uss pawcatuck (ao-108) - Military Locator and Reunion Service

2012 USS PAWCATUCK REUNION WRAP UP
The 20th annual reunion of the USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108) was held at
the Holiday Inn Norwich, CT, on May 8-11,
2012, with thirty-six members and twenty-six
guests attending. Reunion Coordinator, David
Willis and the Assistant Coordinator, Mark
McPherson, were the first to register for the
reunion, which began on Tuesday around
noon. As registration continued throughout the
afternoon, the hospitality room became the
gathering place for everyone to relax with a
cold drink or hot coffee and a snack. Then at 4:00 PM the first official meeting of the group took place when the Welcome Reception was held. Dave
Willis welcomed the group and introduced the first time attendees, then
everyone enjoyed the fruit tray and meatballs served as hors d’oeuvres.
The remainder of the evening was free to have dinner on one’s own and to
enjoy the company of old friends and new acquaintances who would
become friends before the reunion ended.
Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM the group boarded a bus for the
Submarine Force Museum for a tour of the facilities. Submarines have
fascinated people from Alexander the Great to the Beatles, from Jules
Verne to John Holland. The group found out why when they visited the
nation's finest displays and collections of America's submarine heritage.
The Submarine Force Museum, located on the Thames River in Groton,
Connecticut, maintains the world's finest collection of submarine artifacts
and is the primary repository for artifacts, documents and photographs
relating to U.S. Submarine Force history. The museum's collections include
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more than 33,000 artifacts, 20,000 significant documents and 30,000
photographs. The tour of Historic Ship NAUTILUS began with a short walk to
the pier. The NAUTILUS has a white "E", a red "E" and
a white "A" painted on the sail. These letters represent
awards that the ship had received for being the best in
its class. The blue, gold and red flag flying from the sail
is a Presidential Unit Citation pennant. This significant
award was presented to the NAUTILUS by President
Dwight D. Eisenhower after the ship completed its
historic journey under the north pole. The NAUTILUS was the first ship to
have received this award for peace time operations. Following the visit to
NAUTILUS it was off to a buffet lunch at the Officers Club at the Coast Guard
Academy, one of the smallest of the five federal service academies. After
lunch, 3-year Cadet Baker led the group on a tour of the academy, grounds
and buildings. After the tour the group shopped at the Coast Guard Academy
gift shop, but the rainy weather kept the group from walking around the
Officers Club grounds and gardens as planned.
Dinner Wednesday evening was a plated meal with a choice of either filet
of sole or ginger pork and the trimmings. Following the meal the Memorial
Service to remember all the USS Pawcatuck (AO-108) shipmates who have
passed away, especially those since the last reunion was held. Mark
McPherson served as Chaplain and was assisted by Mike Culbertson as
reader, Roger Narkie as the bell ringer, Cal Alden as candle lighter and James
Duross laid the wreath in front of the podium. Those on the 2012 Honor Roll
were as follows: William Joseph Sheehan, Darrell G. Rakestraw, Al Alexander, Robert Miner, Anthony Romano, Emmet Rieger, James Rosenthal, and
Jack Brandsema.
Thursday was a much anticipated day—the reason for coming to Connecticut—to help dedicate the memorial to the USS PAWCATUCK in a Pawcatuck, CT park. As if on cue, the
rain stopped for the dedication, and everyone swelled
with pride as the service and flower laying ceremony
was held for the USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108). David
Willis, Reunion Coordinator, made the welcoming remarks and Mark McPherson, Chaplain, gave the dedication keynote address.
After the closing prayer, the flower laying ceremony was held with Mark
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McPherson making the memorial address. Dignitaries from the local area also
were present for the ceremonies, as well as a Color Guard from Groton Submarine Base. It was a very special day for all USS Pawcatuck shipmates and
their families and guests.
Thursday evening’s festivities began with the pre-dinner
cocktail hour and photo session at 5:30 PM. ! At 6:30 PM
the USS PAWCATUCK banquet began with welcoming
remarks by Dave Willis. Dinner consisted of chicken
marsala, baked cod, roast sirloin, mashed potatoes, a
vegetable medley and a special cake decorated for the
USS Pawcatuck’s 20th reunion. Following dinner, Margaret
Roskoph who is in charge of the USS PAWCATUCK
Scholarship Fund announced the three winners of the 2012 scholarship worth
$500.00 each. They are Kaitlin Watson, daughter of shipmate Robert and
Robin Watson; Jeffrey Lawrence, son of shipmate Ed and Chris Bernier; and
Victoria Kinney, granddaughter of shipmate Leroy Wintrow, Jr. Congratulations to all of the winners and good luck in your college pursuits. Tickets for
the Ladies Raffle and gift sale were sold prior to dinner, and Lt Commander
Leisentritt drew the winning ticket and for the gift prizes. The winner of the
50/50 raffle was Suzanne Welborn and she, in a generous act, gave back the
majority of the money to the association.
Friday morning the group met for their final gathering of the 2012 reunion
during breakfast in the hotel. During the breakfast, David Willis announced
that he was resigning as Reunion Coordinator after many years as the group
leader. Many thanks go out to Dave who has given
countless hours to his role as group leader. His love and
dedication to the USS PAWCATUCK is unquestionable,
and his service will be missed. Paul Houston and Mark
McPherson will be serving as Coordinators for 2013,
with Mark McPherson serving as Assistant Coordinators
until a new coordinator is chosen. Philadelphia, PA will
be the site of the 2013 reunion which will be May 19-22. Mark your calendars
now for this great event in an historic American city. It will be another
wonderful experience, as was the 2012 reunion!
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USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108)
Alden, Calvin & Angelina, Gloria Nicastro
Alexander, Joyce & Shirley
Barber, John & Pam
Bernier, Ed & Chris
Casey, George
Crowley, Peter & Maureen
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USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108)
Culbertson, Michael
Deibel, Ronald & Cheri
Donoghue, Mike & Diane
Duross, James & Linda
Fawcett, James & Kathleen
Harrison, Bruce
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USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108)
Houston, Paul & Loretta
Kritschgau, John & Jean
Mayotte, Jim & Wendy
Klinefelter, Robert
Leisentritt, Fred
McPherson, Mark, Shirley & Jay
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USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108)
Mosley, Randy & Donna
O’Brien, Neil & Trudy
Phelps, Dan & Tanya
Narkie, Roger & Janice
Payne, Herman
Powell, Ralph & Janet
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USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108)
Prant, Donald
Roden, Jimmy & Shelia
Roskoph, James & Margaret
Schoenling, Glen & Frances
Tomlin, Robert & Karen Marlowe
Van Dyke, Ted & Ruby
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USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108)
Watson, Robert & Robin
Welborn, John & Suzanne
Willis, David
Wilson, Donald
First to Register-Mark McPherson
Registration
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