USS THE SULLIV ANS DD537/DDG68 ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTERDECEMBER 2005

THE 21sT REUNION OF THE USS THE SULLIVANS ASSOCIATION. The 21st Reunion of USS THESULLIVANS DD537/DDG68 Association, hosted by Bruce and Mary Annette Kahler, was held at the AcademyHotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 7 toll, 2005.

Attending were 49 shipmates, 1 honorary member, and 61 guests. Among the 49 shipmates were 2 first-timers, Carlton Infanger (45/46) and Marvin Hoover (55/58). There were also 7 shipmates from WWII and 11shipmates from the Korea service and world cruise of52/53.

The reunion began with a welcoming reception in the hotel on Wednesday evening. On Thursday some ofthe group boarded busses for the Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the world. Two rides wereavailable, the aerial tram and the incline railway. After lunch, the group returned to the hotel, ready for an eveningof dining and entertainment.

On Thursday evening, we boarded buses for a trip to the Flying W Ranch where we had the opportunity tobrowse the shops, and then were served a western dinner of barbecued beef, baked potato, beans, applesauce,biscuits, cake and coffee. After dinner, we were entertained with a western stage show by reahinging cowboyswith songs from the old west. The show was filled with great music, laughter and entertainment.

On Friday morning, a memorial service was held at the hotel to honor the memory of our departedshipmates. President Jim Hendrickson read the names of all shipmates who had passed away since the last reunion.A color guard of four high school JROTC members presented the colors for the service.

After the memorial service, some of us boarded buses for a trip to the summit of Pike's Peak, elevation14,110 feet, via the Pike's Peak Cog Railway. The ride up the mountain took us through forests, then above thetree line with majestic views ofthe valleys below. We also saw a variety of wildlife. We went from a temperatureof near 80 degrees at the base of the mountain to close to 40 degrees at the top of the mountain. After a brief stay,we descended and returned to the hotel.

Those who did not go to Pike's Peak went to Cripple Creek to "gamble for the gold". Cripple Creek is oneof three Colorado cities to have limited-stakes gambling. While the golden history of Cripple Creek lures many,thousands also flock to Cripple Creek to try their luck at a different venture. Poker, blackjack and slot machinesabound in the city's casinos. On the return to the hotel, no one would admit to having won big.

On Saturday morning, the reunion business meeting was held. See a separate report in this newsletter forinformation about that meeting.

Following the business meeting, buses left for a tour of the Air Force Academy and the Garden of the, Gods. The Academy is an 18,000 acre complex. Areas open to visitors include the 17-sprired interdenominational

Cadet Chapel, Falcon Stadium, the cadet glider port and the new visitor's center.Following the visit to the Academy, the tour continued to the Garden of the Gods. This is one of the

world's natural wonders with a gallery of red rock sculptures created more than 300 million years ago. Formationsjet upward at heights of over 300 feet. Several stops were made for photo taking including the Balanced Rock andthe Kissing Camels.

Saturday evening found us all at the Farewell Banquet. The bar opened at 6 pm with a buffet dinner at 7o'clock. Dinner included roast beef, chicken, salads, etc., and deserts.

After dinner and introduction of guests by MC Jim Rauth, Capt. Phil Kessler, USN, who is attached to thestaff of Admiral T. 1. Keating, USN, Commander U. S. Northern Command and Norad, located in ColoradoSprings, gave a presentation of today's Navy, its mission and its capabilities.

Following the presentation by Capt. Kessler, the entertainment of the evening was presented by "TheVelvet Hills Chorus". This award-winning 4-part barbershop harmony chorus has been entertaining audiencesthroughout Colorado Springs and the Front Range for over 35 years. More than 90 women come from all over theregion with the purpose of enriching the lives of its members and the community through education, performance,and musical excellence. The Velvet Hills Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International. a worldwideorganization of women committed to advancing the musical art of barbershop harmony through education andperformances. Velvet Hills competes regionally every spring which has led them to competing on an internationallevel and winning 7th Place international medals in 2003. The chorus has again qualified for an internationalcompetition -this time for Las Vegas in 2006.

Following the entertainment, a DJ took over the proceedings and the party continued throughout the rest ofthe evening.

On Sunday, we bid farewell to one another until we meet again in Buffalo and Charleston.Many thanks to Bruce and MaryAnnette for ajob very well done. Provided by Harry Nelson

USS THE SULLIV ANS DD537/DDG68 ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTERDECEMBER 2005

NEWS ABOUT USS THE SULLIVANS DDG 68. The ship recently completed a 5-month maintenance period.Shortly after that it had to go to sea to avoid Hurricane Ophelia.

The ship went out for sea trials in mid-September. Kelly has encouraged her students to send letters to their.pen pals on The Sullivans. They also made patriotic decorations to hang near the mess line.

Kelly also announced that a new updated version of "Fighting Sullivans" movie will be released on DVDwith a special feature beginning with interviews, etc. She will keep us informed of its availability, etc. Kelly notedthat the Sullivans Foundation is also discussing plans for a 10thAnniversary/Reunion of the Commissioning ofDDG 68 in New York sometime in 2007. She also reiterated how much she enjoyed seeing and visiting with thecrewmembers ofDD537 and DDG68 while on the Family Day Cruise in the summer of 2004. We thank Kelly forall her contributions to the newsletter.

COMMAND MASTER CHIEF DEAN R. LEONARD APPOINTED TO ADVISORY BOARD. Chief Leonardrecently retired from the U.S.N. He served nearly three years on DDG68. The president of our Association, JimHendrickson, has appointed him to our advisory board. Chief Leonard is living in the Jacksonville/Mayport areaand has close ties with DDG68, and will Dea great help in recruiting members for our organization. See the June2005 Newsletter for information on Chief Leonard's naval career. His email addressisjmt4ever@bellsouth.net.

BRONZE PLAOUE TO BE INSTALLED ON DD 537 TO HONOR THE FOUNDERS OF OURORGANIZATION. At the Executive Committee meeting held at Colorado Springs during the reunion JohnMataka made a motion that we commission the creation of a bronze plaque to be installed in an appropriate andvisible place on the USS The Sullivans DD537 to honor our founders, Charlie McCartv, Paul Fant, and BobSanders (deceased). This motion was approved unanimously and a committee is in the process of seeing thiscarried out.

MYSTERYFINALLY SOLVED. In the January 2004 Newsletter we misnamed the lady shown in the photo of thewreath laying ceremony at the Kiad Memorial Park in Baton Rouge. The lady is Lola Skaug, wife of Sidney Skaug.

WORLD WAR II CREWMEMBER AUTHORS BOOK. Bernard J. Daenzer of Key Largo, Florida was an officeron DD 537 during WW II. He has sent us a copy of his book, Dear Wanda. It is a must for anyone who was everinvQlxedi_ntbe iDsuranc.eobusLness.A testimonial from Gary Wright of Peoria, n, de~crihe~it he~t "Rernie Oaen7f'rhas completed highlights and anecdotes from his storied insurance career into a highly readable, entertainingcollection entitled :Dear Wanda" from celebrity encounters to' global trotting insurance missions and trail blazingcoverage solutions. Bernie takes the reader on a surprising, fast pace literary journey, sometimes humorous,sometimes taut. His memorable vignettes play out in the context and backdrop of pivotal historic events." Fourpages are devoted to his experiences in the U.S.N., particularly on board The Sullivans DD 537.

The book is 8 Y:I"x 11", 74 pages and available in both soft-cover and hardcover editions. It is available atamazon.com @ $16.99 paper back and $26.99 hardbound or check availability at any bookstore. ISBN # 1-4134-8459-X. It is for a worthy cause since all royalties go one half to the CPCU Loman Foundation for Research andAdvanced Teaching of Insurance and one half for the NAIW Foundation for teaching insurance in High Schools.

For more information you can write Bernard J. Daenzer at Ocean Reef Club, 29 Angelfish Cay Dr., KeyLargo, FL 33037-5271 or email atBJDLONDON@ao1.com.

2007 REUNION - CHARLESTON. SOUTH CAROLINA. Plans are now being made for the reunion in the fallof 2007. The tentative dates are October 17-21,2007. I(you have any questions you can contact the hosts DarleneOuellette and Hugh Murdock at g05330@hotmai1.com

Your editor and his wife were at another convention in Charieston,SC last May and can assure you there isa lot to see. In particular Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum which includes the destroyer Laffey DD 724,submarine Clamagore SS 343, Carrier Yorktown CV 10 and Coast Guard Cutter Ingham. It also hosts theCongressional Medal of Honor's Society: Exhibit & National Headquarters and Library aboard the Yorktown.

Also a highlight was a visit to the Confederate Submarine Hunley. On February 1864 the Hunley was lostjust outside Charleston Harbor. It had just torpedoed the USS Housatonic when the sub mysteriously sank with alleight crewmembers. It was discovered in 1995 and raised on August 8, 2000. The Hunley is now on display at theWarren Lasch Conservation Center at the old Naval Base. It can be visited on Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from12-5.To purchase tickets you can call toll-free 1-877-448-6539or online at www.etix.com.

USS THE SULLIV ANS DD537/DDG68 ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTERDECEMBER 2005

Reunion photograph of the seven WW IIattendees. First row left to right: CharlieMcCarty 44/45, Ben Plantenburg 43/45 andPeter Panagakos 43/45. Second row left to right:John Clifton 43/45, Lloyd Lesperence 43/45,Sidney Skaug 43/45 and Carlton Infanger 44/45

SALUTE TO OUR WORLD WAR II CREWMEMBERS. On the 60thAnniversary of the end ofWWII we salute'our crewmembers who served on the USS The Sullivans DD 537 during that period. We have only listed knownliving members. Ifwe missed anyone please inform us so we can list them in the next newsletter.

HOWARD FITZPATRICK 43/45 GEORGE MENDONSA 43/45BENJAMIN B. FORD 43/45 CLAUDE MERGENTHAL 43/45GENE W, FOSTER 43/45 DOWLING MILLER 43/45JAMES R. GRANT 45/ WILLIAM T. MORRIS 43/45HOWARD GROTHE 43/45 GEORGE H. MOUNDAS 43/45NAZAR HAJINIAN 43/45 REED H. NEILSEN 43/45RICHARD HARDGRAVE 43/46 RICHARD PALMIERI 43i45RADM JAMES HILDRETH 43/45 PETER PANAGAKOS 43/45HOWARD M. HOEL 43/45 LOUIS PARIS 43/45JOHN I. HUNDT 43/45 EVERETT PATTISON 43/45CARLTON A. INFANGER 44/45 JULIUS PFANNENSTIEL 43/45PAUL E. JACKSON, SR. 43/45 BEN PLANTENBERG 43/45WILLIAM S. JENSEN 45/ RAYMOND POTTER 43/45RONALD C. JOHNSON 45/45 STEVE PREBARICH 43/45DAVID M. KEENER 43/45 MEL REBSTOCK, JR.43/45ALEX KENDZERSKI 43/45 BOYD ROBERTSON 43/45WALTER H. KOTTWITZ 43/44 CLIFTON ROBERTSON 43/45LLOYD KRAFT 43/45 JACK ROMANENGHI 43/45WALTER KRUPINSKI 43/45 JAMES L. ROURKE 43/44THOMAS P. KURNEC 43/45 EARL M. SANTOS 43/45JOHN LACOMBE, JR. 43/45 JERRY J. SCHAEFFER 43/45EUGENE LANG 43/44 MAX SCHLATTER 43/45GERARD M, LEHNER 43/46 ARTHUR L. SCHMITT 43/46LLOYD G. LESPERENCE 43/45 ALBERT R. SCHUH 43/45FLOYD LEWIS 44/45 WALTER SHEVOCK 43/45WALLACE LEWIS 43/45 SIDNEY C. SKAUG 43/45ARTHUR L. LIES 43/45 HARbLD J. SPAHN 43/45CHARLES LILLY 43/45 LEO F. STEINMETZ 45/46JIMMY LONGINOTTI 43/45 JOHN STOCK 43/45DONALD A. LORE 43/45 FRANCIS SULLIVAN 43/45MANUEL J. LOREDO 43/45 HENRY SULLIVAN 43/45WILLIAM W. LOVE 43/45 ROBERT P. SULLIVAN43/45TESLA LUNDRY 43/45 ALTON K. SWEDBERG 43/45DONALD MacDOUGALL 43/45 JOSEPH 1.TABER 43/46PAUL T. MALESKI 43/45 PAUL TEDESCHI 43/45THEODORE A. MARTIN 43/45 CLARENCE TIMMONS 43/45EMILIO MARTINEZ 43/45 NEWTON F. TRUE 44/45TONY MARTINO 43/45 JOHN E. UXER 43/44GARY MATTESON 43/45 WILSON B. WARD 43/45JACK M. MATTHEW 43/46 JACK WEAN 43/45ROBERT McALPINE 43/45 ROB T. WORLEY 43/45CHARLES L. McCARTY 44/45MAURICE L. McLINN 45/45

GEORGE AFFOLTER 43/45ROBERT ALDEN 43/45WILLIE ALLEN 43/54DAVID L. ANDERSON 43/44HARRY J. BAIRD 43/46WILLIAM T. BALLARD 43/45MARVIN BARNES 43/45ROBERT W. BAUER 43/45CAPT. R.J. BAUM 44/45GLENN L. BAUM 43/.45STEPHEN BEREZANSKY 43/45

WARREN BLAQUIERE 43/45PHILIP L. BLUMENTHAL, JR 45/46DONALD BRIDENSTINE 43/46WILLIAM BRIGHT 43/45ROBERT BROSKIE 43/46ROLLIN J. BROWN 45/46RUSSELL V. BROWN 43/45CARL BUETTNER 44/45JOHN D. BURKETT 43/45HENRY BUTTERWORTH 43/45DONALD CARNEY 43/45CHASE. PAUL 45/45TIMOTHY CLIFFORD 43/45JOHN CLIFTON 43/45DOUGLAS S. COFFIN 43/45LEON COLLINS 43/44JOHN W. CONNOR 43/45ROBERT CUNNINGHAM 43/45BERNARD JOHN DAENZER 45/46FERRIS G. DANSIE 43/45MICHAEL F. DELUCA 43/45HARRY DESAUTELS 43/44MICHAEL A. DEW 43/45ANTHONY DIANDREA 44/45C. WILLIAM DRAPER 43/45ALVIS DUMAS 43/45SIDNEY A. DUPLEX 43/45GEORGE S. EDMINSTER 43/45DWIGHT EGLE 43/45PAUL T. FANT 43/45LOWELL FERGUSON 43/45