San Diego Revisited –
Reunion 2000
by
Ken Hill, LCDR,
USNR-R
The 2000 reunion of the USS/USCGC Lansing began on Thursday, September 28th, 2000 in San Diego, California. This was the second time we have held the reunion in San Diego. As has become a custom for our reunions, shipmates began arriving a couple days early for individual visits to local attractions. By completion of this year’s registration, 31 crewmen had registered as well as 26 spouses.
The first official event of the reunion took place at noon on Thursday with a visit and buffet lunch at the Tom Ham’s Lighthouse restaurant on Harbor Island. After lunch we proceeded to the Old Towne section of San Diego. There we were met by a docent who gave us a talk on the history of a restored hacienda, as well as the early lifestyle of the region. After the talk we were free to explore the shops of Old Towne for a couple of hours prior to returning to the hotel. Thursday evening everyone gathered for the welcome reception, which is always a highlight of the reunion. Several dinner reservations were missed as we renewed old friendships and remembered life aboard the Lansing.
On Friday morning we visited one of the largest ships in the Navy, the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The flight deck of the Stennis is over 300 feet wide. The Lansing would fit across the deck, as it was only 306 feet long. Many new muscles were discovered as we climbed eight levels to the bridge. Harland Tompkins remarked the he now understood why young people man the ships of the fleet.
After leaving the Stennis, we went to the Bali Hai restaurant on Shelter Island for another bountiful lunch.
On returning to the hotel we held our business annual meeting where it was voted to keep the annual dues at $20.00 for full members and at $10.00 for associate members. We also voted to hold our 2002 reunion in New Orleans, LA. in mid October. Terry Moberg reported that our paid membership is 116, consisting of 100 regular members and 16 associate members. During the business meeting, the ladies met separately for their annual gift exchange, which, according to everyone who attended, was delightful. Renate Mannes ran the event, and everyone appreciated the great job she did. After the meetings, we continued our annual tradition of posing for our group photograph.
Friday evening we enjoyed another highlight of the reunion as we took a harbor dinner cruise aboard the California Princess, a new harbor cruise ship. During the cruise we rose to the occasion of helping those in distress on the sea by transferring a bathroom plunger to another cruise ship, which was having facility problems. The weather was perfect, the harbor sights were beautiful, and all had a good time.
Saturday we toured Sea World, which offered a wonderful variety of marine animals and shows, and, of course, more food. Upon returning to the hotel, we were on our own for the rest of the day and evening.
Sunday morning we had our farewell breakfast together, Ken Hill, Ron Bond, Bob Goodrich and Ernie Matthews conducted a memorial service for those shipmates who had passed away over the last year. After the service the reunion closed; reluctant good-byes were said, and promises made to attend next year’s reunion on the East Coast.
Next muster will be held in Virginia Beach, VA on October 17, 2001