Why Go To A Reunion?
Planning for the 2009 Reunion (San Antonio, TX)
Planning for the 2008 Reunion (Traverse City, MI)
2007 Reunion After Action Report (Caribbean Cruise)
2006 Reunion After Action Report (Branson, MO)
2005 Reunion After Action Report (San Diego, CA)
2004 Reunion After Action Report (Virginia Beach, VA)
Why Go To A Reunion?
Good question! I am probably the best guy to answer that question. You probably did one tour at sea, got out of the Navy, and went back to CIVLANT. Well I was a “lifer” for 28 years. When an old MASSEY shipmate asked me if I was going to the next 778 reunion, my immediate response was “I don’t do reunions”. Well he convinced me to go and I had a great time... and have been every year since then. Why? Well the purpose of the association is to promote camaraderie and pride in your ship, your service, and the Navy. The MASSEY Association does that well! I belong to several other Navy associations and some of them get pretty “clicky”. The 50s Radarmen don’t mix with the 60s Snipes! I know! I’ve been there! With the MASSEY Association, it doesn’t matter when you were aboard or what you did. At a reunion, you will find Commissioning Crew members who fought at Okinawa in 1944 coming alongside “younger” shipmates who were there on the ship’s last day of service in 1973. Being a MASSEY sailor was and is still special.
What is a reunion all about? Well it typically starts with check in at the hotel on Wednesday for early arrivers with the Hospitality Room opening up in the afternoon. Early birds usually migrate to the Hospitality Room for some libation and light off the sea story generator. The Hospitality Room is the center of activity if you are looking for someone! Thursday and Friday typically include tours to reunion sites of interest, e.g., Williamsburg, Indian Gap National Cemetery, San Diego Zoo, etc. After the tour of your choice, it’s back to the hotel and the Hospitality Room to meet newly arriving shipmates. Dinner is usually on your own at night. The Plan of the Day for Saturday typically includes something special like a tour of a destroyer, the Sea & Air Parade, or the Gettysburg Battle Field. You’re free to do whatever you want. There’s no pressure. Saturday night is our reunion banquet and is normally a coat and tie event. Sunday is check out for most folks and often involves last good byes at a group breakfast event. The week goes by pretty fast but at the end you’ll feel good about seeing old shipmates again and meeting new shipmates. The links above will tell you what’s planned for the next get together. Check it out and we’ll see you there!
Dick Pearsall
MASSEY 64 - 66
2009 Reunion (San Antonio, TX)
The 2009 reunion will be hosted by Juan de la Cruz in San Antonio, Texas. Juan will be working hard right to the date to ensure we all have a great time. Details will be published as they become available.
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