November 13th, 2005 I went to my first reunion of former shipmates September 14-17, 2000. Our 7th Biennial Reunion Was Held At Mobile Alabama. Each day was filled with so much activity that my body was still recovering. a week later after I returned home.I suppose I felt as young as I did when I walked the decks of the Wisconsin and that I still had the same energy and stamina that I had back in 1953 on the U.S.S. Wisconsin. NOT SO! The first day we boarded busses for Pensacola Fl. to visit the National Museum of Naval Avaition. It was quite a sight to see all of the old planes from the earliest models that were like the Wright Brothers planes, up to the latest supersonic jets. We enjoyed a deluxe deli buffet lunch at the Mustin Beach officers club and then re-boarded our buses to return to the hotel around 3 pm for a much deserved rest. Many of the crew and thier wives attended a Mardi Gras Party Friday evening and danced to the music of “JAZZAMATAZZ”. Mobile Alabama is proud of the fact that they were was the city that hosted the first Mardi Gras celebration, I never knew that. I was stationed for two years at Algiers Naval Station just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans (But that’s another story.) I’m sorry to say I have no pictures to show of this party as I was at the reunion solo, and I noticed everyone else were couples, so I did not attend the party. I couldn’t tell who anyone else was anyway as they all had masks on. Saturday September 16, 2000 We boarded the busses early in eager anticipation for the short trip to Battleship Memorial Park where the U.S.S Alabama is berthed at a dock on Mobile Bay. as we approached I could almost envision the U.S.S. Wisconsin once again as I gazed at the monster 16″ guns and all the other armament on the ship. the Alabama is not quite as big as the Wisconsin as it is the longest and biggest and BADDEST Battleship in the world, but it was almost like seeing her again. We assembled on the fantail for a memorial service for our deceased crewmembers who have passed on. We assembled on the fantail as we had so many mornings at quarters on the U.S.S. Wisconsin, only this time we could all sit down.The United States Marines Color Guard retired the colors for the Memorial service on board the U.S.S. Alabama. A Twenty One gun volley was fired off the starboard side of the fantail by the marine guard in honor of all shipmates who have passed away. Many people believe that when rifles are fired at a funeral or memorial it is called a 21 gun salute. This is not always true. Today the national salute of 21 guns is fired in honor of a national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, and the President, ex-President and President-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect. Gun salutes are also rendered to other military and civilian leaders of this and other nations or occasions. The number of guns is based on their protocol rank. These salutes are always in odd numbers. A flower was added to a memorial wreath and a ships bell rung once as each crewman’s name was announced. A second wreath was provided for unknown deceased crewmembers. A missing man formation flyover was executed by US Navy and Marine pilots from The 86th Squadron from Pensacola Naval Air Station in honor of deceased crewmen as Taps was heard from a buglers horn. A second flyover in honor of all crewmwn present was a special surprise as we were led to believe this was not Permitted. The memorial wreath was then cast over the port side in tribute as Taps was sounded on a distant Bugle. A benediction was read by Robert C. Simpson, Assistant Chaplain. The ceremonies were closed with the playing of The Navy Hymn and The Marine Hymn. We paused for lunch at the aircraft pavilion which is dedicated to the twenty eight Medal of Honor recipients from the state of Alabama. It features many historic aircraft that saw service from WWII through Desert Storm. After our visit to The Battleship Memorial Park we rested before gathering in the Alabama Ballroom at 7 pm. For an evening of fun, tall sea stories and dancing to the sounds of the “Tribute” band. There were awards presented by George Miller and the installation of officers by Jack Kavanaugh, RAdm, USN, Ret. We all dined to a superb meal.
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