The annual meeting of the USS STEINAKER Reunion Association was held on the 25th of April 2015 in Virginia Beach, VA with 86 shipmates and ladies present.
Meeting called to order by the Chairman, John Evans. Elected officers present were John Evans, Vice Chairman, Jimmy Bunch and Secretary/Treasurer Russell Noble. The minutes were accepted as published in the annual newsletter. Received and approved the report of the Secretary/Treasurer.
The 2014 Pensacola, FL reunion was discussed and comments made on how successful the reunion was.
There was no further unfinished business. The Chairman moved to new business. The election of officers was held. John Evans was nominated and elected as Chairman; Jimmy Bunch was nominated and elected as Vice Chairman. Russell Noble was nominated and elected as Secretary/Treasurer.
Introductions were made: CDR Howard Sacks, Commanding Officer 67-69.
Chairman, John Evans discussed the need for elections for new officers in 2016.
Chairman, John Evans discussed plans for the 2016 STEINAKER Reunion scheduled for the 28th of April 2016 thru the 1st of May 2016. The reunion sites recommended were Baltimore, MD and Nashville, TN. Frank Price presented information on Baltimore and Chairman John Evans presented information on Nashville. Members present voted to hold the 2016 STEINAKER Reunion in Baltimore, MD. Frank Price said he would work with the association to coordinate the arrangements for the Baltimore reunion.
Members present voted to have the 2017 STEINAKER Reunion held in either Nashville, TN or Buffalo, NY.
Members approved Kenneth Kohnen to set-up a new STEINATER website and approved payment for such website.
The Thursday night “Welcome Aboard Reception” sponsored by Sally Cascini in honor of Frank Cascini was discussed and how well it was enjoyed by all shipmates and guest.
Discussion was held concerning donations. A motion was made by shipmates to donate to the following organizations: Tin Can Sailor’s Association $500.00, USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Association $250.00, Folds of Honor $125.00, Navy Seal Foundation $250.00, USS Orleck Naval Mus. $125.00 and Joseph Davis, Mill & Cabinetmaking, Lewisville, I.S.D. Texas cash amount of $50.00 – sponsored by David Spence.
Discussion was held about the Saturday night auction and also holding a silent auction. Also seven (7) lucky shipmates won a free night’s stay at the Holiday Inn North Beach, Virginia Beach, VA.
Introductions and acknowledgements by STEINAKER shipmates.
There being no further business the 2015 Annual Meeting of the USS STEINAKER Reunion Association adjourned until 2016.
Signed: 07/03/2015
Russell Noble, USN, Ret.
Secretary/Treasurer
USS STEINAKER Reunion Association
Meeting called to order by the Chairman, John Evans. Elected officers present were John Evans, Vice Chairman, Jimmy Bunch and Secretary/Treasurer Russell Noble. The minutes were accepted as published in the annual newsletter. Received and approved the report of the Secretary/Treasurer.
The 2014 Pensacola, FL reunion was discussed and comments made on how successful the reunion was.
There was no further unfinished business. The Chairman moved to new business. The election of officers was held. John Evans was nominated and elected as Chairman; Jimmy Bunch was nominated and elected as Vice Chairman. Russell Noble was nominated and elected as Secretary/Treasurer.
Introductions were made: CDR Howard Sacks, Commanding Officer 67-69.
Chairman, John Evans discussed the need for elections for new officers in 2016.
Chairman, John Evans discussed plans for the 2016 STEINAKER Reunion scheduled for the 28th of April 2016 thru the 1st of May 2016. The reunion sites recommended were Baltimore, MD and Nashville, TN. Frank Price presented information on Baltimore and Chairman John Evans presented information on Nashville. Members present voted to hold the 2016 STEINAKER Reunion in Baltimore, MD. Frank Price said he would work with the association to coordinate the arrangements for the Baltimore reunion.
Members present voted to have the 2017 STEINAKER Reunion held in either Nashville, TN or Buffalo, NY.
Members approved Kenneth Kohnen to set-up a new STEINATER website and approved payment for such website.
The Thursday night “Welcome Aboard Reception” sponsored by Sally Cascini in honor of Frank Cascini was discussed and how well it was enjoyed by all shipmates and guest.
Discussion was held concerning donations. A motion was made by shipmates to donate to the following organizations: Tin Can Sailor’s Association $500.00, USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Association $250.00, Folds of Honor $125.00, Navy Seal Foundation $250.00, USS Orleck Naval Mus. $125.00 and Joseph Davis, Mill & Cabinetmaking, Lewisville, I.S.D. Texas cash amount of $50.00 – sponsored by David Spence.
Discussion was held about the Saturday night auction and also holding a silent auction. Also seven (7) lucky shipmates won a free night’s stay at the Holiday Inn North Beach, Virginia Beach, VA.
Introductions and acknowledgements by STEINAKER shipmates.
There being no further business the 2015 Annual Meeting of the USS STEINAKER Reunion Association adjourned until 2016.
Signed: 07/03/2015
Russell Noble, USN, Ret.
Secretary/Treasurer
USS STEINAKER Reunion Association
USS Steinaker Reunion 2015
by Bill Keleher SOG2 ’61-’64
This year the annual reunion began on April 23, 2015. Check in ran all day and it was exciting to see many of the familiar faces again. This year, however, there more than a few new shipmates joining our group. It is really amazing how this event has grown over the years. Our thanks go out to those who toil endlessly over the course of the year to bring in new crew mates and keep this thing rolling.
Thursday night attendees enjoyed the Welcome Aboard Reception which was sponsored by our recently passed shipmate Frank Cascini and his wife Sally. All of us are saddened by the loss of Frank. The Cascinis were and continue to be ardent supporters of the Steinaker reunions.
Friday began with a bus tour of the Norfolk Naval Station. Maybe it is just me, but this looked nothing like the D and S piers of old. No more dungarees and white hats either. I guess change is inevitable. At the last second authorization for a ship tour was approved and we got to experience the USS Oak Hill (LSD-51). This ship is a Harper’s Ferry class dock landing ship. Said ship was named after the home of US President James Monroe. Maybe it was just me, but I do think that a really nice modification to that vessel would be the installation of either elevators or escalators! Aside from that, the tour was quite informative and gave all of us a peek at a navy that was quite different from the one we know and love. A great lunch was provided on base and this finished our tour for the day.
Friday evening we attended the Virginia International Tattoo. Some of us had seen this event before, but the performers change from year to year and this fact guaranteed an exciting evening. Speaking for myself, I most enjoyed the drummers from Korea. Their costumes were quite unusual and reflected the uniqueness of their culture. Upon returning to the hotel, some enjoyed some informal chat in the hospitality room.
The annual business meeting began at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Reports were read, decisions made and pitches given by advocates for future reunion sites. Details may be found in a document located in another area of this site. Needless to say, we will be having a reunion in 2016.
This year, because of the group size, it was decided to forego the group picture. In place, Ron Thur was assigned to take as many candid shots of the group as he could. These photos are available for viewing by going to the following website:
NOTE: The current website (http://www.usssteinakerreunion.com) will be phased out in the next few months. Please start using: http://www.usssteinaker.org as the main website. This is the site that will contain the pictures from the 2015 reunion.
The evening festivities were led off by the traditional Two Bell Ceremony followed by the reading of the names of our departed crew mates. It is an emotional time and serves to remind all of us just how temporary life is.
Dinner was served and attendees were served an excellent meal of chicken, salmon or pork tenderloin. Not to worry, vegetarians had their needs met too! Following the noisy dinner and conversation, Batman appeared out of nowhere and riled up the crowd. You just never know what you will experience at a Steinaker reunion. Once Batman was under control, we were able to proceed with the annual auction. As in the past, yours truly and Jim Bunch tried extremely hard to separate shipmates from their cash. The auction was both silent and vocal due to the large number of items we received.. As auctioneers, we did notice that some of those wallets seemed to be welded to the thighs of the owners. In the future, the damage control party may be able to help with that condition. At the conclusion, it was determined that a very successful and fun filled sale took place. The auctioneers and officers of the organization wish to thank the donors/purchasers for their generosity. It all helps to keep this wonderful reunion vibrant and alive.
NOTE: Stephanie Loranty, daughter of Carol Steinaker Graben, brought the bottle used by her mother during the commissioning ceremony to christen the ship in May 1945 !!
As an aside, it should be noted that this year was the biggest reunion ever. There were over 140 dinner attendees and hopefully even more next year.
Sunday dawned and thus began the migration back to homes across the country. Small groups met for breakfast and good-byes were exchanged. It is always a bit sad to leave your friends both old and new, but there will be another event next year in Baltimore and another opportunity to renew these friendships.
by Bill Keleher SOG2 ’61-’64
This year the annual reunion began on April 23, 2015. Check in ran all day and it was exciting to see many of the familiar faces again. This year, however, there more than a few new shipmates joining our group. It is really amazing how this event has grown over the years. Our thanks go out to those who toil endlessly over the course of the year to bring in new crew mates and keep this thing rolling.
Thursday night attendees enjoyed the Welcome Aboard Reception which was sponsored by our recently passed shipmate Frank Cascini and his wife Sally. All of us are saddened by the loss of Frank. The Cascinis were and continue to be ardent supporters of the Steinaker reunions.
Friday began with a bus tour of the Norfolk Naval Station. Maybe it is just me, but this looked nothing like the D and S piers of old. No more dungarees and white hats either. I guess change is inevitable. At the last second authorization for a ship tour was approved and we got to experience the USS Oak Hill (LSD-51). This ship is a Harper’s Ferry class dock landing ship. Said ship was named after the home of US President James Monroe. Maybe it was just me, but I do think that a really nice modification to that vessel would be the installation of either elevators or escalators! Aside from that, the tour was quite informative and gave all of us a peek at a navy that was quite different from the one we know and love. A great lunch was provided on base and this finished our tour for the day.
Friday evening we attended the Virginia International Tattoo. Some of us had seen this event before, but the performers change from year to year and this fact guaranteed an exciting evening. Speaking for myself, I most enjoyed the drummers from Korea. Their costumes were quite unusual and reflected the uniqueness of their culture. Upon returning to the hotel, some enjoyed some informal chat in the hospitality room.
The annual business meeting began at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Reports were read, decisions made and pitches given by advocates for future reunion sites. Details may be found in a document located in another area of this site. Needless to say, we will be having a reunion in 2016.
This year, because of the group size, it was decided to forego the group picture. In place, Ron Thur was assigned to take as many candid shots of the group as he could. These photos are available for viewing by going to the following website:
NOTE: The current website (http://www.usssteinakerreunion.com) will be phased out in the next few months. Please start using: http://www.usssteinaker.org as the main website. This is the site that will contain the pictures from the 2015 reunion.
The evening festivities were led off by the traditional Two Bell Ceremony followed by the reading of the names of our departed crew mates. It is an emotional time and serves to remind all of us just how temporary life is.
Dinner was served and attendees were served an excellent meal of chicken, salmon or pork tenderloin. Not to worry, vegetarians had their needs met too! Following the noisy dinner and conversation, Batman appeared out of nowhere and riled up the crowd. You just never know what you will experience at a Steinaker reunion. Once Batman was under control, we were able to proceed with the annual auction. As in the past, yours truly and Jim Bunch tried extremely hard to separate shipmates from their cash. The auction was both silent and vocal due to the large number of items we received.. As auctioneers, we did notice that some of those wallets seemed to be welded to the thighs of the owners. In the future, the damage control party may be able to help with that condition. At the conclusion, it was determined that a very successful and fun filled sale took place. The auctioneers and officers of the organization wish to thank the donors/purchasers for their generosity. It all helps to keep this wonderful reunion vibrant and alive.
NOTE: Stephanie Loranty, daughter of Carol Steinaker Graben, brought the bottle used by her mother during the commissioning ceremony to christen the ship in May 1945 !!
As an aside, it should be noted that this year was the biggest reunion ever. There were over 140 dinner attendees and hopefully even more next year.
Sunday dawned and thus began the migration back to homes across the country. Small groups met for breakfast and good-byes were exchanged. It is always a bit sad to leave your friends both old and new, but there will be another event next year in Baltimore and another opportunity to renew these friendships.
