USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22) Association
The Stoddert SITREP
VOLUME 5 - NUMBER 4
2009
WINTER EDITION
Association President: Lou Turilli 429 S. Roselle Rd., Roselle, IL 60172, tluigi@msn.com (630) 529-9875
Editor: Art Hansen, 5800 30th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68845, artandjane@charter.net (308) 237-5435
stop, we headed for Custer
State Park, crossing
2009 REUNION @ Rapid City, SD
The 2009 Reunion was 14 - 18 October in Rapid City,
South Dakota. Thirty-two shipmates and at least 20
spouses and guests attended tours, took photos, ate
meals, visited, laughed, and had a great time!
The Thursday tour kicked off in the fog. As the bus
drove through Rapid City’s downtown, everyone marveled
at the Presidential statues that stood at every corner. As
we climbed into
the mountains
toward
the
Shrine
of
Democracy, the
fog dissipated
and we had a
clear view of
Mount Rushmore. After touring this site, the bus headed
for Crazy Horse Monument. We had lunch on our own, but
plenty of time to watch the movie documenting the history
of Crazy Horse Monument and its founder, Korczak
Ziolkowski. Self-exploration revealed a Native American
display of craftsmen at work, the Ziolkowski home, plenty
of
souvenir
shopping, and
opportunity to
view
the
monument
under
construction.
Following this
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several pigtail bridges
and drove through
many
tunnels.
Some people were
cringing as we
drove through some
of the tunnels,
expecting to hear
the crunch of metal
on stone! The wildlife in Custer State Park made a great
showing as we saw and photographed white-tail deer, mule
deer, buffalo, antelope, turkeys, and the ever-loving burros
(who were sad that they couldn’t reach the bus windows to
beg). After the bus returned to the hotel, everyone had
stories to share in the Hospitality Room about the day.
The bus driver recommended “pure, unadulterated
buffalo” at the Colonial House, and several people took him
up on the suggestion. The buffalo burgers and rib eye
steaks were really tasty! The Colonial House is also known
for its bakery—delicious home made pies, etc. It made a
great afternoon stop for one group.
Benjamin Stoddert Association
Winter Edition 2009
Volume 5 – No. 4
Entertainment for Adults in Deadwood
Friday morning after a complimentary breakfast, the tour
participants met in the Hospitality room prior to leaving on
the
Spearfish
Canyon tour. There
were miles of
beautiful scenery,
with trees changing
color. Lunch on
Friday was spent in
Deadwood, where
tourism, gambling,
and shopping were
available to all.
Friday night’s buffet was well attended by the crew and
guests in various Hawaiian or casual attire.
The business meeting was held on Saturday, October
17th. Minutes will be published when they are available.
One thing for sure: the next reunion will be in San
Diego, CA! The members also voted to have the 2014
reunion, which is the 50th anniversary of the ship’s
commissioning, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Stoddert’s
home port. Another item of discussion was electing a new
president. Ron Zorn was elected and will take over the
helm in January 2010.
After the meeting, everyone had time to explore Rapid
City, relax in the Hospitality Room, swimming pool, hot tub,
or just hang out prior to the banquet. The Hospitality Room
was a favorite haunt of the sailors, where there were lots of
beverages and snacks. Because of the number and
variety of scrapbooks, photo albums, and memorabilia
brought by various crew members, the table on which
these items were located generated a lot of interest and
conversation (and no small amount of bragging, lying, and
plain old sea stories!)
The banquet
was highlighted
with Hugh Fleet’s
presentation of
the Flags over
America, which
covered
the
history of the
various flags which flew from even before the Colonial days
(a Viking flag) through the Revolution, Civil War, to the
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present. Some of us have had the pleasure of seeing this
once before, at the Concord, CA, reunion, but the wealth of
information still provided for an interesting and enjoyable
experience.
Of course, the table for the absent shipmate was set
and we paid homage to the military members who have
paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving up their lives or who are
missing and yet unaccounted for. Among the deceased
Stoddert shipmates is David Larson, whose brother,
Dennis, and family joined us for this reunion. David was
mortally wounded when gun mount 51 had a round explode
inside it on June 26, 1972. The Larsons are from
Nebraska and had a relatively short drive to Rapid City.
Dennis Larson and family
We were honored to have the Larsons attend and many
who knew David were able to share many memories.
Another fun highlight after the banquet was the drawing
for the 50/50 winners and door prizes. Winner of the 50/50
drawing, and receiving a check for $ 125.00, was Frank
Chesla. Frank was not present, but a check was mailed to
him after the reunion. Second place winner (of $100.00)
was Chuck Griffis. There were a number of door prizes
and many happy winners!
As usual, we had our first reunion attendees. This time
we had six shipmates and Dennis Larson. In addition to
Dennis Larson (back row, right), attending for the first time
were (left to right front row) Jim Heesch, Dennis O’Leary,
Chuck Griffis, Douglas and Donald Black, aka “The Black
Brothers,” and Rick Mason (back row, left).
Benjamin Stoddert Association
Winter Edition 2009
First Time Reunion Attendees
Volume 5 – No. 4
A Note From Herm
Have you visited our website lately?
Reunion pictures from previous reunions are on the
website, www.ddg22.com.
UPDATE ON ACVA (Adams Class
Veterans Association) Fundraising
From Craig Bernat, ACVA
Treasurer and Fundraising
Director
The ACVA REGULAR
Credit Card donor page
HAS NOT CHANGED.
This is to make an ACVA
Plankowner
donation
(usually $25). Or, after you
become
an
ACVA
Plankowner, you can make
a
REGULAR
Project
JumpStart
donation.
Donations using this web
page DO NOT go towards
our other fundraisers.
NEW ACVA/JHNSA Fundraisers: "HULL PLATE" and
"YARD O' CONCRETE"
The ACVA made changes to their website to allow for
specific designation and use of a form to donate to the
"HULL PLATE" and the "YARD O' CONCRETE"
Fundraisers.
www.adamsclassddgvets.org/SEEBEE.htm
provides
updated information. You can read details of how to help
restore the USS CHARLES F. ADAMS DDG-2 using these
two new fund raising plans. The information describes the
two fundraisers in detail and allows you to select the
amount(s) and "PLEDGE PLAN" to make a donation.
Click on the SPONSORSHIP FORM for the fundraiser
you want to get to the specific form you need to complete
your pledge. Then either select "REGULAR MAIL” OR
“EMAIL AS AN ATTACHMENT," to Craig Bernat. His
mailing address and email are on the forms.
The
ACVA
home
website
is
http://www.adamsclassddgvets.org/index.htm
Benefits of Association
Membership
I will volunteer to do PR work for the USS BENJAMIN
STODDERT 2010 reunion subject to your, and the BSA
Board of Directors, approval.
All such work as I might do, will be done with the
knowledge and prior approval of you and the BOD. This
will include all media releases.
Most will be public service
announcements (PSA) and as
much free press as we can get. I
do not envision any large
expenditure of the Association's
funds and no expenditure will be
made in the Association's name
w/o prior Board approval.
Yours Aye
Herm (Chambers)
2010 FIFTY/FIFTY DRAWING
We will be selling 50/50 drawing tickets right up to a few
minutes before the drawing at the 2010 reunion banquet
dinner. Tickets will no longer be mailed out with the
newsletters: instead you
need only send
your check in along
with some of
those pesky return
address labels
that regularly appear
in your mailbox.
Our treasurer will
take care of the
funds and will even
stick the address
labels on the tickets.
Remember,
the
drawing is always open to
everyone, regardless
of whether or not you attend the reunion. You do not have
to be present to win. The winners who are not at the
reunion will have a check mailed to him or her immediately
after the reunion. Here is a chance to cash in on some big
bucks. Ticket sales for the 50-50 will continue until just
before the drawing, which will be at the Sunday evening
banquet.
Help support a growing Benjamin Stoddert
Association. If you want to purchase 50/50 tickets, simply
mail $10.00 for each 12 tickets to John Dishaw at the
address below and include 12 address labels so we can
place them on the tickets for you. Make your checks
payable to USS Benjamin Stoddert Association and mail to:
John Dishaw
3035 Charlotte Street
Newbury Park, CA 91320
 Member Directory
(With written permission from members)
 Hard copy newsletters
 Discount at Ship Store
Join Today @
www.ddg22.com
Jim Heesch & John Lekwa share a laugh!
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Benjamin Stoddert Association
Winter Edition 2009
Volume 5 – No. 4
San Diego, Here we Come!
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Want beaches for swimming and surfing;
museums for art, culture, science, and history; or
world class golf courses? How about visiting
Mission San Diego, Balboa Park, or the famous
San Diego Zoo? Whether it is Coronado Island,
the Maritime Museum, or the Old Town Market,
San Diego has it all—join us for the 2010
Benjamin Stoddert Association reunion and join
in the fun. Dates to be determined later.
Hope to see you all at the 2010 Reunion!
DDG-22 Benjamin Stoddert
Art Hansen, Newsletter Editor
5800 – 30th Ave.
Kearney, NE 68845
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Benjamin Stoddert Association
Winter Edition 2009
Volume 5 – No. 4