarded buses for the short trip to the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry provided a variety of different entertainers most notably Mel Tillis and Ray Stevens. Others included Kristian Bush, Ray Pillow and Riders in the Sky to name a few. It was a good show but a much slower pace than the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater so a little disappointing.
Sunday mornings forecast of no rain made it the perfect day for our Lunch Cruise aboard the paddle wheel boat General Jackson. After boarding we enjoyed a buffet brunch followed by entertainment of traditional gospel music. After the show we went on deck to enjoy the view of the City of Nashville and relax as we cruised back down the Cumberland River.
The Sunday Banquet began with the presentation of Colors by the midshipmen from Vanderbilt University’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and the playing of the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Ed McLaughlin gave the Invocation followed by welcome remarks from MC Skip Sander. After Rankin WWII shipmate Paul Allen presented a toast, dinner was served. After dinner, guest speaker Commander Sam Brasfield was introduced. Commander Brasfield is the Executive Officer, Vanderbilt University NROTC Unit. Commander Brasfield gave an interesting talk about diversity in today’s Navy and answered questions from the attendees. The speaker was followed by the traditional Memorial Service. Once again Ed McLaughlin acted as Chaplain providing the Invocation and prayers leading into the Bell Ceremony. George Clifton and Skip Sander read the names of the deceased for each ship. As each name was read there was a single peal of the bell to honor them. This was followed by TAPS to conclude the service. This officially brought the banquet and reunion to a close until next year.
The USS Yancey and the USS Rankin held our second joint reunion at the Holiday Inn Opryland Airport Hotel in Nashville Tennessee. People began gathering in the hospitality room even before registration began and got a head start on catching up. The reunion began with a Welcome Buffet on the Jackson Veranda in the hotel and afterwards many returned to the hospitality room for refreshments and to continue getting reacquainted.
Friday morning was cloudy with rain forecast, however the buses were loaded for a Nashville City tour and the Country Music Hall of Fame or the home estate of President Andrew Jackson. I chose the Hall of Fame and found it very interesting. They had many exhibits including rhinestone costumes, Elvis’s Gold Cadillac, and many interactive exhibits with country music. The city tour consisted of driving past country stars homes and studios. Unfortunately it was raining so we were on the bus the entire tour.
Friday evenings rain didn’t deter us from boarding buses for the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater. After a southern buffet dinner we sat back to enjoy the show of country music and comedy. The main attraction was Tim “The Fiddle Man” Watson who was extremely entertaining both with his fiddle and comedy talent. His 19 year old son TJ was also part of the show and played a mean Harmonica. I believe everyone enjoyed the show as they were still talking about it the next day.
Saturday morning was a tour of the Belle Meade Plantation. The plantation was used for breeding thoroughbred race horses including the bloodlines of Seabiscuit and others. A costumed guide led us through a tour of the mansion built in 1845 followed by wine tasting in the Belle Meade Winery. We then toured the rest of the property and other buildings on our own before having lunch and heading back to the hotel.
Again undeterred by the rain we boarded buses for the short trip to the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry provided a variety of different entertainers most notably Mel Tillis and Ray Stevens. Others included Kristian Bush, Ray Pillow and Riders in the Sky to name a few. It was a good show but a much slower pace than the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater so a little disappointing.
Sunday mornings forecast of no rain made it the perfect day for our Lunch Cruise aboard the paddle wheel boat General Jackson. After boarding we enjoyed a buffet brunch followed by entertainment of traditional gospel music. After the show we went on deck to enjoy the view of the City of Nashville and relax as we cruised back down the Cumberland River.
The Sunday Banquet began with the presentation of Colors by the midshipmen from Vanderbilt University’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and the playing of the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Ed McLaughlin gave the Invocation followed by welcome remarks from MC Skip Sander. After Rankin WWII shipmate Paul Allen presented a toast, dinner was served. After dinner, guest speaker Commander Sam Brasfield was introduced. Commander Brasfield is the Executive Officer, Vanderbilt University NROTC Unit. Commander Brasfield gave an interesting talk about diversity in today’s Navy and answered questions from the attendees. The speaker was followed by the traditional Memorial Service. Once again Ed McLaughlin acted as Chaplain providing the Invocation and prayers leading into the Bell Ceremony. George Clifton and Skip Sander read the names of the deceased for each ship. As each name was read there was a single peal of the bell to honor them. This was followed by TAPS to conclude the service. This officially brought the banquet and reunion to a close until next year.
Click on picture to enlarge then click on right arrow to forward to next picture.
REGISTRATION, WELCOME BANQUET AND HOSPITALITY ROOM
Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Nightlife Show
Belle Meade Plantation and The Grand Ole Opry
General Jackson Paddle Wheel Brunch Cruise
Sunday Night Banquet and Memorial Service
Most of the Attendees
Not pictured
Carl & Beth Calo
Harvey & Irene Bernstein
Not pictured
Carl & Beth Calo
Harvey & Irene Bernstein
Front Row - Bill Walfare, Elton Fauber, Duanne Malme, Norm Boyd, Phil Messer
Back Row - Walt Gillespie, Paul Smith, George Clifton, John Karlis, Ed McLaughlin