Washington, DC/Tysons Corner, VA
September 21st-24th, 2000
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| U.S.S. Allen M. Sumner DD-692 | ||||
| 12th Annual All Hands Reunion Washington, DC/Tysons Corner, VA September 21st-24th, 2000 | ||||
HOW DO WE TOP THIS?
Hello Shipmates, Ladies, & Friends. Well, I guess this is what they meant when they coined the word HUMDINGER! That's what I call it. The 12th Annual Reunion is a memorable piece of Sumner history that we will talk about for YEARS to come. I guess each reunion is special, and I am sure that we will have just as much fun at all future reunions, but it was just a little more special. Having Admiral Clark, CNO there was really great. He is a super, real, people person to the Nth degree. After the Memorial Ceremony, Admiral Clark walked right out amongst the crowd and started shaking hands and didn't stop until he talked to everyone and took photos with everyone who wanted to. He asked each shipmate what years he was on Sumner, what his job was, & thanked him for his contribution. All the participants certainly added to our memorial service and did an outstanding job. Captain Cooper of the Chaplain Corps asked our Eternal Father to keep our fallen shipmates in his care. From Washington Navy Yard we had a bugler, wreath bearer, and Color Guard detail. They each did a superb job, and made us all very proud. Also, Rear Admiral Hank McKinney and all the crew at the Navy Memorial did a great job making all the preparations for us. While we're handing out kudos, I'd like to thank our Prez Bobby Moore, who I thought did a fine job with his welcome address. Our banquet was quite an event, with the 18 piece US Navy Band to play a 30 minute Patriotic Opener. That really set the tone for the events to follow; what a great way to start a wonderful evening. They played 30 minutes of superb "Shipping Over" music, to everyone's delight. Major General Nels Running USAF (Ret) was our guest speaker, and did a superb job of commemorating the Korean Vets. Then he and LCDR Jeff Bender USNR presented our Korean Vets with lapel pins, and had a table of goodies for our shipmates to help themselves to - info concerning the Navy's role in the Korean War. We then presented our plankowners with Plankowner lapel/hat pins, and concluded with our presentation of the Sumner Patriotic American Award to our shipmates who were aboard during the Battle of Ormoc Bay. Dan Coli received a plaque as our Sumner #1 recruiter for his efforts in finding lost Sumner sailors. He has found more people in one year than I can recall, but it has translated into bringing home MANY shipmates, and about 30 or so have joined our Association. Great job, Dan. Ron Stairs received the Order of the Pineapple for duty above & beyond. We then were entertained with the great music of Lou Cook & Company, with Joe Jr. and I joining in to play a few Cajun tunes. And a GREAT time was had be all!
R. E. Joe Gall
The Memorial speech by Admiral Clark
Virginia Currents PBS Video of the Memorial Service
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Scenes from Reunion 2000 |
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| Jack Cook and Admiral Clark |
Jack & Shirley Cook | Don Marion & Jack Cook | |||||||||
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| MMC Bobby Moore USN (Ret) MRC R. E. "Joe" Gall USNR Captain Cooper (ChC) USN Admiral Vern Clark USN Rear Admiral McKinney (SS) USN (Ret) |
MRC R. E. "Joe"
Gall USNR Admiral Vern Clark USN MMC Bobby Moore USN (Ret) |
Bobby presenting Admiral Clark with a memento from the Sumner Association | |||||||||
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| Paul Rosskamp and the
Chief with the Sumner Wreath |
Admiral Clark becomes a
member of Tin Can Sailors |
Three generations of the
"Galls" at the statue of the Lone Sailor |
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| The Chief
showing off the next generation Sumner Sailor! |
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| The Sumner
Wreath and the Memorial Bugler |
For service above and beyond | Admiral Clark making his address | |||||||||
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| Admiral
Clark spoke personally with all hands! |
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| Paul Rosskamp and the CNO | "Bwana", Franky and Scotty | Recognition | Wiley calling our Square
Dance |
The CNO made many new friends on this day! |
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| On tour in
our Nation's Capitol |
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| Major General Running
presenting us the Korean War Commemoration Flag |
Latest recipients of the Patriotic American Award | Remembering those lost at Lingayen Gulf | Ron Stairs wins the "Order of the Pineapple" | First Call to Colors |
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| "Now Mess Gear" | Our Honor Guard | Sumner folks sitting on top of the World | The U.S. Navy Band including Melissa Bishop MU1 | A bunch of the boys were
whooping it up at the old Sumner saloon |
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| The Sea Dragon gang
remembers |
Frank and his new Shipmate | Respect | Doc told Frank not to drink the water! | A bit of Salty music |
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| The Sumner gang as always
- waiting to eat..... |
The local "Rat Pack" | Remember | Connie with one of the locals | Scotty has new ears! |
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The 2000 Reunion Crews |
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| 1943-1949 |
1950-1959 |
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| 1960-1969 | 1970-1973 |
Many thanks to Dan Coli, Frank DiBello, Joe Gall, Mitchell Malpass, Don Marion and Walt Meierdierks for sending in their photos for you to enjoy.
Walt Meierdierks, our official photographer, has completed Memory Albums for both the 1999 and 2000 reunions. They are available from Walt at $12.00 each by sending a check, made out to Walt, to 431 Deer Path SW, Calabash, NC 28467.
