2010 Reunion
All Hands Reunion for USS LYNDE McCORMICK DDG 8
September 9th – 12th, 2010
Jacksonville, Florida
The All Hands Reunion was held in Jacksonville, Florida, Thursday, September 9th, 2010, and ended on Sunday morning, September 12th, 2010. This was our first reunion east of the Mississippi River, which was of great benefit to shipmates living on the East Coast. We met a few shipmates who have not been able to attend prior reunions.
For this reunion and for the first time, we used the services of a professional reunion company, the Military Reunion & Locator Service, Inc. They handled all of the event planning, the publicity, the notices in all appropriate publications, the hotel reservations, and they worked with us to make this trouble free reunion. They lined up the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront on the St Johns River in downtown Jacksonville for our reunion and banquet. It`s an excellent 3 star hotel.
The Agenda
Thursday September 9, 2010
12:00 Noon: Registration Begins and the Hospitality Room opens stocked with coffee, soft drinks, and snacks. Because of liability considerations, private alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into the hospitality room. The hospitality room will close during the welcome reception.
5:00—6:00 PM: Welcome reception begins. You certainly will want to be there for this first planned social activity. After a few welcome remarks and introductions you may enjoy your favorite beverage from the cash bar and have a snack from the hors d’oeuvre tray. The hors d’oeuvres probably are not adequate for dinner, so dinner is on your own tonight. There are two nice restaurants inside the Crowne Plaza.
Friday September 10, 2010
Breakfast will be in the hotel restaurant; coupons will be provided. Eat at your leisure, keeping in mind when the Optional Tour departs. Cost of breakfast is included in Option A Only.
8:45 AM Load ‘em up, at 9:00 AM move ‘em out: Optional trip to Naval Station Mayport.
People have been flocking to the area surrounding the present site of Naval Station Mayport for more than 400 years. With its ease of access to inland waterways and the open ocean, the early interest in the region has resulted in an important military base with strong ties to the community. Since its commissioning in December 1942, Naval Station Mayport has grown to become the third largest fleet concentration area in the United States. Mayport’s operational composition is unique, with a busy harbor capable of accommodating 34 ships and an 8,000- foot runway capable of handling any aircraft in the Department of Defense inventory. With more than 3,400 acres, NS Mayport is host to more than 80 tenant commands, 21 naval ships and six Light Airborne Multi-purpose System (LAMPS) Mark III helicopter squadrons. NS Mayport is also the operational and training headquarters for the SH-60B Seahawk LAMPS MKIII with a primary mission of anti-submarine warfare. As long as security remains at its present level you will be able to tour an active duty ship – no guarantees as to what type of ship will be available. Lunch in the Steel Beach lounge at the Officer’s Club is included in the tour price. After lunch there will be a riding tour of the base. You must have a government issued Photo ID in your possession. Your photo on a credit card is not sufficient. Also, an advance list of visitors must be provided to Base Security 72 hours prior to arriving, so there cannot be any last minute signups. Social Security numbers are not required this time. There is a minimum of 35 persons – per bus – for the tour to go. If more than one bus is required, a waiting list will be established until the 35 minimum is reached. We suggest you register early. You will return to the hotel around 2:00 PM. Since this is an optional tour, the cost is NOT included in either option. You must register separately. See the Registration Form, Adjustment Opportunities Block “Add Friday’s Tour.”
9:00 AM: Hospitality Room opens if anyone does not go on the tour. It will be stocked with fresh coffee and cold drinks. Snacks will be served in the afternoon. Registration will resume for Friday arrivals.
3:00 PM: Business Meeting, location to be announced on site.
6:00 PM: Social hour begins. Enjoy your favorite beverage from the cash bar while you anticipate a good meal and a fun evening.
7:00 PM: Dinner is served. Tonight you’ll enjoy a Tropical Dinner Buffet. After dinner we’ll have some self-entertainment. Rules of Engagement will be explained after dinner, but as a gentle hint you may wish to bone up on your 50’s and 60’s music, focusing on song titles and artists. The entertainment is free and fun. Cost of dinner is included in Options A and B.
Saturday September 11, 2010
Breakfast will be in the hotel restaurant. Coupons will be provided. Eat at your leisure, keeping in mind the tour departs at 9:00 AM. Cost of breakfast is included in Options A and B only.
8:45 AM Load ‘em up, at 9:00 AM move ‘em out: Today’s optional tour will take you to St Augustine, the oldest “continuously occupied” city in the United States. Magnolia Street was listed in National Geographic as one of the most beautiful streets in America. Your tour guide will tell you about Henry Flagler and his three wives and the many buildings he built, plus many more interesting facts and legends of the city. Of course there is the Fountain of Youth and many other points of interest. You’ll have some free time to explore on your own, perhaps take a buggy ride, visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not or some other attraction on St George’s Street. Lunch is on your own at one of the many restaurants. You’ll board the bus for the return trip to Jacksonville at 2:00 PM. There is a minimum of 35 persons – per bus – for the tour to go. If more than one bus is required, a waiting list will be established until the 35 minimum is reached. We suggest you register early. Cost of the tour is NOT included in either option. You must register separately. See the Registration Form, Adjustment Opportunities Block “Add Saturday’s Tour.”
10:00 AM: Hospitality room opens if anyone does not go on the tour. It will be stocked with fresh coffee and cold drinks. Snacks will be served in the afternoon. Registration will resume for Saturday arrivals.
6:30 PM: Pre-dinner Cocktail hour and photo session begins. Individual and/or couples photos will be taken for inclusion in the 2010 Reunion Memory Book. Six to eight weeks after the reunion, the memory book will be sent to everyone who registers for Option A, B, or C; or anyone selecting the “Individualized Option” who places an order for the memory book. Be sure to have your photo taken!
7:30 PM: The USS LYNDE McCORMICK Banquet. Enjoy your last night in a more formal setting. Coat and tie recommended for the gentlemen and corresponding dress for the ladies. If you can still wear a complete and correct uniform, please do so. There will be open seating, sit where you like, with whom you like. Our speaker will be RADM C.E. “Hi” Gurney, USN (Ret). Admiral Gurney was the ship’s Executive Officer during the ship’s 1964 – 1965 WESTPAC cruise, including the preparation for the cruise and the arrival of Ensign Wefald on February 5, 1965. Following the banquet program, a memorial service will be held honoring deceased shipmates. Cost of the banquet I included in Options A, B, & C. If you cannot participate in the banquet, you may opt-out. See the Registration Form, Adjustment Opportunities Block “Deduct Saturday’s Banquet”.
Sunday September 12, 2010
8:00 AM: For those who can wait until this hour to leave, breakfast together will be in the hotel restaurant. Coupons will be provided. Eat at your leisure. A section of the restaurant will be set aside for USS LYNDE McCORMICK DDG 8 members. If you must leave earlier or want to sleep in, you may eat at anytime the restaurant is open for breakfast. Cost of breakfast is included Options
2010 USS LYNDE McCORMICK REUNION ATTENDEES
Brady James – Nancy Brady 1980‐04 1982‐08
Hill Russell 1964 1966
Hadaway, Jr Jesse – Martha Whaley 1961 1962
Halter Stanley – Judi Rae 1980 1982
Ecklond Chuck – Kim Ecklond 1973 1975
Gurney Charles – Ann Gurney 1964 1965
Wilson Jim 1964 1967
Cierebiej William – Patricia Cierebiej 1965 1970
Douglas Kenneth 1961 1964
Corzan Thomas 1967 1969
Steinagle Thomas 1967 1968‐02
Sibold Brian 1966‐06 1968‐12
Olive Jefferson – Marie Olive 1981 1985
Piniarski Michael – Kathleen Piniarski 1961 1964
Bussen David – Diana Bussen 1967‐01 1970‐07
Newham David 1967 1970
Nesbitt David – Joanne Nesbitt 1967 1970
Wefald Robert 1965 1967
Joyce John 1961 1963
Stephenson Thomas – Donna Stephenson 1966 1969
Morgan Benny 1961 1964
Many thanks to Mary Lou and Dennett Srur for their idea to start a reunion of all the USS LYNDE McCORMICK DDG 8 shipmates.