2002

2002 - San Francisco California

In the wake of September 11, the definition of being a veteran took on a significantly more important role to the meaning of freedom. It must never be forgotten that veterans represent the true spirit underlying the word freedom, for it is they who have placed and continue to place their lives on the line to protect our country and our way of life, the envy of people all over the world.

During our 26th reunion in San Francisco, that importance was especially symbolized when hundreds gathered at the site of the IOWA to honor veterans, living and deceased, who served aboard our distinguished battleship. With the help of the U.S. Navy's Inactive Ships Program Office, Washington DC and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, a large barge was secured to the starboard side of IOWA providing our Association a platform for Saturday's Plan of the Day Program, June 8. MARAD, under the supervision of Joseph A. Pecoraro, prepared the barge with chairs from IOWA's Officers Quarters and Wardroom to accommodate a seating arrangement for the WW II veterans who were honored during our traditional Memorial Service and Ceremony program.

Keep in mind that approximately 400 people attended this venue which was no easy task to plan, coordinate and control. Beginning early Saturday morning at the Marriott Hotel, attendees were taken to the City of Vallejo Marina by bus where they were transferred to a Ferry Boat for the final leg of the trip to the IOWA. The Ferry Boat was carefully moored along side the barge providing access to the barge via two gangplanks. Approximately 75 people were permitted on the barge at one time which meant the majority of those in attendance had to view and hear the Memorial Service and Ceremony from the side rails of the ferry boat.

PROGRAM:
INTRODUCTION: John Schultz, President
PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE: All
INVOCATION: Richard McClellan, Association Chaplain
AMAZING GRACE: John Schultz ( All invited to sing along )
REMEMBRANCE:
   John Schultz & John Koerber (Remembering those lost since last reunion. Taps played & bell rang as each name announced)
PLACEMENT of WREATH into SUISUN BAY in HONOR of all DECEASED SHIPMATES:
Lucinda Martin, J B "Doc" Martins Daughter
PLACEMENT of 47 individual IRIS STEMS into SUISUN BAY in HONOR of the IOWA 47:
Wives of two Crewmen from the 80's group
PRESENTATION of poem "THEIR LAST JOURNEY" and reading of the STATE of IOWA PROCLAMATION signed by Governor THOMAS J VILSACK declaring June 8, 2002 as U.S.S. IOWA VETERANS DAY
Paul Gomez
GUEST SPEAKER:
Lawrence M. Jones, Jr., Captain, U.S. Navy   Program Manager Inactive Ships Program Office
GUEST SPEAKER:
Edward J. Cummings, Captain, U. S. Navy (RETIRED)   President and Director, Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square
THE NAVY HYMN: John Schultz (All invited to sing along )
BENEDICTION: Richard McClellan, Association Chaplain

The WW II veterans were given first opportunity for special time on the barge platform with their ship. Men walked with purpose and honor holding back tears to touch their ship one more time. They touched and removed chips of paint from her badly weathered side, a long awaited emotional and physical connection with their ship perhaps for the last time. For those unable to make the walk, chips of paint were taken to them by veterans who had volunteered to control barge movement in the interest of safety. The remaining veterans from the 50's and 80's groups were then given access to the barge in groups of about 60 at a time for photo-opportunities and to touch the ship and scrape their chips of paint as souvenirs of this great day.

The Memorial Service and Ceremony was solemn, yet presented with the dignity that veterans of this great ship deserve. It is difficult to put in words the energy, love and sadness witnessed during the program for once again it must be said that for many "time is the enemy". Veterans from all the years that IOWA was in service still need to step on her deck again, the final chapter between one of the greatest of all vessels ever built and the men who served and lived on her for so many years.

At one point during the Program, The 21st Airlift Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California made a C-5 Flyby... two passes directly over the IOWA and barge. There is no way to describe the incredible, awesome impact and feeling this huge aircraft made on everyone.

The C-5 Flyby was provided as a courtesy of Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. (Sel.) David Lefforge, 60th Operations Support Squadron, to honor the Veterans of the IOWA, as a joint expression of respect from the U. S. Air Force to the U. S. Navy.

Flight Crew:
Lt. Col. Dave Mathews      Aircraft Commander
1st Lt. John Strange   Co-Pilot
1st Lt. Jason Smith Co-Pilot
MSgt. Vinny Malabo   Flight Engineer
SSgt.   Scott Polito Flight Engineer
Ground to Air observation/coordination provided by Capt. John Diaz

A special thanks to Capt. Dave Holloman and Joseph Pruzzo (HSMPS) for their tireless hours of phone calls and paper work to obtain permission for the C-5 Flyby and their follow-up planning/coordination that made the Flyby a spectacular event.

Upon our return trip to the Vallejo Marina, two bus loads of attendees were taken to the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum for a reception as guests of the Museum and Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square. A special Battleship IOWA display of memorabilia was on display in honor of our 26th reunion. The highlight of the memorabilia was the 12.5 foot model of the IOWA Class battleship used by HSMPS at fund raisers, San Francisco parades and special events such Fleet Week. We thank HSMPS for extending this courtesy to the veterans of the IOWA.

Although the IOWA tour proved to be the tour of choice, there were other tours of great interest and participation. The Sonoma-Napa Valley Wine Tour proved to be quite popular; 254 enjoyed the tours at two large wineries. The wine tour began by making a stop at the Lone Sailor Memorial at the North end of the Golden Gate Bridge. A picture of this magnificent Memorial in honor of Maritime Sailors who have served our Country in war and peace on ships on the high seas is shown on this page. From there the tour continued on to the wine country for the balance of the day.

Participation in the Alcatraz Prison tour (214) and the San Francisco Bay scenic tour (211) were also well received and spoken of with interest and satisfaction.

Although the Bay Area TV, radio and newspaper media did not cover this event, much of our great reunion has been well documented on film and video and will be shared with you at our next reunion. Already, numerous pictures have been placed on our website, www.ussiowa.org...and there are more. A professional video company, Black Tie Productions and professional photographer, J Bonelle were present on the ferry boat and barge to preserve this great day for future generations when the IOWA is finally converted into a museum and memorial along the San Francisco Waterfront. In addition, the video crew set up their camera in the hospitality room to record interviews volunteered by crewmembers who wanted to share war stories of their days aboard the IOWA. Many of the WW II veterans stepped forward, just like pros and shared amazing tales.now saved for years to come.

The dinner/dance was attended by 344 veterans, their families and friends. It was a special evening beginning with the posting of colors by the by the U. S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps unit which is presently planning to change their name from the Point Bower Division to the Battleship IOWA Division under the direction of Lt. Barbara Shannon, USNSCC. To the best of our collective knowledge, this is a first for our evening banquet, a real touch of military class. The dinner guest speaker was Captain Wardell C, Wright, Sr., Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Il. His comments concerning what it takes to make a dedicated sailor to serve in today's Navy were eye opening as were his remarks about the Battleship IOWA.

And so now the 26th Veterans Association reunion is history with sights now set on Norfolk, VA for our 27th in 2003. When we look back on the great San Francisco reunion, try to imagine what must now be accomplished to exceed the success experienced this year. The hotel was great, the food was great, the tours were outstanding and the camaraderie with friends, old and new has given us the spirit to continue with the work of keeping and making our Association an even better and stronger organization as the responsibility of managing such a large organization moves into a period of transition from the old veterans to the young.

Thanks to all who worked long hours to make the reunion a success. And a special thanks to the U. S. Navy Inactive Ships Program, Washington DC, the Maritime Administration at the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet Facility and the Travis Air Force Base 60th Operations Support Squadron.

Paul Gomez
Director, Veterans Association of the USS Iowa
Director, Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square