1999 REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

Well it’s all over but the memories, and what a time we had! If you missed it, we’re really sorry, since we all had a great time, and the weather couldn’t have been better. September was definitely this year’s Summer in Seattle - not a cloud in the sky during the entire Reunion, and some of us even went swimming in the Holiday Inn pool! Starting on Wednesday, we saw the first of the 110 attendees arrive, although a number of people arrived as much as a week early to tour Western Washington. Of the 110, we had 51 Shipmates, 3 widows of Shipmates, and once again the “True Blue 3” (Jewel Trotter, Pat Duncan, and Tom Davis) who have attended all 11 Reunions. Jewel Trotter won the prize (hands down) for the largest contingent - 8 at last count, including the youngest, her granddaughter Heather. The prize for the couple who came the furthest, goes to Joe (our new President) and Jerilyn, (our “official” photographer) Robinson from Florida. And finally as far as statistics go, our attendees came from at least 29 States! This was a great representation, particularly as far as political coverage goes to “encourage” the Navy to name another ship Stoddard (more about that later). Also I must mention that we had great participation by a number of Shipmates in providing some really unique memorabilia from their tour on Stoddard, including a few items removed from the ship in later years. Caroline joins me in thanking all of you for coming, and hope you had a great time. She has written a small piece that I thought you might enjoy before the Reunion summary:

Now to the highlights: As you probably detected from previous newsletters, we had a jam packed schedule, starting with the Thursday afternoon tour of the Boeing assembly plant in Everett, WA. Due to a threatened strike we were real nervous about being able to make this tour, but differences were settled, and the tour was on. We sold out our allotment, and it was an amazing thing to see these huge planes being put together in the world’s largest (by volume) building. On return from the Boeing tour, we gathered nearly everyone together, and set out for our Seattle Harbor cruise/NW Indian salmon dinner/Indian dance show. On arrival at the pier, we nervously awaited arrival of Joe and Marilyn Harpster (with bags in tow) who decided to cut their schedule tight, and come by cab directly from the airport. They just made the cruise boat sailing! Due to the late setting sun here in the Northwest, our cruise included a wonderful tour of Elliot Bay including great views of the Seattle skyline, and harbor commercial area. Seattle is a major container port, as it is the closest mainland deep water harbor to the Far East. In fact a huge container terminal is now located on top of the site where Seattle Tacoma Shipyards constructed Stoddard and many other ships during the War. We cruised to within about half a mile of our ship’s construction site, and very close to the current Todd Pacific Shipyard, which was the parent Company of Seattle Tacoma Shipyard (having purchased them about the time Stoddard was built). After this wonderful tour, we proceeded to Blake Island State Park, the location of the Tillicum Village NW Coast Indian Cultural Center. After a wonderful salmon dinner we were treated to some traditional NW Indian stories and dances. Return to Seattle included a fabulous view of the city at night.

Friday found us on the bus for an extensive sampler tour of Seattle. Highlights included Lake Washington, the Ship Canal Locks that allow boat traffic from Puget Sound into Lake Washington, a wonderful view of the area from the Space Needle, and the Pike Place Farmers Market. Once again the weather was perfect, and we wetted everyone’s appetite to explore Seattle more. Friday evening found us back at the hotel for a great outdoor BBQ. The Hawaiian chef at the Holiday Inn really put on a feast for us, and the drinks and Sea Stories got better and better as the night went on!

Saturday morning we hit the road again with a tour of the Seattle Underground which was created as a result of the rebuilding that took place after the city fire of 1883. After many of the downtown buildings had been rebuilt, the city fathers decided to reduce the height of the surrounding hills, and raise the street levels. Thus the first floor of many buildings ended up below street level, and were subsequently abandoned - thus the underground. Our tour guides were stand up comedians, who provided a very humorous commentary and left us laughing a lot. After emerging from the underground, we headed for the National Park Service Klondike Museum, which commemorates Seattle’s role in the Alaska Gold Rush. Our touring day ended with a 4 hour free time downtown with many people going to Nordstroms, the Boeing Museum of Flight or Bremerton.

After our touring, we held the annual meeting with 3 items on the agenda. First and foremost, was the decision regarding next year’s Reunion location. Joe and Jerilyn Robinson graciously agreed to host us somewhere in Florida, probably in October -stay tuned. Secondly, we voted to provide a donation to the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum Committee which is attempting to save the Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) as a historic ship. Finally, we discussed attempts to have another Navy ship named after our namesake, James Stoddard. It was pointed out that with the shrinking Navy, this will be a very difficult task unless we get a great deal of political support. This is where each of you will come in. I was hoping to have a sample letter, ready to go with this newsletter, but subsequently, I have some efforts going on behind the scenes in Washington DC, and it would be premature to send the letters now. The letter is in fact complete and ready to go, but I’ll hold off sending it to you until I have some things sorted out on the political scene. In the mean time, get the name and address of your Representative and both Senators so that you will be ready to send the letters out. More on this in the next newsletter.

Finally we closed out our day, and Reunion, with our traditional Saturday evening Banquet. After another wonderful meal we completed out selection of officers for the next year, with Joe Robinson taking the helm as President, Marilyn Harpster as Secretary, and Jay Romack as Treasurer. In addition we decided to let Dan Rizollo take a rest after his many years of very faithful service, and elected Joe Harpster as our new Chaplain. After dinner and business we held our raffle, took pictures and viewed a wonderful slide show of “life on Stoddard” presented by several Shipmates. All in all a fitting end to a great time. Of course, I cannot fail to mention how much I appreciate the wonderful plaque of Stoddard history presented to me by all of you. It truly means a lot to me, and already has a prominent place on my office wall next to a picture of the Ship.

Bob Hoag

LOST AND FOUND: Upon cleaning up after Reunion, 2 items were found - one black rimmed pair of reading glasses, and one Ship’s Plan of the Day from 6 March 1969. If you lost either of these, please contact Bob Hoag at 10956 Lathrop Lane., Silverdale, WA 98383 for return.

There have been so many new additions and changes to our roster, so please find enclosed a page listing of new shipmates who have located us, as well as those who have reported contact point changes. For those of you who were at the Seattle Reunion, this list updates that which was included in the registration packet. Please continue to spread the word and let us reunite all those "lost" shipmates!

We are saddened to report the passing of shipmate Tom Hacker’s (EO ’52) earlier this year. Tom suffered from MS and was not able to join us at the reunions. During his final days, he especially found joy each day as he held the 10th Stoddard Reunion mug we sent him with our prayers and good wishes. Condolence notes may be sent to his widow Mary at: 178 Portland St., Yarmouth, ME 04096.

Charlene Robinson wrote and thanked the group for their prayers for shipmate Neil (Robbie) who underwent surgery the week after the reunion, and again in October. Neil is recuperating at home. Your new Chaplain, Joe Harpster, led the group who ventured to Hawaii after the reunion, in a brief prayer at the chapel of the Punch Bowl National Monument of the Pacific in Honolulu. Cards and notes may be sent to Neil Robinson, 2401 Acorn Lane, Ceres, CA 95307.

Ken Johnson wrote to sat that his deteriorating health now requires that he use oxygen to breathe, so mobility is very difficult. Ken would like to have a picture of the Stoddard showing the gunnery E’s on stack 1. He had seen one a long time ago when he was in the 37 director as pointer. If anyone has such a picture, Ken would appreciate getting a copy. Contact him at: 322 Franklin St., McKinney TX 75069; ph: 972-542-4560.

Les Funk wrote to say that he called the Boeing Holiday Inn on Sunday. He also indicated that John Malin, a supply officer on the Stoddard, travels the south east coast of Florida on his 42 ft yacht named "Two Bits" - the name should bring some good memories of "Two Bits," sail boat "rescued" by the Stoddard off the coast of Italy and remained on board the Stoddard during one of the Mediterranean cruises in the 50s. Does anyone know the whereabouts of John Malin?

Navy blue Stoddard golf shirts sporting embroidered gray ship's silhouette and yellow USS Stoddard DD-566 identification have been ordered to replenish our stores supply. They are high quality cotton and match the patch on your mesh Stoddard hats. We expect them from the supplier in time for your holiday gift giving. Order at $25.00 each (sizes M, L & XL). The Stoddard hats (both mesh back and fabric back styles) with embroidered ship’s silhouette are $12.00 each. There are 1999 reunion memento ceramic mugs, priced at $5.50 each. The 1998 mug featured the “steaming Demon patched up coffee pot" logo; the 1999 mug is designed by Hank Strub and shows the coat of arms and the message “per mare ad astra.” The are gold and blue license plate frames, $3.50 each but only $2.50 if ordered with other ship's store items. We are out of the 10th Reunion edition of the Ship’s History and Alumni Directory ($10.00); if there is sufficient interest, we can reprint it. We welcome your orders; all prices include shipping charges. They make excellent holiday and birthday gifts! Send orders to Marilyn Harpster 751 Intek Way, Westerville, OH 43082; make checks payable to USS Stoddard Alumni Association.

Treasure Jay Romack submitted the following summary status of funds in the Alumni's account. The ending balance reflects financial status after payment of all outstanding obligations relating to the 1999 Reunion:

Alumni dues are $10 per year. Dues received prior to a year’s reunion will be applied to the current year (unless prepaid in prior year). Please send in your dues - it is used primarily to defray the cost of our newsletters and correspondence. Your support keeps the newsletters coming. We thank these faithful souls who have already paid their Y2K dues (and beyond Y2K):

June 28, 1999

Dear Shipmates, Ladies, and Friends:

A lot has been happening since our last newsletter. Due to our increased publicity about the Reunion, we have been contacted by about 25 “lost” Shipmates, and from talking to them, it sounds like most of them will be in Seattle with us. As I write this, we have well over 50 people registered, so we should have a really great crowd! Of special interest is the news that we have “found” the helicopter pilot, Bryan Swopes, who flew many missions to Stoddard during our ship’s “Second Career” as a Navy Test and Evaluation platform. Many of you may recall the letter which he wrote to Pat Duncan, a letter reproduced in the USS Stoddard History and Alumni Directory published by Joe Harpster for the Charleston reunion, recounting his memories and feelings for our “DD-566." I’ve talked to him, learned some very interesting stories; and I am including narratives of some of these moments in this newsletter. I’m sure that all of you will consider him, and others who served during the Stoddard’s “Second Career,” just as much a “Shipmate” of Stoddard as the rest of us, and we hope to see him at our Reunion. I’m also trying to locate other people who have stories to tell about the Second Career.

Now a few notes about Reunion: First, some have indicated a desire for a dinner menu other than seafood for our Thursday night Cruise/Salmon Dinner/NW Indian Dance Show. I am happy to report that special arrangements can be made for a vegetarian entree, but this must be done at least 3 days in advance. So if this is your wish, please let me know soon. You will not be able to order the alternate vegetarian entree at the time of registration at the Holiday Inn. Second, on the way to the Saturday Seattle Underground/Free time tour, we will be viewing the site where our ship was built, and on completion of the Underground Tour, the bus will drop everyone downtown for 4 hours for lunch/sightseeing/shopping on your own. There are many great places within easy walking distance. However, if you prefer, you can forego the free time downtown and be dropped off at the Boeing Museum of Flight (about 1 mile from the Motel) or be dropped off directly at the Motel. For those staying downtown, you will be picked up by the bus per the schedule. Third, there are still a few seats available for the Boeing Plant tour, but not many. If you want to go, please get your reservation in immediately, as we are strictly limited in number for this very interesting tour.

I have been contacted by several Shipmates who have some really great mementos and pictures from their days on Stoddard (including a 1/8” per foot scale model of the ship). I strongly encourage you to bring your items to Reunion. I am planning to have a slide show at some time in the Hospitality Room, and would love to add yours (pick the best ones please) so we can all enjoy your memories

Shipmates, we really need your help in updating our Alumni Roster. We want to assure that we have as complete and accurate a database as possible of what years everyone served on Stoddard. So far we have information from only about 50% of the Shipmates. New shipmates who find us are always interested in locating friends from the same service period. Without the service dates we cannot generate a complete list of those who served during the same period to send to the newcomers, and cannot generate a directory section by service dates. PLEASE forward your e-mail address to Marilyn at harpsterj@juno.com and Bob at rwh12@psu.edu. If you haven’t received a message from either of us by the time you receive this newsletter, you’re not on the “Stoddard Net”. So far we have nearly 50 addresses, and will add yours to the “Net” as soon as we get it. We have a very active group on the “NET” and are passing on a lot of information as soon as it is available.

Don’t forget Jay Romack’s effort in naming another ship “Stoddard.” We need to get our Congressional delegations interested in this effort, so get out your writing instruments and write to your Senators and Congressmen/Congresswomen.

I’ve recently read “The Cruel Sea” by Monsarrat, published in 1951. If you haven’t read it, you’re in for quite a story about British Destroyers in WWII. It’s really outstanding!

I will be out of the country from 29 June until 14 July so leave me a note on my answering machine and I will answer your inquiries immediately upon my return. Caroline and I are looking forward to seeing all of you in Seattle.

See you in Seattle.

1999 Alumni President

John Lupardo has located us from Australia!!! He wrote as follows: “A business acquaintance saw my picture of the USS Stoddard hanging in my office and came back the next day with the “Shift Colors” magazine and your notice for the Stoddard Reunion in September. Unfortunately I won’t be attending (a bit far). As you will have noticed this letter has come from Perth, Western Australia. I have been living here for the past 26 years. My first visit to Perth was in May 1957 as a Yeoman 3rd, on board the Stoddard, the Steaming Demon. I was 21 then and going on 64 now. I don’t know if you will have anyone from 1956/7 at the reunion. That year we cruised into Sidney and Perth, we were the first US Navy ships into Perth since 1945. It was quite a party! Well, I met my wife here and we will be married 41 years next month. Just thought I would contact you and let you know that there are still some “old” tin can sailors still around. Good luck with your get together and I do hope it is a good one.” Those of you who knew John, please do drop him a note (address & e-mail listed below).

Our last newsletter to the following shipmates were returned as undeliverable. If anyone knows their new address, please let Marilyn know:

Dwain Allen of Ayden NC CA Burger of San Diego, CA

Ken Clark of Derby KS Ron Miller of Avondale AZ

Rich Owen of Apollo PA Brad Petersen of Wilbur PA

John Persyn of Apple Valley CA Norbert Rogers of Scottsdale, AZ

I have the sad duty to report that Paul Meece (’51-’54) passed away in March of 1998 of lung cancer. His son Craig can be reached at 101 Wollaston Ave., Arlington MA 02476 phone (781)643-7283.

Another Reunion Registration form, and Directory information form, is included for your convenience. Please send in your data so it will be included in the Directory update we plan to issue in September.

Treasurer Jay’s Messages

Treasurer Jay Romack reports that Jim Honberger has sent a generous donation to the treasury. Thanks Jim! We will surely put the donation to good use!

Alumni dues are $10 per year. It is used primarily to defray the cost of mailing and supplies. Please remember to send in your dues for 1999. A special thanks goes to those who make additional contributions or send in their dues in advance - we have some who have paid their dues to 2002!

Ship’s Store

Navy blue Stoddard golf shirts sporting embroidered white Tin Can Sailor crest and the USS Stoddard DD-566 identification are available. They can be ordered at $25.00 each (sizes M, L & XL). The Stoddard hats (both mesh back and fabric back styles) with embroidered ship’s silhouette are $12.00 each. We also have some beautiful gold tone 2" long destroyer pins for $4.50. There are a few reunion memento ceramic mugs, priced at $5.50 each. All of the copies of the Ship’s History and Alumni Directory printed in 1998 have been distributed to dues-paid (1998) members or sold. We have only one copy of the 10th Reunion Memory Book left ($23). We welcome your orders; all prices include shipping charges. They make excellent birthday gifts! Send orders to Marilyn Harpster 751 Intek Way, Westerville, OH 43082; make checks payable to USS Stoddard Alumni Association.

Seattle to Hawaii

In response to the interest shown by many to an organized trip to Hawaii following the Seattle Reunion, Joe & Marilyn Harpster planned a 7-day trip, leaving Seattle on Sunday, September 12 and returning from Honolulu on Sunday September 19. Six couples have already confirmed their plans to go. We will visit two of the islands: Oahu and Hilo (the Big Island). Activities include tours to Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial, Punch Bowl Memorial, Diamond Head, luau dinner on the island of Oahu, and visit to Kilauea Volcano National Park, Black Sand Beach, Hilo Bay, Kona Bay and day cruise on the Big Island. The tour package is arranged by Best Value Travels of Hawaii; the price is $983.39 per couple, this includes 7 nights lodging (Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Hotel on Waikiki Beach (Oahu), Hilo Hawaiian and Royal Kona Resort (Big Island)) , inter-island air, and rental car per couple on the Big Island. If you want to join the group, please let Joe Harpster know immediately, as July 1 is the reservation deadline. Phone 614-895-0301 days, 740-965-4951 evenings, e-mail harpsterj@juno.com.

February 19, 1999

Dear Shipmates, Ladies, and Friends:

I feel very honored and somewhat overwhelmed to have been selected to be "President" for 1999. Believe me, I have a very tough act to follow since Joe and Marilyn Harpster put on such a class act with all the wonderful program they put on in Charleston. I've been to Charleston many times, but had never been aboard Yorktown, and was finally able to see the plane on the hanger deck which was dedicated to my cousin who was killed in WWII.

Though I've been a member of our association for about 5 years, our reunion in Charleston was the first my work has permitted Caroline and I to attend. I must admit we attended with some trepidation not knowing what to expect, and whether we would even know anyone besides Don Whitworth, with whom I had corresponded over the years. We were absolutely delighted to meet such a great group of people and again greet 7 shipmates who had served aboard with me in the 61-63 time frame. I must tell you however, that you will have to bear with me as I didn't get a chance to meet all of the attendees and probably won't remember a lot of your names when we meet again.

Now, welcome to Seattle, the Birthplace of Stoddard. I've been doing some research with the help of several shipmates, and in addition to a great program to introduce you to the Pacific Northwest, we're going to view at least the geographical location where the ship was built - though I doubt it really looks much like it did in 1944. It is now primarily a container terminal area for the Port of Seattle, and I'm afraid that Seattle Tacoma Shipyards, now no longer exists in either Seattle or Tacoma. The Todd Shipyard Corp. purchased the Seattle Tacoma Shipyard Corp. prior to the construction of Stoddard, however the only yard that remains from their large network of yards on both coasts, is the one in Seattle near where Stoddard was built, and commissioned.

Regarding our hotel, and tours: We're staying at the Holiday Inn about 4 miles north of SEATAC Airport, and they will pick you up on request (details below). We have a great room rate, of $60, which they will honor from 6-14 Sept. So if you want to come early, or stay late, no problem. Our "official program" starts Thursday night, however by popular demand I've also set up a trip to the very popular Boeing Production Plant north of Seattle. PLEASE NOTE: We have only been allowed a maximum of 47 seats for this tour, and they will be allotted on a first come first serve basis. With our busy schedule, the only way to do this tour was to do it on Thursday, leaving the hotel at about 1230.You will be returned in plenty of time for Thursday’s dinner. You can also take this tour through Grey Line, but it will cost nearly twice as much, and it does not run on the weekends. IF YOU WANT TO GO, I NEED TO KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

If you have other interests we will have about 4 hours free time in downtown Seattle on Saturday, or if you desire some other things like golf, or fishing etc. please put a note on your registration form or let me know at (360)698-7592 or e-mail at rwh12@psu.edu.

Finally while I'm on the subject of e-mail (see below) please send me yours at mine above.

See you in Seattle.

1999 Alumni President

Thursday, 9 September 1999 (1230-1530) Boeing Co. Plant Tour

By popular demand we will take the a 1½ hour tour of the Boeing Production Facility in Everett. The plant, which is about 50 minutes north of the hotel, is where Boeing assembles the 747, 757, and 767 commercial airplanes in the largest (by volume) building in the world! The tour starts with a presentation by your guide, followed by a half hour film about the Boeing Co. then a motor coach tour (with stops) of this enormous facility. To save on the cost of the tour, we have not included any food in the tour price. You will be returned to the hotel several hours prior to our Thursday evening dinner cruise. As I noted in my letter, due to limitations, this is a first come first serve tour (47 max). Send, phone, or e-mail me your reservations ASAP.

Additional shipmates news are:

 In response to the interest shown by many to an organized trip to Hawaii following the Seattle Reunion, Joe & Marilyn Harpster are gathering information for such a trip. Plans are for a 7-day trip, leaving Seattle on Sunday, September 12 and returning from Honolulu on Sunday September 19. We plan to visit two of the islands: Oahu and Hilo, the Big Island. The idea is to have 3-4 days of planned activities & tours, and 3 free days to pursue individual/small group sight-seeing. Proposed organized activities/tours are: Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial, Punch Bowl Memorial, Diamond Head & the Polynesian Cultural Center with luau dinner on the island of Oahu, and Kilauea Volcano National Park, Black Sand Beach and day cruise/snorkel tour off the Big Island.

As only a small group is expected, details of the trip will be formulated after polling the interests of those who indicate a desire to participate. Please let Joe & Marilyn Harpster know if you are interested (no commitments required at this time). A separate questionnaire/interest survey will be included in mailings to only these shipmates who contact us. Phone 614-895-0301 days, 740-965-4951 evenings, e-mail harpsterj@juno.com.