USS TOPEKA CLG 8 Reunion Association Newsletter Volume 14, No. 3 November 2003 Officers: Jerry Judge, Chairman, Board of Directors; John Reynolds, President; Jack Timmons, Secretary-Treasurer; Max Kaster, Reunion 04 Chairman; Jack Connery, Newsletter Editor; Ken Noble, Web Master

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WE HAVE A NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN

Jerry Judge, FTCS (63-66), has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors, replacing Dudley Cass who elected not to run again, but will remain on the board of directors.

Judge, who hails from Chula Vista, CA., has been involved with the Association since it's founding in 1990 and will steer the association on a steady course. All will remember Jerry as the Emcee of most past reunions.

John Reynolds will continue for another year as president of the Association, and Jack Timmons will continue as Secretary/Treasurer.

Leaving the board is Jerry Pennington, RD3 (63-64) after a three-year tour. Replacing him will be Tom Victory, SFCS (60-64), Port Orchard, W A, as elected by the general membership.

LAUGHLIN ADVENTURE

It's too early to have all the details on the Laughlin Adventure but the dates of March 7-8 are locked in. The Smothers Brothers will be appearing at the Riverside Hotel on March 7, and the cost is $104 for two nights for two and $76 for one, including show tickets.

Dudley and Ruth Cass will again be hosting this west coast get-together, and all are invited. Bring your drink and a snack to share in the Cass room. Last year, 10 shipmates and friends made it a good party.
Contact the hotel at 800-227-3849 for reservations. Make sure to tell them you want show tickets at the Cass table. Call Dudley and Ruth at 619-267-3123, Email Bonitarcdc@aol.com , for more information.

LETTERS

Dear Ed:

I'm glad you guys found me in Portland. Or did I find you? I had hoped to get down to the reunion hotel, but had company all week and we were out of town most of the time. At the end of the week I had a speaking engagement on the east coast. I was a hostage in the Middle East in 1986.

I am so glad to make contact with the association. I look forward to attending some of the functions. I retired from my medical practice (physicians assistant) in January. I will continue to do public speaking. I certainly have time since I am not seeing patients on a regular basis.

Dick Melhart (61-63)

Dear Shipmates:

WE NEED AN EDITOR
Getting this issue of the newsletter together and to the printer has really been a struggle. It has been a difficult effort, as has been the last two or three issues. The reason they have been so hard, I have decided, is that the fun is gone from it.
I have enjoyed 12 years as editor of this newsletter, almost from the very beginning, and now, it's time for someone else to step forward and take a turn. There are other things I want to do and it is time to move on.

This will be my last issue. If you would like to take this task on (presently three issues a year, due out in February-March, June and October-November), please contact Board President Jerry Judge, Association President John Reynolds, or me. Our addresses are elsewhere in this newsletter.

It has been my sincere pleasure serving the USS Topeka Reunion Association.

Jack Connery (62-64)

Dear Ed:
I recently ran across the web site and enjoyed it very much, especially the account of the typhoon of 61. It was quite a ride.

I was an RD3 on the staff of COM CRUDE SF LOT 7. I remember seeing waves above me on the 04 level in flag plot. I extended for the duration of the cruise and got out of the navy upon arrival in the states. I now reside in Oklahoma City.

Paul Smith (1961)

Dear Ed (Shipmates):
Thanks for all the hard work that went into the Portland reunion.

It was a moving and emotional event to see all those semi-familiar faces, weathered by forty years of raising families and pursuing careers, united again.
Best wishes to all, and will see you in Charleston.

Lamar Johnson (64-68)

Hello Shipmates:
Remember the "ditty bag," issued in Boot Camp? It was originally called "ditto bag" because it contained at least two of everything: 2 needles, 2 spools of
thread, 2 buttons, etc. As time passed, "ditto" was dropped in favor of "ditty" and remains so today. The "ditty" bag is still issued to recruits and contains a sewing kit, toiletry articles and personal items.

MMCM (SS) Greg Peterman USN Retired
Submitted by Bob Bond (62-64) from www.military.com

Safe Harbor, B.J.Wagner

The officers and members of the board of directors take this opportunity to extend best wishes to all shipmates for the coming Holiday Season and New Year. As we celebrate with our families, let us remember fellow servicemen world wide who go in harms way to protect our freedoms.

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