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Eight Reunion of the USS
Plymouth Rock
Charleston, SC
September 20-24
This Page Last Edited 12/18/2016
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Reunion Review
The USS Plymouth Rock 2012 Reunion
Held in Valley Forge, PA — September 20-24
We all had a great time at the Valley Forge reunion. Our special thanks go the David and Rhonda Dortch for doing a great job in planning, organizing and carrying out all that was necessary for putting together this great reunion. They provided us with the opportunity to reunite with old shipmates, meet new ones. We had 48 Shipmates and guests in attendance for 2012. I do hope that we can all meet again for the 2014 reunion of the USS Plymouth Rock.
Shipmates:
Our biennial liberty port was Philadelphia, Pa for 4 days, 09/20/2012 to
09/24/2012. I haven’t seen this town since the ROCK was there for over-haul.
Actually, we all gathered in Valley Forge, PA just west of Philly.
We were treated to excellent quarters, cuisine of your choice, memorable sightseeing and Shorty’s Outstanding Sandwiches, SOS. Throw in a Shopping Mall, the size of Rhode Island for the ladies, and you have all makings for a very fine reunion. And let’s not forget the stories, pictures and memories that were shared with shipmates in the Hospitality Room. It always amazes me the memorabilia that turns up at the reunion.
Our banquet meal was followed by a surprise to all. Four brightly dressed Mummers, who entertained us for an hour with sing-a-long songs from the past. What a fun time for all.
Our next port of call is Norfolk, VA in 2014 Actually, this is a return trip. We were last there in 2006. The dates have not been set, so look to the website and future news letters for specifics. So please come join us in Norfolk. There are no strangers, only a bunch of old shipmates.
Tom Wagner,
President
USS Plymouth Rock Association
| Norm and Bev. Jepson | Bob and Elaine Nichols | Erwin Pawlak |
| Dennis and Joyce Cyr | David and Rhonda Dortch | Tom and Jackie Wagner |
| George and Lisa Bierce | Harry and Jeanne Andersen | Donald and Barbara Rhine |
| James and Cindy Freeman | Charles H. Cooke | Forrest and Jeanine Short |
| Paul and Sheryl Mohawk | Kenny and Jean Malcom | Walt and Betty Hyatt |
| Bill Sims | Chuck Larkin | Seeley and Bernadette Jennings |
| Bill and Lynn Haynie | Frank and Crystal Formaro | Mary Forton |
| Jerry and Marilyn Larson | Ernest and Carolyn Watson | Bill and Linda Provencal |
| John and Kay Reed |
Day 1, September 20: We began our day settling into our rooms at the hotel. After some confusion, we were able to open our hospitality suite and begin to register shipmates and guests. We were able to update our muster list and hand out information on what was to take place at the reunion. While this activity was going on, many were able to mingle with old shipmates and have a few beers. The evening meal was on our own.
Day 2, September 21: We began our day boarding the bus for a full day of activities in Philadelphia. After fighting the traffic into the city with our guide pointing out the interesting points of interest we arrived at the USS New Jersey, one of the four Iowa class battleships. We then split into groups for tours of the ships spaces including officers country, CIC, the open bridge and many other spaces. We then had lunch aat the "Bourse" which was a former stock exchange in Philadelphia. After lunch we made our way over to Independence Square where we had a guided tour of Independence Hall and the Chapel. We then walked to the Liberty Bell where our guide discussed the history of the bell. Then in was back through the traffic to King of Prussia and our hotel. In the evening we retreated to the Hospitality Room for some beers and sea stories.
Day 3. September 22: We again boarded the bus for a tour of Valley Forge National Park. We had a guide who provided us with much insight as to what General Washington and his men experienced during that winter lay over at Valley Forge. We made many stops and took many-many pictures. Of special interest was our visit to General Washington's headquarters which is the original building and to an Episcopal chapel erected in the park. Our afternoon was free to do or not do anything. For me it was pool time. In the evening we had more beers and told more exaggerated sea stories of our times on the P Rock.
Day 4, September 23: Our morning was free time. We had our reunion buffet lunch and were entertained by a group of "Mummers" who played tunes that we could all sing to. We then had our Officers Call and after had our Business Meeting. The following election of officers and appointments were made as follows: President-Tom Wagner; Vice President-Bill Haynie; Secretary-Bill Provencal, Treasurer-David Dortch, Reunion Coordinators-Bill Haynie; Storekeeper-Denis (Shorty) Cyr and Ships Historian-Norm Jepson.
Reunion for 2014. After much discussion it was tentatively decided that the 2014 reunion would be held in Norfolk, VA on either the second or third week of September. More on this will be provided in upcoming newsletters and on the ships website.
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Shipmates in attendance at the 2012 reunion |
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| Wives and guests in attendance at the 2012 reunion |
Selected pictures taken at the 2012 reunion
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Smokers Lounge outside the hotel |
USS New Jersey, BB62, Philadelphia |
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USS New Jersey's 16 inch gun mounts |
Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. |
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The Liberty Bell |
Independence Hall, in Philadelphia |
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Elfreth's Alley in Philadelphia |
On a tour of Valley Forge National Park |
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Headquarters' of General Washington in Valley Forge, PA |
Jim and Cyndi and David Dortch and Joyce Cyr |
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Serious eating time! |
Ernest and Carolyn Watson, our only Plank Owner in attendance |
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Linda Provencal and President Tom Wagner |
The Mummers String Band at the reunion buffet |
