2001 Reunion

Needless to say, the San Diego reunion was GREAT! Those who missed it - shame on you! You really missed a great time. The three pilots made our reunion a memorable occasion, and Captain Mercado, Skipper of the Decatur, & his crew, were the most gracious hosts you could imagine. On behalf of everyone, I want to thank them all for making our ceremony a most memorable one. Also "Thank You" to Captain Len Hering USN, San Diego Naval Base Skipper, Retired Rear Admiral David G. Ramsey and Retired Master Chief George Waters, Mayor of National City, CA for their participation. To CDR Thomas E. Betts, Chaplain, a big "Thank You" as well. We had 84 registered attendees and a GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL ! Now on to Mobile, AL for reunion 14! Our next gathering of the Famous Sumner Crew will be in Mobile 13-16 June 2002. I am currently looking for our HQ hotel. When the decision is made, it will be posted on our website immediately, and will be reported in the next issue of the AMS News. The Battleship Alabama is a museum ship in Mobile, and we anticipate holding our Memorial Ceremony on board. Enjoy your summer, have a safe Labor Day weekend, and remember the Navy's Birthday on October 13th.


Colonel Randolph receiving a copy of the Sumner Deck Log as a memento of his rescue	Captain Mercado addresses us with a moving story of a 21st Century destroyer Captain	Shipmate Al Taylor receives the Patriotic American Medal as the veterans of Lingayen Gulf are honored

Your humble webmaster receives an award from Chief Marney	Our honored guests enjoying a fine meal	Shipmate and friend Captain Laighton addresses the crew

Captain Mercado attempting to get us to reenlist, he was successful!		Captain and Mrs. Johnson with our new President, Jeff Clevenger	The Hedenburgs enjoy another Sumner banquet

The Chief addressing the crew	Colonel Randolph being informed that he owes us ice cream for 270!	Chief Clevenger explaining how he had the City put on a fireworks show for us	Jeff and Joe, the guys that made it all happen!

Captain Mercado, Paul Rosskamp, Bob Laighton, Joe Gall, Richard Foran, Jeff Clevenger, Wiley Boland and Jesse Marney and the glitter of GOLD !

And the band played on............		Destroyer Captains Bob and Vic	Captain Mercado and "the Chief"


Our Host CDR Victorino G. Mercado CO USS Decatur (DDG-73)	CAPT Len Hering, Sr. CO San Diego Naval Base	RADM David G. Ramsey (Ret.)	CDR Thomas E. Betts Chaplain Corps

US Naval Sea Cadet Color Guard	Passing the Sumner Memorial Wreath		CDR Robert H. Laighton CO USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692)

The Honorable George Waters Mayor of National City	Shipmates Jesse Marney and Chester Hanc place the wreath in the Pacific Ocean		Remember

Roll Call - Remembering our departed shipmates as Paul Rosskamp rings the bell			The Color Guard

DESRON 23 The Little Beavers	The Chaplain helps Joe with our wreath	A future Sumner Sailor	Make all preparations for getting underway

Captain Laighton leads us aboard the Decatur	The Chief arriving	Remember	The liberty party returning

Home again - if only we could get underway!

The Chaplain comes aboard	The fantail of the Decatur is a bit larger than our's was		Remember

Ceremony, Pride and Honor - OUR NAVY !

Our outgoing President	Our incoming President	An EMCM in command!	The Whale Boat is here !

Jesse presents tokens of our Thanks		Newt receives the keys to the City

A sea of Haze Grey - Just like the old days !

Tricia Warren as Gun Captain	The CIWS	Something is different on the Quarterdeck?	JAPS !

The Fitzgerald is next door	Welcome Aboard !	She sits a bit higher than the 692	Now that's a Whale Boat !

	A damage control lecture	They are using plates !

Captain Mercado and his son Daniel share in our Memorial Service Official U.S. Navy photo thanks to the USS Decatur (DDG-73) Webstaff

Thanks to Dale "Mort" Surber, Maurice Warren, Jeff Clevenger, Joe Gall Jr. and John Barry for their efforts to document our reunion, Bravo Zulu Shipmates!

	CTA2 Raymond Rizzo of Marlboro, N.Y., a crewmember aboard USS Decatur (DDG 73), gives a tour to (left) Fred Willshaw (SK1, 1967-69) and (right) Charles Walters (MM2, 1961), former crewmembers aboard USS Allen M. Sumner (DD 692) during that ship's reunion June 16 at the Naval Station. Decatur was the host ship for the Sumner's reunion. Sumner served the fleet for 30 years (1943-1973) before being decommissioned. She saw action in the three of the country's biggest military conflicts - World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War. JO1(SW) Scott Sutherland / Naval Station public affairs
	CTA2 Raymond Rizzo of Marlboro, N.Y., a crewmember aboard USS Decatur (DDG 73), gives a tour to former crewmembers aboard USS Allen M. Sumner (DD 692) during that ship's reunion June 16 at the Naval Station. Decatur was the host ship for the Sumner's reunion. Sumner served the fleet for 30 years (1943-1973) before being decommissioned. She saw action in the three of the country's biggest military conflicts - World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War. JO1(SW) Scott Sutherland / Naval Station public affairs
	The final product, an article in the San Diego Navy Station newspaper, Navy Compass, from June 28, 2001 by LTJG Bill Spann of the Decatur

Official US Navy photographs and Cutlines thanks to JO1(SW) Scott Sutherland / Naval Station public affairs

LT Colombus "Newt" & Gwen Newburn
CAPT Clarence "Johnny" & Katharine Johnson
LTCOL Ronnie & Tommie Carol Randolph
Bruce & Earlene Fulbright
Jim & Betty Funck
Joe Gall
Jeff & Terry Clevenger
Wes & Reigh Ritchie
Irv & Janet Williams
Charles & Aleta Walters
Robert & Theda Laighton
Hubert & Jewell Smith
Tom & Karen Brown
Don & Shirley Moore
Bill & Imogene Holthaus
Earle & Liz Hedenberg
Don Mittendorf & Connie and Katie Crist
Maurice & Tricia Warren
Jesse & Gladys Marney
Dick & Norma Callihan
Len & Phoebe Skowron
Al & Shirley Payne
Larry & Dottie Conely
Harold & Betty King
Richard & Elizabeth Blunt
Paul & Lee Rosskamp
Bob & Gloria Kelly
Earl & Judy Finch
Albert & Dorothy Taylor
Dale "Mort" Surber
John & Judy Barry
Dick & Mary Ann Foran
Paul & Meryl Delasco
Wiley & Juanita, Wiley Jr & Mary Ann, Deedy Boland
Joe & Mary Vigo
Steve & Ruth Krajcik
Jim Poston & Brenda Stanley
Chester & Dorothy, Betzi Lynn Hanc
Vincent Sodano & Elizabeth Mazurek
Kelly Brown & Carla Cawlfield
Tom & Carolyn Shell
Frank & Patches Presfield
Joe Jr, Tammy, Joe III, Ashley, & Jeffrey Gall
Fred Willshaw
Plus the officers and crew of the USS Decatur (DDG-73)


Maurice and John in Balboa Park	It's break time !	"Tricia snap the shutter already !"	The USS Constellation


Our honored guests - Pilots rescued at sea by the USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692)
LT Colombus L. "Newt" Newburn USN World War II	CAPT Clarence R. "Johnny" Johnson USN Korea	LTCOL Ronnie E. Randolph USAF Vietnam


*U.S.S. Allen M. Sumner DD-692*
The 2001 Reunion - Reunion 13 14-17 June, Kings Inn Hotel, San Diego, California


Jeff and Joe planning business meeting strategy	Let's vote for Yokosuka !		Joe, Jr. and Jesse planning for Reunion 14 in Mobile

A word from our Sponsor, Rich Little of the Coors PR Department	*Security was provided by the local SWAT Team*


Sumner is honored on her day in San Diego - REMEMBER


Over the bridge and off to Coronado







Now Mess Gear !