Reunion
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Reunion 2015
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Upcoming
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Year 2014 Reunion – Our 34th Savannah, Georgia Contact: To register interest in
attending, contact: Anyone desiring copies of our USS
Robinson DD562, Inc. Year 2014 Reunion – Our 34th.
Thursday Thursday was the day of arrival for most. Registration was in the Hospitality Room, (Willow Room) beginning at 0900 and continuing through the evening hours. This was a time to say “hello,” renew old and establish new friendships, enjoy some refreshments and check out the additions to our memorabilia display tables. We also welcomed seven first-time shipmates, along with their first mates and guests
Friday
Saturday The secretary called the Crew’s Meeting to order at 0800. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence for our recently Fallen Shipmates whose names were read, was observed. There were seven “virgin” (first-time shipmates) introduced: Joe Austin, Everette Boaen, Hugh Helmly, Ray Horn, John Howell, Richard Magune and Ray Thomas. They were all greeted enthusiastically by the crew. Shipmate Don Loder was thanked for designing and crafting a carrying case for the 4 ft. model of our ship. He also designed a foldaway stand for our heavy Bronze Plaque of WWII Battles. The crew expressed their appreciation with enthusiastic applause. Ladies’ Meeting  Ladies' Meeting: Margie Masella, Mary Guillory, Sue West, Peggy Clegg, Margaret Helmly, Phyllis Kaczor The “Gals of the Robbie” welcomed newcomers, Margaret Helmly, Sandra Howell, and Dorothy Keeney. We are looking forward to seeing you in D.C. in 2015! Since we are in Savannah, known for moss laden trees, magnolias and Southern Belles, we each brought an item representing a true southern lady. Some modeled wide brim hats, parasols and fans. Others had confederate money, or carried handkerchiefs and smelling salts in case of the vapors. Next year, ladies, our meeting will start one hour after the shipmates. This gives us an extra hour of beauty rest! Please remember to bring a wrapped or bagged “White Elephant” gift to be exchanged. The “most important” thing we do in our meetings is to socialize, while the guys take care of business! BANQUET HIGHLIGHTS We gathered in the Willow and Dogwood Rooms for the evening’s banquet. Attention was focused to The Table of the Fallen Shipmate and the traditional reading of the Fallen Shipmate plaque followed. Each fallen shipmate’s name was then announced. In
memory of each and every shipmate who served aboard the USS Robinson
DD562, who could not be with us tonight because of joining the “Last Call”
Also remembered was David McComb, Destroyer Historian. Our thoughts and prayers were extended to Shipmates and First Mates known to have been in harm’s way at this time.  Don & Inga Griffiths, Millie Gelmini, Judy Bowne, Eleanor & George Schureman, Art Bowne, Carolyn Sabatini, Bud & Betty Carlson  L to R: Venice Loder, Bob Welsh, Dorothy Keeney, Don Loder One of the highlights of banquet night is the ***RAFFLE***. Patsy Smith and Sharon Harshbarger are our Rafflettes! The marvelous gifts donated by shipmates, first mates, friends and organizations were handed out one-by-one to lucky winners! SUNDAY
Of the 89 attendees, 39 were shipmates. The shipmates, first mates and guests who attended are listed. The names in bold print preceded by an*asterisk compose the elite group of first-timers (virgins.)
WWII Crew
Meredith "Andy" Anderson Korea Crew
Korea Gals
Post-Korea Crew
Post Korea Gals
Board of Directors
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| Here's where we were in past Robbie reunions. Where were you? | ||
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1981 South Bend, IN |
2000 Daytona Beach, FL |
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Send us your comments and Contributions!
Send them to Spencer Meade at
Carspen2@msn.com
Savannah,
Georgia, the site of our 34th Reunion is much more than a city with a
pretty name; it offers Southern charm, eloquence, history and pride.
Thanks to the efforts of George Schureman
for locating the Holiday Inn Express and Suites
on the outskirts of Savannah, and our host Charlie Smith,
we had a fantastic reunion. Charlie made it a point to express, through
a letter, our gratitude to the Holiday Inn
for the attention and hospitality given to us, particularly Allison,
who cheerfully fulfilled our requests. A letter was also sent to Creative
Catering for the outstanding banquet they
provided. 
Our newest acquisition to
our memorabilia collection is a bronze plaque commemorating the Navy’s Battle
“E” (awarded to the Korea
crew in1954) which came to us compliments of Keith and
Jenny Maddox from England!
It was found 15 years ago in a skip (dumpster) while they
were
cleaning up, and through the internet, they were able to locate Art
Bowne.
After many e-mails back and forth, Art made arrangements to have the
plaque shipped here to be displayed at our reunion. The Crew,
Officers and Board of Directors,
agreed to send a token of appreciation to Keith and Jenny in the form
of ‘Robbie’ hats.
Following
an early breakfast at the Inn, the group assembled and boarded the
trolleys for a 90-minute fully narrated tour of beautiful historic
downtown Savannah. Boy was it windy tooling down the Interstates with
no windows or seatbelts! Some of the highlights of the tour included
Colonial Park Cemetery, City Market, River Street, Forsyth Park and a
host of Beautiful Squares. We were able to tour the interior of The
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and marvel in the magnificence of
its construction and beauty. Since the 1700’s, City Market has been the
commercial and social center of historic Savannah. Located on the
original site of the market used by farmers and traders of all kinds to
sell their goods and wares, City Market offers the best of what is old
and what is new in Savannah. Today, Savannah’s City Market comprises a
four-block area of restored warehouses and shop fronts adjacent to
Ellis Square. This charming, open-air marketplace has a wealth of
things to do in Savannah whether you come for the entertainment, to
shop, to dine or just to rest your weary feet! After the
tour,
many of us opted to stay and have lunch, shop or do more sightseeing
until it was time to board the trolley and return to the Inn! 
Sunday
was our final full day in Savannah. We loaded up our vehicles after an
early breakfast, and drove to the riverside area for the Riverboat
Cruise. We boarded the vessel with a number of other groups and
individuals. Boats, barges and loaded cargo ships comprised the busy
river traffic as we got underway to enjoy a 90-minute narrated cruise.
The skipper informed us that, to our surprise, we were about 18 miles
inland from the ocean’s inlet. He pointed out and gave detail of the
many significant structures and sites along the glorious Savannah River
and their role in developing the history of this area. It was a very
relaxing cruise!
