Reunion Update! I hope all you are doing well with Covid 19 going around. We are moving along with Reunion, planning and praying this will be all over by next April. Here is where we stand. Noel has been working hard and we are now all booked for Nashville. Our reunion dates are April 14 - 17, 2021. In addition, we are also booked for our 2022 Reunion in Norfolk. We will be going back to our Home Port. You will have to report for duty March 31- April2, 2022. This year you can register online or through the mail. The website now has the capability to either print a registration form to mail in or register and pay online. For those who like to use PayPal it is now available on the website. |
|
|
This year's reunion is being held at the The Inn at Opryland, A Gaylord Hotel Marriott Hotels 2401 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214 Phone: (800) 901-4211 or (615) 889-0800 - Tutuila Rate $139 per night plus tax (outside- community patio)
- $149 per night plus tax (inside - no patio)
Remember All Hotel Reservations must be made directly with the Inn at The Inn at Opryland. Make sure you mention "USS TUTUILA REUNION". Please make your hotel reservations as soon as possible so we do not lose our block of rooms. IMPORTANT! All New Registration Forms must be in Guy Veni hands by March 10, 2020. | | |
|
|
Website Update Just a reminder anything in the newsletters that is in BLUE/RED TEXT and UNDERLINED can be clicked on and it will take you to the information being discussed on the internet. If you wish to pay your dues online Click Here NEW PICTURES HAVE BEEN ADDED. I want to thank Bill Womacks for sending in his pictures from 1970. If you wish to see his pictures click here. To have your pictures on the website either send them to me via mail or email. If you just want to upload your pictures to directly to me via the website all you have to do is go to Contact Us and click on “ADD YOUR PICTURES”. I am sure a lot more of you have pictures of your time on the Tutuila and some great stories to share; please send them to me. At the last meeting some of you mentioned that you preferred to pay with PayPal. We have have added PayPal as a payment option if you wish to purchase anything on the website. |
|
|
TAPS In Memory of Our Deceased Shipmates I am saddened to pass on to you that Bill Womacks has advise me that we have lost two shipmates who served with him in 1970. - Jack Grignon SH-1, Virginia Beach,VA
- Roy Henson BM2, Missouri - April 2020.
|
|
|
James Van Duesen Died May 30, 2020 (age 93) Ron Hurt , James' friend contacted me about James's death. James served in 3 wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. In the picture to the left is some wisdom James has passed on to us all. James loved his classic cars and his dog. Let us pray for our shipmates who have passed, their loved ones and families. |
|
|
Bill Womacks Bill recently sent me a letter and his pictures. For those who didn't serve with Bill, he was the baker on board the Tutuila in 1970-1971. In fact, he was the only baker on board during that time.In his letter Bill says that BM2 Roy Henson who just passed away met him again in NOB Norfolk a year after serving together on the the Tutuila. Roy and his wife Lois became good friends and they became God-Parents to Bill's three (3) children. Roy retired as a WO-3 Boatswain. In his letter he said that he served 20 yrs in the USN and then Bill went on to sail for the Military Sealift Command as a baker for 23 yrs. He was coming this year to our Norfolk reunion, however since it was cancelled he ordered a ship's hat. Bill is trying to contact Molder Brown. If anyone knows how to contact him, please email me his information so I can pass it onto Bill. I guess we are going to have to have him bake us something at the next reunion in Norfolk. I remember those hot rolls that the bakers gave me when I was on board (67-68). |
|
|
Local VFW Post members urging state to allow them to reopenVeterans of Foreign Wars Post members say they are seeing financial struggles during the pandemic. The COVID-19 shutdown is not only hurting businesses but area non-profits too. Veterans say they need help, helping others. Local VFW Posts, including Post 4692 Texas, in Bryan are closed because the 51% alcohol sale rule that apply to bars also applies to them. The state has shut down bars and establishments that have 51% or more of their sales from alcohol. VFW leadership said posts are facing similar struggles. They’ve had to cancel events, fundraisers and other programs that could help veterans, to giving scholarships to students in our communities.“Financially we’re going in a hole right now. I mean this post is hurting for money and if we don’t get it back open soon we’re going to be at the brink of you know closing completely. We don’t want to do that,” added Phillip Dubois, VFW District 17 Quartermaster. |
|
|
DAV CANCELS NATIONAL CONVERNTION Out of an abundance of caution for the health and well-being of veterans , their families and guest, DAV's National Executive Committee (NEC) has canceled the 2020 DAV and Auxiliary National Convention scheduled to begin Aug. 1 in Dallas. The decision was made as a result of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
|
|
AOC proposes measure to put an end to military recruiting using esports teams, livestreaming “It’s incredibly irresponsible for the Army and the Navy to be recruiting impressionable young people and children via live streaming platforms,” Ocasio-Cortez told VICE.The proposed amendment to the House Appropriations bill faces a long road to be made into law. |
|
|
The proposed amendment to the House Appropriations bill faces a long road to be made into law. The budget written by the House will go through numerous committees and votes before being sent to the president. The Army sees esports teams as a recruiting tactic similar to presence at sporting events and shopping malls that young people frequent. “Army recruiters understand that in order to do their job, they must be visible where their audience resides,” Army spokesperson Lisa Ferguson told Military Times. Twitch, a video streaming platform, is one such place. The website boasts an average of 17.5 million daily visitors and more than 600 billion minutes of content watched this year. The budget written by the House will go through numerous committees and votes before being sent to the president.The Army sees esports teams as a recruiting tactic similar to presence at sporting events and shopping malls that young people frequent. |
|
|
Ship’s Store Don't forget the Ship's Store is open 7 Days a week 24 hours a day. | | |
|
|
Well That's it for Now.... Please remember to send me stories, pictures or anything you would like to see in the next newsletter as well as on the website. Thanks, Guy Veni |
|
|
|
|
