USS New DD 818 2004 reunion 01

The 2004 reunion was a very good one. We had a good turnout, the most ever. A few had to cancel due to illness and one member sadly passed on and was remembered at the memorial service with others who have gone on since the last reunion. We prayed for them and their families.
The weather was very nice. It was mid March and is Norfolk which as anyone who has stood a quarterdeck watch there can tell you it can get cold. We did have good weather and lots of sunshine for Friday's and Staurdays tours. Friday we had a busride into downtown Norfolk to Nauticus. The USS Wisconsin BB 61 is tied to a pier at Nauticus and open for tours. Nauticus is a multi function attraction with both naval museums and local history and marine life exhibits. Also a nice gift shop where some of us could spend too much money. We left Nauticus and travelled a few hundred yards to another pier where a tour boat, Spirit of Norfolk is tied. On board we were treated to a wonderful buffet, drinks and entertainment. All was excellent. Some ventured to the open top deck to enjoy an open view of the river as we rode to the mouth of the Cesapeake Bay for a turnaround. On the way we passed many familiar sites such as the NOB piers with the big ships tied up. Old D&S Piers which ave been modernized, old Craney Island, Norfolk shipping piers to name a few. After the boat cruise we boarded the busses again for a tour of the Norfolk Naval Station. security is tight these days and we were limited to where we could take pictures but we got to see all the changes in the area over the years. The Strip outside the gate between the main NOB gate and D&S gate is gone. It was gone in the mid 70's when I was there for a few months. There is a large exchange complex outside the base. The base is no longer in three separate sections. D&S, NOB and NAS Oceana are all connected as one big base.
After the tour of downtown we came back to the hotel to rest or enjoy the hospitality room. That evening we had dinner with entertainment from a local church choir. They were really fantastic. They did a variety of songs and some old rock&roll and even had a visit from the Purple People Eater. One of the ladies noticed the sign saying USS New Reunion. She told someone her husband had been on New in the fifties. Well, he was there and we now have him as a member also. I hope they can make future reunions with us.