DaleGram September 2006

To: all USS DALE ASSOCIATION members:

from: Dennis Smith association president

re: San Diego reunion

Hello to all. Our people in California are working very hard to finalize your 2007 reunion. I feel that this reunion will be a spectacular fathers day gift. We are getting real close to the time when I have sign the contract. What I need from all of you is a realistic commitment, We have to guarantee a certain number paid room nights. Once I sign the contract the number of rooms that we commit to, must be paid for. The room rate we have is very favorable but will not be available much longer. I need everyone who feels that he/she will go to the reunion and stay in the hotel to send me an e-mail very soon. The 'very soon' is important to ensure the room rate and availability. Send an email with your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address to PRESIDENT@USSDALE.COM

Reunion dates: Thursday June 14,2007 through Sunday checkout June 17

Location: Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island www.hiltonharborisland.com/

Room cost: $99.00 +tax per day.Each member will reserve and pay room charges to the hotel. Details to follow.

The reunion hospitalty room, banquet meal and tours will be a set up by the reunion committee and will be paid directly to the USS DALE ASSOCIATION. I do not have details available at this time but I can say that this will be a great reunion with tours to Navy ships, mueseams etc.We will keep the cost as low as possible while maintaining the high quality reunion that you deserve.

We will be having our reunion along with the USS DALE DD-353. The DD-353 was at Pearl Harbor on Dec 07 and several surviving members will be in attendance. More to come shortly but I can assure you that it will be a memorable reunion.

Please respond quickly. If you have questions e-mail me or call my cell between 12:00pm -01:00am eastern time.

Smooth Seas

Dennis

 

Dalegram July 2006

2006 USS DALE reunion highlights

THURSDAY

The 2006 reunion started in the early afternoon July 13. Pat from MLRS was at her table outside the hospitality room with a warm and friendly welcome. As we signed in with Pat she gave each of us a package that had our name tags and the reunion itinerary the registration and our initial greetings from other members we checked in to the hotel and took our 'gear' to our rooms and quickly returned to the hospitality room. It didn't take long for cruise books and old photos to be displayed, examined and talked about. This continued through out the Reunion sea story's and fond remembrances were continually being discussed.

At 18:00 (thats 6:00pm for you land lubbers) The Welcome Reception started in the next room. There was a cash bar and light hors d'oeuvre s. Pat from MLRS had a few words to say and introduced Dennis Smith, who was standing in as reunion host for Mike Pennsinger who could not attend this year.

The reception was A little noisy with discussions of just about anything and everything about the USS Dale and the Navy. These discussions continued throughout the reunion , even through the last breakfast on Sunday morning, so I try not to keep repeating especially the one from Dee Seeber about cooking in the house Newport and looking out the window to see the Dale...Oh well, enough of that; you should have been there ! After the reception we went back to the Hospitality room. Since dinner was on your own, some just wolfed down the snacks, some of us went to TGI Fridays ( it was inside the hotel about 50 feet from our hospitality room),

FRIDAY

The breakfast was from 06:00-11:00 each day. The Friday tour had been canceled due to a low response. We had Friday free for our own self guided tours or to just sit around and relax. Several of us went to the St Louis Arch, some went to the St Louis zoo and some, well I don't know where everyone went, but judging from the comments later in the evening, I would say all had an enjoyable day. More members continued to sign in throughout the day. The hospitality room was the focal point of our activities through out the reunion and there was always some activity there. The Friday dinner “Fair St Louis” was an interesting combination of BBQ chicken and some sort of sausage. Coffee and desert ended the dinner. As the day wound down for some of us, others gathered in the hotel reception bar or TGI Fridays for an evening drink and more , well the talking, sea stories and memories shared “was the reunion”.

SATURDAY

After breakfast we boarded the tour bus for the days tour. The first stop was Grant's Farm, a 281 acre estate. There was a ride on a tram through the animal zoo followed by walking through the German court yard, to the stables and petting zoo and an amazing bird display. It is certainly an impressive estate. Next the bus took us to a tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery to visit the actual areas where the beer is made and packaged. Some of the tour included walking outside in 100 degree+ temps, the sample room was a welcome ending to the tour.

Upon returning to the the hotel, we had a short break to relax and refresh then had the Business Meeting. The results of the Business Meeting will be made public shortly.

19:00 (7:00pm) started the pre dinner cocktail hour and individual photos. The USS Dale banquet consisted of prime rib and 'all that goes with it'. After dinner there was a short break then the official reunion group photos were taken. A very moving memorial service to pay heartfelt homage to all deceased shipmates was presented by 3 Dale men. Dennis Smith, as the new Dale Association president, had a short presidents closing speech. Since the hospitality room was now closed, most of us found various places throughout the hotel lobby to share closeting memories over drinks.

The 2006 reunion had fewer attendees than 2005, but we made up for it in enthusiasm, comradeship and esprit de corps. We're looking forward to SanDiago 2007, hope to see you there.