The 2011 Reunion was held in Charleston, SC from June 20 – 24. The reunion was organized by Wayne Sieckowski and Walt Spiller with a lot of help from Larry Hook, who managed the fees and expenses for the reunion, and others. Wayne Sieckowski and James Doucett are due huge thanks for the great T-shirts they designed and ordered. In addition, the local USSVI Base assisted the Association at the Memorial Service with chairs and sound equipment. As in the past John Martin brought the commissioning plaque, the plank owner crew plaque, and the Commanding Officers plaque from the archives at the Navy Yard to the reunion. The Best Western Plus Charleston Downtown was a great location for the reunion. They provided wonderful hospitality to our group of over 80 people and had a large meeting room that served at reunion headquarters. The Association gave the hotel a picture of the USS James Monroe and wrote them a thank you letter for the excellent service provided by the staff.
There were over 40 former crew members plus over 40 family members and guests who attended the reunion. The reunion was also a financial success as the Association ended up making money at the reunion from the auction at the dinner, sales of hats, shirts, and posters, and additional membership dues paid. There was a full program of events at the reunion as listed by the Registration and Agenda information below the photos from the reunion.
At the Association meeting, the existing officers were re-elected:
President: Ken Shang
Vice President: Jim Powell
Secretary: Wayne Sieckowski
Treasurer: Larry Hook
The Association members voted at the meeting to have a review of the existing By Laws by a committee that will have until June 2012 to complete the review and submit any changes to the bylaws the committee things should be made. Any proposed changes will be presented to the membership for approval. The membership will then have 6 months to either approve or disapprove the proposed updated By Laws.
In addition to the Memorial Service at Patriots Point that started the formal events of the 2011 Reunion, the meeting attendees observed a moment of silence for our departed shipmates on Eternal Patrol. The list of shipmates on Eternal Patrol is posted on the website. The Association relies on input from shipmates to get names of additional shipmates who go on Eternal Patrol so all data members can provide is very appreciated. The easiest way to contact the Association is via the Contact US on the website but phone, direct email, or letter will also work.
The members voted to hold the next reunion in October 2013. It will be held on an extended weekend cruise departing from Jacksonville, FL to the Bahamas. Additional information on the 2013 reunion should be available in late 4Q 2011.
Photos from the events are below. There is also a list of those who attended the reunion below the photos.
USS James Monroe Association 2011 Reunion Memorial Service
Patriots Point Cold War Submarine Memorial
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
21 June 2011
2011 Reunion Memorial Service
Patriots Points Cold War Submarine Memorial
Patriots Point Cold War Submarine Memorial
Patriots Point Cold War Submarine Memorial
USS James Monroe Association Memorial Bench At Patriots Point
Visiting USS Yorktown At Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Lunch In The Chiefs Mess On The USS Yorktown
Reunion Headquarters In Charleston
Wayne Sieckowski & Larry Hook Registering Attendees
Mike Williams & Bruce Niggemann Telling Sea Stories
Relaxing & Telling Sea Stories In The Meeting Room
Sightseeing In Charleston
Charleston Harbor Tour
Viewing Fort Sumter During The Harbor Tour
2011 Reunion Dinner at Groose Creek American Legion Hall
Dancing During The Reunion Dinner
Wayne Siceckowski, Jim Powell, Walt Spiller
Brothers of the Phin 2011
Jim Powell, Charlie Cross, Ken Shang
Touring Middleton Place Gardens
Charleston River Dogs Baseball Game
Early 1970’s Gold Officers At The Reunion
Dale Lengkeek, Ken Shang, George Jurand, Steve McConnell, Gerry Motl
Here’s a list of people who registered at the reunion:
Jerry Bell & Alice
Charle Cross & Carolyn
Monty Cross & Robin
Martin DeSanto
John Donaldson & Mary
James Doucett & Jacqueline
Mark Foster & Elaine
Billy Graham & Judy
Leroy Hagen & Lynn
Art Hance
Milton Hazel & Elinor
John Herina
Larry Hook & Helena
Manley Hudson & Nancy Ann
Howard Icenhower & Christine
George Jurand
David Kugler
Norman Lampron & Rosemary
John Lee & Patricia
Dale Lengkeek & Anne
John Martin & Peggy
Steve McConnell & Cynthia
Robert McCoy & Marlyn
Robert McNeish & Dawn
Irwin Moiseff & ?
Gerry Motl & Roxanne
AJ Murphy & Shirley
Ray Nario
Bruce Niggemann & Lynn
Robertson & Kathleen
Jim Powell & Jackie
Robby Roberts & Becky
Richard Schuch & Cheryl
Ken Shang & Mari Hattori
Wayne Sieckowski & Joya
Jack Simmons & Kathryn
Walter Spiller & Carol
Luther Staggs & Treva
Bob Treadway & Kay
Phillip Wagner & Mary
Joe Walker & Lib
Mike Williams & Sandra
USS James Monroe Association Reunion Agenda & Registration
June 20 – June 24, 2011
Best Western Charleston Downtown
Toll Free 888-377-2121 or 843-722-4000
(Make Reservations Directly with the Hotel)
(Reunion Rate $74.99 + tax, mention USS James Monroe Reunion for rate)
Monday June 20: Check In, Registration and Social in Reunion Hospitality Room
Tuesday June 21:
1030: Memorial Service at Patriots Point $15.00 per person Number ___ Total Price ___
1200: Lunch in the CPO Mess on Yorktown $10.00 per person Number ___ Total Price ___
Rest of the day at Patriots Point or Free
Wednesday June 22:
1000: Association Business Meeting in Meeting Room
1300: Optional Harbor Tour $16.00 per person Pay on wharf
1900: Dinner & Dancing American Legion Goose Creek $25.00 per person Number _____ Total Price____
Thursday June 23:
1000: Optional Middleton Place Garden Tour $25.00 per person Number_____ Pay at Garden
1800: Baseball Game – Charleston River Dogs $20.00 per person Number_____ Total Price_____
( includes all you can eat Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Potato Salad, Ice Tea, Lemonade & game admission )
Friday June 24: 0800-1000 Coffee and Donuts farewell in meeting room
Grand Total ____________________
For planning purposes please make your reservations early and send check for the reunion activities you are planning on attending.
From:
Name:_________________________________Phone:_______________
Address:____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip:_______________________________________________
Email:_______________________________________________________
Send To:
Walt Spiller
217 Farm Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Make checks payable to: USS James Monroe Assn
March 2, 2010
The 2011 USS James Monroe Association reunion has been scheduled for June 20 – 24, 2011 in Charleston, SC. The location has been selected and a block of rooms has been reserved for attendees at a daily room rate of $74.99 plus tax for Sunday through Thursday nights, the nights covering the period of the reunion. To stay additional days longer, the rate Friday through Sunday, the rate will be $99.99 plus tax.
To make reservations for the 2011 reunion, call the numbers below for the hotel, ask for Reservations and tell them you want to make a reservation for the USS James Monroe Reunion in June, 2011 to get the rates we have arranged.
Here are the details:
The Best Western Charleston – Downtown
146 Lockwood Drive (Blvd)
Charleston, SC 29403-5123
phone: (843)722-4000
toll-free: (888)377-2121
fax: (843)805-8086
www.CharlestonBestWestern.com
Additional details will be announced on the website as further plans are made. We plan to make this a great event for all who attend and who hope that many of you can make it. Every former crew member is invited and encouraged to attend whether you are a member of the USS James Monroe Association or not. If you have any questions please contact us via the Contact Us page on the website.
June 7, 2011
Here is a list of people who have already signed up for the June 2011 Reunion:
Luther Staggs & Treva
Walter Spiller & Carol
Wayne Sieckowski & Joya
James Doucett & Jacqueline
Larry Hook & Helena
Philip Wagner & Mary
Howard Icenhower & Christine
Norman Lampron & Rosemary
Harold Dixon & Barbara Ann
Mark Foster & Elaine
Irvin Moiseff & ?
Dale Lengkeek & Anne
Bob McCoy & Marilyn
William Dean & Mary Lou
Bob Peterson & Kathleen
Milt Hazel & Elinor
David Kugler
Gerry Motl & Roxanne
Robert McNeish & Dawn
John Martin & Peg
Jerrold Bell
John Donaldson & Mary
AJ Murphy
Gary Ost
Ken Shang & Mari Hattori
Richard Schuch & Cheryl
John Lee & Patricia
Jim Powell & Jackie
Billy Graham & Judy
Joe Walker & Lib
Manley Hudson & Nancy Ann
Michael Williams & Sandra
Leroy Hagen & Lynn
Jack Simmons & Katheryn
George Jurand
Bob Treadway & Kay
Doug Treadway & Jenie
Charlie Cross & Carolyn
Steve McConnell & Cynthia
January 2010
The next reunion for the USS James Monroe Association has been scheduled for the Charleston, SC area. The date is expected to be in mid-June, 2011. The exact date and location will be published here and in the newsletters as details become available. Planning for the event has already started and an former crew members who live in the Charleston area have already volunteered to help with the planning, check out possible locations and suggest interesting events for attendees. Come back to the website in the second half of 2010 to look for additional information.