Newsletter May, 1999 Volume 10, No. 2 May, 1999

From the President

It is time to relieve the watch:

It was over ten years ago when the group in San Diego met to talk about a USS Topeka Reunion. Many reunions have come and gone since then and we still have, basically, the same group of Southern California people running the show. At the last board meeting, this subject was talked about at great length. Mainly, the conversation centered around how to get some of the other members across the country involved in sharing some of the leadership duties in the association.

This will be Dudley Cass’s last year as secretary/treasurer. At the membership meeting in Branson, Dudley will be replaced. He has had this job since day one and is now asking to be relieved. If their is anyone out there who would like to fill these big shoes please let us hear from you. You can send that information to Don Nellis, Dudley Cass or myself. Anyone interested in any of the other leadership jobs please let the Don know ASAP. Don is chairman of the nominating committee and needs that information soon so he can get prepare a slate of nominees ready for the Branson membership meeting.

Ruth and Dudley have done a great job lining things up in Branson. This year's reunion will be a great one. Please don’t miss it. Come have a good time and get involved in the running of our fine association.

John Reynolds

Binnacle List

James Bond (YN3 64-67), recuperating from a serious auto-pedestrian accident, at James Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Fla. 813-631-6181.

New Members

Andy Cutbirth, YN3 (61-64), Springfield, MO
Pete Reifsnyder, LTJG (61-62), Wilton, CT
Gerald Fullerton, SN (59-63), Fountain Valley, CA
Benjamin Begin, GMG2 (61-65), St. Francis, ME
John Cox MM3, (63-65), Richland, WA
Michael Providence, YN3 (63-66), Fairport, NY
Russell Stamper, FT1 (59-61), Apopka, FL
Lamar Johnson, FTM2 (64-68), Beaverton, OR
Raymond Saunders, MM3 (60-63), San Diego, CA
Tom Fitzsimmons, SN (67-69), New York, NY
John Courtney, MM3 (59-62), Charlotte, NC
Ronald Cooler (68-69), Crestview, FL
Emory Smith, FTG2 (62-65), Manteca, CA

Interested in Five-Year Dues?

Members have inquired about paying dues less frequently. At the most recent meeting of the Advisory Board, the option of paying $60 for five years of dues was approved, effective immediately. This is a savings of $15 over the 5 year period for the member. Members choosing this option would receive the updated Member Directory at the first of each calendar year. Your newsletter mailing label will continue to tell you your dues-paid status.

Reunion Schedule

Wednesday, Aug 11.

• Complimentary Continental Breakfast 7-9 a.m.

• Van service available daily from 7 a.m. to midnight. Vans will be dispatched from hospitality room by the "watch". For return transportation to the hotel, call the hospitality room. A van will be dispatched to pick you up.

• 3 Van runs to Springfield airport on Wednesday: Vans will leave airport for Branson at 11a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.

• Open day for visiting, shopping, whatever.

• Hospitality room opens at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

Snacks, beverages (alcoholic, non-alcoholic, coffee, etc.) available.

Check-in for new arrivals.

Ships store will be set up.

Lunch time snacks.

• Group setup for Mickey Gilley show (at 8 p.m.). Leave hotel for Mickey Gilley restaurant at 5:15 p.m., then walk to theater after eating. Return to hotel approx. 10 p.m.

• Individuals desiring other shows, make own reservations, buy own tickets (from ticket outlet at hotel); van will be available to transport individuals to shows, will pick them up after show when they phone for pickup.

Thursday, Aug 12.

• Local van service available as on Wednesday.

• Hospitality room as described above.

• Golf (to be arranged).

• Group setup for Bobby Vinton show at 3 p.m. Group will walk up hill to theater (1/2 block from hotel) Van can transport those who can't walk up the hill. Leave hotel 2:00 p.m. for show.

• Group setup for Shoji Tabuchi show at 8 p.m. Vans will leave hotel at 5 p.m. to go to Paradise Grill for dinner, then walk (across parking lot) to theater after dinner. Return to hotel approx 10:30 p.m.

• Individuals desiring other shows, manage as above.

Friday, Aug 13.

• Van service and hospitality room as above.

• Golf (to be arranged).

• Group setup for Roy Clark lunch show at 1 p.m. Leave hotel at 11 a.m. for Loew’s theater restaurant - eat at 12 noon. Show starts at 1 p.m.

• Cocktail party at 5 p.m. No- host bar. Buffet dinner (salads, chicken, roast beef, beef in sauce, lasagna, vegetables, cherry cobbler , beverages).

Saturday, Aug 14.

• Van service and hospitality room as above.

• Meeting of Advisory Board 7:30 a.m.

• Group pictures at 9 a.m. at hotel. (Men, women, men & women). Photographer will take orders, 8x10 color prints ($8 each ) will be delivered at banquet Saturday p.m.

• Business meeting following group pictures.

• Banquet. No-host bar 6 p.m. Meal at 7 p.m. Color guard will present colors. Prime Rib, Scallops in wine-sauce in pastry shell. Vegetables. Dessert. beverages. 4 wines to be served.

Sunday, Aug 15

• Vans to Springfield Airport. Times 7 a.m., 11 a.m. (departure from hotel).

In Branson on Tuesday, August 10

Several shipmates have said they will be in Branson by Tuesday evening, and would be interested in seeing the 7 p.m. Andy Williams Show. If you would like to join the group, make a note on your reunion registration form to let us know. And please contact Ruth or Dudley Cass at the reunion hotel by Tuesday afternoon. We will try to setup a block of seats at the theater, and restaurant arrangements for a early dinner before the show.

Michigan, Ohio Indiana Shipmates CANCELED

Want a ride to Branson? How about on a chartered 45-foot touring coach, with other shipmates and their wives? Sounds like a pre and post reunion party.

Shipmate Dick Walker will charter a bus from the Coldwater, MI area, on the Michigan-Ohio-Indiana border, if there is enough interest. The bus would depart Coldwater Tuesday night and return early Monday morning. Cost would be about $95.00. If this sounds like a way to go, contact Dick at 28964 Jacksonburg Rd., Mendon, MI 49072 by June 15. Telephone 616-496-7730. You can also email him at <leidylk@net-link.net>

Letters

Dear Former Crew Members of USS Topeka:

Just to let you know that the former Light Cruiser Oklahoma City slipped quietly beneath the Pacific Ocean near the Marianas Islands after four days of bombardment during Navy training exercises in March.

One thing I would like remind all Topeka crewmen is that Topeka and Oklahoma City spent a lot of time together from their beginnings in 1944 and through the end of World War II. They were some of the last Cleveland Class cruisers to be built.

They went through shakedown training together, traversed the Panama Canal together, and sailed to the war in the Western Pacific together. While there, they operated together and even sailed within 55 miles of Tokyo while doing shore bombardments on the Japanese homeland in the area of Nojima Cape. This working relationship continued later during the Vietnam War.

In view of the close working relationships between the two ships, I would suggest that we consider having a joint reunion sometime. The old guys from WWII have mentioned Topeka at times; however, I know there exists a definite separation of the old from the new in your organization. Maybe it's time to reconcile. Who knows?

John Baker
President, USS Oklahoma City Reunion Association

From the Editor

The reunion at Branson, our 10th, will be a very important one to the future of our association. You saw in "From the President" that Dudley will not run again for Secretary/Treasurer. We will have to replace him and those are surely big shoes to fill.

I also hear through the grapevine that others may bow out. I know that Don Nellis has not been well, and I think he may want a rest. There may be others.

Come to the reunion prepared to have a good time. Come also to help in the process of selecting the next generation of officers.

The following notice was published in the News letter and is incorrect information.