1988 REUNION
May 6 - May 8, 1988
Newark, New York
Reunion Chairman - Leo Dougherty (RM2 67-68)
The reunion was held at the Sheraton Inn, southeast of Rochester, New York. Forty crewmembers and eighteen ladies attended. Leo Dougherty (RM2 67-68) read a letter form New York State Governor Mario M. Cuomo recognizing our ship's service. A United States flag was presented to us by Richard McCourt representing Congressman Frank Horton. William Ericksen (BM2 47-52) presented a Navy sweatshirt naming Leo Dougherty (RM2 67-68) as founder of our organization. All hands present were recognized.
Three Plankowners were in attendance: Jack Flatley (GM1 45-47), Earl Schneck (BTG1 45-47), Ed Bishop (CDR 45-46). Traveling the farthest was Nick Senella (MMC 58-60) from Los Angeles, California. As Mother's Day fell on our reunion weekend, Willian Ericksen (BM2 47-52) had the kindness to buy one red long-stemmed rose for each lady. Bob Flynn's (BTC 46-56) wife, Gladys and Richard Overton's (BT1 53-56) wife, Martha agreed to Co-Chair the creation of an Association Auxiliary. An article about this reunion appeared in the May 9, 1988 issue of the Finger Lakes Times.
1989 REUNION
May 4 - May 7, 1989
Seekonk, Massachusetts
Reunion Chairman - Leo Dougherty (RM2 67-68)
The reunion was held at the Ramada Inn. Fifty-three crew members and thirty-two ladies attended. We toured the Naval War College at Newport Rhode Island, watched a military inspection and parade of a graduating class and had lunch at the Officers Club on the base. A $60,000.00 model of the USS Gearing is on display in the Fleet Room of the Officers Club. After lunch we visited Pier Two and were given a tour of the USS Kauffman (FFG-59). This ship was named after Vice Admiral James Laurence Kauffman and Rear Admiral Draper Laurence Kauffman. Draper L. Kauffman was the fourth Commanding Officer of the USS Gearing. At our Ladies Auction, $645.00 was raised to help support Our Association. Souvenir coffee mugs and key rings were given to all crewmembers attending. A video of the reunion was made by Times of Your Life Video.
1990 REUNION
May 3 - May 6, 1990
Norfolk, Virginia
Reunion Chairman - Tom Howard (ETSN 50-54)
The reunion was held at the Norfolk Airport Hilton. Fifty-eight members and thirty ladies attended. Leo Dougherty (RM2 67-68), our founder, was made a Honorary Member. We toured the Norfolk Naval Base, held our Memorial Service at the base chapel, attended a luncheon at the Officer's Club, and toured the base Naval Museum. At our Ladies Auction and afghan raffle, a total of $728.00 was raised to help support Our Association. Souvenir coffee mugs were given to all members attending.
1991 REUNION
May 16 - May 19, 1991
Charleston, South Carolina
Reunion Chairman - Lee Gilbert (QMSN 62-64)
The reunion was held at the Mt. Pleasant Holiday Inn. Seventy-five members and sixty-one ladies attended. We boarded busses for a Charleston Old City Tour. Our Memorial Service was set up by Frank Boensch (LTJG 54-57) and was held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church. After our banquet, Charles K. Carr (MM1 56-59) entertained us with his Elvis act. A polished pewter plate with an authentic portrayal of the USS Gearing etched in 24 karat gold-glad brass was won by David Chappelle (EN3 53-56). At our Ladies Auction and afghan raffle, a total of $1,403.00 was raised to help support Our Association. Souvenir brass money clips were given to all members attending.
1992 REUNION
July 9 - July 12, 1992
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Reunion Chairman - Dave Bish (BMSN 65-68)
1993 REUNION
May 6 - May 9, 1993
Buffalo, New York
Reunion Chairman - Leo Dougherty (RM2 67-68)
1994 REUNION
May 12 - May 15, 1994
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Reunion Chairman - James Scanlan (MM2 58-60)
1994 First Board of Directors Elected
Three year Term
Joe Fern (CAPT 51-53)
Dave LeBourdais (PHM1 44-45)
Two year Term
Mike Norfolk (BMC 54-62)
Carl Lloyd (RM3 45-46)
One year Term
Ed Bishop (CDR 45-46)
Joe Dent (BT3 55-59)
Alternates
Bill Mueller (BT2 50-54)
Don Weed (MM3 50-54)
1995 REUNION
April 30 - May 3, 1995
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Reunion Chairman - Bob Calhoun (MM3 55-59)
1995 Board of Directors
Joe Dent (BT3 55-59)
Dave Petrie (SN 56-58)
1996 REUNION
June 27 - June 30, 1996
Portland, Maine
Reunion Chairman - Dave LeBourdais (PHM1 44-45)
1996 Board of Directors
Tom Howard (ETSN 50-54)
Russ Sickles (RD2 50-54)
1997 REUNION
June 01 - June 04, 1997
Annapolis, Maryland
Reunion Chairman - Joe Dent (BT3 55-59)
1997 Board of Directors
Roland Costen (SN 64-66)
Mike Norfolk (BMC 54-62)
1998 REUNION
April 30 - May 03, 1998
Savannah, Georgia
Reunion Chairman - George Jones (BM3 56-59)
1998 Board of Directors
Phil Meilak (CSSN 62-64)
Don Hentges (EM2 58-61)
1999 REUNION
May 13 - May 16, 1999
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Reunion Chairman - Dave Petrie (SN 56-58)
1999 Board of Directors
Bill Kennelly (BMSN 57-60)
Scott Coy (FN 52-54)
2000 REUNION
June 04 - June 07, 2000
Dubuque, Iowa
Reunion Chairman - Don Hentges (EM2 58-61)
2000 Board of Directors
Al Jefferis (CDR 69-70)
Paul Zang (SK3 53-56)
2001 REUNION
May 06 - May 09, 2001
LasVegas, Nevada
Reunion Chairman - Wally Prince (DC3 56-58)
2001 Board of Directors
Roland Costen (SN 64-66)
Ron Curtis (TM1 60-63)
2002 REUNION
June 02 - June 06, 2002
Westlake, Ohio
Reunion Chairman - Scott Coy (FN 52-54)
2002 Board of Directors
Don Hilaman (FTSN 52-54)
George Weber (FPG3 51-55)
2003 REUNION
May 04 - May 07, 2003
Norwich, Connecticut
Reunion Chairman - Roy LeClaire (SN 57-60)
2003 Board of Directors
Doug Dobson (RD2 62-64)
Steve Peelish (FP2 53-55)
2004 REUNION
June 10 - June 13, 2004
Salt Lake City, Utah
Reunion Chairman - Doug Dobson (RD2 62-64)
2004 Board of Directors
John Reeves (SN 56-58)
Bob Ludema (SH3 51-55)
2005 REUNION
May 11 - May 14, 2005
Eatontown, New Jersey
Reunion Chairman - Bill Kennelly (BMSN 57-60)
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