USS EDISTO REUNION IN CHATTANOOGA, TN

April 23-26th, 2006

As the outgoing president of the USS Edisto Association and Reunion Planner for Charleston, SC and Chattanooga, TN, I would like very much to thank the officers and shipmates who provided assistance when we needed it and to all of you that helped support our organization through your generous contributions and payment of dues.  Your financial assistance to the Association over the past few years has enabled us to pay for our domain name (www.ussedistoagb2.com) and web hosting fees, paid for postage and other mailing supplies, defrayed some of the cost of Gene Fettinger's thousands of telephone calls looking for lost shipmates and helped to fuel the interest in holding a reunion in Chattanooga.  Thank you all.

Overall, the comments received from many of you who attended this last month's reunion in Chattanooga have been very positive.  So much so that it would seem that we scored a big success.   Attending were 75 shipmates, 54 spouses and 6 guests (Total 135).  The Choo Choo sales staff of Tara & Tonya (TnT) and all the other personnel extended themselves to make our stay a pleasant and memorable one.  Some went over and above expectations and job requirements to accommodate members of our group and as such were recognized by me in a letter to the hotel's general manager.  The 26-acre hotel had something to offer everyone and then there was the electric trolley and downtown stores and shopping.  I have included links that contain photo galleries that Faye Heidel, Ed & Hilda Schardein, Richard & Mitzie Dykas and Jim Meeks have provided me. 

Weather was perfect for the three (3) tours we had scheduled; Monday consisted of A-tour involving the attractions on Look Out Mountain (Ruby Falls and Rock City) which included a short visit to the Battles of Chattanooga and a ride down the Incline Rail Way.  The B-tour went to Chickamauga Park, Gordon Lee Mansion and the Coke Ovens (no-o-o..not that kind) and a tour of the small city of Chickamauga.  I do not yet have any photos from the B-Tour but will post if someone sends them to me.  That evening most of the group mustered at the Station House for dinner and entertainment by the wait staff.

Tuesday, the third and final tour was a visit to a restored 100-yr old carousel in Coolidge Park. Over a century ago this carousel was abandoned in a New England amusement park. A group of local investors found the tattered remains and hired a company of artists to restore the grand merry-go-round, adding new horses, sleds and other animals so it could be admired at it's present home in Coolidge Park.  After a ride on the carousel, we walked down the Trail of Tears Passage before boarding the river boat Southern Belle for lunch and a river cruise  on the Tennessee River.

I wish to thank my wife Kathie, Virgil & Odell Paulk, Jerry & Judy Downs, Faye & Warren Heidel and Jim Meeks for their assistance with the registration and other chores at Penn Station which became our hang out for drinks and socials.  Warren and Jim Meeks made sure that everyone at the Penn Station had soda or beer to drink.  Our new Vice President Jerry Downs provided each person a gift in the form of a key chain fob with the ship's logo laser-etched on the side. 

At another location, Bill (Tiny) and Cathy Gallant and Gene Fettinger monitored the Norfolk Room (Room 150) where our photos, slide shows, CDs, VHS tapes and other memorabilia were presented for everyone's enjoyment.   James Gardner brought in cups, mugs and picture frames for purchase with the ship engraved on them.   They can be purchased from Jim by clicking here.

On Wednesday, our last day, in our business meeting at the Finley Lecture Hall new officers were elected.  Virgil Paulk was elected as our new President.  Assisting him as Vice President is Jerry Downs.  Bill (Tiny) Gallant remains as our Secretary.  The position of Treasurer is still open but Gene Fettinger continues in that position until another is appointed or elected.  Glenn Smith and Ed Forant were elected as the two members of the Election Committee who will be soliciting candidates for the slate to be presented at the next reunion/election of officers. 

At night we had our final fling with a Banquet.  Despite a late afternoon rain shower, everyone showed up in their finest - some having to wade a small branch to get into the ballroom foyer.  Here we had a photo shoot that captured the 40's, 50's and 60's eras as a Group and sittings for portraits that will be memorialized in a Memory Book and Photo CD.  The gala started with the Viet Nam Veterans of America, Chapter 203 posting colors followed by our own Howell Purvis playing Taps in memory of our deceased shipmates and to open our Banquet ceremonies.  It was simply awesome!  Thanks Hal.  And our thanks to Charlie Hobbs and the men of VVA, Chapter 203 who made this a special evening. 

Kicking off the evening ceremonies was the drawing for a special door prize made by Cindy Johnson, daughter of Plank Owner Vernon & Charlotte Clark.  It was donated by Cindy to help shore up our Edisto Cash Fund but because it was such a beautiful gift, it was decided that the album be given as a door prize so that everyone would be given a chance to own it. As it were "Mac," one of the McPherson brothers present took it home so we expect it will be shared with Terry.  Many other door prizes were given away.  Jerry Downs presented the 2004-2005 officers with special mementos containing the ship's new logo designed by Gene Mollica and Jon Newton.  Like items were given away as door prizes.   Roger & Barbara Soucey presented every man, woman and child a photo of the USS Edisto.  And what better way to cap an event by dancing to the tunes by Sweet Georgia Sound, a  20-piece tuxedoed band, led by Mike LaRoche.

Finally, I wish to thank Jim Meeks, Faye Heidel, Ed & Hilda Schardein and Richard & Mitzie Dykas for the photos they sent which are reminders of the good time we all had.  Otherwise, at our age, how else will we remember this event?

Yours Truly,