Latest Reunion Schedule

This is the latest reunion schedule and is complete to this date. I am sure there may be some minor changes but hopefully not many.

USS HAZELWOOD REUNION
Jacksonville, FL

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
You are welcome to arrive this day so you can be at the hotel for an early start in the morning. Carol and I will arrive this day so we will be here during the evening.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 – ARRIVAL DAY
9 AM - 10 PM – Registration at the Hospitality Room
· Individual photos of shipmates will be taken during arrival.
· Coffee, Rolls, Snacks, Soft Drinks, Beer and Wine available.
· Bull Session and Sea Stories.
· Free hotel shuttle to River City Market Place for shopping and/ or meals.
· Lunch and dinner on your own
· Free tours of the nearby Busch Brewery are available. The hotel will have shuttle service for a small fee

Thursday, April 28, 2011
8 AM – 9 AM - Registration, Coffee and Rolls in Hospitality Room
9 AM – Bus Tour Begins
§ Highlights of Jacksonville enroute to Naval Base
§ Tour of Naval ship in port (If available)
§ Tour of Mayport Naval Base
§ Lunch at the Officers Club
§ Memorial Ceremony at the War Memorial
§ Highlights of Jacksonville enroute to Hotel
§ 3 PM - Arrive at Crowne Plaza Hotel
3 PM – ??? Hospitality Room Open
Dinner on your own

Friday, April 29, 2011
8 AM – 5 PM Hospitality Room Open
· Coffee, Rolls, Snacks, Soft Drinks, Beer and Wine available
· Free tours of the nearby Busch Brewery are available. The hotel will have shuttle service for a small fee
· Bull Session and Sea Stories
· Free hotel shuttle to River City Market Place for shopping and/ or meals.
· Individual photos of shipmates will be taken

10 AM – Business meeting in Hospitality Room
· Report of Attendance
· Selection of 2013 Reunion Chairman and Location
· Financial Report

5 PM – 6:30 PM Cash bar Open
6 PM – 6:30 PM Group Photo
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Banquet

Saturday, April 30, 2011
8AM – 12 Noon - Hospitality Room Open
· Coffee, Rolls and Snacks available
· Final Bull Session and Sea Stories


HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AND SMOOTH SAILING, Jim Julian

Merry Christmas - Updated Attendance List

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year.

We now have 57 shipmates that are planning to attend. We have only 4 months until the reunion and I am hoping that we will get more to attend. There are a number that have said the are NOT SURE. If you have now decided to come to the reunion, let me know.

I need information to be be able to make sure we get the needed number of buses for the tour of the Mayport Naval Base and a ship that will be in port. The Navy needs the names of those going to tour the Base 30 days in advance of the tour (March 28, 2011).

My next posting will include the schedule of the reunion. Right after the first of the year I am also planning to mail (USPS) and email those attending, the reservation form. This form will allow you to select the events you are planning to attend and to send me a check to cover their cost.

Here is the list of attendees as of this date.

First Name, Last Name, Class
Pat Aube 62-63
George Barket 44-46
Ray Berger 60-62
John Bohonovic 63-65:
Sherwood Bradford 45-46
Virgil Bradshaw 56-57
Glen Brady, Brother of Jack KIA:
Phil Brigman 62-64
John Byrne 43-45
Dale Crosier 55-58
Frank DeClements 61-65
Kenneth Dickinson 56-58
Burt Doremus 56-57
K. C. Doyle 56-59
Bob Eddy 55
Richard Ernst 59-63
Bernie Fitzpatrick 64-65
Russell L. Frignoca 55-57
Teddy R. Garner 51-54
John Hankinson
Russell Harwood 63-64
Howell Hedrick 43-45
Lawton Howard 55-57
Ken Hughes 52-54
James Jewell 59-61
Henry Johnson 55-59
Matthew Johnston 56-58
Jim Julian 58-60
Allen Keleher 62-64
Charles D. Kepner 56-59
Robert Kevan 59-62
Louis F. Kueltzo 53-55
Marie (wife of Louis) LaCava 60-61
Richard Larson 63-65
George P. Lewis 52-53
Bob Longabard 53-56
Ted Mariner 52-56
Jim McCorkle 54-58
Murray Palladino 43-46
William Rickard 59-62
Fred Rourke 58-60
Edward G. Schroeder 62-64
Bruce E. Shilling 62-64
Robert Shoafstall 43-45
Kenneth R. Smith 58-59
Richard C. Smith 51-53
Clint J. Starke 55-57
Roman Stately Jr 56-59
William Szturma 61-63
Walter Voll 62-64
Erving Wall 54-57
Ray F. Williams 44-45
Roy Witz 62-64
Otis Wolfe 43-46
Terry Young 63-65
Dan Zakovic 61-63
Richard C. Zimmerman 42-45

Reunion Schedule Revision

In my posting of July 8, 2010 there is a tentative schedule of events for the reunion. This schedule has to be altered because of a problem the tour companies in the area are having. I was planning to have the tour of the Naval base and commemoration ceremony on Friday, April 29.

It seems that Friday, April 29 is senior prom night in Orlando, FL and all the tour companies in most of Florida are using all of their buses to transport the school seniors to Disney World and the other theme parks in Orlando. I have been able to get two 56 passenger buses held for us on Thursday, April 28 though.

We will have our tour of the base and our commemoration ceremony on Thursday, April 28. I will be posting a new schedule as soon as I get more information from the tour company.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Interesting picture

Here is a photo of four shipmates taken on December 1, 1944 while on liberty in Honolulu. The interesting point of this picture is that three of the four are planning to attend the reunion!! Otis Wolfe, John Byrne and Robert Shoafstall are all planning to attend. We will have to get them to wear their whites for a new picture!!

You can click on the picture to see it larger and then use the "back" arrow to return to the Blog

Up to date list of the 55 planning to attend

Here is the most recent list of those 55 shipmates planning to attend. I have shown the shipmates that served in the 40's in blue so you can easily identify them.

First Name, Last Name, Class
Pat Aube 62-63
George Barket 44-46
Ray Berger 60-62
John Bohonovic 63-65
Sherwood Bradford 45-46
Virgil Bradshaw 56-57
Glen Brady Bro. of Jack KIA
Phil Brigman 56
John Byrne 43-45
Dale Crosier 55-58
Frank DeClements 61-65
Kenneth Dickinson 56-58
Burt Doremus 56-57
K. C. Doyle 56-59
Bob Eddy 55
Richard Ernst 59-63
Bernie Fitzpatrick 64-65
Russell L. Frignoca 55-57
Teddy R. Garner 51-54
John Hankinson
Russell Harwood 63-64
Howell Hedrick 43-45
Lawton Howard 55-57
Ken Hughes 52-54
James Jewell 59-61
Henry Johnson 55-59
Matthew Johnston 56-58
Jim Julian 58-60
Charles D. Kepner 56-59
Robert Kevan 59-62
Louis F. Kueltzo 53-55
Marie (wife of Louis) LaCava 60-61
Richard Larson 63-65
George P. Lewis 52-53
Bob Longabard 53-56
Jim McCorkle 54-58
Murray Palladino 43-46
William Rickard 59-62
Fred Rourke 58-60
Edward G. Schroeder 62-64
Bruce E. Shilling 62-64
Robert Shoafstall 43-45
Kenneth R. Smith 58-59
Richard C. Smith 51-53
Clint J. Starke 55-57
Roman Stately Jr 56-59
William Szturma 61-63
Walter Voll 52-54
Erving Wall 54-57
Ray F. Williams 44-45
Roy Witz 62-64
Otis Wolfe 43-46
Terry Young 63-65
Dan Zakovic 61-63
Richard C. Zimmerman 42-45

Up to 55 Attendees

I just received, in my 2 weeks worth of mail, reservations from:

Roy Witz, 62-64
Ken Doyle, 56-59

I will publish a full list again in several weeks so you can see all the attendees in one listing.

I also received notes from the following who said they could not make it to this reunion.
Fred Butler 43-45, Tim Thomas, Angus Tucker 53-55, Don Williams, Hank Miscowicz, Tom Rogers 59-63, and Harry McKnight 53-57. Here is the email I got from Harry:

"Jim; Sorry I have not replied sooner to this update but have been out of town the last several weeks. I will not be able to attend the upcoming Reunion in April. I do hope to attend another Reunion in the future. But I did want to let you know that my triplet brother, Howard McKnight, passed away in April of this year. Both of us served on the Hazelwood together in 1951 - 1955.
Also, I would like you to know that our 3rd brother, Harold, was killed in the Korean Conflict in 1953 while serving in the Marine Corp.

Harry McKnight"

I will keep posting as I get information that is of interest to all of you. Please feel free to add your comments also.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Passing of Lou LaCava

I received a phone call this weekend from Marie LaCava informing me of Lou's passing in May of this year. Lou and Marie were planning to attend the reunion and she informed me that she will be attending with Jimmy Jewell and his wife.

Here is a link to the obituary of Lou. http://www.vindy.com/news/tributes/2010/may/02/louis-r-lacava/

More Sad News

The post card I recently sent to Grover George was returned with no forwarding address. When I called the telephone number I had, I learned that Grover George passed away in February of this year. Grover served on the Hazelwood in 1945.

Sad News

I received a post card from Flora Conley informing me of Bob Conley's passing on September 17, 2007. I do not have information about his rating or when he served.

Our condolences go out to Bob's family.

Jim Julian

Attendance update - Now up to 53

I have received 2 more reservations and we are now up to 53 shipmates. The most recent are:

Walter Voll, 52-54
Erving Wall, 54-57

Keep those reservations coming in and we will have a great reunion.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Tin Can Sailors

The other day I got my renewal notice from the Tin Can Sailors Organization and that reminded me that some of you may not belong to this fine organization. I personally look forward to getting the quarterly newsletter and read it from cover to cover. You can learn about the organization by clicking on this link: http://www.destroyers.org/index.html

The following is an excerpt from their site and it also contains a link to get an application.

Try it - You will like it!

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

The National Association of Destroyer Veterans
Why You Should Join Tin Can Sailors.

Who can join? The majority of our members are destroyer veterans, but we have many members who served aboard destroyer escorts, frigates, destroyer tenders and other ships. We also welcome relatives of destroyer veterans, historians, model builders, and anyone who has an interest in preserving destroyers as museums. Only destroyer veterans, however, are eligible to serve on the board of directors.

The suggested annual contribution is $25. Tin Can Sailors is a bargain!
You'll receive a great44-page newspaper four times a year.
You can attend our many events across the county.
You will be helping to support seven museum/memorial ships that serve as memorials to sailors.
Tin Can Sailors is recognized by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3), therefore, contributions to Tin Can Sailors may be tax deductible.
You'll receive free or reduced price admission to many ships and maritime museums of the Historic Fleet .
We offer a money-back guarantee on membership contributions and Ship's Store purchases. You can't lose!
So join the thousands of destroyer veterans who are already members of Tin Can Sailors!

Clicking on this link will let you get an application to join: http://www.destroyers.org/printform.htm

Other questions? Ask us at (800) 223-5535.
©Copyright 1996-2010 Tin Can Sailors

Updated Attendance List

This is the most recent list of the 51 shipmates that are planning to attend the reunion.

If you want your name added to the list, just let me know you are going to attend. It is only about 6 months until the reunion.

Recently I sent out postcards to 134 shipmates that do not have email addresses, encouraging them to attend the reunion. There are also 213 shipmates with an email address, so that is a total of 347 in our mailing list

First Name Last Name Class
Pat Aube 62-63
George Barket 44-46
Ray Berger 60-62
John Bohonovic 63-65
Sherwood Bradford 45-46
Virgil Bradshaw 43-46
Glen Brady Bro. of Jack KIA
Phil Brigman 62-64
John Byrne 43-46
Dale Crosier 55-58
Kenneth Dickinson 56-58
Frank DeClements 61-65
Burt Doremus 56-57
Bob Eddy 55
Richard Ernst 59-63
Bernie Fitzpatrick 64-65
Russell L. Frignoca 55-57
Teddy R. Garner 51-54
John Hankinson
Russell Harwood 58-59
Howell Hedrick 43-45
Lawton Howard 55-57
Ken Hughes 52-54
James Jewell 59-61
Henry Johnson 55-59
Matthew Johnston 56-58
Jim Julian 58-60
Charles D. Kepner 56-59
Robert Kevan 59-62
Louis F. Kueltzo 53-55
Louis LaCava 60-61
Richard Larson 63-65
George P. Lewis 52-53
Bob Longabard 53-56
Jim McCorkle 54-58
Murray Palladino 43-46
William Rickard 59-62
Fred Rourke 58-60
Edward G. Schroeder 62-64
Bruce E. Shilling 62-64
Robert Shoafstall 43-45
Kenneth R. Smith 58-59
Richard C. Smith 51-53
Clint J. Starke 55-57
Roman Stately Jr 56-58
William Szturma 61-63
Ray F. Williams 44-45
Otis Wolfe 43-46
Terry Young 63-65
Dan Zakovic 61-63
Richard C. Zimmerman 42-45

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Ron Forehand Update

I received the following email from Virginia Forehand. Ronald served on the Hazelwood as on officer 56-58. and left shortly after I came on board in 58.
"I am so sorry Ronald Forehand will not be able to attend the reunion. He is now in the severe stages of Alzheimer's Disease. He always wanted to attend one of the reunions and never was able to. Now with the reunion being in Jacksonville, so close to us and he still cannot attend. It makes me so sad. He really enjoyed the time he served on the USS Hazelwood. He talked about the shipmates he served with and the ship often and fondly. I do hope everyone who can attend have a wonderful time. Virginia Forehand"

All of our best wishes go to Virginia and Ronald.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Update on Dub Keith

I just rceived this email from Kay Keith:

Update on W.B. (Dub) Keith. Dad served on the Hazelwood in 51-55 as a Gunner's Mate.

He is tolerating his Chemotherapy much better than expected and his prognosis is excellent. We are hopeful that by Christmas, he will be cancer free. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Kay Keith
katykats@sstelco.com

7 Months to Reunion Date

Yes, it is only seven months until our reunion in Jacksonville. As noted in the preceding post there are 48 shipmates planning to attend at this date and I am sure there will be more. If you have not yet let me know if you are attending you can send me an email at dd531reunion@earthlink.net or drop me a note to 318 Salt Creek Drive, North Port, FL, 34287.

If you wish you can send me a check for the $30.00 registration fee which covers the hospitality room drinks, snacks etc. Also let me know how many will be attending.

Some good news. The hotel has REDUCED the room rate to only $82.00 (plus 13% tax) which is their new military rate. With the tax the room rate will be only $92.66 which is really good for such a class hotel with free airport transportation.

Hotel reservations must be made by those attending. In an earlier post you can learn how to make your hotel reservations.

If you have a pet the hotel is pet friendly but they do charge a non-refundable cleaning fee of $75.00 and have a 50 pound limit on the pet.

I still do not have the tours confirmed. The Navy base is shorthanded in their Public Affairs Office but I am working on getting a good tour.

Around the first of the year you will receive a packet of information about the banquet, tours, Hazelwood caps and other information. You will be able to select your banquet meal(s), tours and other items and then send the form to me with a check to cover all of your selections. If you have not paid the registration fee at that time it can be added to the amount due.

Raymond Berger found a You Tube video about the Fletcher Class destroyers and in the video there is a picture of the Hazelwood after the Fram conversion. The video is about 6 minutes long and the Hazelwood is shown about 4 1/2 minutes into it. Click on this link and you should get there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRXgVVDsNb0

I am looking forward to getting more reservations so I can post your name(s) on the Blog.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Up to 48 Attending

Today I received a reservation from Ken Dickinson, 56-58, YNT3 and a few days ago I got a reservation from Frank DeClements, 61-65, Eng. These two bring us up to 48 who are planning to attend.

It is really heartwarming to see that nine from the 40's era are planning to attend. It will be great to have so many of the Greatest Generation joining us at the reunion.

Smooth Sailing,

Jim Julian

Sad News & Good News

Yesterday I called, Don Kukla, 58-65, Rate unknown, because John Angus, 59-61, Deck, said he lived in the Jacksonville area. His wife answered the phone and when she found out the reason for my call she let me know that Don passed away May of this year. I expressed our condolences.

Today I got a reservation in the mail from Frank DeClements, 61-65, Eng. It will be good to see him as I remember him from the Boston Reunion and I think he was at the Fort Wayne one also. Frank is 46th shipmate to make a reservation.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

More news

I just got back from a trip "up north" and on the return, stopped in Jacksonville to firm up some more details of the reunion. When I got all of my held mail delivered, I found we now have two more shipmates planning to attend.

Murray Palladino, RM3, 43-46 and Ray Berger, RD2, 60-62 now brings our shipmate count up to 45. Keep those reservations coming and we will have a lot of fun seeing old shipmates.

While in Jacksonville I firmed up our contract with the Crowne Plaza JAX Airport Hotel. I was really pleased that they have agreed to let us have, at no cost, two adjoining hospitality rooms. We will have plenty of room for our Bull Sessions with seating for a lot of folks and tables for refreshments. They even allow us to bring our own refreshments to the rooms which is not normally permitted.

The rooms are on the first floor of the hotel and have doors that lead out to a courtyard where the "Smoking Lamp" will be lit.

For the banquet on Friday evening you will be able to select one the following:

12 oz. Ribeye - $34.00
Pecan Crusted Mahi-Mahi - $34.00
Chicken Marsala - $32.00

This includes the tip, all taxes, salad and dessert. A cash bar will be set up an hour prior to the dinner since we are not permitted to bring our own "refreshments" into the banquet room.

While I was there I even made my room reservations for Carol and I. I know it is early, but why not. If you wish to make them this early your are welcome to do so, but remember to tell them that you are with the HAZELWOOD REUNION and you will get the special room rate of $88.00 (Plus taxes = just under $100.00 per night.)

If you are not a member of the Priority Club, JOIN IT!! It is free and you get special perks and a special section of the hotel for rooms. Joining is easy by going to priorityclub.com or just call 1-888-211-9874. Have a Priority Number when you reserve your room to make sure you get the perks.

I know you may not be making your reservations this early but if you wish to you can call the hotel toll free at 1-800-2CROWNE or on-line at cpjacksonvilleairport.com
Their web site will also give you a lot of information about the hotel and its facilities.

All of this information will be mailed to you in Late December and also confirmed via email to those with email addresses.

I am still working on getting the Navy to give us a tour of a ship at Mayport Naval Base but that has not yet been confirmed yet. This war on terrorism is causing a lot more security issues. If something happens and we get cancelled on a ship tour, I have alternative plans in the works.

I think this enough information for you all to digest at this time.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Another Email

Shipmates, I recently received this email and thought you would like to see it. Jim Julian

"Dear Sir,

I found this picture among my father's collection of WW-II photographs, and I thought it might be of interest to you. This gruesome mess is identified as the destroyer USS Hazelwood, DD-531, as she appeared after being hit by a Kamikaze off Okinawa. It's incredible to realize that this ship actually survived this holocaust!

My father, Paul D. Guttman (1920-2005) was a Navy combat cameraman (PHoM 2/C), who served in just about every campaign, on land, at sea, in the air and even under the sea, from new Guinea to Okinawa. I do not know the circumstances of how or when he came to take this picture. As far as I know he was not a member of the Hazelwood's crew, nor was he ever attached to the ship as far as I am aware. He left hundreds of pictures such as this, many of which have never been published, which I am only now finally getting around to collating. He began sorting them out before he died, but he never finished the job.

Sincerely,

Robert Guttman"

E-Mails of interest

This is an email I received from Kay Keith, Dub Keith’s daughter. Dub served on the Hazelwood in 51-55 in the Deck crew. I have not listed Kay’s email or phone but if you wish to have either, email me and I will supply the information. (dd531reunion@earthlink.net)

"UPDATE

Dad can't have surgery because his lungs are not strong enough. Someone his age should have lung functions of around 70%, he has 43%. So, if any of you are still sucking on them cigarettes:
STOP IT NOW! He quit 5 years ago, but the damage had already been done.

He has a wonderful Radiation Oncologist that went to bat for him and got him approved for Cyperknife Radiotherapy. Medicare usually will not approve this for people with small call lung cancer, but she got it approved. This is cutting edge technology that uses a computer guided laser to target just the cancer cells and leaves the healthy cells intact. Traditional radiation just kills the whole area, plus it usually makes just about everyone sick. Cyperknife is a different type and doesn't have all the side effects. I take him to the hospital on Tuesday for the final lung scan to map out exactly where the tumor is for the computer mapping. He will have 5 straight days of this and that's all, versus 16 - 20 for the traditional kind. His chemotherapy will consist of 3 straight days in a row, once a month for 6 months. I am not sure when he will start chemo. For anyone who knows anything about chemo drugs, he will be taking a cocktail of Etoposide and Carboplatin, both are old standby, typical drugs used specifically for Small Cell.

I will try and keep you informed, but with all the running back and forth to Tulsa and keeping up with appointments, I am a little frazzled myself. Feel free to e-mail me or call me. "

* * * * * * *
Here is another email I received. Some shipmate may have some information for Diann. If you have some information for her, contact me and I will put you in contact with her.

"Hello, I am hoping you can help me..I joined your distribution list for the Hazelwood as my research has indicated that my father, Frank Imbriaco, served on the Hazelwood during WWII. My father passed away in 1989 and he rarely talked about his time in the Navy, but I know he served from about 1944 (he was 17 at the time) until the end of the war. Would it be possible for you to check your records to confirm that my father, Frank Imbriaco, spent his time on this ship? If you do not have this information, would you be able to let me know who I could contact to confirm and find out more about my father's experience in the Navy? Thank you so much for your time. Diann Imbriaco"

* * * * * *
And one more email that is asking for information.

"Dear Jim,

Thank you for agreeing to help me contact WWII veterans of the HAZELWOOD. I am writing a book that centers on the lives of a select group of WWII servicemen, and one of these young men was a HAZELWOOD sailor: Glenn Vogt, an electrician's mate killed in a Kamikaze attack off Okinawa.. For my research, I hope to draw upon their experiences, perspectives, and insights as well as their technical knowledge of the duties and operations of their ship - along with their memories of its battle history - as I attempt to understand and recreate Glenn's experience and the experience of the other HAZELWOOD crew. I am sincere, honest, and dedicated and am more than grateful for the assistance provided me by veterans and the family and friends of veterans of the war.
If you could relay this message to the WWII veterans of your ship, I would be more than grateful. They may e-mail me at this address (smith1.07@comcast.net) or call 815-223-2116. If however they would rather give you their numbers and addresses and have you give them to me so that I may contact them, that is also certainly fine.
I am the father of two daughters, a solid member of my community - and I respect the privacy, interests, and wishes of my interview subjects. I hope to hear back. Again, thanks very, very much.

My best,
Steve"

* * * * *
Only 8 ½ months until the reunion. Time is flying. Get your reservation in.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Updated Attendance List

Here is a list of those shipmates that are planning to attend the reunion as of this date.

If you see that some of your shipmates are not on the list, encourage them to attend.

First Name Last Name Class
Pat Aube 62-63
George Barket 44-46
John Bohonovic 63-65
Sherwood Bradford 45-46
Virgil Bradshaw 43-46
Glen Brady Bro of Jack, KIA
John Byrne 43-46
Dale Crosier 55-58
Burt Doremus 56-57
Bob Eddy 55
Richard Ernst 59-63
Bernie Fitzpatrick 64-65
Russell L. Frignoca 55-57
Teddy R. Garner 51-54
John Hankinson
Russell Harwood 58-59
Howell Hedrick 43-45
Lawton Howard 55-57
Ken Hughes 52-54
James Jewell 59-61
Henry Johnson 55-59
Jim Julian 58-60
Charles D. Kepner 56-59
Robert Kevan 59-62
Louis F. Kueltzo 53-55
Louis LaCava 60-61
Richard Larson 63-65
George P. Lewis 52-53
Bob Longabard 53-56
Jim McCorkle 54-58
William Rickard 59-62
Edward G. Schroeder 62-64
Bruce E. Shilling 62-64
Robert Shoafstall 43-45
Kenneth R. Smith 58-59
Clint J. Starke 55-57
Roman Stately Jr 56-58
William Szturma 61-63
Ray F. Williams 51-55
Otis Wolfe 43-46
Terry Young 63-65
Dan Zakovic 61-63
Richard C. Zimmerman 42-45

I will be stopping in Jacksonville during the week of August 23 and talking to the Public Affairs Officer at Naval Base to arrange for a tour of a ship and any other items that I can get them to do for us.

We are only about 9 months from the reunion and I will making a strong effort to keep putting information on this blog frequently so you can be as up to date as I am.

Smooth sailing,

Jim Julian

Attendance update and tentative schedule

Wow, we now have 40 shipmates that are planning to attend the reunion. I think that is great at this point, since we are still 9 months away. Keep urging your fellow shipmates that you are in contact with, to attend and I am sure we will reach 50 attending. In one of the upcoming posts I will list all who are planning to attend.

In August Carol and I will take our motorhome north for some visiting of friends and relatives. On the way back we will be spending a few days in Jacksonville so I can meet with the Navy and make arrangements for a base tour. As previously reported, it appears that a day cruise on a ship is not going to be possible but will still try. On the other hand, a tour of a ship in port is probably a shoo-in.

To give you an idea of the reunion schedule I have been working on that. This is only tentative at this time and is subject to change.

USS Hazelwood Reunion
Tentative Schedule

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 You are welcome to arrive on this day so you can be here for an early start tomorrow!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 ARRIVAL DAY

9 AM – 10 PM Registration in the Hospitality Room
Coffee, rolls, snacks, soda, beer and wine available
Bull Sessions & Sea Stories
Individual photos will be taken
Free hotel shuttle service to River City Market Place for shopping or meals.
Lunch and Dinner on your own

Thursday, April 28, 2011
8 AM – 10 AM Coffee and rolls available in Hospitality Room
8 AM – 10 PM Hospitality Room open. Bull Sessions
All Day Snacks, soda, beer and wine available
Free tours of Busch Brewery on your own
Free hotel shuttle service to River City Market Place for shopping or meals.
4 PM Business Meeting
Report of Attendance
Financial Report
Selection of 2013 Reunion Location and Chairman
Lunch and Dinner on your own

Friday, April 29, 2011
8 AM – 10 PM Hospitality Room open. Coffee and rolls available
9:30AM Tour of Mayport Naval Base
Tour of a ship at dock
Commemoration Ceremony on board ship
Noon Light lunch at a Naval Base Club
2 PM? – 5:30 PM Snacks, soda, beer and wine available
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Cash bar and group photo
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Banquet

If you are now convinced you are going to attend, let me know by and email to dd531reunion@earthlink.net or by posting a comment on this blog. A check for $30.00 for the registration fee would be appreciated. This fee covers hospitality room expenses (snacks, drinks, etc.) and mailing expenses. If you pay the fee and can not attend, it is fully refundable. Checks can be mailed to Jim Julian, 318 Salt Creek Dr., North Port, FL 34287 and made payable to Hazelwood Reunion.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

CAPS AND SHIRTS & ATTENDANCE

While in Jacksonville evaluating hotels, I also found a source for embroidered hats and shirts. I even bought one that had "Tin Can Navy” and a Fletcher Class destroyer silhouette on it.

I will be having these items available to those attending the reunion as well as others who may not be able to attend. The good news is that those attending will not have to pay for any shipping and the bad news is that those NOT attending will have to pay some shipping. I have not determined how much shipping will be yet.

The cost for a hat will be only $10.00 and for a shirts it will be $18.00 for Small to Extra Large sizes. If you need a 2XL there will be an added $3.00. I hope there is no cost increase before we start ordering.

These products are made in the USA and are of very good quality. My old Hazelwood cap is showing some wear so I probably will get a new one. The same about my shirt. It may have shrunk a little .... or maybe I have gone up in size a little!!!!

I hope to have some photos of each in a future post. If not, I will have sample photos of the style of cap and shirt but with another ship's name.

We are getting closer to the reunion now so keep watching for posts to keep yourself updated.

For those who were not sure about coming, if you have decided to come, let me know by e-mail or even a comment put on this Blog. The $30.00 registration fee would also be appreciated.

ATTENDANCE

Since the last post I have received several more shipmates indicating they are planning to attend. We are now up to 38 who are planning to attend. That is a very good number at this early date and I hope to see it keep climbing.

I am planning to publish a tentative schedule for the reunion after we stop in Jacksonville in late August (On our way back from "up north"). During that stop I am going to get with the Navy base and work out our tour of their facilities and plan our commemoration ceremony.

Having that information may encourage more shipmates to attend.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Reunion Reservations

In the previous Post you got information about the hotel that has been selected. If that information has convinced you to come to the reunion you can let me know by sending me a check for $30.00 to cover the registration fee. This fee covers hospitality room supplies (beer wine, soda and snacks) and the expenses of publicizing the reunion. If you cannot attend it is fully refundable.

Let me know how many will be in your party when you send your check. Make it payable to:

USS HAZELWOOD REUNION and mail it to:

Jim Julian

318 Salt Creek Drive

North Port, FL 34287

We are up to 33 shipmates who are planning to attend. Cecil Oliver (51-53, MM3) had to cancel and we will miss him. We hope that many more of you can make it and make this reunion one of our largest ones. You have to attend these reunions before you are not able to. None of us are getting any younger. The weather in Florida during late April is great and you may even want to spend more time enjoying it.

Also, so far we have NO OIL on the southern gulf side beaches and are hoping it stays away. I was snorkeling Sunday at Venice beach in 90 degree, clean and clear water. The panhandle is getting some oil at this writing but it is doubtful if it will get to the East Coast beaches

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

Taps & Hotel Selection

TAPS

I received a card from Bessie Golden informing me of the passing of her spouse, George Golden on January 30, 2009. George served in the engineering department in 1944-45. Our condolences go out to the family.

HOTEL SELECTION

During the week of May 23rd, Carol and stayed in Jacksonville and visited 9 hotels to evaluate them as a reunion site. Two stood out as top contenders and we actually stayed in each one so we could fully evaluate each hotel and it's location. One was in the downtown and the other was very near the airport.

Both hotels had excellent rooms, very nice complimentary hospitality rooms for our "Bull Session",and comparable banquet rooms and meals. To help make my decision I calculated the cost difference for a couple to stay 3 nights at the reunion.

The downtown hotel had higher room rates, parking fees and no complimentary airport shuttle. I calculated it would cost a couple from $252 to $273 if we used the downtown hotel for the reunion. I felt this was too much of a cost difference to ask the reunion attendees to pay.

I selected the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the airport as our reunion site. Even though it is at the airport there was no airport noise during our entire stay and there are plenty of stores and restaurants nearby. The hotel provides free shuttle service to and from the airport and also free shuttle service to the River City Marketplace shopping area. It is less than a mile from the hotel and the spouses may want to visit while shipmates are telling sea stories.

Parking is free at the hotel and even has room for RV parking if you wish to park there. Carol and I will probably bring our RV but will stay in the hotel. If you are driving, the airport is very near Interstate 95 and easy to locate.

The room rate at the hotel will $88.00 plus 13% Room Tax which brings the cost per night to $99.44 per night. You do not need to make a room reservation yet but they must be made by April 13, 2011. There will be more information on that later and you will be able to reserve online but must use a "code" to get our reduced room rate.

The complimentary hospitality room we will have is on the ground floor and has a patio so the smokers can go out side and "light the smoking lamp". If our group gets large enough to crowd the room I can arrange for an adjoining room to have more room. Many hotels will require you use them to supply drinks and snacks in a hospitality room but not so here. We will be able to bring our own beer, wine, soda and snacks. Your Reunion Registration Fee pays for these items. The hotel said they would even supply ice for us.

The banquet menus are reasonable in cost for a banquet. We will have the opportunity to select from a fish, beef or chicken menu and the cost, including taxes, should be around $35.00 per person. A cash bar will be set up prior to the banquet.

If you are not a member of the Priority Club, you should join before making your reservation. Membership is free and you get free perks if you are a member. The best of the perks is an upgrade to you room and you will be in an exclusive section of the hotel that has coffee and snacks available. I sure enjoyed the Ben And Jerry's ice cream during our stay!!!

Sign up for the Priority Club at http://www.priorityclub.com/ or call 1-888-211-9874.

If you would like to see the hotel go to http://www.cpjacksonvilleairport.com/ with just a click on the link.

I will be sending out a postcard to non-email shipmates informing them of the selection of the hotel. An email will sent to those with one informing them to visit this site to get information about the hotel.

More information will be coming as I get it.

Smooth sailing, Jim Julian

TAPS

Since I have been working on updating the mailing and email list, I have received a number of notices of shipmates that have passed away. Some are recent whereas some are several years old. Even though we will make note of passing at our reunion, I am posting the list here for you information.


Almgren, David - 2009
Ashland, Cecil - Unknown
Bevilacqua - 2007
Boomgarden, Ed - 2004
Bowen, Braxton - 2008
Cashion, John - 2007
Chapman, Cliff - 2009
Craigo, Tom - 2009
Czajka, Edward - 2009
Depew, Clifford - 1992
Kniering, Roger - 1998
Locke, Chet - 2009
Partridge, Bill - 2009
Saxerud, Kenneth - 2006
Sowney, John - 2008
Spencer, 2008
Thomas, Gene - 2009

If anyone wants additional information regarding these shipmates contact me by leaving a comment on this blog or email me at dd531reunion@earthlink.net .

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Attendee Update

I am sorry that it has been so long since I have posted to this Blog. Many things have been going on in our personal life that has taken up more time than expected.

This past week end I got calls and emails that added several more shipmates to our mailing list and a couple planning to attend. Here is the list of those planning to attend.

George Barket, 44-46, Sup
Sherwood Bradford, 45-46, Eng
Dale Crosier, 55-58, Deck
Burt Doremus, 56-57, Eng
Richard Ernst, 59-63, Ops
Bernie Fitzpatrick, 64-65, Ops
Teddy R. Garner, 51-54, Eng
Lawton Howard, 55-57, Ops
Ken Hughes, 52-54, Ops
Russell Frignoca, 55-57, Sup
James Jewell, 59-61, Eng
Henry Johnson, 55-59, Eng
Jim Julian, 58-60, OPS
Charles D. Kepner, 56-59, Eng
Robert Kevan, 59-62, Ops
Louis F. Kueltzo, 53-55, Deck
Louis, LaCava, 60-61, Eng
Richard Larson, 63-65, OPS
George P. Lewis, 52-53, Sup
Jim McCorkle, 57-58, Eng
Cecil A.Oliver Jr, 51-53, Recom
Edward G. Schroeder, 62-64, Eng
Bruce E., Shilling, 62-64, Sup
Robert, Shoafstall, 43-45, SM1
Clint J. Starke, 55-56, Eng
Otis Wolfe, 43-46, Eng
Dan Zakovic, 61-63, Deck
Richard C. Zimmerman, 42-45, Deck

It is great to see that we have a number from the 40's that are planning to attend.

I had intended to visit JAX in March to select a hotel but time has run out. I will be going in May to select a hotel.

From April 10th until April 28th Carol and I will be on a cruise from Miami to Rome, Italy The first seven days of the cruise will be at sea and I may feel like I am back in the Navy on Anti-Sub Patrol!!!! At least I won't have any mid-watches to stand.

Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian

Update

I have been contacting hotels in the Jacksonville area as I am planning to visit the area in March to evaluate them and try to make a selection for our reunion. This is probably the most difficult decision in the entire reunion process. I hope I can find one with good rates, good "bull session" facilities, a good banquet facility and an easy location to get to with free parking.

The most recent count of those planning to attend is now up to 24 shipmates. Since we are still over a year away from the reunion date, I think that is a very good indication that we are going to have a large turnout. I have received many responses that said they were not sure yet and I feel certain a good number of those will end up attending.

On a sad note, I received a note from Eric Spencer's wife that he had passed away June 27, 2008. I do not have information of when he served or what department /Division he was in.

Later this month I will have the opportunity to visit with Charlie Kepner as he and Jan will be here in Florida to visit Jan's sister. I can get some suggestions from him about the reunion as he chaired the Boston one several years back. We served together in the late 50's and when was Engineering Officer.

Smooth sailing and summer will soon be here

More good news and sad news

In the mail yesterday I received 2 more registrations and that brings the number planning to attend up to 20 shipmates. I am now getting more confident that we will have a large number attending.

I also received a note from Esther Almgren informing me of her husband Dave passing away on September 28, 2009 after complications from heart surgery. Dave served in 1957 -1960 in the Engineering Department. He was 73 years old at his passing.

Smooth sailing

Good News & Sad News

I hope everyone had a Happy New Year and will continue to to do so this year.

Even though it still 15 months before we have our reunion, I have received replies that 14 shipmates will be attending. of course I will be there also. I do appreciate these responses and they give me the confidence that we are going to have good attendance and a great reunion.

Earlier this week I made a mailing of postcards to 61 shipmates that had not responded to my Email to them. Since I also had a postal address for them, this mailing will confirm to me that they have received reunion information.

I also received a sad Email from the daughter of Ed Czajka. Here what she had to say:

"My Dad, Ed Czajka , passed away on November 30, 2009. He passed away at age 82 from renal failure at his home, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Marguerite Czajka"

I relied to her and expressed our condolences and said we would remember him and other who have passed away at the reunion.

On a more pleasant note, I was going through my Hazelwood photo file and I found the following two photos of Otis Wolfe. Otis served aboard 43 - 46 as a SM First Class. The one on the left was taken at the 2007 reunion and the one on the right was taken Dec 1, 1944. Otis is on the left in that photo and he may be in Hawaii.

Smooth sailing and once again, Happy New Year