the sierran
A newsletter for the
U.S.S. Sierra Veterans AssociATION
Volume 116 December 2017
Service to our
country
1944 to 1993
The crew of the USS Sierra met once again
for our annual reunion in beautiful Wilmington,
NC. Over eighty (80) crew members and their
families were on hand for a few days of exciting
tours, good food, great conversation and a chance
to get together again with old and new friends.
First thing was registration where we all
logged in and were presented with our meal
preferences, outline of the reunion and some
goodies. Next morning we were treated to a full breakfast and started our hello’s,
news from the fleet
President
Joseph Strecker
1312 Country Club Road
Concordia, KS 66901
785-243-3533
Vice President
Larry Stevens
210 NW Greenwood Street
Ankeny, IA 50023-5104
515-210-0777
Treasurer
William Skillin
P. O. Box 767
No Myrtle Beach, SC 29597
913-683-1423
Secretary
John Gandiello
5018 Lillium Drive
Plainfield, IN 46168
317-441-8843
Governor
Ed Roberson
PO Box 308
Julian, NC 27283
336-697-5758
Governor
Michael P. Ansich
5753 Hwy #85 North #2483
Crestview FL 32536
860-319-7592
Governor
Rodney Wallace
350 N State Hwy 360 #4101
Mansfield, TX
509-291-3444
Governor/WebMaster
Mark Fenley
200 Deer Run Drive
Winder, GA 30680-3909
509-291-3444
and soon the festivities began.
Guys and gals started
gathering in the hospitality suite
for some light snacks and some
heavy conversation. A bit latter
and everyone boarded a bus to
visit the USS North Carolina,
one of the few non-Iowa Class
battleships we’ve toured. It was
refreshing
to see the
differences
in both the
lay-out of
the ship
and the type
of armament. She was literally
in her own class, the “North
Carolina Class”. Her armament
included nine 16” guns,
batteries of 5” guns, 40mm and
U.S.S. SIERRA REUNION
Port Of Call - Wilmington, NC
US Navy Status - November 2016
Total Force = 327,503 Officers = 54,136 Enlisted = 268,907 Total ships = 272 Ships deployed = 97 Aircraft = 3,700+
Navy working Uniform (NWU) will be replaced with a green/tan cammies
USS Navy worked for weeks to deliver much needed supplies to Hurricane Mathew ravaged Haiti
The anger over the elimination of ratings continues with both active and retired personnel (100,000 signature petition was sent to the White House)
The Philippine president wants US troops out of his country
Continued page 2 Reunion
page 2
20 mm anti-aircraft guns and a Vought Kingfisher
scout airplane. The kind people at the museum
handed out beautiful pictures of our own USS
Sierra. The USS North Carolina was her own class battleship with two “North Carolina Class” ships;
the USS North Carolina and the USS Washington. It was interesting to see the difference in lay-
out of these huge war ships.
Afterwards we once again met in the hospitality suite to enjoy the “President’s Welcome”
and enjoyed good food and again sharing sea-stories.
That evening was our annual membership meeting with both serious
discussion about the association and a few light moments that shipmates
shared. The discussion included future reunions, composition of our
meetings, getting more involved with our sister Destroyer Tenders, welcoming new members, and election of officers. It is with a sad heart
that Jim Kane and I will step down as your Secretary and Governor, but
we’ll still be active in the association.
After the meeting we returned to the hospitality suite where as
usual the evening went long but everyone was up at breakfast and ready
to go on tour number two, a trip to the famous Fort Fisher and historic
sites of Wilmington, North Carolina. Captain Wilbur Jones (USN Ret) narrated our tour and we
were lucky to have him as our speaker at our banquet that evening.
Fort Fisher was an interesting tour and we were treated as royalty with a video about the Confederate Fort and the two major battles to occur at the
fort. After the video we were able to go on a guided walk
through the battle grounds of the fort.
That evening was our annual banquet where we once
again enjoyed some great food, good conversation and a
lecture by Captain Jones. In addition to his own interesting
career in the US Navy, the Captain recounted the brave and
world hopping adventures of his mother-in-law. The evening
was warm gathering of shipmates from all over the country
getting together to enjoy each others company and share some
the memories of when we were invincible.
The end of the banquet didn’t signal the end of the great conversations. Bright and early the
next morning everyone got ready to check out with one more stop for some breakfast and more
stories. Each one than started their journey home equipped with a host of more memories.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: If you have pictures of the reunion that you’d like to
share please send them to our WebMaster Mark Fenley at [email protected].
Reunion Continued from page 1 Reunion
page 3
Welcome Aboard!
Welcome Aboard to our newest members.
We look forward to seeing you in Albuquerque, NM.
Albert McDonald (62-63) QM2
Alfred E. Ball (58-59) SN
T a p s
REMEMBER YOUR USS SIERRA VETERANS
ASSOCIATION DUES MAINTAIN EVERYTHING
THAT THE ASSOCIATION DOES.
Life Members
Congratulations to our newest Life
Member:
Captain David W. Sommers
It is with deep sadness that we wish safe
passage in heavenly waters to our departed shipmates:
Malcolm Jones 06/26/2016
Ruth Summerlin 06/29/2016
Michael Meyers 02/14/2015
Thomas P. Herlihy 08/31/2015
This will be my last newsletter for the
USS Sierra Veterans Association. Due to an almost overwhelming schedule, including the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Navy Sea Cadets, I must step down as your Secretary. I am confidently handing it over to someone I believe will do an excellent job. John Gandiello will be taking over as Secretary. I have asked many times in the past to please send in your stories for print in the newsletter, but John has a great twist, he’d like to feature a shipmate or two each issue. See you at the reunions and looking forward to reading your stories in “The Sierran”.
Stepping Down
Here’s wishing everyone
enjoyed some festivities and,
more importantly, some
time with you family on
Veterans Day! Sea Stories
As mentioned in previous article, please
forward your stories abiut your time on the USS Sierra to John Gandiello. Either give him a call at 317-441-8843 or mail your story to him (address on page 1). Let’s hear from you and share your fun stories, interesting adventures, scary moments, or just plain old everyday life on board the USS Sierra.
page 4
1) Meeting opened by President Joseph Strecker
2) Treasurer’s reports was read APPROVED
3) Minutes of last year’s meeting were read
APPROVED
4) A motion was made for the association to pay the costs for a future reunion. Motion not seconded
Not voted on
5) Bob Morales requested that the association send out sympathy cards to members as required.
Chaplain Rodney Wallace promised to take care such items
6) Donation 0f $250.00 to Tin Can Sailors was discussed APPROVED
7) Albuquerque reunion was discussed at length. Members were urged to register early.
8) Myrtle Beach reunion was discussed and is subject to change.
9) Bill Skillin is looking into creating the ability to register for our reunions via EXPEDIA
10) It was suggested that membership meeting include members “Sea stories” The idea was excellent the topic of “Sea stories” will take place in the hospitality suite
11) Increasing partnerships with our sister Destroyer Tenders was discussed.
12) The following officers were nominated and approved by acclamation vote:
Joe Strecker, President
Larry Stevens, Vice President Bill Skillin, Treasurer
John Gandiello, Secretary
Governor/Facebook, Ed Roberson Governor/Chaplain, Rodney Wallace
Governor/Hospitality, Michael P. Ansich
Governor/Webmaster, Mark Fenley
13) New members were introduced Bob Holsworth
John Gandielo
Bob
Ed Robins
14) USS Sierra jackets will once again be on sale, including a new spring jacket.
15) Both the membership and Joe Strecker thanked Bill and Judy Skillin for all their hard work in
organizing a hugely successful reunion.
Membership Meeting 2017
DUES DUES DUES DUES DUES DUES
the memories.
page 5
Here is the crew of the USS Sierra that made this year’s reunion:
Mike & Mary Ansich Alfred & Everett Ball
Marilyn & Pat Barmore Brooks & Peggy Bryant
Benedict & Teresa Carini Kenneth & Fran Carver
Cally Christenson Arnold & Jan Court
Billy & Carole Davis David & Karen Drennan
Bill Dutton John Eberhardt
Thomas & Jennifer Elsroth John & Laura Elsroth
Richard Erbe Ken Fabian
Mark Fenley Sidney & Ilene Ferguson
Sam & Sandy Freidmann Maria Gadaree
Bob & Deanne Gancarz John & Vickie Gandiello
James Hagan Sharon Holland
Christopher Holley Dave Holloway
Robert W. Holzworth Tony Hrynczszyn
Keith Jones Jim Kane
James & Edith Lowe William & Phyllis Maine
Don & Kathy Maxon David & Janet McAhren
Herbert & Rosa Moody Robert & Valerie Morales
Jean Newell Paul Perez
Jerry & Carol Reposa Janice Riordan
Ed Roberson Daniel & Janice Romando
Barbara Scala Gloria Shelby
Bill & Judy Skillin Carol & Doug Skinner
Donald & Sheri Slack Harry & Sandy Smith
Mary Louise Spain Larry Stevens
Joe & Jana Strecker Linda Stroud
Rodney Wallace Joan Yazinski
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thank you to everyone who made the trip to Wilmington. The entire executive
board hopes you had a wonderful time, a chance to re-live some good times, meet new friends,
say ‘hello’ to old shipmates and build a few more fond memories.
Uss sierra ad-18 veterans association
2015 reunion - shipmates & spouses
DUES DUES DUES DUES
page 6
USS Sierra AD-18 Veterans Association Reunion Registration
Albuquerque, NM 4-7 October 2017
Last Name:* ______________________ First Name:_______________________
*If different Last Name while assigned to the Sierra:________________________________
Street:_________________________ City:________________State:______ ZipCode:________
Phone number: (____)____________ Email: ____________________________________
Spouse/Guest Name (please provide first & last name):_______________________________
The total registration fee is $85.00 per person and includes the Hospitality Room, Thursday night
Icebreaker, and Friday evening Banquet.
DATE/TIME
EVENT DESCRIPTION PRICE
(per person)
# OF
PEOPLE
TOTAL
REUNION REGISTRATION FEE $85.00 X
Thursday 10/05/17 0900-1600 Santa Fe, NM Tour $40.00 X
Saturday 10/07/17 0600-1100 Balloon Fiesta $50.00 X
ANNUAL DUES $ 25.00 X
REGISTRATION TOTAL (Please pay this amount)
* * * Please make all checks payable to: USS SIERRA VETERANS ASSOCIATION * * *
No registrations accepted after deadline - No refunds after registration deadline.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: Should there be an emergency during the reunion, who should we
contact on your behalf? NAME:__________________________________ TELEPHONE: (_____)___________
***Please indicate your meal choice(s): A. Caraway Crusted Pork Chops or B. Chicken Cordon Bleu
Shipmate’s meal choice_______ Guest meal choice ______
If you (or your guests) have any special dietary, handicapped needs or other requirements, please provide specific
details:
__________________________________________________________________________________________ **Make your reservations early** MCM Elegante Hotel, 2020 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM.
Call toll free: (866) 650-4900 USS Sierra Group Rate is $123.17 tax included until Aug.1, 2017
Please check this block if you will NOT be staying at the host hotel – for emergency evacuation purposes.
If you are ONLY planning to attend the Thursday night Icebreaker and/or
Friday evening Banquet - please check the block and complete this section below:
DATE/TIME
EVENT DESCRIPTION PRICE
(per person)
# OF
PEOPLE
TOTAL
Thursday 10/05/15 1800-2000 Icebreaker/BBQ $35.00
Friday 10/06/15 1430-1800 Banquet(Indicate meal choices above) $50.00
TOTAL (Please pay this amount)
Registration Due Date:
August 1, 2017 Have questions, call 816-905-6523 or 913-683-1423
Mail printed form to: USS Sierra Veterans Assn
PO Box 767
North Myrtle Beach SC 29597
page 7
Machinist’s Mate ‘A’ School: Day
Helmsman with an attitude
An awkward moment in aftwer steering
Uss sierra ad-18 veterans association
25 maple road
Iselin, nj 08830
To:
President’s Message
I want to say “Thank You” to each and every one that attended our 2016 reunion in
Wilmington, NC. It takes all of you to make a reunion. It was great to see a lot of the same shipmates and meet several first time attendees. I also want to send a special thank you to all the officers and governors for all their help during this last year and during the reunion. We had a few changes to the Executive Board and we wish Jim Kane and John Eberhardt the best. I also want to welcome on board John Gandiello, Ed Roberson, and Michael Asich and once again thank Bill Skillin, our treasurer and reunion chairman, for all the work he does and also thanks to Judy Skillin for being on Bill’s team. Our next reunion is looking to be another great get-together, so starting making your plans to attend. Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year.
Joseph Strecker, President
Joseph Strecker