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USS Hopewell (DD-681) Association
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symposium was held Tuesday evening in the he USS Hopewell (DD-681) Association held its Hospitality Room aimed at interviewing the WWII biennial reunion in San Antonio, Texas. In a Hopewell “Plank Owners” and allowing the crew in nutshell, it was epic. The definition of “epic” is an attendance to question these witty, articulate men as event or thing that is grand or heroic in scale or they recalled some of the horrors – as well as some content. The Hopewell’s San Antonio Reunion was lighter moments – of the Pacific War 75 years ago. just that. Wednesday was a busy day. At the Memorial For the first time in history a Navy ship reunion Service in the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Chapel, was honored to have three 93-year-old WWII veteran the Honor Guard and bugler were “razor sharp and heroes in attendance. Think about that. All these squared away” and presented the colors flawlessly, men fought the Japanese in the historic sea battles in after which each of the 32 deceased shipmates was the Pacific 75 years ago! Despite their advanced age, individually honored during the tolling of the they were lively and articulate, and they told many ship’s bell. stories that brought laughter as well as tears. They The Lifetime Members Plaque After the Memorial Service, the crew enjoyed a seemed to feed off each other as they recalled in graphic detail many of their harrowing experiences contains the engraved names of 30 guided tour of Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Hopewell shipmates who will never Houston, and then on to lunch at the iconic Chart during various battles in the Pacific 75 years ago, again have to pay association dues. House atop the 750-foot Tower Of The Americas as well as some humorous stories about life aboard ship during those especially perilous times. A total of 55 shipmates, spouses, and guests enjoyed a full schedule of events and activities and spent the week traveling, dining, relaxing, and reminiscing with one another and the WWII heroes. It was especially unique to have three “Plank Owners” (first to man the Hopewell when it was first commissioned in 1943) in the same room as the last to depart the ship when it was decommissioned in 1970 … the first and last men to serve on the USS Hopewell (DD-681). In the Hospitality Room, the gorgeous Honduran mahogany Lifetime Members Plaque was presented to the crew and bore the For the first time in Hopewell Reunion history, several relatives of deceased engraved names of all 30 shipmates who have joined the Lifetime shipmates attended the reunion and Memorial Service. Wearing white gloves, Members Program. During the week of the reunion, five more they tolled the ship’s bell one final time for their deceased relative. Emotional. shipmates joined, bringing the total to 35. It was great to see such alongside the San Antonio Riverwalk. Another symposium was held Wednesday evening to help the shipmates navigate the Veterans Administration bureaucratic red tape common when applying for VA health benefits and Agent Plank Owner plaques and Community Service Orange medical care. award presented at the banquet. On Thursday we took a luxury coach tour of San Antonio and the Mission District, and Three WWII Veteran Heroes (l to r): Roland Weis, Richard Wammock, Joe Calim then lunch at the famous Luby’s Cafeteria, followed by a visit to overwhelming confidence in the Hopewell Association. Nameplates the Alamo. for these additional five, plus any others who decide to join, will Back at the hotel we took photos, and held the Reunion Banquet be engraved and prominently displayed at Norfolk and at all future on Thursday evening. During the Banquet, each Plank Owner was Hopewell reunions. presented an engraved, personalized granite monument mounted Much of Monday was occupied with Association business on an oak base to commemorate his World War II service. In issues and meetings, so the Hopewell Association provided plenty addition, Ron Copeland was presented the Association’s first ever of pizza, sub-sandwiches, and soft drinks in the afternoon, followed Community Service Award for over fifty years of service to the state by a guided boat trip for the crew along downtown San Antonio’s of Oregon, the city of Burns, and Harney County in a multitude of famous Riverwalk. Beautiful! community service and youth education programs. Ron also serves On Tuesday we took a luxury coach to Fredericksburg, Texas, in leadership roles in both the American Legion and VFW. and visited the historic Admiral Nimitz Museum of the Pacific. What a reunion it was! The next one is scheduled for the Afterward, everyone enjoyed lunch on their own and shopping for Norfolk/Virginia Beach area in 2020, and it’s going to be even gifts and souvenirs in Fredericksburg’s legendary shops. As part of better than San Antonio! Is that possible? Stand by. our on-going shipmate education and information effort, a Joyfully shared by Doug Graybeal, Blue Eye, Missouri. 38 REUNIONS v reunionsmag.com
