Newsletter
Newsletter
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Past
Reunions |
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1
- 1989 Virginia Beach, VA |
8 - 1999 Covington, KY |
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2007 USS Providence Reunion UpdateThe USS Providence Association voted at the Phoenix Reunion in September 2005 to hold the next reunion in San Diego, CA in the spring of 2007. Shipmate Dick Rector, President of the Reunion Association, volunteered as the chairman of that reunion and plans were proceeding accordingly. We are saddened to report that Dick Rector passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 1, 2006. Those of you who have met Dick Rector know what a loss he is to the Reunion Association. Dick’s love of his country, his naval service and his shipmates was evident whenever we got together. Those of you who did not have the chance to meet Dick have missed a great opportunity to meet someone from the “old Navy.” He treated anyone who was on the USS Providence like old friends, and his generosity toward everyone he met was legendary. We will miss him greatly. The Executive Board of the USS Providence Reunion Association was not notified of Dick Rector’s passing for almost a month. His family needed to do many things because of his demise and the San Diego reunion was very low on their priority list. Our sympathies lie with them as they continue to deal with their loss. There are many reasons that we considered when we made this decision. With the proposed reunion just six months away, we did not feel that it was fitting that we place the burden of a reunion on someone at such a short notice. We did ask several shipmates if they would be willing to take over the chairmanship of the San Diego Reunion and each carefully considered for several days before turning down our request. We also felt that even if someone were able to take the responsibility for the reunion, they would be limited in their ability to find a suitable hospitality site or hotel that had a week open with just six months notice. We are aware that this may place some of you in an unfortunate position, and we ask your forgiveness and your patience. Those in attendance at the Phoenix, AZ reunion also voted on and approved that the reunion following San Diego be held in Covington, KY in the Autumn of 2008. Bill and Beverly McCubbin volunteered to host the Covington Reunion at that time. The Executive Committee felt that three years until the next reunion was far too long between reunions. We discussed with Bill and Beverly McCubbin if they would think about hosting the scheduled Covington, KY reunion one year earlier, in September 2007. They have considered our request and have agreed to transfer the date of their reunion. The USS Providence Reunion Association will hold its next reunion in September 2007 in Covington, KY. Please make note that the date has been moved forward one year. There will be more on this reunion later, however please make every effort to attend as the Executive Committee will have many items that the membership will need to vote on in the Business Meeting at the Covington, KY reunion. The Executive Committee also felt that we needed to make decision for the continued leadership of the USS Providence Reunion Association following Dick Rector’s death. We looked at members of the association that would be able to step in and take over this leadership role. We wanted someone that was a past chairman of a reunion so they would be aware of the responsibilities of that position and could work with Bill and Beverly McCubbin to make decisions as necessary instead of contacting the Executive Committee and all the back-and-forth discussion that would entail. After due consideration, we offered the office of Interim President to Jim Chryst, chairman of the Buffalo reunion of 2004. We are pleased to announce that he has graciously accepted. Please extend him your congratulations and support as the carries on the proud tradition of the USS Providence Reunion Association. If you have any questions, please contact any of the Executive Committee members listed below. Thank you. Jim Chryst
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