USS SPOKANE Reunion 1998

Some twenty five former crewmembers of the USS SPOKANE and twenty two wives attended the reunion held at Myrtle Beach, S.C., May 26 - 29. Planned events included a pig roast, theatre presentation, aquarium visit and a banquet. Many hours were spent going over old pictures and articles concerning our years aboard the "SPOKE." Sea stories galore were a four day ongoing event.   The hosts, the Delozier family, Ted, Pat and Mary, did an outstanding job of organizing this great reunion. Everyone parted with the desire to continue the reunions as long as we are able. It was the desire of those attending that the next reunion should be held in the city of Spokane, namesake for the great ship we sailed on.   The SPOKANE may not exist anymore, but in our hearts and minds she'll always be a part of us. Step aboard, salute the colors on the fantail, salute the O.D., "Permission to come aboard sir?"   - Bob Fulkerson, October 1998 NOTE: As this site and our number of contacts have grown during the past year, an impressive number of 'old shipmates' may be attending the next reunion: June 5-9, 2000.

USS SPOKANE REUNION 2000

Report from the
USS SPOKANE REUNION 2000

  Not as good a turnout as we had hoped for but we had a great time in Spokane, WA . There were 26 former crew members, the weather couldn’t have been better and for the 55 souls who attended the reunion, who can deny? “We had great company!”

  On Monday evening we received a proclamation from Mayor John Talbot of Spokane, proclaiming June 6th to 10th as USS Spokane Week. We had a city tour on Tuesday and luncheon with the Spokane Navy League. Wednesday evening a dinner cruise on Lake Coeur ‘d Alene with great food and spectacular scenery and weather. Thursday at our banquet the atmosphere, the company, the food and the music, couldn’t be better.......well it could have been better if some more of our old shipmates had been with us. We had a moment of silence and a prayer for those no longer with us and those who were with us in spirit but just could not make it due to illnesses. But all-in-all we had a great time. The band was great, playing 30’s 40’s and 50’s music.

  A great deal of the credit should go to the people of the Ridpath Hotel in Spokane. They bent over backward to assure that we would have a great time in their fair city. Holly Dill the Sales Manager of Cavanaughs Hotels gave us a great deal with a donated double suite for our hospitality room. They also gave us great rates for the rooms and free parking. Heather Hutchinson, Ridpath’s Catering Manager, set up our hospitality rooms, and made provisions for our banquet in their ballroom. The meals were excellent and the service great.

  Julie Saucier of Group Coordinators provided great service in our city tour and dinner cruise and the entertainment for our banquet.

  We can’t forget the Spokane Navy League for their wonderful hospitality and help for our reunion.

  The next reunion may be next year (2001). There is sort of a consensus of opinion among the former crew members that two years may be stretching it for our age group. Just in the past two years many have not been able to attend. Gene and Corky Willms may be the next candidates, along with John and Peg Koontz, to run the next reunion.

  My partner in crime, planning this reunion, was Bob Morgan of Las Vegas, who has had much experience in planning Coast Guard reunions. I couldn't have had a better mentor in helping to plan this one.

  So until next time, AHOY MATES, we’ll meet on the fantail and tell a tale or two. And may you all be with us for that great occasion!

  Bob Fulkerson - e-mail: bob@uss-spokane.com

Dear Bob and Marge,

We just wanted to thank you both again for all the time and effort you put into making the Spokane Reunion 2000 such a great event. I know that it was meaningful for my parents and especially my Dad. I will not soon forget the look of sheer joy on his face when he saw his best buddy of 50 years once again. It was well planned and executed and a fun time for everyone.

The itinerary for the REUNION at Spokane in June of 2000, as posted earlier on this site:

Date: June 5th to 9th, 2000

June 5th:     Arrival:  Check in room; muster at pool level hospitality suite for I.D. badges; goody bags; snacks and other fortification. Get reacquainted with your shipmates. Free day otherwise.

June 6th:     9:30 AM  Tour of the City of Spokane, including the Sea Services Museum, which features USS Spokane pictures and artifacts, (Including the ship’s bell). Bus drop off at Riverfront Park for a picnic luncheon, supported by the Spokane Navy League. After picnic, walk four blocks to hotel. If anyone would have difficulty walking this distance, I’m sure we could prevail on the Navy League to give them a lift to the hotel. Free afternoon and evening.

June 7th:     Free morning and afternoon.  Perhaps a short visit to City Hall by former crew members only. (Let them know that the Spokane still lives, through our reunions!) Afternoon (around 4:30PM):  Bus trip to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, for a dinner cruise on beautiful Lake Coeur d’ Alene. Featured is the famous floating golf green. (Where many a golf ball never quite made it!) And it is a spectacular.sight! Some members of the Navy League may wish to join us on this dinner cruise.

June 8th:     Free morning and afternoon:  to tell more tall sea stories and to discuss future reunions. Evening banquet at the hotel, around 7PM:  Featured guests are the Mayor (or his designee) and Bill Aller, Curator of the Sea Services Museum. Also a Sea Cadet Honor Guard. Members of the Navy league will be invited.

June 9th:     Morning:  Say our farewells 'till next time.

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