Thank you ladies and gentlemen...for an absolutely fantastic weekend......a weekend that will be long remembered.

I think everybody probably had their favorite little moment that day, mine, I think, must have been when we pulled up in front of the South Pacific Sport Bar and found our welcome mat a little misspelled, but found the establishment full of heartfelt appreciation for us having selected their little haven of havens for our afternoon get-to-gather. I really enjoyed that place; just about maybe like being back on the rock, maybe, eh? Damn, I miss those years........ 

Sincerely, 
Terry Kuehn, 1960-1963
April 24, 2006

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In the Beginning! 
It was a day of sunshine and as an eastern wind blew across the salted shores, men and women of the Hassayampa family gathered together for their yearly mini meeting. 

This year on April 22nd of 2006 the meeting began at the Oyster Bay Inn in Bremerton, Washington. The 21st I arrived and checked into a most wonderful room were the view of Oyster Bay was remarkable. The sunset that night was a great indication of how the reunion was going to be, I was sure, with the exquisiteness of colors reflecting across the sea-blue water. But it was not until the sunrise the next day that came to my surprise of anything of the night before could ever be topped, but it did, in a most magnificent way. Great choice Terry! 

The Gathering! 
As the morning continued in a most breathtaking way, I stood out on parking lot watch and then Bruce Wright came and we started talking as more started to show. As you can imagine there was a bit of a crowd starting to gather and this was soon taken to the Oyster Bay Inn lounge. Soon by 9:00am, there was a good collection of old salts and wives chirping away and playing musical chairs where all that was missing was the music.

The Brunch! 
From here the mission was to take a turn to the South Pacific Sports Bar for a brunch and some more of those sea stories. Leaving the Oyster Bay Inn by car pooling our way to our downtown location, in its own, was a nice scenic drive. The atmosphere of this sports bar was on a tropical nature and even had the ambiance enhanced by the waitresses having great form and cheerful poses. Of course, this time we had music to go with the musical chairs. The pool table was used for displaying pictures along with other Hassayampa documents. Like in our long traditional manor of "Hassayampa Sailors," we ate, we drank, we talked, and we kissed the girls goodbye. Highly recommended on the comfort zone, and highly hits the top of the Sailor's Talbot. Excellent Choice! 

The Tour! 
The USS Turner Joy (DD-951), a Sherman class destroyer, was built by the Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Company in 1957, but was not commissioned until 1959. Then in November of 1982, the Navy announced her retirement. The tour began along her starboard side and went straight to the coffee pot; oh yea, that was me. The group found that the sights and sounds reflecting this old girl’s time at sea was inspiring, bringing smiles and a few tears. Scheduled for a two-hour tour, the group seamed to take it just a bit longer to linger over its many wonders, stopping and talking about this and that. Almost as heads bent over in prayer for those who walked her deck, like me, I am sure the smell of salt in the air, the battleship gray, and even the Bald Eagle that stopped atop the highest mast on this ship to give a great American salute to those Hassayampa sailors who now walk her decks, a tear from these eyes did fall. Now this is a walk into the past I will remember. Thanks Terry! 

The Museum! 
The Naval Memorial Museum in Bremerton is in its own way a very special place, loaded with thousands of memorabilia from 100’s of years of sailing vessels or original parts of them, aircraft, and those remarkable tall ships, including amazing weapons from long ago. Just a massive collection of different things from a block and tackle off the USS Constitution or the deck plate from a ship shelled at Pearl Harbor in WW II. How about a bell off the USS Nitro (AE-23)? Yes, two floors crowded with relics from the past. The best part was it was free; they work off donations of not only money to keep the doors open, but donations of these wonderful relics from the past to keep it alive. I highly recommend a walk through, but keep in mind it may take some time to see it all. Excellent museum choice! I never counted but I bet there are at least 50 bells from different retired ships over at least a 50-year span. Another great walk though the past to remember, Thanks Terry! 

The Dinner! 
After all this walking, its finally time to sit and eat, drink and be merry! Located on the shores of East Bremerton stands a Victorian style eatery that serves drink and not your average Navy meal. The Boat Shed is an interesting aroma of sweet nectar. Enough of the girls. The menu was a seamen’s dream of a mixture or sea food and meats touched with a list of amazing salads. I, of course, took the special of stuffed halibut that was a mouth watering delight by just looking. Back this with the fresh aroma of brewed coffee...you get the next-to type feeling of what officers ate. I give this meal a ten on the Richter scale. I did notice that Gary Faucett had desert, although I cant imagine where he found the room. He can tell you how the desert was. By looking on the faces of everyone you could tell that they were stuffed and very much pleased. I think Terry found another great choice for this special gathering to almost end the day. The best thing was after eating there was not much musical chairs going on and as the men and their wives made way to the cars to return to the hotel, I noticed a wee bit of slower movement in all. 

Days End! 
Here we are back at the hotel bar…meeting together for the operation of next year’s meeting of the minds, I believe, after being side tracked at least a dozen times with more sea stories, a decision finally came up. I believe it is Portland, but Terry will have all the information when he gets things together. Other things went on that others would have more information on then I. I am sure they will post that information as it develops. Again, thanks Terry, for an operation designed, executed and completed in a true Hassayampa style. After everyone left, Bruce, Ken and I had to sit and talk some more and then they went to their rooms and I drove home and smiled all the way. It was a wonderful sunny day with some great memories tucked deep into these pockets. Hope to see everyone next year, and this year in Jacksonville, Florida, or just running into each other. Thanks for the memories and to Terry for making it happen! 

Can't wait for 2007 and what surprises await! 

Vic Whitmore 
MM/FN 1971-1973
April 25, 2006

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It all happened much to quickly. There is never enough time. As usual Terry put together a great weekend. The Oyster Bay Inn was fantastic. The views from the rooms were great. We crammed a lot into Saturday. From the welcome the Hassayampa received at the "South Pacific Sports Bar" (where they did learn the correct spelling of "Hassayampa") to the terrific service provided by the two waitresses. Those young ladies outdid themselves to make us feel welcome. The chow wasn't bad either. Up to Hassayampa standards.

The tour of the Turner Joy brought back memories years gone by on the Hassayampa and refueling stations. Did we really spend 36 hours on station refueling the USS Hancock? during a typhoon? Was able to spend a lot of time with Leo Kuehn while onboard. Had a good time talking with him.

Visit to the museum was interesting. They have done a good job of finding and displaying very interesting items.

Dinner at the Boat Shed was a lot of fun. It seems like everyone sensed the day coming to an end and cut loose. A good time had by all.

I would like to thank everyone who helped me make it through the day. I had injured my back Friday morning but drove to Bremerton anyway. Saturday morning I did not think I could participate in the reunion and would have to go home. But my loyal shipmates convinced me that they would help me make it through the day and they were true to their words. Thanks to all of you for making this reunion possible for me and my wife.

Well, mates, on to Portland next year. Hopefully we will have a bigger turnout. If not we will miss you but we will have a good time. Keep in touch everybody.

Bill Miller, Hassayampa 61/62
April 26, 2006

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Hi Terry:

This party is one of those odd cases where you take a week off and know, WITH CERTAINTY, that when you come back, your workload is going to screw you.

Well it did.

Fortunately, in this case, this party put me so 'at ease' (or just plain at ease...whichever) that I was able to run with the ball, and in three days was able to cover seven days of work. I was just that relaxed when I went back to work. Can't say I'm there at this moment, but I sure enjoyed the feeling from the party you set up. Meeting all of you again really helped. Thanks.

As for the light cruiser in the photos, that should be the USS Richmond (CL-9) as I remember from being there 'before.' An old '4 pipe' light cruiser. What I didn't get this time were pictures of the Nagato model. Oh well, guess that can happen.

Meanwhile, I did really enjoy this reunion. First of all, I have friends... to all of you, thank you very much. Second (and not so enjoyable), and this can be much more serious... I watched TV for the first time in about eight years. What in the heck is going on here?????

I found out two things this mini-meet. First and most important, that I have friends. Second, that commercial and/or cable TV isn't worth watching, despite the story. I guess it's because I just don't need the advertised 'penis implant' thoughts for their adverts. So much for TV. 

Meanwhile, it was a vast joy to visit with all of you.

Thank you all. Looking forward to Portland, or wherever.

AVWS....Fair Winds...Bruce :;)

P.S.: Terry, thanks for the photos; I'm sending this along to my dad.

Bruce Wright
May 6, 2006

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