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Index of newsletters published by Hal Gross
Click on letter number and to go to that news letter. The most recent letter appears before older letters.
USS JOHN W. WEEKS DD 701 ASSOCIATION INC. HAL GROSS, PRESIDENT/COORDINATOR14420 ISLA FLORES AVENUE FORT
PIERCE, FLORIDA 34951
What looked like we might have a very good turnout/or Branson has not, at this time proven to be the case. Don’t know why, as this could be one of the our most outstanding Functions that we have had since Washington D.C. and Myrtle Beach. The first one, and Baton Rouse, to name some!! Branson offers so much!
We chose this area as we have had some suggestions, and some almost demanding, that we should find an area that would accommodate some of our shipmates living in this area so they could drive to it or others could be able to fly to shorter distances to get to a reunion site
You can be sure that you will enjoy the Branson area. If you belong to Tin Can Sailors, check the Reunion Pages, you will find that Branson is mentioned more times in the listing then all other areas. Elite and I did a site inspection in Branson 5 years ago; frankly we were NOT impressed at that time, as the Hotels could not handle Banquet's over 100. I must say that Branson has grown beyond there expectations. The devilment that we live in South Florida, have tour trips to Branson, almost on a weekly basis during the season down here!
I must explain why we will NOT have dancing this year. Our Breakfast Meeting this Year will be on Friday morning from 8 am to 12noon. Directly after, will Check Out. The hotel is extending the 11 AM check out to 12 noon or later, for Weeks guests. Since this is the facts, I believe that many would want to retire earlier than we usually do at our banquets. This had to be done to accommodate the 2 shows. Banquet dress is as usual. To those wanting dancing I am really sorry it just could not be done! PS. Adm. Eastwood has confirmed. Adm. Clark may be able to come sure hope so!!
Shipmates that have passed our both last and this year Homer Manies, Roy Dunham, John Wood, Nick Duplack, Gerald McKenzie, Scott Kaempfe, Arthur Blazer, Bob Grimm (While overseas in Iraq), Karl Zuehlke and Bill Gates 1.
Bill Gates was one of our WW 2 group. Bill was a confidant to me and he lifted my morale when I was getting frustrated trying to locate our WW 2 shipmates for the first reunion. Bill and Joyce were at our first reunion. Bill was the one who made sure that I had enough decorations for our hospitality room, when he could not attend a reunion he would call me to make sure I had enough decorations, and we would talk for many minutes about the old John W. and some things that happened when we were serving on the greatest Destroyer that the Navy will ever see again, the only ship that had a Heart!!! Bill was gentleman, I shall miss him greatly. He gave me confidence!
USS JOHN W. WEEKS DD 701 ASSOCIATION INC. HAL GROSS, PRESIDENT/COORDINATOR14420 ISLA FLORES AVENUE FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA 34951
I must start this letter with "mucho" amounts of wonderful memories that started in PA. Called Downingtown Inn, why is that, well it was where 40 shipmates of WW 2 of the John W. came together for our first reunion?
I was at the “Reunion Check In Desk" and I want to tell you as each shipmate arrived the usual welcoming gesture after 40 years was not a handshake, it was an "EMBRACE" via a big hug, and tears followed, but thank God they were now tears of joy, but it was the not so when we lost our shipmate BRUCE BIGGER just a short time after the War ended. Bruce was the only shipmate ever lost in action on the John W. A plaque located on his home town War Memorial was placed in his honor by his shipmates.
There are so many remembrances’ that we have, so much in 20 years, counting the 2 years doing nothing but searching for the many who served on the John W. After our second reunion I did become interested about the longevity of the Ship because we (The Plank Owners) were told the ship would last only 10 years or so!
I contacted The Navy Bureau of Ships, and I inquired about the longevity of the John W. I told the person who I was talking to that we were told about the 10 years or so.. He told me to hold on while he checked the files for me. He came on the phone and asked "are you sitting down". I said yes-"Well, my friend that ship served for 27 years, and her last duty station was at West Pac in Viet Nam!! (The above story also appeared in my last letter, had to repeat it for next paragraph!!) When I received THAT information, the first thought I had was "How do I ever find those who came after the Original Plank Owners. Well the Vets Administration (Now has New Name) came to mind. I contacted their office in ST. LOUIS and made a connection, however they had many names, they also charged $2.00 per name, many names they sent me from the Insurance Records. But, they never kept the addresses updated, so many of the Names Bounced Back!!!!
I had paid them over $800 and I was able to find only 24 Good addresses. But, with the advent of computers, and Good Search programs,, we did start finding more shipmates however the costs really climbed, the expenditures for traveling to find good sites, to make Site Inspections and the MAIL LIST costs increased a good deal! A Donation plan was suggested and accepted to help our growing costs. This is not Dues, it is a Donation, and it is not mandatory. It was suggested a while back by shipmates that a donation amount of $20.00 or what you can afford, but if that donation is not in your budget, then just send back the notice, just check the proper box on the slip enclosed and send it back to me, you will still continue to receive all our News Letters. However if we do not receive a notice from you within a 2 year period in any form, your name will be placed on the Inactive List and you will no longer receive communications, unless a shipmate asks for you! (The $20.00 request was changed to $25.00 due to the increase higher costs!!)
Now why am I mentioning the past and reminiscing about yesterdays reunions, well I am sure you must know!! Age has a way of tapping you on the shoulders saying "You Better Slow Down, Friend" I got that message via a horrendous pain. The cause of the pain was that of a Back problem, which has now been cured via surgery, and some loving care from Ellie!!
“SO I WILL NO LONGER BE COORDINATING OUR REUNIONS”
I am announcing that this is the LAST reunion that I will be COORDINATING, after 18 years that I have been coordinating our yearly function, and 2 years searching for shipmates equals 20 years that I have been involved with both coordinating and searching for shipmates. However I shall continue in the same capacity as President, since we are incorporated under the laws of New York, which protects our officers from possible law suites. There are two shipmates who live in New York State who are Board Members which is required by New York, since I was a New York State resident at the time we incorporated, I can remain in office.
SO IS THIS THE ENP? No it is not!!!! I am happy to inform you that Lenny Budzynski, our Web Master, will be the new COORDINATOR for the John W. Weeks Association, Inc. Lenny has done such a great job with our Web Site, and I am sure he will do the same coordinating our Reunions. From here on he will do the LEG work, for the various Site Inspections for our Reunions. You can be sure I shall give Lenny the benefit of my 18 years experience, if he needs it! As an added note Len and his wife Bea have never missed a reunion since he had learned about them. Both Lenny and I will be sending News Letters now, of course they will involve our various duties, mine will involve searching for the many shipmates that we have not found to date, and the finance's that will be required for Lenny and I for searching. I have a "disk" for searching, but it is now 7 years old and the cost for one of the new one's has tripled-.The important part is Lenny's, as Coordinator it requires finding a Hotel property that will fill our needs, and that requires a lot of time. and traveling to do Site Inspections plus finding a Property that has good rates and offers good hospitality rooms at a reasonable cost (at one time they were free) but like other things they now charge for them. I shall now have more time to SEARCH for shipmates!
I am-sure that our function at Branson will be one to remember!!! The Andy Williams Show is one of the "top" shows in Branson, and I can assure you The Lowe Family show is amazing, this is a family of seven children, and Mother & Father who are the most talented group I have ever seen, there show is a mixture of some of the best singing, variety and dancing that is amazing.
Well, see you in Missouri in September "You All, You Hear"
USS JOHN W. WEEKS DD 701 ASSOCIATION INC. HAL GROSS, PRESIDENT/COORDINATOR14420 ISLA FLORES AVENUE FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA 34951
Letter 2 2003
SO HERE WE GO AGAIN!! I have been looking at the above caption and wondering just how many years have passed, including the two and a half years I spent in searching for enough shipmates to hold a Reunion. Since we were told that the John W. and all others in the same class were built to last about 10 years, or possibly 12 at the most, just enough years to help end WW 2 as fast as possible. Since I thought that to be the case it never entered my mind to check to see what the longevity of the ship really was. The Number of years, including the time I searched, at this time is TWENTY TWO YEARS. Consequently, in 1983 I thought that the John W. Weeks had been scraped right after WW 2 was over, so I felt of course that anyone I would find would be only WW 2 shipmates. While preparing to seek members of the original WW 2 crew, I checked the Archives in Washington, DC and the Bureau of Ships, who checked to see if it had stayed in commission longer. When I asked the one I spoke to, I told him that we were told these ships would only last 10 years. He had me on hold for several minutes then came back on and said “I hope you are sitting down” because that ship was in commission for 27 years!!!! After the second reunion I was able to find shipmates from Korea to Viet Nam. They say that there are 1000. WW 2 Vets passing away every day, how lucky we are, as we should be able to continue for a good number of years to have Reunions. The Navy Bureau of Personnel informed me that there had to be at least 3 to 4 thousand who at one time or another served on the John W. over the years, so those of the later Years have a lot of searching to do!!!! AND NOW THE ANSWER TO “WHERE” THIS YEAR--IT’S
If you have a computer, call (800) 214-3661, which is the number for the Branson - Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau and request a copy of their C-D ROM Tour, it shows some the Activities & Sight seeing that are located in and near Branson. Next letter will have TOTAL COSTS! Also, we had a water leak and the folder for this period for deceased Shipmates, along with others were ruined. If you sent me a notification of any shipmate that past away this past year PLEASE send them to me once again, really sorry!
USS JOHN W. WEEKS DD 701 ASSOCIATION INC. HAL GROSS, PRESIDENT/COORDINATOR14420 ISLA FLORES AVENUE FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA 34951
ANNUAL DONATION $25 OR WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD IS DUE-SEE BELOW.
SHAME ON ME!!! After 18 years of coordinating our reunions, I made a real error; how so, well one of the things I always check is the word "Commitment" in a Contract, and don't you know I did just that for the first time, in the Contract for our recent Reunion at the Sheraton Hotel in East Harford. Unfortunately, the Management of the Hotel was certainly "NOT REUNION FRIENDLY" not as the RAMADA was in Orlando, Florida when we had a very disappointing turnout. When we met. With the Sales Mgr. & General Mgr. they said “Whatever the amount you have we assure you that we will be happy to have them". Not so this HOTEL, we were informed that since we did not meet the committed amount for the Banquet & Breakfast Meeting we would have to pay $928.00. After a heated discussion between those above, we had to settle for $400.00 for which I had to give them my Credit card, as they would not accept a check. PS: The mention of this was in the contract; however it was in a small boxed area, this, and the fact of my error concerning the Commitment Word gave them the right I Guess to demand the $928.00, reduced to $400.00. We had similar problems in the past in three other Hotels, but they also treated the problem as did the Management at Orlando.
MORE ABOUT THE SHERATON! The "Tin Can Sailors" with a great amount of former Tin Can Sailors as members, who may. Become a coordinator for a Reunion in the New England area would be interested in these comments about our reunion, and the way we were treated! So you can be sure a copy of the above will be sent to them. The Buffet Banquet was NOTHING to rave about, first time we were forced to place our salad on the same plate as the main course, which also was unbelievable, I was afraid that someone might break a tooth, on the Chicken Marcella it was that hard; I have to say that the breakfast was good. The roast beef was much better then the Chicken!!! The service people all over the hotel were excellent, now if they can teach Management to be the same, they would really have a Top Notch hotel. Also, this is the first time that we did not stay at the selected hotel when we were doing site inspections, it was the last one on the list. We were at the hotel that was before the Sheraton, a Ramada which we scratched off the list, they wanted $115 a night. So I guess the hotel, Sheraton's $69 rate (The closest in the area was $91) and the fact they had shuttle to & back from the Airport and other things, must have mesmerized us. Unfortunately, we cannot grade the human aspect with who you are dealing with, we thought the two we did speak to were OK, and however that did not prove out! Unfortunately they have a very great deal of the Corporate guests, and they treated us as though we were the same, and it is really so different monetarily. To top it off the one that I was dealing with over many months, quit two months before our reunion dates—so some verbal promises also disappeared with her!! We will be searching for a site for next year. We will, hopefully have some info on that some time after Thanksgiving
ENCLOSED IS OUR DONATION FORM FOR ANNUAL EXPENSE, PLEASE READ THE FORM CAREFULLY-IF YOU CANNOT DONATE CHECK OR X THE SMALL BOX BELOW THE DRAWN LINE AND SEND TO ME, YOU WILL RECEIVE NEWS LETTER!
USS JOHN W. WEEKS DD 701 ASSOCIATION INC. HAL GROSS, PRESIDENT/COORDINATOR14420 ISLA FLORES AVENUE FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA 34951
The rates: sixty nine dollars per night- cut off date august 2nd. See enclosed confirmation form for our "two" reservation programs.radley airport" in Hartford is an international airport. Hotel has free shuttle service. There are air lines that have direct flights to Hartford airport from many cities! The hotel also shuttles to the Foxwoods Casino 3 times a day & picks up. We are working on a possible tour 9am to 4 pm -to Mystic beach area & Nautilus sub. Museum! Much to see in around the area. The seaport and the tall ships are a sight to see! Trials and tribulations when doing site inspections based on a survey we did using our mail list, we found if you draw a line on a map which would start from up in the new England area, go out about 600 miles or so, then curving down and across to you will find that a very large amount of shipmates are located in this area where many could drive to the reunion. Since we have never had a reunion in New England, we decided to go to Connecticut’s new London & mystic area to Do site inspections at five hotels we had contacted in that area after checking with the visitors center in the mystic area we received some of their flyers showing the various places to see in the area as always they sent my name to a number of places that might be interested in seeing, which does not make our mailman too happy we arranged to fly up to Connecticut and stay at a Ramada hotel, they comp us for one night. We did talk them into allowing us to stay all four days for a nominal rate. To our -dismay the place was not what their "flyer" said it was, however we did not have to pack And go to another hotel every day, but their nominal rate was sky high!!! Our first shock was when they told us the rate would be $95 a night for the reunion- second "shock" was when i called the "Foxwood casino hotel" their rate was $195 a night and they told us that they could not do any better. Of course when they heard t South Carolina t was a military reunion they knew we would need a "hospitality room" and they could get over a $1000.00 A night for those rooms. And we would have to have it the four days of our function> we then checked several other sites, which unfortunately, none were what we wanted. After that, looking at the map of the area, i noticed that we still had a one more place to check, so we drove about 45 minutes to " east Hartford" to a Sheraton located there. It was a great shock as the place was really beautiful, compared with what we had seen. So as you can Understand the "shock" i got when she said, the room rate is $69.00!!! They have many corporate meetings & functions during the week days in order to keep their reservations up they are able to give a much lower rate for a function like ours Thursday to Sunday. After, taking the tour through the hotel; checking the ball room, regular sleeping rooms, hospitality room etc. I had the feeling that some one on the staff was about to say "we are only fooling." two weeks later after we had returned home, the contract arrived. After deleting some conditions in it, the contract was signed. TAPS WW2: I have just learned that Dave Steinman (2/c Corpman) past away two years ago. It is quite strange that I was not notified sooner as we have been sending our news letter for two years and never received them back. With regret I have to report to his shipmates, via his wife, that Pete Barnstorf passed away! ( Mrs Carol Barnstorf : 4828 Pitt Street Duluth, MN 55804-2467) Adm. Eastwood - The admiral recently retired. Ellie and I received an invitation to the retirement function that was held in Philadelphia; however, we could not make it. Jim has sent me a video of the whole affair; we will bring it to the reunion. Adm. Vern Clark was master of ceremonies; it looks like it was quite a party, white tie & all. I know we shall continue to be in contact with Jim in the forthcoming years, and I am sure we will see him at future reunions. Reflections: Shipmates are forever - Is there anyone one that has not some time or other, find themselves reflecting back to the time we were serving on the John W. It just seems to happen, maybe something on the TV, a war-time-song on the local radio station. How lucky we were in the navy, being able to serve for several years, on a ship, or even shore station, g giving us time to make friendships that have lasted over so many years. Maybe that's the reason navy reunions seems to greatly outnumber.
The other service groups - Nostalgic, yes, and I don't mind admitting it, I only hope that those who come after me will be the same!! Of course it takes a lot of dedication and time, and a lot of hard work. In our case we were quite lucky since the John W. was in commission for 27 years, if handled right reunions should be continuing for a lot more years. Another asset for us over the other branches of service. To those receiving this letter, reunions is a continuation. For a few days of those times when we were sailors in service for our country in war or peace, just rekindling those days in service!
CUT OFF DATE IS AUGUST 2nd. I MUST INFORM YOU THERE ARE ONLY 80 ROOMS BLOCKED WITH ONLY 5 OVER THAT, AVAILABLE!
ALL HATS HAVE BEEN MAILED. 65 OF THEM-ANY PROBLEM PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME NO HATS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
USS JOHN W. WEEKS DD 701 ASSOCIATION INC. HAL GROSS, PRESIDENT/COORDINATOR14420 ISLA FLORES AVENUE FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA 34951
Using the location of our shipmates, in about a 500 mile radius starting from the New England area (where we have never had a reunion) out, and ending around Virginia, we found that a great deal of our shipmates reside in this area. Beside the fact that in certain areas in New England offer Casinos, which are startling in their decor and size ,which certainly match many of those in Vegas. They offer the biggest casino in the world also. Plus there are some very historic places in the same area as these casinos that I am sure many of us have read about in history books but never have seen! So, after checking a site in Georgia, which is a beautiful city, we felt that we should try to find an area where we had not had a reunion. We flew up to New England after doing the 500 mile check mentioned above. We checked several possible hotels in interesting places, after spending 4 days doing that! we also checked on the "Foxwood" hotel the biggest casino mentioned above, we were really shocked when they gave a rate of $190.00 per day. They are not "Reunion Friendly** because they know that we needed a hospitality room, and hospitality rooms can be rented To Corporate patrons for a lot of money, and we would also have the room for 4 days! After checking all hotels that might be located in an area suitable for us, and offered the best amenities i.e.: pick-up from airport &shuttles to casinos. Excellent rooms for guests and our Banquet & Breakfast functions, well kept property, good parking, good area at hotel for Tour Bus pickup, which we may need, a hotel that offered a reasonable Room Rate!! We chose: THE SHERATON HOTEL - EAST HARTFORD, CT. AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS AVAILABLE — PLUS IT IS IN DRIVING DISTANCE FOR MANY SHIPMATES IN LARGE AREA! ROOM RATE $69.00 It’s in driving range to the "Mystic Seaport** which contains great sightseeing! as other areas do, also to Mohegan Casino Sun, hotel has shuttle to Foxwood! TAPS: I received notice from his wife that DON HIORNS passed away, those who may have served with him on the John W. who wish to send a sympathy to his wife use the address shown here-Mrs. Don Hiorns 8704 29th NE-Parrish, FL, 34219. I do hope that all those in the 500 -700 mile radius & further, will attend this REUNION as I am sure there are many in Upper New York / New England & other nearby States who now may be able to drive to “Reunion 2002 ". There are many sites to see in the area in which the Reunion is to be held. We are also looking for a bus tour to be set up in and^ around that area! Since Hartford has an International Airport those who will fly will be picked up by a shuttle from the Hotel. More later! Hotel is in East Hartford! OK. THE DATES ARE SEPT 12th TO THE 16th THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, CHECK OUT MONDAY -17th NOTICE TO THOSE WHO ORDERED HATS! DUE TO SOME BAD WORK ON THE LETTERING ON THE HAT. THEY WILL BE-DELAYED AS I AM RETURNING WHAT WE DID GET! THEY WILL PICK THEM UP AND DO THEM AGAIN -SORRY, BUT I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE, I WANT BETTER WORK DONE. PLUS THEY WERE NOT MADE IN USA, WHEN I ORDERED THEM THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE MADE IN THEIR USA PLANT, I HAVE INSISTED THEY BE MADE IN THEIR TEXAS PLANT!! NEXT LETTER WILL CONTAIN FURTHER INFO & CONFIRMATION FORM JUST SOME THOUGHTS! Just Some Thoughts In the past Newsletters I related the happenstance that occurred while visiting Patriots Point, in Charleston, which is the where the USS LAFFY is a museum ship. It is a Simmer Class Destroyer as was the John W. Yon know while I sit here writing this letter, a thought comes to mind, just what was it that the Navy inoculated us with, that some years after discharge you start wondering where, and what your shipmates are doing, and in some few cases it occurs even if your tenure of service was not to your complete satisfaction. It showed in my self in late 1984, after returning from Charleston, and ever since, I have wished so • many times I had started much sooner, for I know we could have once again snaked hands, and hugged so many more.! And now as the era of the WW2 shipmates is rapidly coming to a close, (199 found, present count, about 87) so the old WW 2 pop song was so right when it said "and time can mean so much" I received a request for a fist of those that attended our October Reunion-Here ft is!
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