|
08/27/08 I would like for anyone who remembers my uncle Dan Reynolds
YN3 who served on board Topeka 1962 - 1964 to contact me. All I can remember is that
he worked in one of the offices on board. I was only 6 years old, but
I can remember going on board the ship once on a tour. Anyone who might remember
him or his friends, Roger Christian or Paul Dietz they also served at the
same time.
Thanks,
Tim Reynolds
trnlds19@yahoo.com
On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 "Gunner and Kelly Kelley" <gunnerkell@cox.net>
wrote:
Hello!
I am writing to you to let you know that the bell of the USS Topeka will
soon have a new home.
I found your email addresses on the website of the USS Topeka.
My husband is a retired Marine and the Senior Marine Instructor of the
MC JROTC unit at Topeka High School. Soon the unit will have the honor
of caring for the bell of the USS Topeka at its new home in Constitution
Plaza, the area to the east of THS where the flags of each of the US
military branches are flown each day--above them, the US colors are
posted on the mast from the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides."
If you have an interest in visiting Topeka High School to meet the
students who will continue the upkeep of the bell and share your
experiences with them, we would love to make that happen. Also, there
were only five email addresses available from the Kansas list and only
one from those near KC, MO, so if you know how to contact others, please
pass the word and our contact information along.
Finally, the THS cadets host a Marine Corps Ball and would like to
extend an invitation to you. Our Ball honors all branches of the service
and is a wonderful evening! Our venue houses approx. 640 guests, and it
is very likely that we will have to decline requests as the date draws
near. We thought you might want to put together a table of USS Topeka
veterans. I will give you the basics here, and if you are interested in
more information I will let you know how to request an invitation. The
event is on November 1, 2008, tickets are $25.00, and it will be held at
Topeka's Capital Plaza.
We look forward to hearing back from you!
Curtis "Gunner" Kelley and Kelly Kelley
If you would like a Ball Invitation to be mailed to you, email Gunner
at: ckelley@topeka.k12.ks.us Use this for the subject line: MC BALL
INVITE
Contact information:
I am writing from our home email, and my husband's school email is
above. You may also call at our home (785) 233-3912 or at his work (785)
295-3228
Bob's response:
8/17/2008
Gunner & Kelly:
First and utmost, I think you for contacting me. I am currently living
in South Texas, however I have strong ties to Kansas. My son, lives in
Gardner, my wife is buried in Olathe, and my sister in law, Connie L.
Adams lives in Olathe (her deceased husband, Marion L. Adams served with
me on Topeka). The Topeka Reunion Association is very active. In fact,
our annual Reunion will be held in San Antonio, Texas, this year. The
Reunion dates are Sept 17, 2008 through Sept 20, 2008. Our Reunion will
be held at the Downtown Holiday Inn, it's within walking distance of the
River Walk.
The Topeka "ship's bell" is revered by all Topeka sailors and marines
who sailed on her. In fact , one of our members, who passes through
Topeka on occasion, always stops to polish the bell. As far as I am
concerned, to pass the bell onto the Topeka High School MC JROTC unit
would insure the perpetual care of this fine symbol, of a ship, and the
men who sailed on her, a long time ago. We are beginning to die off now,
each newsletter "the taps list" gets larger.
I would be delighted to attend your ball. Please send an invitation, and
dress code, to my address listed below. I am sending a copy of this
e-mail to all the officer's of our reunion association, and other Topka
sailors and marines who would have an interest. I have also copied my
sister in law, and (depending on her health) she could come along with
me, and represent her husband. If you would include her in the
invitation, I would appreciate this. If other Topeka sailors would like
to attend your ball, the association officer's will contact you by phone
or e-mail. Perhaps our President or one of the officers could attend on
behalf of our Association. I will bring it up for vote, and maybe their
expenses could be covered by the Association.
I would like to extend an invitation for you and your wife (As my guest)
to attend our reunion in San Antonio. If you would have an interest, I
could send you an invitation, costs, and I know my fellow Topeka sailors
would enjoy your company. We get major discounts from the hotels, and
attractions in the area. We always have a hospitality room, and banquet
on the last night. You will not have to attend all 4 nights. If you want
to stay one or two nights it can be arranged. I will need to know, ASAP,
to get you the discounted Topeka Reunion rates.
If you would have an interest, perhaps We,could bring some ship's
memorabilia. The Association would have to vote, on it's temporary
release, but it would be a look back in history of our fine ship. A
small display table would be required. If one of our officer's will come
to Topeka, perhaps you could get a "speaker" for your ball.
You will probably be contacted shortly by the Topeka Association.
Thanks Gunny---
Robert A Bond
2800 Turner Rd #A-40
San Benito, Texas, 78586
956-361-3920
|