Volume 11, No. 2 May 2000

Committee:
John Reynolds, President; Jack Timmons, Secretary/Treasurer; Al Jefferis, Assistant Secretary; Dudley Cass, Reunion 00 Chairman; Jack Connery, Newsletter Editor; Ken Noble, Web Master

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From the President

It seems as if we just got back from Branson, and it's time to have another family gathering. This will be our third trip to SD, and everything is looking great. Ruth and Dudley have all things in place and we will be kicking off another great reunion in just three more months. One of the things we will do is honor our plankowners, since this is the 40th anniversary of Topeka's re-commissioning. It's also our 10th anniversary as a reunion association. It's hard to believe that this will be our 11th reunion and the third for SD, but time flies when you are having fun. We are all a little older and wiser since we began all this, but getting older has some advantages, so they tell me. It's like the lady who was celebrating her 101st birthday and someone asked her if there was any advantage to being 101 and she quickly answered "no peer pressure". So hang in there and enjoy all your advantages.

John Reynolds

Taps

Dennis Vignapiano, EM2, 1960-63; July, 1999, Carlisle, PA.

Binnacle List

James Bond, YN3 (64-67), recovering from a severe auto-pedestrian accident.
Don Cameron, LT (60-62), San Diego.
Carol Buse, LTJG (64-66), Reedsport, OR
John Campbell, LT (61-63), Waco, TX

Cold War Certificate

Want something else suitable for framing that you can hang on the wall of your den? You are now eligible for a Cold War Certificate. To obtain this certificate, write to Cold War Recognition, 4035 Ridge Top Road, Fairfax Va, 22030-7445. Include your name, service number, dates of service and a copy of your DD-214 (do not send original).

Baka Hachi Revision Delayed

Jack Connery has asked for an extension in completing the revision to Baka Hachi. He wanted to have it available at the August reunion, but there is just too much material. To do it right will take longer than August. It will be ready by Christmas. Since we will have to pay for them at delivery, we would like to take paid orders in advance so funds will be available. It is estimated that the revision will cost $20.00 (including shipping), and may end up to be less, depending on quantity ordered. Should you like to order in advance, please mark check "Baka Hachi revision," and send to Jack Timmons. Your early orders will be appreciated. If you are still thinking about writing your favorite story for inclusion, you'd better get with it. Absolute deadline is September 1. There are still a lot of stories yet untold about life on Topeka. If you know one (and you all do), put it on paper and send it to Jack Connery. If you have pictures to go along with it, even better. Jack would also like to include stories from the wives and kids who were left behind when we went off on long deployments. Don't worry about not being a good writer. Jack will edit and rewrite as necessary. If it is a true story (and they all are), and you don't want to put your name on it, let Jack know.

New Members (Since May 2000)

"Bill" William Hight LTJG (67-68) Seattle, WA
Dennis Ryan SM3 (66-69) Wynantskill, NY
Charles Monroe II GMG3 (65-68) Glendale, AZ
Douglas "Doug" Olson MM2 (63-66) Sioux Falls, SD
Marshall Gleisten RD3 (63-65) San Rafael, CA
Dwight Reid EM2 (60-62) Des Moines, IA
Arthur Taft SN (67-69) Great Falls, MT
Wayne Lee MM1 (62-67) Pasadena, TX
Jack Hufty LTJG (67-69) Williamstown, NJ
Keith Meyer ETR3 (66-69) Rahway, NJ
Ray Bradbury SH3 (63-67) Reno, NV
"Don" (Donald) Habener RD1 (59-62) Lompoc, CA
Dale Tripp ET1 (59-62) Las Vegas, NV
Ronald Farney, FT2, St. Louis, MO
James Gavin, YN2 (63-64), Lodi, CA.

Letters

Dear Ed: I've received a USS TOPEKA (CLG 8) Reunion Newsletter for my husband, Dennis Vignapiano, 60, who died as a result of heart bypass surgery in July, 99. Denny, EM2, served on the Topeka 1960-1963. He talked about his shipmates a lot and wanted to attend a reunion when one came closer to the East coast, upon retirement, but as life is always throwing you a curve ball, he won't make it now. Hopefully, he'll make it in spirit. I just wanted to pass the word along in case one of his shipmates may remember him. If anyone would care to write for any information about Denny or has some stories to share please feel free to write and I will answer. My email address at home is: c0100lv@netzero.net and my mailing address is: 85 Zion Road, Carlisle, Pa.

Regards,
Carol L. Vignapiano

Dear Ed: Thanks for the email. I was just speaking with a fellow shipmate, John Wiggins, he and I served together on CCDF Three as radarmen. He made two cruises, I only one. I got out August, 1965, he a year later. Last week was the first time he and I communicated with each other since 1977, if you can imagine that. We had a lot of catching up to do. Funny, our not communicating was for no reason other than he lived in SoCal and I in the San Francisco area. Anyway, as best friends are, the element of time has no bearing on where we left off. It was as if yesterday was 1977. I was his best man too! I told him it would be nice to have a real reunion in August in San Diego. Chuck Duffy lives in San Diego too. He was on our staff too as a RD2, I believe. It's fun looking at my cruise book. I'll play the record which came with it to hear the sounds of the Topeka! Regards,

Marshall Gleisten

EdNote: Marshall, you, John Wiggins, and Chuck Duffy are most welcome to join us in our San Diego reunion. We are always glad to have more radarmen. We may have enough this year (some of whom you may remember) that we'll have to take two group pictures.

Dear Ed: My father attracted people to him who understood and shared his devotion to our nation, the Navy, family and community. Your thoughtful card is a kind reminder of his positive effect on all of us who knew him. My most sincere thanks and good wishes.

Frank L. Pinney III

Dear Ed:
Has anybody dropped by to see the Topeka bell in Topeka, Kansas, lately? I have polished her to a golden brass. She looks better than ever since she was last on our old ship.

Thanks for giving me the job of upkeep on the bell. I hope to meet up to your expectations of the bell's upkeep. I do pay homage to our ship every time I shine her. Besides that, I am also having fun in this venture.

John DeFord (64-67)
Keeper of the Bell