Shipmates, a new year, 2022. Our 2021 Reunion was successful although fraught with the intrusion of the C19 Virus. Hosts and venues were, as always, "on the money". We had the best of everything as is our tradition wherever we gather. Our attendance was reduced by 2/3rds to 3/4ths in comparison to our first in 1990 in Bremerton which was solely organized and overseen by Dick Asche. He and ADM Bob McClinton, with Perry Baunsgard were the influence and powers behind saving our ship from the scrap yard. I became an assistant to Dick Asche after the first reunion. Our membership grew at one point to over 500, if my old memory serves me. Today, we are down by at... Read more
Shipmates, a new year, 2022. Our 2021 Reunion was successful although fraught with the intrusion of the C19 Virus. Hosts and venues were, as always, "on the money". We had the best of everything as is our tradition wherever we gather. Our attendance was reduced by 2/3rds to 3/4ths in comparison to our first in 1990 in Bremerton which was solely organized and overseen by Dick Asche. He and
ADM Bob McClinton, with Perry Baunsgard were the influence and powers behind saving our ship from the scrap yard. I became an assistant to Dick Asche after the first reunion. Our membership grew at one point to over 500, if my old memory serves me. Today, we are down by at least half. Age has taken it's toll as we become less able to travel and many have been called "Home". We continue today to keep our Lady afloat through our pride in serving in Turner Joy, attending reunions when possible, and supporting the BHSA, who has sole possession of our home for a period in our lives. Times have changed. The world seems to have turned upside down, but I have to say that we, who are still able, need to remember our service in Turner Joy and gather in friendship to keep her "soul" intact. All who served in her are her soul. Please continue to support Turner Joy as a museum and help us in building our membership by reaching out to the last crews who served her until 1982.
Tentative plans are for another reunion in 2022 as we are fading away. Our next news letter will have information regarding those possibilities. My very best to all.... Tod Hale 3/66- 6/69 STG3