ANOTHER GREAT ONE!

Hello Ladies, Gentlemen, and Friends. YOU have done it again. You have made the Sumner reunion a phenomenal event- another GREAT, SUCCESSFUL time was had in Mobile, Alabama last June. We had a record turnout-160 attendees. I’ve said it before--- you are the U in reunion. Without U there would be no reunion. No matter who planned what, if U didn’t attend, it would be a flop. Well since we keep on growing, I guess that is a sign that y’all are having a great time, so we’ll keep on keeping on. I’d like to say a GREAT BIG ‘Thank You” to my wonderful family who are just super helpmates. Dottie, Tammy, Ashley, Joe Jr., Little Joe, and even Jeffrey helps out in little ways- take this to Papa, take this to Daddy, etc. And I can’t forget to thank that cadre of volunteers who jump right in to lend a hand every year. I won’t mention names for fear of forgetting someone; you know who you are, and so do the attendees. They see you pitching in there, and they “Thank You” too. No one can be a one person show where this reunion is concerned- it’s just too big and time consuming. So from the bottom of my heart I say- THANK YOU ONE AND ALL! I heard all kinds of great reports on the harbor tour. I would have liked to have gone, but I just had too many other things to do. Glad you all had a great time. The Banquet was super- great food, as usual. The award ceremony was a bright spot- recognizing our own & Thanking them for their contributions is always a nice touch. Our guest speaker, Rear Admiral Gureck, was just great- very interesting and informative. It was a pleasure having him & Mrs. Gureck with us. Once again Louis Monic & the Boudain Cajun Band from Baton Rouge did a great job. Joe Jr. and myself were part of that band this year, and enjoyed every minute of it. Little Joe sat in on the drums and did a great job. Everyone seemed to have a great time. The Saturday Memorial Ceremony on board USS Alabama was very touching as usual, despite the sound system glitch which was ultimately repaired by Joe Jr; as the kid who was in charge of it really didn’t know anything about it. Rear Admiral Gurney, our speaker, took it all in stride, and as an old tin can sailor, had a booming voice that did just fine without a microphone. What more can I say? The food was great, the camaraderie even better, and that’s a wrap on another reunion. Next year we’ll do it all over again. 

Joe Gall