Message from the President

(Scroll down to read the entire message)

President’s Message

It was great seeing all your familiar faces and meeting a few new ones at the Green Bay Reunion in August. The event opened with a tour of Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, which for me, being a life-long fan of the team, was an exceptional thrill. I even tried doing “the Lambeau Leap,” which was neither a pretty sight nor as easy as those guys make it look.

The next day we took an all-day tour of Door County and enjoyed the scenery along Lake Michigan. We stopped at the Door County Maritime Museum, then observed a fish boil and ate lunch at the Sandpiper Restaurant. After that, we visited Peninsula State Park, with stops at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and Eagle Tower, which boasted a panoramic view of the bay for those who climbed to the top. Later in the afternoon we visited Founder’s Square for a little shopping before making a final stop at a fruit market where free samples were in abundance.

The reunion’s last tour was to the Neville Museum, which featured an in-depth history of the Green Bay region.

Our formal banquet, with buffet dinner and dancing, took place Friday evening, followed by a casual tailgate banquet the next night. At the tailgate party, attendees wore their favorite team colors and listened to wonderful talks from J. Ray Hunter, Bob Ziebold, Mel Wingler and George Chambers. George also brought copies of his recently published book, “First Allied Man-of-War into Tokyo Bay.” Later in the evening a raffle was held, which featured a number of prizes donated from shipmates‘, Barney Bump, Jim Kumbalek, George Chambers and Tex Lohmann. Thanks guys for your generosity and I sure hope I didn‘t forget to mention anyone.

At the shipmates’ reunion meeting the decision was made to hold the next reunion (in 2010) at Branson, Missouri. The group also voted to move the dates back to late September (instead of August). So, fellow shipmates, be sure to keep September 2010 open on your calendars! See you all in two years!

Oh yes, and as a reminder, please be sure to alert Stan Shirey about any shipmates not already listed on our roster. You can reach Stan at(410) 822-6805 or e-mail him at Stan@dmv.com.

Treasurers Report

Our funds currently stand at $4,519.41. Anyone desiring a full treasury report may contact me.

Submitted by John Jones, Treas.

President's note: These funds are extremely helpful with defraying a number of costs. They help us maintain our website, they provide us the funds to copy and mail newsletters, and they allow us to provide prizes and rent various equipment during our gatherings, such as wheelchairs, projectors, etc. This leads me to the next item:

In this newsletter we will ask shipmates to pay an annual $15.00 membership fee. As explained above, this allows us to maintain our communication network and give something back at each reunion. For those that have not paid for 2006 and 2007 you can sent your dues to John Jones at 5112 No 145th Street, Omaha, NE. 68116. Use the form at the end of the newsletter. Please make all checks payable to John Jones, not U.S.S. Southerland

Don't forget to send your photographs, stories and histories to our ship historians. These will be compiled and available for all shipmates to view at our next reunion. Some stories could even be added to our website. Once again, the e-mail addresses for Stan Shirey, and George Chambers are located on the Officer's Page of the website.

Ahoy Southerland Shipmates:

First let me thank all those who have sent me materials. I believe that I've already thanked you individually but if I haven't I apologize for the oversight.

My research Assistant (my wife Jackie) and I spent a week back East researching the ship's deck logs. So far we've gotten through 1953. Since then, I've been putting all extracted data, along with the stuff that has been sent to me, into a word processor. I've also been reviewing the history of the times as it relates to our fine ship. We expect to return to the National Archives and the Washington Navy Yard this spring to do more research.

My plan is to have a couple of drafts of the manuscript available at next September's reunion for all to review and make comments.

Meanwhile, please keep your anecdotes, clippings, stories coming. We really need stuff from all of you pre-Korean War shipmates. Don't worry about spelling or grammar. I'll correct all of those types of things. Also, I'll return anything that you want returned.

George J. Chambers, SCPO, USN, Retired

14161 Elystan Circle

Westminster 92683-4823

<gjchambers@aol.com>

USS Southerland:

October 1950 - October 1953

Anyone who didn't get the chance to purchase a hat, T-shirt or golf shirt with the Southerland's Phoenix patch can do so by contacting Mary Antoni. Her number is: 513-521-2907. Or you can e-mail her at frs@cinci.rr.com. Mary can provide you with an assortment of colors and sizes of shirts. She can also custom embroider the patch on anything you like.

Currently, shipmate Jim Kumbalek is working on hats and shirts…

… with the USS Southerland DD/DDR 743 emblem printed on them. He has offered to work directly with anyone interested in purchasing one of these. You can reach Jim at 920-684-8976.

Roy L. Main (killed while still serving 1951) FC 1 1947 to 1951, 4 years

Charles "Chuck" Erwin Vessey Sr. RM2