Reunion Report - News

Date: May 22, 2006
Dear Shipmates and Friends;
With our 4th ship’s reunion behind us now, it’s time to bring you all up to date on our association’s activities. Since gambling, sightseeing and traveling occupied a great deal of everyone’s time we’ll report on the activities shared within our Plaza Hotel hospitality center of operations.
On Sunday evening, April 2, after checking into the hotel, we all met informally in the hospitality room to renew old friendships and distribute the schedule of events composed in the old “Plan of the Day” format. President Anderson had gone all out to decorate the room walls with an array of original U.S.Navy Recruitment posters from the late 1930’s to the early 1970’s along with our cache of memorabilia items and Ship’s Store merchandise for sale. We also brought with us and hung the banner made in 2000 and had each crew member sign their name on it. This banner will be used at each of our future reunions.
On Monday morning, April 3, we met again in our hospitality room and enjoyed our continental breakfast and shared activity plans for the day and evening hours. During the registration portion of our get together, we handed out nametags and Las Vegas cap pins to all the attendees. President Anderson provided each shipmate with a metal cap pin of their former Navy rate designator which he generously paid for out of his own pocket. One big surprise was noted when a shipmate brought in a 60 ounce football shaped container and a handy straw for drinking the beer. We were told that it came from a casino across the street and many of us went and got our own.
On Tuesday, April 4, the hospitality room was used as a base of Operations during the day and afternoon as many of the shipmates and their families had plans at other casinos and sightseeing venues. At 1800 hours we had previously agreed to meet back at the room for cocktails and to conduct the ship’s business meeting. Following the meeting we all adjourned to the banquet room for a delicious prime rib dinner and a lively game of “Steal the Gift”
The following shipmates and guests attended the ship’s meeting and reunion banquet:
• Andy Anderson, his wife Mary, niece Marla and her two children
• Joe Allen, wife Bernie and son Jeff
• Cdr. Bob Brown and son Robert Brown
• Dwight Ledbetter and his wife Linda
• Tom Morrison
• Ed Boruff and his wife Jerrie
• Ron Kobuluck and his wife Mary
• Bob Bolton and guest Jan
• Jay Vennebush and his wife Carmen
• Al Vildibill and his wife Stevie
The results of the business meeting are as follows:
1 Richard E. “Andy” Anderson was re-nominated, seconded and voted in again as President and Chairman for the 2006 through 2008 reunion activities. (Home phone: 619-276-4250) Email: mail4mary@netscape.com
2 Joseph H. “Joe” Allen was re-nominated, seconded and voted in again as Vice-President and Treasurer for the 2006 through 2008 activities. (Home phone: 608-868-3235) Email: jha218@charter.net.
3 Andy Anderson and Joe Allen again appointed Thomas L. “Tom” Morrison as Ship’s Historian and Storekeeper responsible for memorabilia and items to be available for purchase such as ship’s patches, caps, etc. (Home phone: 310-575-0061) Email: 86buggy@comcast.net.
4 General discussions about where to hold the next reunion in 2008 resulted in a vote being taken and the crew unanimously agreeing that since 2008 would be the 40th anniversary of the commissioning of the O’Callahan, it was suggested that Massachusetts should be checked out for a suitable location. It was also decided to determine the specific city and dates for the reunion at a later time.
5 It was also unanimously agreed that yearly dues would continue at $10.00 per person per year ($20.00 for 2006 through 2008) and that a PAID receipt would be issued by the Treasurer to each paid member.
6 A motion was made to send the Tin Can Sailors Organization a $100.00 check of which Cdr. Brown donated $80.00 and the Association makes up the rest. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report:
Vice-President and Treasurer Joe Allen reported that after paying expenses from the reunion we were still in the black by $ 296.20 to start our plans for the next reunion.
Treasurer’s Note: “Shipmates, REMEMBER that dues keep this association afloat and if we don’t receive dues we’ll have to “Abandon ship!” But also, if you are having a financial problem and you can’t afford to pay your dues, please contact me and let me know. Our Association will carry you on the books until you can get back on your feet. One last point: please provide your phone number and current email address so we can keep our records up to date. Thank you; Joe”.
Please make your checks payable to:
IRISH SONG Reunion Association
And mail them to: IRISH SONG Reunion Association
C/O: Joseph Allen
6007 Greendale Drive
Milton, WI 53563-9489