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Story / Recap & Photos of the 2006 Reunion
Story of the 2006 Taffy 3 Reunion in San Diego, California
By JoAnn Sosa |
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What a Reunion! And oh so much more than just the USS St. Lo’s twenty-second Reunion; it was the gathering of all thirteen ship’s crews and their families who participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf off Samar. But wait there’s more&it was also the dedication of the Military Tribute to Bob Hope Memorial. Could there have been a more fitting location for this Reunion than the Taffy 3 Memorial and Fort Roscrans?
Planning for this reunion got off to a somber start with the untimely passing of USS St. Lo survivor and reunion host, John Ibe. Knowing how much this event meant to John, USS St. Lo President Michael South picked up where John left off. With help from some key people, Michael and wife Shelley pulled off one of our most memorable reunions, ever!
The DoubleTree Hotel lived up to their reputation of being the best. Upon check-in every guest received a warm chocolate chip cookie; now how could you beat that? The hotel offered indoor and outdoor pools, exercise room, restaurant, and coffee/gift shops; and the location was accessible to shopping and restaurants.
The hotel staff couldn’t have been better. Whether we asked for a roll away bed, stationary materials at 1 am, or an extra chocolate chip cookie at 2 a.m.; we were always greeted with a smile and prompt service. My Mom, Shirley Downs was unable to attend this year, so I bunked in the same room with our two boys and their guests. The hotel immediately brought up an extra |
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bed and to my amazement said there was no charge for either the bed or extra people. I’m not sure if this is their normal policy or if they just felt sorry for me having to share one bathroom with four 20+ year olds! The kids did survive; my sanity is questionable.
Early Birds
This year our early birds were a little harder to recognize until they were given their name badges. The hotel was filled to capacity and with the reunion encompassing all thirteen ships everyone was considered an Early Bird if they made it to the Welcome Reception on Sunday.
Michael and Shelley South orchestrated the entire reunion over a thousand miles from the reunion site. Living just 15 miles from the DoubleTree Hotel, Phylis Roberts volunteered to be the point of contact and drop off point for the Association’s seven boxes of reunion materials. Little did she know what that entailed!
Phylis delivered the reunion materials to the hotel and now all that was need were the Early Birds. Arriving late the evening before the Welcome Reception, Shelley and Michael South, AJ Sosa and friend Heather Lindner, and I assembled name tags and Reunion packets; finishing around 3 a.m. This could not have been accomplished without the hot chocolate chip cookies provided by the hotel and Coke. We were definitely wired by the time we hit the sack! |
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Day 1 – Registration & Welcome Reception – Sunday, Oct. 22 |
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People gathered in the hotel lobby as they waited for the hospitality room to open and pick up their registration packets. With the assistance of many people including Shirley Budnick and daughters Nancy Gordon and Barbara Gilbert, Phylis Roberts and daughter Trudy Wilkinson, Trudy and Kelly Wilkinson, Rose Heinrich, Clo Broussard, Jessica Ellingworth, and Heather Lindner; the St. Lo merchandise table was a huge success.
We had a number of new items added to the USS St. Lo Ship’s Store including a 2007 calendar using 13 pictures of John Downs’s paintings. A unique feature of the calendar is 30 different entries of personal birthdays and anniversaries of our St. Lo family. We plan on producing the calendar for 2008, so if you would like a birthday or anniversary entered, please contact me as soon as possible.
Clo Broussard displayed a vast assortment of handmade items including cookbooks, vests, USS St. Lo wall clocks, afghans, home decorations; just to name a few. These items were made by Clo and family during the year specifically to be used for our annual raffle. Way to go Clo!
The hotel was ideally located within walking distance for restaurants, shopping, and sight-seeing providing an opportunity for our Early Birds to take in the sights before the 3 p.m. Welcome Reception. Many of the attendees chose to meander down to the hospitality room throughout the day, just getting together with old and new friends.
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Michael South formally opened the Taffy 3 Reunion at 3 p.m. to a packed house. The tables swelled to capacity with many new faces from Taffy 3 ships. A delightful variety of food was provided for everyone’s enjoyment as Michael told us about the upcoming activities of the Reunion. His first order of business was to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending the reunion. He then asked everyone to remember that it was through USS St. Lo survivor John Ibe’s committed efforts, which helped to bring us to this Reunion.
Michael recognized the first timers at the reunion and wished them a wonderful reunion with hopes that they will return. Special acknowledgement was given to Clo Broussard for her specialty items donated to the Reunion; and kudos were given to AJ Sosa for his design work of the name tags, Reunion pins, Memorial Service programs and the new USS St. Lo 2007 calendars.
The microphone was passed to Ed Hagerty who was instrumental in planning the reunion for the Gambier Bay people. Ed welcomed all those attending and gave special recognition to Marlene Hughes for her work with coordinating and compiling all of the Gambier Bay packets.
The Taffy 3 Reunion was officially started and the coming days would fly past before we knew it. The hospitality room remained opened until 10 p.m. to everyone a chance to catch up on the past year with old friends and to make new friends. There were no shortages of stories! |
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Day 2 – SeaWorld/Wild Animal Park – Monday, Oct. 23 |
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Most of the fun is the bus trip, but five of us sharing one bathroom means needing a little extra time and the last thing we needed was to keep a bus waiting. So AJ, Nicholas, Heather, Jessica, and I headed for a day at SeaWorld followed by watching the sunset at the beach.
Our first stop was Dolphin Discovery where dolphins and pilot whales performed spinning jumps, back flips, and tail-walks in a huge outdoor aquarium. In this large stadium, I thought I recognized familiar voices; and sure enough, seated considerably up in the nose bleed section were some people from our Reunion. Eddie, JW, and Rodney Williams joined Mike McKenna and newcomers Joe and Dee Borst. Little did I know the reason for their seating location.
Viewers are warned that the first ten rows is the splash area and being the smart people from Wisconsin, we were sure that we would stay dry if we sat in the eleventh row&WRONG! Jessica had dreamed of seeing this show since she was a little girl and wanted to sit up as close as possible to see the dolphins. By the end of the show four of us were soaked, not just a little wet, but soaked. Jessica was thrilled with the show and not even a little bit damp. Did I mention that the outdoor temperature was 60 degrees and the water temperature was a nice warm 55 degrees? Now it became clear why those St. Lo people sat back up in the nose bleed seats.
We had a wonderful day feeding and touching dolphins, handling live starfish and sea cucumbers, petting swimming California bat rays, touring indoor warm water aquariums and shark aquariums, and numerous shows and amusement rides. We met up with Mike and Shelley South at lunch and saw Clo and Bruce Broussard with Harold and Della Greenwell later in the day. Clo said that they had a wonderful day, but were definitely looking for a little nap before dinner. They did mention that they didn’t have their sunscreen and that evening Bruce was definitely a pretty shade of pink.
Wild Animal Park Originally developed as a park to “provide an opportunity for endangered and near-extinct species of animals to survive and reproduce;” the park became its own tourist attraction. With an African wildlife theme and Asian plains and swamps, the park’s location made it the perfect setting for this wild life park.
The first day of events gave our group a choice of two activities; the San Diego’s Zoo Wild Animal Park or SeaWorld Adventure Park. San Diego had |
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provided a beautiful sunny, cool day as people boarded the buses that left the hotel promptly at 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. respectively.
Sea World I rented a car for our family so we would have the convenience of setting our own schedule.
The second bus group spent their day at the expansive wildlife sanctuary of San Diego’s Wild Animal Park. JoAnn South and Keith Lessard, Mamie Hjorth and son Gary, Ric and Nan Hoffman with daughter Raine; John, Catherine, Michael, Angela Getas; Barbara Gilbert and sister Nancy Gordon; and California natives Phylis Roberts; Bill and Carol Fields; Trudy, Kelly, Emily Wilkinson with friend Tyler Alderman enjoyed the activities at this park.
The Wild Animal Park is a little like being on a Safari in a controlled area. Mamie used a motorized chair to make her way around the 1,800 acre park. Gary said that he had quite a time keeping up with his Mom and reminding her that they weren’t in Kansas anymore.
JoAnn South and Keith got a bird’s eye view when they rode in the hot air balloon. The balloon holds up to 30 people and rises up to 400 feet, giving riders a panoramic view of lions, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, and gazelle, as well as the beautiful San Pasqual Valley.
The Lorikeet Landing aviary is home to some 80 brush-tongued parrots and is an interactive exhibit. Our family had the opportunity of touring this park on Thursday and I think that this was their favorite activity. I photographed AJ, Nicholas, Heather, and Jessica as they extended a small cup of special nectar; the hungry lorikeets landed on their arms, hands, and shoulders to get to their feed. I believe I have more photo of this activity than I took at the whole Reunion!
The tourists returned to the hotel by 4 p.m. allowing everyone a chance for dinner and gathering in the hospitality room to share their day’s stories. Thanks to our volunteers, the USS St. Lo Ship’s Store remained opened throughout the day and evening selling raffle tickets and merchandise. |
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Day 3 – Taffy 3 Memorial Service & Luncheon; Dinner Banquet – Tuesday, October 24 |
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Once again the shipmates and the families of Taffy 3 assemble to remember those who lost their lives during the Battle of Leyte Gulf off Samar sixty two years ago. John Getas has been preparing this memorial service for almost a year and knew this year was going to be more difficult since the passing of his USS St. Lo shipmate John Ibe. The memorial services just get better with each one that John coordinates. Thank you John for your service.
Guests boarded three buses at the DoubleTree promptly at 9 a.m.; to attend the Taffy Memorial Service at Fort Roscrans. It was a bright and beautiful day as the Navy Band played a selection of music while the 200 guests were being seated. The memorial wreath was in place, the Navy Color Guard and Firing Detail were squared away, and the presenters were seated when John Getas gave the order to “Advance the Colors.”
John introduced the guests of honor and keynote speakers. Jack Yusen made a special tribute to John Ibe. Keynote speaker was RADM Jose Betancourt, Jr. USN (Ret), and special remarks from Fort Roscrans Cemetery Director Mr. Bill Livingston. Carol Lasker read her poem “Memories” and Jean Tichenor sang “The Impossible Dream” and “Going Home.”
A special tribute was given by a representative from ten of the thirteen ships: Sam Lucas-USS Hoel, Bob Hollenbaugh-USS Johnston, Ed Hagerty-USS Gambier Bay, Les Shodo-USS St. Lo, Jack Yusen-USS Samuel B. Roberts, Walter Moore-USS Kitkun Bay, Jim Murphy-USS Kalinin Bay, Bill Murry-USS Fanshaw Bay, Sam Palermo-USS Dennis, and Donald Counse-USS White Plains. Each representative gave a little narrative about their ship or experiences on that fateful October day.
Tom Lasker tolled the bell every five seconds as Dee Jaeger and Bill Williamson presented the red rose and white carnation Taffy 3 wreath. Dee and Bill were accompanied by the ten men representing their Taffy 3 ship.
The US Navy Firing Detail did a rifle salute followed by playing of “Echo Taps” on the sound system. This sound system was one of John Ibe’s endeavors, which he saw became reality two years ago. The USS Ommaney Bay and USS St. Lo Associations teamed up with John to see that “Taps” would be sounded every evening at the cemetery. The Memorial Service concluded with the US Navy Band played “Anchors Aweigh.”
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse Luncheon
Immediately following the Memorial Service, we traveled to Tom Ham’s Lighthouse for a scrumptious buffet luncheon. The restaurant is an actual functioning lighthouse, known as Beacon #9 and is “famous for its eye-catching vistas of the San Diego Bay, Coronado Bridge and San Diego skyline.” Following the luncheon, people took the opportunity to tour the lighthouse and take in the beautiful view of the San Diego Bay. |
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Dinner Dance & Entertainment
Little did anyone know what a delightful fun filled evening was in store for us. The social hour was held from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. prior to the banquet doors opening. Michael and Shelley South were busy putting the final touches on the evening’s program, Clo Broussard was arranging her raffle items, while Emily and Kelly Wilkinson, Heather Lindner, Jessica Ellingworth, were hustling around selling those last minute raffle tickets.
Dinner guests were seated in the Grand Ballroom at 7 p.m. and Michael South conducted business before dinner was served. Norm Loats of the USS Gambier Bay and Michael Getas joined Michael South at the podium. Norm did the invocation for the evening and Michael Getas read the names of the USS St. Lo survivors who have passed away since our 2005 Reunion. Those survivors include: Ralph L. Bunn, Dale Harding, Buford Holt, John G. Ibe, John A. Lesinski, Christopher K. Maino, Que Quigley, Earl F. Roberts, Louis R. Sandwick, and John T. Tate.
Michael South thanked John Getas for his work on another inspirational Memorial Service. John has been coordinating the Memorial Service for the USS St. Lo Reunions for more than twenty years and for his dedication JoAnn Sosa presented John with a personalized photo album containing John Downs’s paintings and picture description.
Ed Hagerty from the USS Gambier Bay thanked everyone for making this such a memorable reunion. A special and well deserved thank you went to Marlene Hughes for coordinating the name tags, packets, etc.
Special guests of honor were Connie Stevens and the Golddiggers. They both had performed with Bob Hope on the USO tours and were in town for the Bob Hope Military Tribute dedication on the following day. The Golddiggers entertained us with several dancing and singing routines.
A surprise appearance by actor/comedian Norm Crosby was the big hit of the evening. Mr. Crosby entertained us with his stand up comedy that had all of us laughing until our sides hurt; he had material for everyone, young and old.
Last order of business for the evening was the raffle drawing. Michael South thanked Clo Broussard again for all the items she’s contributed and Jim Hornfischer for the books he donated. Total sales from the raffle earned $1,200! Thanks to all who made this possible.
The evening concluded with dancing to the music of the Benny Hollman Orchestra. Many of you will remember this band from the 2004 San Diego Reunion. John Ibe received so many positive responses about the orchestra; he asked them to perform again this year. The orchestra played music for all kinds of dancing and generations. |
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Day 4 – Taffy 3 Salute to Bob Hope and the Military – Wednesday, Oct. 25 |
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John Ibe, a survivor and founder of the USS St. Lo Association, envisioned his shipmates from the St. Lo and the entire Taffy 3 company of thirteen ships, which participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf off Samar to gather for one more reunion. John had a very strong commitment to his fellow shipmates especially those who rescued him after the sinking of the USS St. Lo. Unfortunately John Ibe passed away a few months prior to the Reunion, but John’s dream was fulfilled.
And John had another dream. For many years now, John Ibe with the help of Ed Hagerty and Norm Loats of the USS Gambier Bay, and Jack Yusen of the USS Samuel B. Roberts have worked diligently in creating a special tribute to Bob Hope. Their efforts were realized today with the dedication of the Military Tribute to Bob Hope.
Located adjacent to the Taffy 3 Memorial and across from the USS Midway, the Military Tribute to Bob Hope overlooks San Diego Bay. The Tribute consists of 15 life size statues of men and women positioned around a life size sculpture of Bob Hope. The statues represent the five branches of the armed forces from World War II, Korea War, Vietnam War, Cold War, and Persian Gulf War time periods. “The artist have captured, through research and achieved photographs of Bob Hope’s famous USO tours, the common audience postures and provided special attention to historical details representative of rank and service during the various shows.” A special “Time Capsule” was made for this memorial and anyone who makes a financial contribution to the memorial will have their name placed in the capsule. Of special interest to the men of Taffy 3 is a WW II sailor statue that was molded in the likeness of John Ibe. |
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By special invitation, family and friends of Taffy 3 were invited to the opening ceremony of the Military Tribute to Bob Hope commencing at 2:30 p.m. Ms. Connie Stevens was Master of Ceremony and the US Marines provided the color guard and band. Remarks were given by Susan Davis, Congresswoman, District 53; Robert Spane, Chairman, Board of Port Commissioners; Jack Yusen, Vice President, Taffy 3; Norman Loats, Tribute to John Ibe; and Bill Livingston, Ft. Roscrans National Cemetery Director, was the Keynote Speaker.
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to view the artwork and take photographs. A reception was held on board the USS Midway for the VIP’s and board members from the Taffy 3 ships. Attendees were given the opportunity to tour the USS Midway until 6:00 p.m. at which time the buses returned to the DoubleTree Hotel.
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Day 5 – Farewell Breakfast – Thursday, Oct. 26 |
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USS St. Lo guest enjoy the Farewell BreakfastWell, it’s that time again; hard to believe that we’ve been here for five days. Our breakfast was hosted in the Grand Ballroom from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The three hours allows guests to have a leisurely breakfast and enjoy their family and friends without feeling rushed to say their good-byes. The breakfast buffet was out of this world and no one was leaving until they had to.
Michael South had a few of announcements to make before everyone left for another year. Michael first thanked everyone who helped make this joint reunion such a success; number one being his lovely wife Shelley. What Michael couldn’t do, Shelley did! Second was to announce San Antonio, Texas as the site for the USS St. Lo 2007 Reunion, and hosted by Michael and Shelley South!
Lastly Michael shared a cute story that he thought we’d all enjoy. Michael read the following e-mail he received just prior to the Reunion:
Dear Sir; If you have contact with any of the survivors of the Battle off Samar Island, please extend my deepest gratitude. Having recently read “Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors,” I am awed and grateful to those ordinary men who did extraordinary things. Anyone who reads of this event should be extremely humbled. God bless ‘em all! [From] Anne Schaffner in Standish, Maine.
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Michael replied to Anne on October 20: Thank you for your very kind message. I am indeed honored to be the President of the USS St. Lo Association, and am good friends with the author Jim Hornfischer. Each year at our reunion I have the pleasure of being able to spend several days with these incredible men, most of who were barely out of their teens at the time of the battle. Theirs is an incredible story, and Jim did justice to their legacy and bravery. Thank you again, Michael South
Anne Schaffner sent one final e-mail to Michael on October 23: Funny story: The 15 year old daughter of a friend of mine and two of her friends were visiting my house with their mother. My copy of “Last Stand” was open on the dining room table. Open to the page featuring the photo of Bill Brooks. I can hear from the kitchen the following conversation: “Wow” Who’s that? Anne, who is that guy? He is soooo hot.” Please convey to Mr. Brooks. He would get a chuckle and be secretly pleased.
I happened to be sitting at the breakfast table this morning with Bill Brooks and his lovely wife Heidy when Michael read these e-mails. Bill seemed notably embarrassed, judging by the number of shades of red that his face was turning. It was such a cute story and nice to think that Bill still has that charisma!
And so concludes another Reunion. After the long good-byes, exchange of addresses, and one last story, it was time to leave. What’s the new buzz phrase for the 2007 reunion? “Remember the Alamo,” what else! See everyone in Texas next October. |
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