The Mountaineer, USS West Virginia
March 2003
From the Quarterdeck:
Greetings to everyone: Still thinking over the good time I had in Corpus Christi. It's a great town with lots to do. The trip to King Ranch was an experience I will remember for a long time. The work that went into developing the many strains of cattle and horses was very interesting. The size of the ranch is beyond belief, 825,000 acres. We had a nice visit aboard the Lady Lex. I did not realize carriers as old as the Lady were so huge. Afterward and a couple of blocks away we visited the Texas State Aquarium where we witnessed the many creatures of the sea. A trip to Ingelside Naval Station, where we were introduced to modem mine warfare was a highlight for myself. Oh how times have changed. Saturday evening we enjoyed a great dinner. Bob Kronberger was given a plaque and medal for all of the fine work he has done in the past. As all of us know he is a great guy. At the Breakfast meeting on Sunday we voted on a place to have our reunion in 2004. It was Tucson, Arizona that was chosen by the majority. At the meeting Bob Kronberger suggested that before you nominate a city do your homework. Make sure the city is receptive to military reunions. Cost of accommodations, and sight seeing tours are very important as well as food, local restaurants and etc. My wife Margot and I took a trip to Boston to look over the area for our 2003 reunion. Boston has so much history and points of interest, I am sure everyone will enjoy it. In our next letter, about June, we will have an itinerary that will satisfy everyone, I am sure. The hotel chosen is The Sheraton Braintree, very close to many restaurants, shopping and places of entertainment. The hotel is newly renovated and has many outstanding features. The rate is $75 per room per day. The dates Sept. 9-15, 2003. I am sure everyone will enjoy their stay. At our business meeting we discussed the number of declining members participating in our reunions and that we should establish a membership dues program in order to maintain. I receive newsletters from other ships that charge dues and will look into it further. Our costs for printing and mailing 750 newsletters has rocketed along with the other expenses we endure. I am sure that the majority feel as I do about carrying on. We were very pleased to have in attendance Mike Mullins. Mike is the man that put together the West Virginia website, http://www.usswestvirginia.org. or reach him at, Contact Me. He has done a splendid job and deserves a lot of credit. Well done Mike. He would like to hear from you if you have something interesting to add to the website or just a comment. Please log on. I want to thank everyone who attended the Reunion. We have received so many cards and notes thanking us for a splendid time. We enjoyed it as much as you did and if it wasn't for those that attended it would not have been such a success. There is a lot