Summary
The USS Soley Reunion Association
Reunions

1989 ST. LOUIS MI. Dates unknown

1991 CHARLESTON, SC, MAY 02 to 05

1993 BALTIMORE, MD, MAY 19 to 23

1994 MOBILE AL, NOV. 02 to 06

1996 HAMPTON, VA, APR. 24 to 28

1997 ATLANTIC BEACH, FL, NOV. 05 to 09

1999 CHARLESTON, SC, MAY 28 to 31

2000 REUNION, BUFFALO, NY, SEPT. 27 - OCT. 01

2002 REUNION, BUENA PARK, CA, APR. 10 - 13

The reunion commenced on Wednesday, April 10, 2002, at the Holiday Inn, Buena Park, CA with 68 Shipmates in attendance and a total attendance of 138. There were several early arrivals beginning Saturday April 6, and several remained until April 16, to take advantage of visiting some sites in the area.

Wednesday evening 93 departed the hotel via chartered bus for a dinner cruise aboard the Motor Yacht SPIRIT out of the Port of Long Beach. A Mexican buffet was enjoyed by all as well as a view of the Long Beach Coastline, hundreds of moored sailboats and hundreds of expensive coastline homes and cottages.

Thursday evening 118 dined at the Wild Bill's Dinner Extravaganza and watched as Annie, Wild Bill and others danced and sang for our enjoyment. Especially popular were the comedian who had some great jokes and Tony Vigna who danced with Annie and her troop and removed Annie's garter with his mouth. We enjoyed soup, fried chicken, BBQ ribs, potato, apple pie and ice cream and bottomless beer, sodas and coffee.

Friday morning 114 traveled to Knott's Berry Farm for wonderful buffet breakfast and a presentation by Bruce Seivers. His program entitled "An American in Love with His Country" was inspiring to all. After breakfast and the presentation, 82 remained to spend the day at the Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park.

Saturday morning 132 departed the hotel via chartered bus for a served breakfast aboard the Queen Mary berthed in Long Beach. Upon arrival in the Britannia Salon the Colors were posted by a group of 8 Korean Boy Scouts from Troop 75, Buena Park. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Rev. Timothy Muller offered a prayer. After breakfast a Memorial Service was held to remember the 250 known deceased shipmates. After the reading of names the Colors were retired and all departed to the after deck where a wreath was presented over the side by Helene and Paula Wallace, wife and daughter of Bill Wallace and Kate Buck, wife of Ken Buck. Taps was played, the Memorial Service completed after which all had an opportunity to take a self-guided tour or a guided tour of the Queen Mary.

We departed for the Holiday Inn at 1400 hours and the Business Meeting was held at 1500 hours in the Hospitality Room. The following took place at this Business Meeting:

Frank Hawkins, Treasurer, presented a preliminary treasurer's report. The final report will be published in the SCOOP at a later date after all reunion expenses are paid.

Gene Blum, Secretary-Registrar, reported 68 shipmates and a total of 136 were in attendance; 58 shipmates were added to the Active Roster and 28 shipmates were added to the Deceased Roster since the Buffalo Reunion in September 2000; 5 shipmates are present for their first reunion; 9 Plankowners are present and the shipmate present that has attended the most reunions is Harlan Dahl with 9; 7 other shipmates were present that have attended 8 reunions.

First timers are: Gary Einck, Joe Goldfarb, Dick McGuire, John Rhodes and Ray Tidd.

Plank Owners are: Richard Crandall, Don "Sandy" Sanford, Harlan Dahl, Jim Marshall, Mike Masciola, Ed Patacchiola, Roman Plonka, Al Schowalter and Perry Shelton.

Ed Bryan, SCOOP Editor, provided a written report advising that he needed information for future editions from the members.

Mike Kranack, Ship's Store Operator, provided a brief report.

Jim Hawker, Historian, provided a brief report requesting members send information to him for the History files.

Election of Officers for the next reunion were held with the election results as follows:

The following changes to the Association's Guidelines and Practices were made:

The Reunion Committee thanks all that donated prizes for this reunion. The donated items are a great attraction at the reunion and help keep our bank account solvent. We did keep a record of the items donated, the donor as well as the winners but to include them all here would require several more pages of report. To all who donated, to all that came to this reunion and to all that volunteered many hours of their time to make this reunion a success we offer a great big THANK YOU!!!