the sierran

A newsletter for the

U.S.S. Sierra Veterans AssociATION

Volume 116 December 2017

Service to our

country

1944 to 1993

The crew of the USS Sierra met once again

for our annual reunion in beautiful Wilmington,

NC. Over eighty (80) crew members and their

families were on hand for a few days of exciting

tours, good food, great conversation and a chance

to get together again with old and new friends.

First thing was registration where we all

logged in and were presented with our meal

preferences, outline of the reunion and some

goodies. Next morning we were treated to a full breakfast and started our hello’s,

news from the fleet

President

Joseph Strecker

1312 Country Club Road

Concordia, KS 66901

785-243-3533

Vice President

Larry Stevens

210 NW Greenwood Street

Ankeny, IA 50023-5104

515-210-0777

Treasurer

William Skillin

P. O. Box 767

No Myrtle Beach, SC 29597

913-683-1423

Secretary

John Gandiello

5018 Lillium Drive

Plainfield, IN 46168

317-441-8843

Governor

Ed Roberson

PO Box 308

Julian, NC 27283

336-697-5758

Governor

Michael P. Ansich

5753 Hwy #85 North #2483

Crestview FL 32536

860-319-7592

Governor

Rodney Wallace

350 N State Hwy 360 #4101

Mansfield, TX

509-291-3444

Governor/WebMaster

Mark Fenley

200 Deer Run Drive

Winder, GA 30680-3909

509-291-3444

and soon the festivities began.

Guys and gals started

gathering in the hospitality suite

for some light snacks and some

heavy conversation. A bit latter

and everyone boarded a bus to

visit the USS North Carolina,

one of the few non-Iowa Class

battleships we’ve toured. It was

refreshing

to see the

differences

in both the

lay-out of

the ship

and the type

of armament. She was literally

in her own class, the “North

Carolina Class”. Her armament

included nine 16” guns,

batteries of 5” guns, 40mm and

U.S.S. SIERRA REUNION

Port Of Call - Wilmington, NC

US Navy Status - November 2016

Total Force = 327,503 Officers = 54,136 Enlisted = 268,907 Total ships = 272 Ships deployed = 97 Aircraft = 3,700+

Navy working Uniform (NWU) will be replaced with a green/tan cammies

USS Navy worked for weeks to deliver much needed supplies to Hurricane Mathew ravaged Haiti

The anger over the elimination of ratings continues with both active and retired personnel (100,000 signature petition was sent to the White House)

The Philippine president wants US troops out of his country

Continued page 2 Reunion

page 2

20 mm anti-aircraft guns and a Vought Kingfisher

scout airplane. The kind people at the museum

handed out beautiful pictures of our own USS

Sierra. The USS North Carolina was her own class battleship with two “North Carolina Class” ships;

the USS North Carolina and the USS Washington. It was interesting to see the difference in lay-

out of these huge war ships.

Afterwards we once again met in the hospitality suite to enjoy the “President’s Welcome”

and enjoyed good food and again sharing sea-stories.

That evening was our annual membership meeting with both serious

discussion about the association and a few light moments that shipmates

shared. The discussion included future reunions, composition of our

meetings, getting more involved with our sister Destroyer Tenders, welcoming new members, and election of officers. It is with a sad heart

that Jim Kane and I will step down as your Secretary and Governor, but

we’ll still be active in the association.

After the meeting we returned to the hospitality suite where as

usual the evening went long but everyone was up at breakfast and ready

to go on tour number two, a trip to the famous Fort Fisher and historic

sites of Wilmington, North Carolina. Captain Wilbur Jones (USN Ret) narrated our tour and we

were lucky to have him as our speaker at our banquet that evening.

Fort Fisher was an interesting tour and we were treated as royalty with a video about the Confederate Fort and the two major battles to occur at the

fort. After the video we were able to go on a guided walk

through the battle grounds of the fort.

That evening was our annual banquet where we once

again enjoyed some great food, good conversation and a

lecture by Captain Jones. In addition to his own interesting

career in the US Navy, the Captain recounted the brave and

world hopping adventures of his mother-in-law. The evening

was warm gathering of shipmates from all over the country

getting together to enjoy each others company and share some

the memories of when we were invincible.

The end of the banquet didn’t signal the end of the great conversations. Bright and early the

next morning everyone got ready to check out with one more stop for some breakfast and more

stories. Each one than started their journey home equipped with a host of more memories.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

NOTE: If you have pictures of the reunion that you’d like to

share please send them to our WebMaster Mark Fenley at mdfenley@gmail.com.

Reunion Continued from page 1 Reunion

page 3

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard to our newest members.

We look forward to seeing you in Albuquerque, NM.

Albert McDonald (62-63) QM2

Alfred E. Ball (58-59) SN

T a p s

REMEMBER YOUR USS SIERRA VETERANS

ASSOCIATION DUES MAINTAIN EVERYTHING

THAT THE ASSOCIATION DOES.

Life Members

Congratulations to our newest Life

Member:

Captain David W. Sommers

It is with deep sadness that we wish safe

passage in heavenly waters to our departed shipmates:

Malcolm Jones 06/26/2016

Ruth Summerlin 06/29/2016

Michael Meyers 02/14/2015

Thomas P. Herlihy 08/31/2015

This will be my last newsletter for the

USS Sierra Veterans Association. Due to an almost overwhelming schedule, including the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Navy Sea Cadets, I must step down as your Secretary. I am confidently handing it over to someone I believe will do an excellent job. John Gandiello will be taking over as Secretary. I have asked many times in the past to please send in your stories for print in the newsletter, but John has a great twist, he’d like to feature a shipmate or two each issue. See you at the reunions and looking forward to reading your stories in “The Sierran”.

Stepping Down

Here’s wishing everyone

enjoyed some festivities and,

more importantly, some

time with you family on

Veterans Day! Sea Stories

As mentioned in previous article, please

forward your stories abiut your time on the USS Sierra to John Gandiello. Either give him a call at 317-441-8843 or mail your story to him (address on page 1). Let’s hear from you and share your fun stories, interesting adventures, scary moments, or just plain old everyday life on board the USS Sierra.

page 4

1) Meeting opened by President Joseph Strecker

2) Treasurer’s reports was read APPROVED

3) Minutes of last year’s meeting were read

APPROVED

4) A motion was made for the association to pay the costs for a future reunion. Motion not seconded

Not voted on

5) Bob Morales requested that the association send out sympathy cards to members as required.

Chaplain Rodney Wallace promised to take care such items

6) Donation 0f $250.00 to Tin Can Sailors was discussed APPROVED

7) Albuquerque reunion was discussed at length. Members were urged to register early.

8) Myrtle Beach reunion was discussed and is subject to change.

9) Bill Skillin is looking into creating the ability to register for our reunions via EXPEDIA

10) It was suggested that membership meeting include members “Sea stories” The idea was excellent the topic of “Sea stories” will take place in the hospitality suite

11) Increasing partnerships with our sister Destroyer Tenders was discussed.

12) The following officers were nominated and approved by acclamation vote:

Joe Strecker, President

Larry Stevens, Vice President Bill Skillin, Treasurer

John Gandiello, Secretary

Governor/Facebook, Ed Roberson Governor/Chaplain, Rodney Wallace

Governor/Hospitality, Michael P. Ansich

Governor/Webmaster, Mark Fenley

13) New members were introduced Bob Holsworth

John Gandielo

Bob

Ed Robins

14) USS Sierra jackets will once again be on sale, including a new spring jacket.

15) Both the membership and Joe Strecker thanked Bill and Judy Skillin for all their hard work in

organizing a hugely successful reunion.

Membership Meeting 2017

DUES DUES DUES DUES DUES DUES

the memories.

page 5

Here is the crew of the USS Sierra that made this year’s reunion:

Mike & Mary Ansich Alfred & Everett Ball

Marilyn & Pat Barmore Brooks & Peggy Bryant

Benedict & Teresa Carini Kenneth & Fran Carver

Cally Christenson Arnold & Jan Court

Billy & Carole Davis David & Karen Drennan

Bill Dutton John Eberhardt

Thomas & Jennifer Elsroth John & Laura Elsroth

Richard Erbe Ken Fabian

Mark Fenley Sidney & Ilene Ferguson

Sam & Sandy Freidmann Maria Gadaree

Bob & Deanne Gancarz John & Vickie Gandiello

James Hagan Sharon Holland

Christopher Holley Dave Holloway

Robert W. Holzworth Tony Hrynczszyn

Keith Jones Jim Kane

James & Edith Lowe William & Phyllis Maine

Don & Kathy Maxon David & Janet McAhren

Herbert & Rosa Moody Robert & Valerie Morales

Jean Newell Paul Perez

Jerry & Carol Reposa Janice Riordan

Ed Roberson Daniel & Janice Romando

Barbara Scala Gloria Shelby

Bill & Judy Skillin Carol & Doug Skinner

Donald & Sheri Slack Harry & Sandy Smith

Mary Louise Spain Larry Stevens

Joe & Jana Strecker Linda Stroud

Rodney Wallace Joan Yazinski

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thank you to everyone who made the trip to Wilmington. The entire executive

board hopes you had a wonderful time, a chance to re-live some good times, meet new friends,

say ‘hello’ to old shipmates and build a few more fond memories.

Uss sierra ad-18 veterans association

2015 reunion - shipmates & spouses

DUES DUES DUES DUES

page 6

USS Sierra AD-18 Veterans Association Reunion Registration

Albuquerque, NM 4-7 October 2017

Last Name:* ______________________ First Name:_______________________

*If different Last Name while assigned to the Sierra:________________________________

Street:_________________________ City:________________State:______ ZipCode:________

Phone number: (____)____________ Email: ____________________________________

Spouse/Guest Name (please provide first & last name):_______________________________

The total registration fee is $85.00 per person and includes the Hospitality Room, Thursday night

Icebreaker, and Friday evening Banquet.

DATE/TIME

EVENT DESCRIPTION PRICE

(per person)

# OF

PEOPLE

TOTAL

REUNION REGISTRATION FEE $85.00 X

Thursday 10/05/17 0900-1600 Santa Fe, NM Tour $40.00 X

Saturday 10/07/17 0600-1100 Balloon Fiesta $50.00 X

ANNUAL DUES $ 25.00 X

REGISTRATION TOTAL (Please pay this amount)

* * * Please make all checks payable to: USS SIERRA VETERANS ASSOCIATION * * *

No registrations accepted after deadline - No refunds after registration deadline.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: Should there be an emergency during the reunion, who should we

contact on your behalf? NAME:__________________________________ TELEPHONE: (_____)___________

***Please indicate your meal choice(s): A. Caraway Crusted Pork Chops or B. Chicken Cordon Bleu

Shipmate’s meal choice_______ Guest meal choice ______

If you (or your guests) have any special dietary, handicapped needs or other requirements, please provide specific

details:

__________________________________________________________________________________________ **Make your reservations early** MCM Elegante Hotel, 2020 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM.

Call toll free: (866) 650-4900 USS Sierra Group Rate is $123.17 tax included until Aug.1, 2017

Please check this block if you will NOT be staying at the host hotel – for emergency evacuation purposes.

If you are ONLY planning to attend the Thursday night Icebreaker and/or

Friday evening Banquet - please check the block and complete this section below:

DATE/TIME

EVENT DESCRIPTION PRICE

(per person)

# OF

PEOPLE

TOTAL

Thursday 10/05/15 1800-2000 Icebreaker/BBQ $35.00

Friday 10/06/15 1430-1800 Banquet(Indicate meal choices above) $50.00

TOTAL (Please pay this amount)

Registration Due Date:

August 1, 2017 Have questions, call 816-905-6523 or 913-683-1423

Mail printed form to: USS Sierra Veterans Assn

PO Box 767

North Myrtle Beach SC 29597

page 7

Machinist’s Mate ‘A’ School: Day

Helmsman with an attitude

An awkward moment in aftwer steering

Uss sierra ad-18 veterans association

25 maple road

Iselin, nj 08830

To:

President’s Message

I want to say “Thank You” to each and every one that attended our 2016 reunion in

Wilmington, NC. It takes all of you to make a reunion. It was great to see a lot of the same shipmates and meet several first time attendees. I also want to send a special thank you to all the officers and governors for all their help during this last year and during the reunion. We had a few changes to the Executive Board and we wish Jim Kane and John Eberhardt the best. I also want to welcome on board John Gandiello, Ed Roberson, and Michael Asich and once again thank Bill Skillin, our treasurer and reunion chairman, for all the work he does and also thanks to Judy Skillin for being on Bill’s team. Our next reunion is looking to be another great get-together, so starting making your plans to attend. Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year.

Joseph Strecker, President

Joseph Strecker