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
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
News from Shipmates
I received a note from Fred Butler saying he would not be able to attend this reunion. He is now in an assisted living center in Greenville, SC. His note said:
" Many thanks for you card, posting me on the next reunion in Florida I am now 90 years old and not equal to much traveling. As you will note I am a WW-II sailor , the first officer assigned to the ship in Feb. 1943, in San Francisco. It was a great ship with a great crew"
I also received the following note:
I wanted to let you know that my Dad passed away on March 8, 209. He was 86 years old. His name was Bill Partridge of Hutchinson, KS. Sincerely, Gwen Weidman"
It is encouraging that at this early date I have received notification that 14 shipmates are planning to attend the reunion. I know that I started asking early so I am really pleased that we are already up to a reasonable number planning to attend.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
" Many thanks for you card, posting me on the next reunion in Florida I am now 90 years old and not equal to much traveling. As you will note I am a WW-II sailor , the first officer assigned to the ship in Feb. 1943, in San Francisco. It was a great ship with a great crew"
I also received the following note:
I wanted to let you know that my Dad passed away on March 8, 209. He was 86 years old. His name was Bill Partridge of Hutchinson, KS. Sincerely, Gwen Weidman"
It is encouraging that at this early date I have received notification that 14 shipmates are planning to attend the reunion. I know that I started asking early so I am really pleased that we are already up to a reasonable number planning to attend.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sad News
Just recently I received a note from Tom Craigo's daughter. I thought I would share her note with his shipmates.
"I am writing this note to let you know that my dad, Tom Craigo, passed away on November 22nd, 2009 after a brief, but brave battle against bone cancer. My dad lived a wonderful 84 years, and had so many wonderful memories of time spent with family and friends. I know he valued you as a friend, and enjoyed the time he spent with you. Thank you for being an important part of his life.
Sincerely,
/s/ The family of Tom Craigo. Just to let you know he loved his reunions."
Tom served on the Hazelwood 1943 - 1945 and served a cook. Since he was the cook I am sure everybody that was on board at that time would recall him. Tom was at the reunion in 2005 at St. Louis. Here is picture taken at that reunion.
"I am writing this note to let you know that my dad, Tom Craigo, passed away on November 22nd, 2009 after a brief, but brave battle against bone cancer. My dad lived a wonderful 84 years, and had so many wonderful memories of time spent with family and friends. I know he valued you as a friend, and enjoyed the time he spent with you. Thank you for being an important part of his life.
Sincerely,
/s/ The family of Tom Craigo. Just to let you know he loved his reunions."
Tom served on the Hazelwood 1943 - 1945 and served a cook. Since he was the cook I am sure everybody that was on board at that time would recall him. Tom was at the reunion in 2005 at St. Louis. Here is picture taken at that reunion.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Mailing & E-Mail results through Dec 11
On December 2, I sent 189 E-mails to shipmates as a survey to find out how many may be planning to attend the reunion. When I sent the E-mail, I asked for an automatic reply to be made to me when it was opened on the addressee’s computer. In this way it was easy for me to know if it was received and it was also easy for the recipient to reply by just clicking once.
There were 51 E-mails that I got a receipt from or got an actual reply. Only 5 of the returns said they were sure they would not be able to attend. There were 8 that the E-mail address was not good and could not be delivered. Three of these had a street address available so I sent them a card.
There were 182 postcards sent to those without an E-mail address. So far I have received 9 cards back because the address was not good or it could not be forwarded. Of these, the post office supplied for 5 of them and I sent them a card to their new address. Two of the cards I received, provided me with their E-mail address. Each day I am getting several cards back and updating information.
So far there have been 5 Shipmates who have said they will be attending. That is not including me! As we get more saying they are attending, I will post a list of the attendees so you can be informed of who you will see at the reunion.
In several weeks I plan to send a Post Card to those with E-mail address that have not sent an acknowledgement that they have received the E-mail. I guess some individuals do not check their E-mail very frequently.
Have a Merry Christmas, Jim Julian
There were 51 E-mails that I got a receipt from or got an actual reply. Only 5 of the returns said they were sure they would not be able to attend. There were 8 that the E-mail address was not good and could not be delivered. Three of these had a street address available so I sent them a card.
There were 182 postcards sent to those without an E-mail address. So far I have received 9 cards back because the address was not good or it could not be forwarded. Of these, the post office supplied for 5 of them and I sent them a card to their new address. Two of the cards I received, provided me with their E-mail address. Each day I am getting several cards back and updating information.
So far there have been 5 Shipmates who have said they will be attending. That is not including me! As we get more saying they are attending, I will post a list of the attendees so you can be informed of who you will see at the reunion.
In several weeks I plan to send a Post Card to those with E-mail address that have not sent an acknowledgement that they have received the E-mail. I guess some individuals do not check their E-mail very frequently.
Have a Merry Christmas, Jim Julian
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
First Survey Mailing Made
Today I sent 188 Emails and 183 Post cards asking Shipmates if they will be attending. If you don't get an email or post card survey, make an appropriate comment on this posting and I will get it.
A separate but similar mailing by Postal Service is being made to those that DO NOT have an Email address.
Here is a copy of the Email that was was sent.
Hazelwood shipmate: This Email is being sent to those in our list that HAVE an Email address. Since you have an Email address, you will NOT get a mailing via the Postal Service.
The 2011 Hazelwood reunion will be in Jacksonville, FL, April 27 – 29. The hotel will be determined by May 2010. You can find out the most recent information about the reunion by going to the blog site with the address of:
htpp://dd531-reunion.blogspot.com/
Please complete this questionnaire. If you are sending a check, print this page and mail it to me at: Jim Julian
USS Hazelwood Reunion
318 Salt Creek Drive
North Port, FL 34287
( ) I am planning to go to the reunion and mailing a $30.00 Registration Fee payable to USS HAZELWOOD REUNION – JULIAN. This fee covers mailing costs, hospitality room refreshments and continental breakfasts. It is fully refundable if you do not attend. There will be _____________ people in my group attending. (Your best estimate.)
It is extremely important to have a good estimate of the number planning to attend so I can negotiate the best deal on hotel rates, tours etc.
( ) I am not sure yet. Keep me updated via Email.
( ) I know I CAN NOT attend the 2011 reunion. Keep me informed of the 2011 reunion and future ones via Email.
If you are NOT mailing a check, make an Email reply to let me know your intentions.
Smooth sailing, Jim Julian
If you are not sure how to make a comment, look back at a recent post for information.
I am hoping to get a lot of responses from the email quite quickly. Of course responses from the email survey will take longer.
I will keep everyone posted of the responses on this Blog.
Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian
A separate but similar mailing by Postal Service is being made to those that DO NOT have an Email address.
Here is a copy of the Email that was was sent.
Hazelwood shipmate: This Email is being sent to those in our list that HAVE an Email address. Since you have an Email address, you will NOT get a mailing via the Postal Service.
The 2011 Hazelwood reunion will be in Jacksonville, FL, April 27 – 29. The hotel will be determined by May 2010. You can find out the most recent information about the reunion by going to the blog site with the address of:
htpp://dd531-reunion.blogspot.com/
Please complete this questionnaire. If you are sending a check, print this page and mail it to me at: Jim Julian
USS Hazelwood Reunion
318 Salt Creek Drive
North Port, FL 34287
( ) I am planning to go to the reunion and mailing a $30.00 Registration Fee payable to USS HAZELWOOD REUNION – JULIAN. This fee covers mailing costs, hospitality room refreshments and continental breakfasts. It is fully refundable if you do not attend. There will be _____________ people in my group attending. (Your best estimate.)
It is extremely important to have a good estimate of the number planning to attend so I can negotiate the best deal on hotel rates, tours etc.
( ) I am not sure yet. Keep me updated via Email.
( ) I know I CAN NOT attend the 2011 reunion. Keep me informed of the 2011 reunion and future ones via Email.
If you are NOT mailing a check, make an Email reply to let me know your intentions.
Smooth sailing, Jim Julian
If you are not sure how to make a comment, look back at a recent post for information.
I am hoping to get a lot of responses from the email quite quickly. Of course responses from the email survey will take longer.
I will keep everyone posted of the responses on this Blog.
Smooth Sailing, Jim Julian
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