Newsletter May, 1994 Volume 5, No. 2

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

WOW!! Look at the "Welcome aboard" list. Two full pages and 234 names - - all since February. Just some thoughts:

• Ten of these guys I stood CIC watch with in the Gulf of Tonkin during shore bombardment and Piraz operations. Now, if they all come to the reunion along with the other members of that gang -- some of which were there last year -- we can put together a Condition II port or starboard CIC watch team.
• I said at last year's reunion that I would like to double in size this year. Look's like we will make it. And the thanks goes to Dudley and Ruth Cass and Ernie Villamil.
• If the New York delegation wants to set the record again for 100 percent attendance, they will have to hustle. Seven new ones have been added.
• And finally, someone from Arkansas. In fact, four in this group. Arkansas has been one of the few states not represented until this time. Welcome aboard shipmates (and neighbors).
• When one considers milestones, we reached our 500th. That honor goes to Ron OOP, SK3 (63-66), Wapakoneta, OH. Welcome aboard Ron, and congratulations.
• Two are from the TOPEKA (CL -67) and have indicated they would like to associate with our group. Welcome to you also.
• All but two of the 234 are former enlisted. That's great. That dispels entirely some early complaints that we were too much like a Wardroom-Chief's Quarters organization. And by the way guys, we only list rank/rate to help others pinpoint where you were on the ship. In practice, we are just shipmates looking to remember an earlier time in our lives.
• And now, if we could all get together in San Diego August 18-20 .... Dudley's got a fine time arranged for us, and you won't be disappointed. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Sincerely, Jack Connery

WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

There has been talk of late as to what our association should be doing, if anything, in addition to finding shipmates and having reunions once a year. Opinion has it that we ought to be doing something.

The Board of Advisors met last month to discuss this question, and developed the following list of items to consider at the August Business Meeting. Any of these items would represent a commitment of time and money.

• Develop a scholarship program
• Support the Navy Relief Society
• Support the Special Olympics
• Support Multiple Sclerosis fund raising
• Support the VA hospital program
• Support of the Homeless

Don Nellis, Advisory Board Chairman, would appreciate any comments/suggestions on these or any other ideas you may have. Contact him at 12735 Abra, San Diego CA 92128, before the reunion.

1995 TOPEKA CALENDAR

A special Topeka calendar will be created for the year 1995. Orders will be taken at the San Diego Re-anion in August, and they will be distributed before Christmas. A very suitable tool for use in your home or place of work, or as a possible Christmas gift. Estimated cost will be about $4.00

We need your help

• Look back through your memory, records, memorabilia, etc. and send Jack Connery those dates during your tour of duty that were significant to you, your division, the crew and the ship. They will be noted on the calendar. Because of the large numbers, we won't be able to use those of a personal nature, i.e. birthdays, reporting/detaching dates, etc; just those that affected the ship or crew.
• The Editor, once again, needs to borrow cruise books. He has the one for the Vietnam deployment (1965-66) and the 1964 cruise book, but needs the two WestPac cruise books before that, and the Med cruise book. They will be cared for and will be returned.
• The Editor also needs pictures. A lot of Topeka pictures will be used in this calendar. Send anything you may have, I'll take pictures of them and return them.

This can be a neat calendar - - and useful too. But it's success is up to you. We need your help, just like we did when we put together Baka Hachi. Please help.

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