USS Whitehurst Logo by: Pat Stephens, Webmaster, DESA
 

2012 Reunion of USS Whitehurst DE-634 1950 - 1969 Crews Oct 5 - 8,  Alexandria, Virginia

Hosting Team Jim & Rae Howe.  Jim  QMCM US Navy Retired served on Whitehurst in mid 1950s

Colonel Marosko is Military Assistant to Lt General Ralph Jodice, Commander NATO Allied Air Command. The Colonel enlightened us on the Operations of NATO in North Africa. The speech totally captured everyone's attention. The response was clearly a "Bravo Zulu!" message (Bravo Zulu is the Navy signal for "Well Done!") Colonel Max Marosko with his lovely wife Rachel

Photo above taken in the Hotel Hospitality Room Photos below were taken in the Hotel Breakfast Room.  A few hotel guests who were not "Whitehurst Family" appear in the pictures.   "Lum" was Damage Controlman in mid 1950s Marine Veteran Bob Guyette took a lot of ribbing from the Navy vets. Debra is daughter of Manny & Gloria Holmes Bob looks good in the Whitehurst Cap.  He was a good sport when Host, Jim Howe, made special efforts to explain clock times. Dolores is daughter of Manny and Gloria Holmes Jim Bruffet was a Signalman, mid 1950s Zeke is a Retired Chief  Machinist Mate, served on Whitehurst circa 1960 Janett is daughter of Alice and deceased  Quartermaster, Roy Hasty Roy is son of deceased Quartermaster Roy, and Alice Hasty   Sunny was wife of the late Bert Boodman, ET during the Korean War era Sunny Boodman with Max Crow, Fire Control Tech, 1950s Bob Carter Quartermaster during the Korean War era Don Smith, Metalman early to mid 1950s and Grandson Nate Putnam

After morning chow, we gathered in front of the hotel awaiting the "Coach".  It looked like a Bus but the Owner/Driver insisted it was a Coach.

On the first tour day we visited the Korean War memorial and  walked across the Mall near the Lincoln Memorial, on our way to visit the Vietnam Wall before reboarding the Coach to visit the Arlington National Cemetery.

Much of the Korean War was fought in the coldest weather and worst conditions. Nate is enjoying the tour. Flip & Wally chat at the  Wall of the Korean War memorial Flip and Stasha.  Can you believe they are about to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary.  Nah... She's too young! Lincoln memorial Inside the Lincoln Memorial structure

Early '50s Sonarman, Jake Houser, at Vietnam Wall Slick Schlichting, Jake Houser, Al Crawford Bob & Debra Guyette Sunny, Annie, Arnold Pettijohn, Boilerman early '50s Bruffett, Maggie & Zeke Alice Hasty and son Roy at The Wall Max Crow Don "Lum" Loerhig, Bob Carter, Kathy Carter, Rae Howe

Next stop Arlington National Cemetery

Autumn at Arlington National Cemetery.

Observing Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard walks 21 paces before changing direction Changing of the Guard

First day tours complete.  Waiting for the Coach to return to Hotel.  On our own for the rest of the day.

Day 2 schedule: New NASA Aero Space Museum at Dulles National Airport, Business Meeting and, Closing Banquet

Some came early or stayed over to see memorials and sights not seen on the planned tours.

United States Air Force  Memorial U.S. Capitol Building Mall Side Jefferson Memorial at Cherry Blossom time 555' Washington Monument The Washington Mall from Capitol Building to Lincoln Memorial White House North Side White House South Side faces the Mall World War II Memorial

Jake and Annie Houser's visit to Alexandria, VA and the George Washington Home at Mount Vernon

On the Potomac River At Gatsby's Tavern, Alexandria Alexandria, VA  is just a few miles from Washington, DC Mt. Vernon, the George Washington Home Place " Annie and Jake

Closing Banquet, Sunday  7 October 2012 Washington Suites Hotel

Whitehurst Memorial Bell used in the TAPS Ceremonies This year we set a sad record.  12 names of of shipmates who  had embarked on their eternal voyage. The Color Guard Cesar Howe is a Grandson of reunion Hosts Jim and Rae Howe Cesar's Mother, Therese Howe, provided the excellent Banquet and Color Guard photos.  Many thanks Therese! Host, Jim is about to open the banquet.  Jim Bruffet will offer the invocation. l to r Don Loerhig, Don Smith, Elwood "Woodie" Winters, Arnold Pettijohn, Jim Howe Nate Putnam with Grand Parents Don & Ruth Smith Dick and Barbara Fernandez They have been in touch and wanting to attend for years. It was a pleasure to have them with us this in 2012. Host Jim Howe declares Nate Putnam is now an Honorary Crew Member of USS Whitehurst.  He is welcomed "onboard". Door Prize Drawings Seaman Nate Putnam assists Master Chief Howe The servers are beginning to deliver the Banquet Meals Wally is ready! We all enjoyed the refreshing, respectful, young man, Nate Putnam. Let's hope he brings his grand parents again next year. Rachel Marosko is related to Kathy and Bob Carter, who shared their table at the banquet. Air Force Colonel Marosko was in town on a short leave, but graciously accepted Bob's invitation to speak to this group of Navy vets.  An Admiral could not have impressed us more. Woodie and Sue are also first time attendees.  Great to meet them and to see Woodie again after so many years. Zeke and Maggie Frazier They were ReU-2011 Hosts in San Diego.  This year they could relax and enjoy. Manny & Gloria Holmes were accompanied by 3 daughters and 3 sons-in-law,  They were with us at the 2005 ReU in Albany.  Good to have them all again.  Even the Marine! Holmes Family viewed from opposite side of the table. The big guy on the right is the Marine. That's Roy Hasty reaching for the rolls. A couple of young chicks, Sunny Boodman and Gladys "GP" Pettijohn Old??...  Who's old? Many thanks to Jim and Rae Howe for their excellent work planning, preparing, and conducting the 2012 Reunion of the USS Whitehurst 1950 - 1969 Crews. mc

Server space limitations prevent this web site history, of our 2012 reunion, from being nearly as comprehensive as the DVD of the event.  But I have tried to post a representative sampling of all events and activities and  include pictures of all who attended.  If I have excluded anyone, it was unintentional.  Please e-mail me with the name of anyone I may have missed.  I'll add their photo to this page.  Max Crow webmaster  crowmax@aol.com

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