USS Hopewell (DD-68) Association

USS Hopewell (DD-681) Association

The USS Hopewell (DD-681) Association held its biennial reunion in San Antonio, Texas. In a nutshell, it was epic. The definition of “epic” is an event or thing that is grand or heroic in scale or content. The Hopewell’s San Antonio Reunion was just that.

For the first time in history a Navy ship reunion was honored to have three 93-year-old WWII veteran heroes in attendance. Think about that. All these men fought the Japanese in the historic sea battles in the Pacific 75 years ago! Despite their advanced age, they were lively and articulate, and they told many stories that brought laughter as well as tears. They seemed to feed off each other as they recalled in graphic detail many of their harrowing experiences during various battles in the Pacific 75 years ago, as well as some humorous stories about life aboard ship during those especially perilous times.

The Lifetime Members Plaque contains the engraved names of 30 Hopewell shipmates who will never again have to pay association dues.

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 engraved names of all 30 shipmates who have joined the Lifetime Members Program. During the week of the reunion, five more shipmates joined, bringing the total to 35. It was great to see such overwhelming confidence in the Hopewell Association. Nameplates for these additional five, plus any others who decide to join, will be engraved and prominently displayed at Norfolk and at all future Hopewell reunions.

Three WWII Veteran Heroes (l to r): Roland Weis, Richard Wammock, Joe Calim

Much of Monday was occupied with Association business issues and meetings, so the Hopewell Association provided plenty of pizza, sub-sandwiches, and soft drinks in the afternoon, followed by a guided boat trip for the crew along downtown San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk. Beautiful!

On Tuesday we took a luxury coach to Fredericksburg, Texas, and visited the historic Admiral Nimitz Museum of the Pacific. Afterward, everyone enjoyed lunch on their own and shopping for gifts and souvenirs in Fredericksburg’s legendary shops. As part of our on-going shipmate education and information effort, a symposium was held Tuesday evening in the Hospitality Room aimed at interviewing the WWII Hopewell “Plank Owners” and allowing the crew in attendance to question these witty, articulate men as they recalled some of the horrors – as well as some lighter moments – of the Pacific War 75 years ago.

Wednesday was a busy day. At the Memorial Service in the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Chapel, the Honor Guard and bugler were “razor sharp and squared away” and presented the colors flawlessly, after which each of the 32 deceased shipmates was individually honored during the tolling of the ship’s bell.

For the first time in Hopewell Reunion history, several relatives of deceased shipmates attended the reunion and Memorial Service. Wearing white gloves, they tolled the ship’s bell one final time for their deceased relative. Emotional.

After the Memorial Service, the crew enjoyed a guided tour of Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, and then on to lunch at the iconic Chart House atop the 750-foot Tower Of The Americas 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 Orange medical care.

Plank Owner plaques and Community Service award presented at the banquet.

On Thursday we took a luxury coach tour of San Antonio and the Mission District, and then lunch at the famous Luby’s Cafeteria, followed by a visit to the Alamo.

Back at the hotel we took photos, and held the Reunion Banquet on Thursday evening. During the Banquet, each Plank Owner was presented an engraved, personalized granite monument mounted on an oak base to commemorate his World War II service. In addition, Ron Copeland was presented the Association’s first ever Community Service Award for over fifty years of service to the state of Oregon, the city of Burns, and Harney County in a multitude of community service and youth education programs. Ron also serves in leadership roles in both the American Legion and VFW.

What a reunion it was! The next one is scheduled for the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area in 2020, and it’s going to be even better than San Antonio! Is that possible? Stand by.

Joyfully shared by Doug Graybeal, Blue Eye, Missouri.