HOW THE USS WAINWRIGHT ASSOCIATION WAS ESTABLISHED:
FT J.C. CARLSON stopped off at the vfw, which was between the power plant and home, on his birthday on March 24 1987. JC was chatting with the guy next to me about how he never saw a listing for the USS Wainwright in the back of the VFW magazine. he said 'what are you going to do about it ?" CJ started late that afternoon and had talked with 5 FTM's from 4th div before midnight. CJ and the FT's assembled in washington for the July 4th bi-cenntenial. The rest is history as they say.
THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE VETERANS OF
THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION IS TO CREATE AND PERPETUATE GOOD FELLOWSHIP AMONG THOSE PERSONS WHO SERVED ABOARD THE U.S.S. WAINWRIGHT DURING IT'S PRE-COMMISSIONING THROUGH DECOMMISSIONING AS LONG AS THAT TIME EXCEEDED 30 CONTINUOUS DAYS.
THIS ORGANIZATION IS INTENDED TO BE AND WILL REMAIN A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION EXISTING FOR THE MUTUAL BENEFIT AND THE PRESERVATION OF THE PERIOD’S HISTORY.
We had a great reunion in Nashville, TN this past July. Though the numbers weren't as many as hoped we had a great time.
Our next reunion will be in Charleston, SC in 2016. The dates will be announced early next year. "Why are we going back to Charleston so soon after 2012?" you're asking. 2016 is the 50th anniversary of the ship's commissioning and the 30th anniversary since JC Carlson started this wonderful association. What better place than back to our home port of Charleston? We are planning one great celebration and will be allowing lots of spare time for you to revisit those places you once were a part of. The ladies have asked for some time so they can socialize together.
If you have ideas that might make the special reunion extra special please contact me or any of the board members. We are planning on some sort of a Cruise Book so start collecting your favorite photos. We will be asking for them soon.
Thank you for your support in Nashville. I am very happy to again be your President.
I would like to introduce myself for those of you who do not know me. I am Rodney Shafer (Rod) I served onboard Wainwright from June 1976 to March 1979 in E division as an Electrician Mate. In 1979 I converted from EM to DS and went on to retired from the Naval Reserve in 1995 as a DS1. I volunteered during the Nashville Reunion to take over as the editor of your newsletter from Carol Chaffin who did such a fantastic job over the years and stepped down because of health reasons. I will give it my best to create the quality newsletter that you are used to from Carol. If you have suggestions as to what you might like to see in these newsletters please let me know and I will work with the leadership to try and include your suggestions into the newsletter. I hope all of you will join me in extending my thoughts and prayers to Harry and Carol as they progress through their future endeavors.
