February 1, 2010
100201-N-7088A-048 GULF OF ADEN (Feb. 1, 2010) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) and an SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42, participate in a training evolution. Farragut is part of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elizabeth Allen/Released)
Click picture for larger version:
January 7, 2009
Shipmates:
2008 has come and gone. we held our Reunion in Cleveland in July and our turnout was not what we expected, but then, did any of us expect such tremendously high energy prices. I know those numbers contributed to many of us passing up on the Reunion. I, as President, understand fully.
We did conduct business there and as you all know by now, our next Reunion will be in New London, CT. in 2010, exact time and place to be determined by Greg DeLong adn Bob Ursum, who comprise our Reunion Committee. Greg has already done some research for us and found many new exciting things for us to consider. They range from visits to USS Nautilus, our first nuclear submarine to Mohegan Sun casino. There is also Mystic Seaport nearby. Greg will bring all of us up to date when he completes his research.
We do need for all Shipmates to consider their attendance in New London and give us a head count of Shipmates that are planning to attend. Greg and Bob need these numbers in order to negotiate the best deal for us. The easiest way to let us know is to contact Greg or Bob via email or telephone to let them know if you plan to be there. The more of us that are there, the better deal we can get. Once we have an idea of how many to expect, we can move onward in selection of prospective locations. This list of locations will be posted for Shipmates to offer input. I would like to know what ammenities Shipmates would like to see at our Reunion location. I know parking is one fo the foremost in your minds as many of you like to drive RV's to the site. As your Board of Directors, we will be keeping that in mind as we go.
New membership cards have already been printed and sent out to all Shipmates whom we have posted as current in dues. If you have not gotten your card and are current, please contact Tom Randall or myself so we can correct the problem and mail your new card. If you are not current, please send your dues to Greg DeLong, our Treasurer. he will advise me of any dues he receives so taht I may print and mail cards. I have made some changes in the cards that I feel many of you would prefer. I printed each card individually with the ship each Shipmate served on. Those of you who were on DDG 37 have that ship pictured. The same with DLG 6 and DD 348. It took a little doing, but it's done.
The website will soon have pictures of the Change of Command that took place recently. Capt Sobeck, the new CO has assured me that we will be kept in their loop for all upcoming events. We also have contact with the Information Officer on Farragut. Hopefully we will be included in any Family/Tiger Cruises in the future. I, for one, will be there. As for upcoming events, Farragut is due for a Repair/Dry Dock period that will cover the next few months. Then deployment to another assignment.
I have been contacted by Mr. Howard Sakolsky, a graduate of Admiral Farragut Academy, in Tampa/St. Petersburg area regarding a 75th Reunion for Admiral Farragut Academy graduates. They want to have as many former Farragut sailors as possible at their reunion. At this point, I can only tell you that the propective dates are April 2, 3 and 4th, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, first weekend in April, beyond that, I do not know. Mr. Sakolsky will be sending more details to our website for posting there. Keep logging on to get the information as it is posted.
Once again, Shipmates, it is my honor to serve you as President.
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Jerry O'Connor
President
Farragut Ship's Association
January 9, 2009
Click here for some photos of the Change of Command Ceremony..
August 18, 2008
A Message from the President:
Shipmates, Cleveland 2008 has come and gone. We had a wonderful meeting with all who attended. The turnout was not what we expected but then, in Jacksonville in 2006 we didn't expect such high fuel costs which in turn blew a lot of travel budgets. The Cleveland Rennaisance went over the top to accomodate us and our needs. The staff was totally committed to making our stay first class all the way and they did.
All attractions were within walking distance as promised and the Tower Mall had any kind of food you could ask for, everything from donuts to a $100 steak if that was your fancy, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a big attraction with almost every Shipmate making the visit. The watefront Cuyahoga River tour were also well met. Who would realize that Cleveland had so many bridges? There was even one bridge over another bridge, and I have the picture to prove it.
Many changes were made in Cleveland and since you are reading this, you can see one of them. Tony Gagliano, our faithful Shipmate, former 1st VP and Webmaster has stepped down in all of those capacities. Well done, Tony. Well done indeed.
Since our organization can't operate efficiently without some kind of communication, it was imperative that we get our website up to date as soon as possible. Charles Kuralt, Son in Law to Shipmate Jim Crumback agreed to be our Webmaster. He and I have been in close communication getting the website up and running. Granted the content is still not up to date but it will be up to date as soon as we can make it. Tom Randall has been able to get some communication with the DDG-99 and has made the new releases part of our site. All communication with DDG-99 will be posted when received in order that all of us can keep up to date.
Now, the decisions made in Cleveland, while not have a large number of Shipmates present and voting, were made within the limits of our By laws, which state that decisions will be made on a basis of majority of members present and voting. The site for our next reunion featured lively but not heated discussion about where we would meet. As the By Laws stated, each alternate reunion should be held at DDG-99's homeport. The keyword is "should" which the Membership took to mean that a meeting in Jacksonville or Mayport was not binding. Further discussion brought out the point that with Farragut on deployment and no reliable means of getting a location or time table for home port visits, we should consider other locations. Farragut, Tennessee was brought up, New London, CT was another, Norfolk, VA was the third and Galveston, TX was also mentioned. When all shipmates were heard, a vote was called; New London, CT was chosen to be our next Reunion site. Greg DeLong and Bob Ursum will be Reunion Committee and will "scope out" the location and find a suitable place for us to meet. Greg and Bob will also get whatever information regarding travel and other incidentals we need. All these points will be covered in future editions of the Farragut Flash as well as being posted on the website. Keep a watch on the website for information as it comes up.
Shipmates also took up voting a budget to Tom Randall for distribution of the Farragut Flash in order that all Shipmates will have access to our house organ. We also voted to donate the sum of $250 from each Reunion to Tin Can Sailors for all the assistance and help they have been to all destroyer sailors. One point that has come up since Cleveland is that our Chaplain, Russ Kaufmann, needs a small budget also for cards and letters to Shipmates as required. I have asked that our Treasurer, make a $200 biannually available to Russ for this purpose. This is one of the points of new business to be taken up in New London.
The final order of business was election of Board of Directors for the upcoming term. The following Officers were nominated and elected.
President: Jerry O'Connor jmo1435@bellsouth.net
1st Vice President/Chaplain: Russ Kaufmann RKaufmann10@comcast.net
2nd Vice President: Bill Forester WmForester@aol.com
Secretary/Membership Chair: Tom Randall farragut_flash@verizon.net
Treasurer: Greg DeLong mrd27@optonline.net
These officers will serve as your Board of Directors until New London 2010
With all business covered and decisions made, Farragut Ship's Association adjourned until 2010 in New London, CT, time and exact place to be determined.
Gentlemen, I apologize if I was not fast off the mark to keep you up to date but I felt my efforts should be directed toward getting the Website off and running again.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmates
Jerry O'Connor
President
Farragut Ship's Association
